Materials that will get you started on your bookbinding journey

The great thing about bookbinding is that you can be really creative with the materials you need for your designs. There are some basic materials you will need to get started;

• Greyboard / Millboard - Quality and Thickness both matter, minimum 2mm thickness recommended. This is for the front, back and spine of the book cover.

• Gauze / Mull - This is a layer glued over the spine and subsequently to the end papers to reinforce the joint between the text-block and cover.

• Ribbon - Ribbons are often used as the book mark, Grosgain ribbon is a popular choice but most ribbons will work, be careful to choose a size that is right for you - a popular choice is 10mm

• Waxed thread - If you are building your own text blocks you will need waxed thread for sewing the block. Choose a colour that suits you, thickness can vary, 0.8mm is a good middle ground. Choose a colour that suits your book.

• Paper / Book cloth / Leather - You will need a material to cover your book boards, the possibilities here are wide ranging. Buckram is a popular type of book cloth, marbled paper is very popular but leather requires specific skills for the application.

• Release paper - You will place this against your end papers when pressing your book to stop glue seeping onto you beautiful book.

• Scrap paper - Cheap scrap paper is incredibly useful for when you are gluing to keep your workstation stick free. Old magazines are great for this but anything scrap will do!