Hand-Made Books: An Introduction to Bookbinding [Paperback]

Rob Shepherd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1995

This title is aimed at the amateur with a limited budget. It explains the basic techniques of bookbinding through a series of ten projects. All can be completed at the kitchen table using equipment that can be found at home or that is inexpensive and readily available. The book starts with three simple single-section books, each bound in one of the three traditional styles. Having got to grips with the basic techniques, the reader is then introduced to larger, multi-section bindings for journals, cased-in magazines and scrap books. In another chapter, Rob Shepherd deals with the method of binding single, unfolded sheets of paper such as typed reports. For those with a bookshelf full of old paperbacks, the explanation of how to repair them should prove very easy to follow. To complete the projects, the method of Japanese binding is described, which uses a limp cover sewn in a decorative fashion. In the final project, the book tells how to make an exquisite portfolio. The book should enable even the first-time bookbinder to achieve a creditable result. A multitude of fabrics and papers can be used as covering materials, Rob Shepherd includes some of his own cover designs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Search Press (March 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0855327545
• ISBN-13: 978-0855327545
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,000,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best How-to book on bookbinding for the beginner, October 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hand-Made Books: An Introduction to Bookbinding (Paperback)

I've bought a lot of books on bookbinding, but this is the one I found that is the best for the beginner just trying it. Great pictures, easy to follow instructions. Assumes a mininum of special equipment. Its the right place to start

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource, February 23, 2000

By 

R. Summers (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hand-Made Books: An Introduction to Bookbinding (Paperback)

I am a librarian, and I often resent having to pay a professional bindery to reconstruct poorly-made or worn out bindings. I have used this book to teach myself the basics of book binding with great success, and minimal investment in terms of equipment and supplies. The directions are clear, and the illustrations and photos are generous and helpful. I have recommended this book to colleagues whenever possible.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book for Beginners, December 21, 2011

By 

Frank Lehmann - See all my reviews

This review is from: HAND-MADE BOOKS, AN INTRODUCTION TO BOOKBINDING. (Paperback)

As a professional hand-bookbinder who also teaches, this is the book that I have all of my students start out with. It is well written and illustrated. The projects are easily within the grasp of a beginner and structured in a logical sequence with each succeeding one building on what was learned earlier. It also doesn't teach you something that you will have to unlearn as you progress in your binding skills. It is clearly written by someone who knows about hand-bookbinding, which isn't something I can say about some of the more recent books that have come out.

The book also gives excellent suggestions for tools and materials that can be easily acquired, and at a minimal cost. Eventually you will want to get professional equipment but, following this book, you can keep your initial investment to a minimum.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough for the beginner. It is an excellent place to start.

Frank Lehmann
Lehmann Bindery