I’ve had a chance to experiment with a few different types of glues for my books and the best one I have come across are PVA glues which can be found in any art supply or craft store.
PVA is easy to work with and strong. This is just a common white glue that is very flexible and can be easily brushed onto the spine of the book. PVA glues are acid free and used in libraries to repair books. The biggest problem is slow drying time. You will need to keep the pages clamped together for a while as it dries. Adding another layer of glue to the book block later and attaching the cover works fine.
Another very common glue choice is contact cement. PowerPoxy is a brand name that comes up a lot in my research. This is a neoprene-based contact cement and is somewhat thicker than working with PVA glue, but you can still brush it on the spine. You apply it to both the spine and cover and then let the glue ’set-up’ for a minute before pressing the spine and cover together for drying (which only takes a few minutes.)
My initial projects used Gorilla Glue to glue the pages together. This glue tends to soak into the paper a bit and gives a very strong (and somewhat stiff) spine, but it also expands as it dries which often results in lumpy spines. Plus, every cover I have used it on becomes discolored as the glue soaks in.
The drying time for Gorilla Glue is more like PVA glue, so you will have to keep the pages clamped together for a while as it sets-up. Be very careful not to leave ANY excess glue on the surface of the paper as it will expand as it dries and ‘puff up’ creating the lumpy spine I mentioned before.
You could use Gorilla Glue to bind the pages and then come back with contact cement to apply the covers. I’m not certain how well these to glues would bond to each other over the long term, but my guess is it would be strong enough.
I have experimented with hot glues, but don’t recommend them. They are hard to work with and don’t offer any benefits over the cold glues I have mentioned. The drying time is faster, but I spent a considerable amount of time trying to get smooth even coverage (often resorting to using an iron to re-heat the glued book spines making the glue workable again.)
It may be possible to create some sort of heated glue pot that keeps the glue warm enough for you to brush it on before it hardens and then quickly fold the cover over (or later run a hot iron over the cover to re-melt the glue underneath and bond it to the cover.)
It took a lot of time to get my results (I never had this much trouble with a cold glue) and I wasn’t happy with the results. I recommend contact cement or PVA glues. The dry times are longer, but the results are nicer and more consistent.
Another glue that I have recently discovered is PUR glue. It is very strong and flexible and dries quickly. I’ve come across several commercial binderies that are using it as their primary glue and claim it to be the best on the market.
There are many variations of PUR glue on the market. You can usually find it at your local Home Depot. I have not had an opportunity to use it yet for a project, so I can’t vouch for this glue, but it looks very promising.
If you have a better glue option than those listed (or advice for applying the glues I did mention), leave a comment and share your experience.
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Definitely stick with the PVA options. Other glues, while they might appear to be OK from the outset, can turn into a nightmare as they age. Definitely stay away from hotglues. I’ve found that entire books will just pop away from their cases when this type of glue is employed. Various other kinds of glue become brittle and will crack at weak points over time.
Audra,
Thanks for sharing your experience. PVA is the primary solution I have chosen for my own work for the same reasons you have stated.
Hot glues are usually used in the commercial binding industry and they combine it with spine roughening before the glue is applied to create more surface area for the glue to bind too. My main problem with hot glues is the difficulty of creating an even application of glue without making a huge mess.
PUR glues seem to have all of the key properties of a good binding glue, I just haven’t had a chance to experiment with it yet.
Andrew
[...] Wait a few minutes and apply a second coat then let everything dry thoroughly.***Check out the Glue Options for Perfect Bound Paperback Books article for more information on choosing the right glue for the [...]
Thanks for the tip! I could use this for matting photography as well.
I want to buy your book. However the paypal did not allow it. How can I purchase this book?
Hi, thanks for the tips on glue.
As I live in Scandinavia some of the brands you name is unknown to me. But I did find some PVA based carpenter glue in my basement that worked perfectly. The brand was Evonor 620, very flixible and strong plus its fast drying. It did however make a mess of my cotton swab so I think I’ll get a paintbrush for my next book binding.
In your video tutorial in bookbinding part 1, you mention that you used a 5 minute epoxy. What brand did/do you use or does not matter? Have you experienced any problems other than the need to get the job done quickly?
Jim,
I didn’t seek out any specific brand of 5 minute epoxy (I just used some that was left over from another household project.)
My main reason for choosing this glue was speed and convenience.
The books made with this glue continue to hold up well and I can’t say that I’ve had any problems with them. The short working time is the main issue I’ve experienced.
Andrew
Hi,
regarding hot melt glue for DIY paper back books: I do this all the time and with great results and it’s much quicker than with cold glues and just as strong.
First I use a glue gun to apply the glue across the tightly clamped book block (spine). With a sharpened spatula I then cut off the excess of glue on both sides of the block. Then I insert the block into the prepared cover and place both on the hot plate which is made of an aluminum plate sitting on a heating element from an electric cook stove.
All I have to do now is to watch both ends of the book so that the hot and liquid glue does not run out of the spine. When the glue becomes visible on both ends, I take the book off the heating plate and place it on a similar plate that acts as a heat sink.
Works all the time and there is no deformation or any other blemish on the spine.
Walter,
Thanks for sharing your gluing technique. My own experiences with a glue gun were not as successful.
If I had the space to setup something like the heating plate you described, I might have better luck. Cold glues are a better option for me right now.
Andrew
For paperbacks I use hotmelt glue and a hot air gun.
Use the airflow and a stick to guide the glue when melted. When the glue covers the entire spine, i put a piece of fabric over, this fabric also secures the front and back cardboard.
Usually takes me 10 minutes to glue a book.
I have had no loose pages, even after numerous re-reads or lookups.
Michael,
Thanks for the detailed explanation of your technique.
Another variation of hotgluing that I’ve come across involves using an electric hotplate to melt the glue in a pan and then dipping the book spine into the melted glue.
That approach would give a nice even coating of glue. I haven’t tried it, but it sounds promising.
Andrew
Thank-you so much for all the information. How do you print double sided pages using Photoshop or InDesign?
Hi there
I’m about to make my own book cover for the first time according to all the info I got here, here’s to hoping it turns out well! I’m in south africa and we have loads of hardware stores and loads of glue brands etc, so I hope I make the correct choice. I’ll stick with a PVA glue, sounds like the easiest option even if it takes a while to dry, I have loads of time.
Thanks for all the tips, I really appreciate it!!
Regards
Anco
Anco,
Glad you like the site. Good luck with your book project.
Andrew
I print double sided pages by printing all of the odd pages first (the print dialog box has an option for this) and then flipping the stack and printing the even pages on the opposite side. Nothing fancy.
Andrew
Thanks Andrew. I stumbled on your site looking for more tips on binding. I started with recycling paper to make note pads. (Just hate the amount of paper wasted at office
Especially when there are reams of perfectly good scribbling paper tossed out.)
Of glues, I have to agree with most that was said. The fast contact glues make quick bind–but brittle–and these snap easy. PVA is definitely much better. I used steel rulers before to hold the pages together, but found wood was better as it does not bend or buckle.
A trick I tried to strengthen the spine works great, and now I use it all the time for books I want to keep. It involves stitching the end of the perfect bind. To do this, slip a piece of thread in between the pages before clamping them down. Now before applying the glue, cut notches (a mm deep) in the spine (to form sort of a ladder pattern on the back). Run the thread in a figure-of-eight fashion along the spine. You can pull the thread real tight if you have clamped it well. Glue as before. I find the thread gives the pages a little more to hang on to. It also stops the spine from splitting apart when you spread the book open.
A couple of other things to try to get a nice even spine–press cheese cloth or a ribbon over the spine after you even out the glue. I particularly like this when I am attaching a hard cover, or even an extra thick cover. Keeping an extra inch of cloth over the edge, allows me to have something extra to stick the cover on to–making sure that the cover also does not come loose.
Louis,
Thanks for the tips.
I’ve seen several people use notches along the spine to create extra surface for the glue to attach – but the thread is new to me. If you have a photo(s) of this, I’d love to post it.
The cheesecloth trick is something I’ve also used for hardcovers. You are right, it works very well.
Andrew
Hotglues are no good. Even after you finally get them on they don’t seem to penetrate into the paper and chunks eventually break off when you try to read the book. I’m trying to find a glue which has archival quality i.e. it won’t discolor the pages or turn yellow after 10 or 15 years.
John,
Hot glues are the norm in the professional binding world, and they almost always rough the spine before applying the glue to provide better adhesion.
If you want archival quality, it’s best to stick with PVA glues. You should also consider fanning the spine as you apply the glue to allow for it to work around the edges of the paper.
This takes time, but the results are more durable.
Andrew
I would stick with PVA for sure. Does anyone know approximately how much glue (in ounces?) you would typically use on a book. I’m trying to price out the cost of materials for a book I plan on creating myself by hand (there won’t be a large number of ‘orders’). The book’s spine is about an inch and a half to two inches thick and 11 inches long. I was estimating about one ounce, but I’m not sure if I’m way off or not.
I did a Google search, but could not find a vendor for PUR glue. I found lots of articles, but now here I could buy it…does anyone know a brand name I can search for? I searched Home Depot’s site and did not see it there. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Hi. Thanks for the great information.
I’m still just researching this stuff and have not tried my hand at it (yet).
My understanding was that Gorilla Glue is, in fact, PUR glue. Is this wrong?
Thanks again for your great site.
-John
Hi.
Me again, sorry. I’ve just been hitting the search engines on this. There is something called flexible 2-part epoxy out there. I’m wondering how well it would work. I haven’t found anything about using it for bookbinding.
Have you ever heard of these new “flexibilzed” epoxies being used for bookbinding?
I’ll keep looking around…
-John
Hey Andrew thanks for the info, I’m about to bind my first (of many) books and I can’t wait to try my hand at it! As you can probably tell, I’m rather excited.
Thanks again
For what it’s worth, I too, make scratch pads from used computer paper. I use the liquid products made for coating tool handles (like pliers). “Plasti-dip” is one brand.
I have a comment and a question if anyone can help.
I just finished my first bookbinding project with great success so far. I have 4 books that I have to complete for members of my family as christmas gifts. The book is a compilation of all our family photos over the many years. Seems to be a great way to collect all the family photos, newspaper articles etc. Each book is identical with them being about 1″ in total thickness, and of a size of 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ (half sheets for economy). I made the jig as indicated in the video, which will be “a must” assembly tool for anyone who wants to publish and assemble a book.
My materials and tools are: PRINTSHOP PROFESSIONAL graphics publisher, Cannon pixma 9000 photo printer (ink jet), dual side matt finish photo paper, Kite cord string, 5 minute epoxy, super thin CA instant glue, the assembly jig, plenty of the 8 ink cartridges for printing, .60 thick plastic cut to fit for the back spine, Dremil rotary hand tool with cut off wheel(home depot).
Before starting, I read Louis’s comment of august 5 regarding the cutting of grooves in the spine to reinforce, and anchor the pages better, and having an engineering background this seemed impressive to me as this process give more of mechanical attachment than just relying on the glue. He is “right on” with this process, as I feel that rather to have a flexible spine, I would rather create a stiff one where no flexing can take place. This was the reason for adding the flat plastic spine backing prior to putting on the final cover.
All has gone better than I imagined with only a couple issues at this point, which steers me into the question that I have regarding the paper stock. I am presently using 47 pound double sided matt photo paper. It makes for wonderful quality pages, but they are fairly thick for booklet pages. I cant find any other thinner photo sheets for two sided printing with a ink jet printer. I think that Ideally the sheets should be about 25 pound (6 mil thickness approx). I am wondering if the major issue is 2 sided printing with photos and the concern of ink bleed thru on thinner paper. My research on the I-net has turned up nothing on the subject. I am wondering what the thinnest paper I can use for this “typical” project with my equipment. I know that a laser jet for book publishing is probably the better way to go as it thermally sets the ink so that it is more durable and long term, but this is what I have at present.
I have made progress pictures so far that I think could be of good use to those that are also involved with book binding. I know that there is much discussion regarding glues and proceedures, but I am convinced that the epoxy/rigid spine is the way to go. I am more apt to go this direction due to many years of R/C airplane involement. The epoxy and the reinforced spine will not allow the pages to ever shift.
If possible I can post these pictures or those interested can contact me.
Thanks for the all the suggestions so far on your website.
Airplane Bill
Are there any good DYI videos on binding a hard cover book without stitching? I was hoping to find a simple way to bind hard covers without all the hassle. Similar to binding paperback books by the glue method. Bob
Just a quick thanks… I have a small book (15 pages) to bind and the hot glue worked just perfect. It was quick and easy. I will try the cloth and cheesecloth as noted above.
Airplane Bill,
Your project sounds awesome – just the perfect sort of DIY binding project in my opinion. The people receiving the books will appreciate both the content and the craftsmanship you put into them.
When printing photos with inkjet printers, bleed-through is always a big concern. I’ve used color laser printers as well and they have two downsides. First, they don’t reproduce the color as well as a good inkjet (which might be a problem for a photo book). Second, because of the way the toner bonds to the paper, it is possible for it to flake off with repeated bending of the pages. Laser print bonds to the surface of the paper – inkjet print soaks into the fibers (hence the tendency for bleed-through.)
Everything involved is a trade-off, so pick the options that create the best results for your goals.
Cutting grooves in the spine is an excellent method of increasing the surface area for the glue to bond with. Professional binding machines have a grinder which ‘roughens’ the spine before applying the glue. This has the effect of breaking-up the fibers in the paper to create more surface area for the glue to bond too. Same basic idea.
If you want to add a grinding step to your gluing process, try an electric sander with a 150-200 grit paper. A quick pass across the spine should do the trick and make your spines much stronger.
You state a few times that you want rigid spines for your books. But, that can backfire. Book spines have to flex in order for the pages to open and be read. Stiff spines encourage readers to press open the pages to ‘break the binding’ a little so the book will open up. With a stiff spine, this can shatter the glue.
In the long run, choosing flexible glues will create the most lasting glued spines.
If you want to share photos of your project, there is a special area for just that over on the DISCUSSION FORUM:
http://www.diybookforum.com/members-showcase/
I’d love to see your results!
Andrew
Does your technique for binding only work on folded 8.5 x 11 sheets for a 5.5 x 8.5 book? Or can this also be used for books made from flat 8.5 x 11 sheets? Is having the spine made up of folded edges the reason this binding works? If I want a 8.5 x 11 book would I have to print it on 11 x 17 and then fold it? Or can I just set 8.5 x 11 sheets next to each other and glue them like your tutorial says?
Does your system of binding only work for sheets that have been folded and glued along the folded edge? Can you glue along unfolded edges, binding unfolded sheets that just lay in a stack?
Just a note: a long time ago, I started reparing books using a formula I got from an even older edition of Popular Science (or Popular Mechanics, or Mechanix illus…); it’s basically just white glue with some glycerine thrown in. The White glue’s strength and ability to bond doesn’t seem to be affected but the glycerin keeps it soft and pliable so it has less tendancy to EVER get brittle and break up.
Can we hear some specific brand names and prices on the various glues you’ve mentioned?
Hey Andrew – great website!
I was just wondering – I recently bought an archival PVA type white glue, although I noticed in your tutorial you used epoxy – I am guessing purely for timing reasons? I would like to stick to a glue-bound bookbinding technique. Do you think the PVA type glue will suffice for making a glue-bound book the way you did? Thanks!
Hi Bill
I read your article …December 2009..I would appreciate some photos if you have the time.
I would like to make a coffee-table photo album & wonders if your method will allow for flat opening pages as I intend to print on A3 photo paper (gloss), fold it & bind…so a single photo will spread across the opened book.
Thanks
Monty
I notice that you don’t recommend “roughing up” the spine before glueing. I always think that doing this improvedsthe adhesion (piece of fine glasspaper would do it whilst the pages are in the clamp). Also, I apply a touch of glue (or double-back tape) where the front and back cover make initial contact with the first and last pages. You can add a cover crease of 3/8″ eith side of the spine and apply the glue. This way the cover can’t be bent back and wrenched away from the spine. Hope this makes sense.
Tony,
First, your comments make perfect sense.
Roughing the spine and gluing around the edges of the front and back of the book block are both fine things to do.
I did rough the spine when I first started (and have seen people go so far as to saw notches into the spine before gluing.) But, I found my books were plenty strong (for my needs) without the extra step and decided it wasn’t worth the trouble.
The only reason I don’t wrap the glue around the edges is that I don’t have a good way to control the application to keep it from bleeding past the cover crease and sticking to the binding jig. I assume a small amount will bleed around and make sure to let my book block hang slightly past the edge of the jig.
It all comes down to trade offs between time, trouble, and the results you need to achieve.
Andrew
I have an enormous book binding project I want to do, and Printing it on regular 8.5×11 paper double sided still makes it 400+ papers. Will binding the paper flat (not folding them) still work okay? Or is the book binding tutorial mostly meant for papers that are going to be folded and then glued?
Jayme,
Unfolded pages work just fine. Folding the pages before gluing does nothing more than save me from having to buy a stack cutter to pre-trim my pages before printing when I make 5.5″ x 8.5″ sized books.
My first book was done with unfolded full-sized sheets (but not nearly as many pages as yours.)
Good luck,
Andrew
I was do a search on something else when I saw this page. I have done a print project and I will share the info. I used letter size but front side is double printed as well as the back ( booklet style ) so each book size page would be 8 1/2 x 5 inches. I printed the same page each side on the front and the next page on the back. When done printing add 3 or 4 blank pages front and back. Cut the pages with a guillotine. and you have 2 books in one cut. Taping the paper on the edges top and and spine to even all the edges. Use the big black binder clips and clamp the sides about the middle. For gluing I used 2 pieces of wood 12 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. Set the stack down spine up and place the wood pieces on the table and clamp using the the squeeze clamps from hardware store.
Release the side clamps. Lay the book flat, now fold over the pages back on themselves over the wood pieces. This fans the pages. Brush on pva glue. Pick up and fold over the other way and glue the edges. If the glue catches and leaves an uneven edge use edge of fingernail to run outward across the edges till it straightens then brush on glue. Stand it up on wood edge and flex back and forth until it is straight.
Place wax paper on each side ( 2 inch strips will do ) and place metal rulers on each side and clamp with binder clips. I then place them in plastic file tub suspended by the ruler to dry, You can do several at a time ( I do about 14 ). After 1 hour I apply a second bush on the edge while still in the box. Dry overnight and then rip the blank pages off front and back. If putting on cover (I printed on 110 Lbs gloss card stock Ledger size) pre-score at the needed fold lines and pre-fold. Brush glue on edge of book, Lower into pre-folded cover and align bottom edge. Grip book in hand from open end ( not gripping cover ) and run back of fingernail or smooth flat object down spine, to insure full contact. Stand on spine in the plastic tub or between bookends to keep weight on spine.
Because the paper was fanned both directions it gives a super strong bond. I have done up to 90 books this way ( it took about week to do it. ) It was a 150 sheet project.
[...] The below photo is all too familiar for those unlucky ones who received a defective copy. Luckily the fault is fairly easy to fix and will result in a permanent solution to the binding problem. Once the cover has become detached, simply apply some glue directly on top of, and right next to, the previous glue line, indicated in the below photo by the red arrow. Then, carefully aline the spine and fold the front cover back into its proper position clamping down long enough to ensure the glue adheres solidly to both surfaces. Voila! Perhaps the most difficult part is finding a suitable glue that is strong and flexible but not bulky. These folks have some advice on that front. [...]
Does Craft bond tacky glue or qucik grip can be used in bonding book repair. I have a hardbook that its spine got detached from the cover. the book is not broke but i fear it could broke. I just want a flexible glue but i don’t know if craft bond tacky glue or quick grip can be used on that. I can’t find anywhere the pva binding’s glue for that. well the bind in the book is fine i just want to put back the cover of the book with the spine. thanks
If you have a craft store anywhere close to you, they should have PVA glue. It is also available from Amazon.com and Dick Blick Art Supplies.
I recommend PVA because it is acid free and easy to work with. If your book has value to you, it’s best to use an acid free glue for repairs.
If long-term book preservation isn’t critical, you can use good old Elmer’s White Glue (or a comparable white glue) that can be found at nearly any store that sells school supplies or crafting materials.
Andrew
Is the PVA method still recommended for really short booklets? I’m making hundreds of zines for university and need to bind lots of A6 documents, each book having 12 pages…
CJ,
For something as short as 12 pages, I always create booklets and staple the spine. I have a long reach stapler that I use to make booklets (just printed and bound one this morning to print out a short instruction manual PDF.
Andrew