5 Hacks, Tips, & Tricks for Re-binding Books at Home

[@Chiberia]

I had to laugh at #2 - that was the first of your videos I watched, and my exact thought was "I wish he didn't do the cheesy vine trick - how the heck did he get that so straight?" Great vids man - never considered bookbinding as a hobby, but your videos make me want to give it a shot.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Please do give it a shot! I guess I've been officially called out on my laziness in the previous video. Good thing I rectified my mistake!

[@tateallen9972]

Your tip for large-sized spines is EXACTLY what I was looking for after watching your other videos on bookbinding. Thank you so much for all of the videos!

[@iwannareadforever8185]

That book box could make a great video

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the suggestion! Next time I make a tips and tricks compilation I'll include more details!

[@iwannareadforever8185]

Oh hello thanks for responding and here is a question I have about the book board you use. I seen people say that you should also worry about grain direction in the boards for your books but does that apply to chipboard? And if so do you know the direction of the board you use?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

That's a good question. Even if there is a grain, the board I use is so stiff that I really can't bend it to tell which way it runs. If you're able to discern a grain in your boards then the safest thing would be to align it with the grain of the text block, but I wouldn't get too hung up on it. The biggest thing that influences the warp of your boards is the humidity level and your choice of leather and endpapers.

[@iwannareadforever8185]

Thank you.

[@Chiberia]

Another video idea that may be quicker to put together is safety while book binding. You're working with a lot of knives and heat - everything from the basics (always cut away from yourself) and the importance of using sharp vs. dull knives could be helpful to prevent injuries. Odd source, but the Boy Scouts was where I learned a _ton_ about knife safety, they may have some inspiration for lists/ordering. For things like sanding, wearing proper PPE and masks is super critical, and better equipment can be used to vacuum the dust out.

[@DigiBentoBox]

You are just that good! And your tutorials have been game changing for us folk who just want to honor a book with a better binding.

[@jenglish311]

Several of these, I was like WHAT! THAT IS AWESOME! …. OK, it was all of them ! Also caught the Gerald N Lund book in there! Carry on sir!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I'm glad these random tips were what you needed! I look forward to seeing you around the channel!

[@TheMimzez]

honestly that last hack was really clever! I'm absolutely going to follow your tutorials when I finally have the space to do it!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks so much! I'm glad I came off as clever and not just as a cheater! Good luck with the new hobby; if you have any questions getting started I'll be happy to help.

[@imjusthereexistingithink]

I was just recently introduced to this sorta stuff and have been watching through a lot of these sorts of videos, and I'm incredibly happy to have found you in my recommended!! Only watched a few of your vids so far but they're the best I've seen so far with how well you explain things and are super entertaining while doing so, keep up the great work can't wait to see more!! :D

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks so much for your kind words and support! I'm really glad the videos are resonating with you. They come out slowly...but surely, so keep checking in and you should see a new one every month or so.

[@ambidextrousandre]

Shameless self-promotion lol. Love that. Great vid. Wonderful tutorials and amazing quality. Thank you for sharing.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed the videos (and more importantly the cheesy humor!) Slowly but surely more are coming, so stay tuned!

[@ambidextrousandre]

@@ingeniusdesigns Scribed! Your content is just amazing. Look forward to more sir. Have a wonderful day.

[@tatts4life838]

That book box tip is a great one. I’ve been wanting to make some kind of custom covers for my Dark Tower books. But the last book is shorter by I think a half inch. While it’s not my favorite and I probably wouldn’t want to include it in a custom cover set. I now have an option if I ever do

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Nice! I was a little embarrassed to admit to that hack on camera, but I'm glad it came in handy for you!

[@theeldestcastle8676]

Hey, I love the videos and I am trying to get all the materials and tools together, anyway you could make a video or a post including where you get your materials and the tools you use? Like your vanilla cutter, leather..etc Thanks so much!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks! There is a list of supplies in the description of my Bookbinding Tutorial part 2, although it's definitely not complete. I use a Cricut Maker to cut my vinyl, but other brands would work fine too. I get most of my leather on Ebay, but perhaps I should make a video to cover these topics more in depth in the future. I appreciate the suggestion!

[@theeldestcastle8676]

@@ingeniusdesigns Thank you!

[@josheyrooney]

Thanks for all the great tips, you're a true artist! I also really enjoy your sense of humor. 😊

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks so much! I'm glad my humor is appreciated by some. My enjoyment when making these videos increases in direct proportion to the number of dumb jokes I include!

[@daniellapain1576]

When guilding your pages, I thought of for some situations it would be unique and interesting to take another type of foil like bronze or silver and add patterns over it. Also as long it doesn't interfere with the reading material, it would be quite unique to CNC lore accurate hieroglyphic scenes into the pages for an added sense of wonder and aw before opening the book. I can see making a library of sculpted books that come out amazing. Small CNC hobby mills would be perfect for books to do something like it.

[@Print229]

Can you do a tutorial on your book boxes? LOVE this idea!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the idea! I could do that!

[@willwillwilly5977]

Thank you so much for making these videos!! You explain so well and it’s so exciting knowing we can try and make it at home too. I am in love with the golden elements you put on your books, I would be thrilled if you could explain what kind of supplies (machine and foil especially) you use for that! I can’t thank you enough for your content, I can’t wait to start with my own collection of books :) (Yours is amazingly pretty by the way)

[@ingeniusdesigns]

The machine I use is a Cricut Maker, but you could do it with any vinyl cutter, I think. The gold vinyl I use is Siser brand Easyweed Heat Transfer Vinyl (gold color). You can get it from Walmart or Michaels Crafts, or in bulk online from Heat Transfer Warehouse. You can find a list of some of my other supplies in the description of my DIY Leather Book Binding Tutorial Part 2 video. Thank you so much for your kind words about my books! I really hope you try it yourself, and if you do, please feel free to ask any questions in the comments like this, and let me know how it goes!

[@daneryta]

I'm so proud of you!! I love watching every single video from you! You're the best 😘

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thank you so much, Danery! Your support really buoys me up. Couldn't do it without you!

[@zaei7655]

Just dropping by to just say the quality of your work and binds r phenomenal, it's helped me sm. I've legit taken notes like a lecture LMAO. Tysm fr

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Oh wow! I'm so flattered. Hope you've been able to try this new hobby and are now enjoying some beautiful books!

[@dominik1023]

Your videos are an inspiration

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the support!

[@brianphillips1864]

Much appreciated dude. Much appreciated.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for watching and commenting on a couple of videos. I'm so glad you've been enjoying the content!

[@Ask1twob1]

New to your page. And Yes please add more of these types of videos. I’m new to this and love to learn as much as possible if you’re willing to share!! Thank you 🙏🏽

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks! My videos come slowly but surely, so stick around the channel and I hope you'll enjoy the content to come!

[@stappervanoudwulven1094]

Again, loved the video! Ofcourse now we all want a video of making the bookbox!!😃

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Ha! Maybe that will be a topic for a future hack video! Basically I just make a cover exactly like I would for a regular book, then I glue three pieces of wood to one side of the cover (painted gold to look like pages).

[@KagedCreations08XX]

That book box tip is great

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Glad you liked it! It's probably the only true "hack" on the list!

[@roberthamann7449]

An introduction to book binding tools and materials would be nice as well as sources for book binding supplies

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the tip! Most of my supplies are honestly sourced from local hobby shops, Ebay, Amazon and the like. I haven't been overly-focused on using archival-grade materials, which makes me a little shy to make recommendations, but for now, you can find a list of supplies in the description of my second bookbinding tutorial (link below). kzbin.info/www/bejne/maGthHSpfLqVnZI

[@marionlazatin4450]

these are helpful even outside of book binding especially the cutter one. thank you!!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for tuning in! I'm glad the random tips were helpful!

[@brianmaloney9949]

You are always entertaining!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks so much! My enjoyment in making these videos is directly proportional to the number of silly jokes I put in them.

[@donwerschlerii9393]

I love these videos there's only one problem, now I want to do this to my entire library. Thanks for sharing this is definitely something I'm going to look into doing with my daughter's and a lot of our books.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Ha! It can definitely get addictive, so I commiserate with your problem! Good luck and have fun sharing the new hobby with your daughters!

[@sherrydrake4666]

Love your videos so much

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're finding them helpful.

[@thestargazingnurse8605]

Since your first videos, I’ve bound a couple books. The first was… ok. The second was better, but admittedly I couldn’t figure out how you did some of the things you demonstrated. This video helps, though. I have another book I’ve been meaning to rebind but have been too afraid to because I want it to turn out better than the second one. I think I’ll give it a shot with these new tips. Thank you! Great video 👍

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I remember your comments on earlier videos, and I'm so glad to hear that you're trying it! There's definitely a learning curve. In fact, I've been thinking of making a video that walks through all the books I bound in order and explains what I learned from each. But if you stick with it things WILL get better!

[@ryanallthewiser]

Great hacks!!

[@otavioribeirofrechiani1895]

I'm starting a project in one of my old book! Love these videos thank you so much!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Good luck! I hope it turns out great and you can kick off a fun new hobby!

[@Cominsjc]

This is so helpful man, thank you

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks! I'm glad you found something in there useful!

[@salvadormorenoco.6968]

You are GENIUS!!

[@katalincsiszar5770]

This was super helpful, thank you soo much! I would love to see more videos like this!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks! I put out my videos slowly (about once a month) but surely, so keep popping in from time to time and there will be more to see!

[@slickschoppers]

I just found your channel, it's WONDERFUL!!! i'm watching your videos and you are a natural teacher!! I do have a request, would it be possible for you to make a video of the tools that you use? I know you say a lot that your not sponsored and that's great, but it would be really helpful to have a video of "this is the glue I use", this is the little scribe tool I use to push the leather into the cracks, this is the model vinyl cutter I have. etc. heck, feel free to post some sponsored links so you can get a discount when we buy them!!! I think it would be a great way for "we the community" to help you keep making these awesome videos!! Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I am currently working on a video specifically about the supplies that I use. It won't cover my tools, but hopefully will answer at least some of your questions! As for having affiliate links, I do think that's a decent idea. It would be great if I could offer discounts to you! I'm not very techno-savvy, but I'll look into it and see what I can learn. Thanks again for the feedback! I hope my future content will continue meeting your needs.

[@secondsightsundries]

Love your channel and videos! This one is perfect for a newbie like me! I am working on my first leather bound blank journal and made the mistake of releasing it after sanding but before gilding- I suspect I will need to re-clamp and sand some more before gilding but was hoping you might have some words of wisdom to save me…

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Yeah, you've got it figured out. You'll need to re-clamp and sand again, then do the gilding while the pages are still tightly clamped. But I expect the sanding will take much less time this go around, since there will still be benefits from your previous round of sanding. Still a bummer though!

[@secondsightsundries]

@@ingeniusdesigns oh well I guess I will chalk this up as a learning curve hiccup and keep on sanding. Thanks so much for the quick response!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Wish there was an easier out. Good luck!

[@Eromatics]

My god i love this. Im just sad there are no more book binding videos after this.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks so much! Sorry that my uploads have been super inconsistent. The first half of the year is always very busy for my professionally, but I'm editing new videos now and they'll be coming out soon!

[@jeanvalker]

Hello! Great video, and great tips and tricks! Do you happen to have a tutorial upcoming for your “wooden box” book shown at the end? I’ve been playing around with the idea of doing something similar but would LOVE a tutorial.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I have considered that for sure! I have just been waiting to build up enough random hacks that don't fit in other videos to make a sequel. Glad to know there's interest!

[@the01condor]

Thank you

[@ingeniusdesigns]

You are most welcome. So glad you enjoyed!

[@bighoss6315]

Thanks. That’s really helpful.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

You're very welcome!

[@shannonburnett]

My sister has a set/collection of small paperbacks. I would love to bind them but I don’t actually want to remove the original covers and since they are super special to her. I thought about a faux box type book to hold them. Thoughts?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

That sounds like a good middle ground if you don't want to rebind them!

[@thefirebirdflock3440]

Can you go through your vinyl printing process for covers in-depth when you get the opportunity? Like what machine you use? The software needed? The type of vinyl you use. (I know it’s been said before but having it included in the video dedicated would be great!) The cutting process. Etc. All the technical stuff we haven’t really taken a good look at yet. Any tips recommended for beginners would also help tremendously! I know this is a fairly new channel but as someone who wants to get into this and is at a little bit of a loss as to what is needed to start, having a good guide into the intricacies will be amazing, especially since the bookbinding community isn’t all that big on here from what I’ve seen.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the question! Up till now I've kept my advice relatively general since I don't want to exclude anyone who has a different vinyl cutter than I do. Lots of people like yourself have been asking for more details though, so I do have a couple of videos coming up which will address more of the nitty gritty things you're after. My life can only handle about one video a month right now, so I apologize that it might take a little while, but (be it ever so slowly) I'm on the case!

[@johaneggink]

I just discovered your videos, which are really helpful. What type of vinyl cutter do you use, though? I don't see that in the videos?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Yeah, I haven't included the specifics in the videos because I want to give tips that are applicable to anyone. Any vinyl cutter would work if you know how to use it, but I personally use a Cricut Maker.

[@salvadormorenoco.6968]

Please make more!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

More bookbinding videos in general or more of these short tip videos?

[@annamarmas]

Your tutorials are really helpful, thank you so much! I just got a new hardcover Bible that I want make a leather cover for. Do I have to remove the hardcover first or can I also do a cover without first "destroying" the new book. Also, is it possible to use the soft inside of the leather on the outside and what would usually be on the outside be the inside? I'd love to have it more look like suede.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks so much for your kind words! Adding leather to a book without removing the text block from the cover is possible...but it probably won't look very good. The leather would be on top of the end-papers on the inside cover when you open the book, which would look awkward, and you would have to cut slits in the leather where the end papers connect to the text block or else it would just kind of sit on top of the pages as it goes from one cover to the other. If you want to keep more of the original cover, you could remove the text block from the cover and then add leather directly to the original cover. This would be slightly simpler than just making a new cover from scratch, but it's likely to have some aesthetic problems as well. Specifically, the leather that wraps onto the inside of the spine will push the text block forward slightly, so when you re-insert the text the edge of the pages will likely sit very close to the edge of the covers (rather than being recessed slightly back from the cover edges). Maybe I'm not making any sense. I guess it's harder to explain without showing! In any case, I've tried it, and I wouldn't recommend it. As for a suede cover, that is totally possible, provided the leather is still super thin, and that it is only suede on one side. If the leather is thin and suede on both sides then the glue is likely to seep through it and ruin your suede even on the outside. If you do make a suede book, treat it very gently, because suede is much more prone to scuffs, scratches, and stains. Hope something in that novel helped!

[@ryanallthewiser]

What software are you using with circuit?

[@ellawoods4291]

Would you be able to talk about the paper grains and the paper you use?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I'm currently working on a video which will discuss my paper choices in a little more depth. Hopefully it will have the answers you're looking for!

[@mirandarice7346]

Have you used any faux leather. I found a faux leather book cloth called skivertek but I can't find any reviews for it and that's the only leather alternative I've seen so far. Have you experimented with anything like that?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I have not used faux leather myself, but as long as it's thin enough, PU leather ("bonded leather"), vegan leather, book cloth, or leather textured paper can all work. The only additional concern with things like vegan leather is that they can be affected by the heat used to apply HTV. You might just choose to use a different type of permanent adhesive vinyl in that case to be on the safe side.

[@mattm9434]

Can you provide tips on buying leather? What thickness, quality, dimensions etc do you use?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Working on a video on that exact topic now. Hold on for a week or two and hopefully I'll be able to address all your questions!

[@Staubfeder_]

Hey i have a question. i saw you sanding the pages with a sanding tool. Here the szenario: I had to cut the pages shorter but since i dont have the tools, i did it with a knife. as you can imagine, that was not a good idea. so i tried to sand the paper to make it even again but it takes ages. i already sanded for 30 minutes and have almost no result. but i have a little table disk sander. Can i use it or will it rip the pages?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Sorry for taking so long to respond. You are fine to use the table disk sander, but you will want to slowly progress through sandpaper grits, just as you would when sanding by hand.

[@Nibicah]

Your so good in explaining all that. Now I'm hooked. :) Do you know if its possible to do the vinyl designs with fake leather? Would prefer that, so its vegan.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Great question. There's nothing fundamentally wrong with using vegan leather. I just have two cautions: 1. Make sure the vegan leather you select has all the same qualities (thickness, flexibility, etc.) that you would want in a genuine leather hide for bookbinding. If you haven't already, check out this video for a more comprehensive look at what makes a good bookbinding leather: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4XJoZ2ph5p_mNk 2. Test the vinyl on a small portion of the vegan leather before you do the whole cover. Some vegan leather may be prone to melting, and you want to make sure that's not going to happen before you apply an iron to the cover you worked so hard on. Good luck and let me know if you have more questions!

[@warmax2003]

Can you please post a link to your blog? Thank you.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Unfortunately my blog has had issues lately and hasn't been functioning properly. I'm not very tech savvy, but if I can get it up and running again with some assistance I'll try to put it in the description of future videos. Fair warning though, I haven't posted in a while.

[@spaceman001e7]

How do I build the machines I need to rebind books?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the question. Which machines are you interested in specifically. I have a recent video out about building a finishing press, which I will link here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIWZialvmJudidk The only other "machine" I use is a book press which basically consists of a couple of large C-clamps from the hardware store and some pieces of particle board. You can see me use those in this tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJnEi2ewo6uprdk&ab_channel=IngeniusDesigns If there's something else you'd like me to explain, let me know and maybe it will make it into a future video!

[@iggstheman]

@@ingeniusdesigns any ideas for a sewing frame?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

So far I haven't bound any books of my own yet; I've only re-bound previously printed books. I do have some future binding projects in mind, so when I try that I might get creative with making frames, etc. But for now I'm afraid I don't have much to offer. Thanks so much for the question though, @iggy. As I continue to grow in this hobby hopefully I'll be able to make more content that will address your needs.

[@Chevrolegs_25]

When people ask me why I haven’t made any KZbin videos. I say it’s because I know my older sister and other siblings are going to watch and do the same thing.🤣🤣🤣 oh man you gotta love your sister I’m I right. But thank your sister for this because I’ve been book binding (well trying) and watching countless videos for past three years and finding your channel was great and straight forward, I’ve finished three new sketchbooks and rebounded a Harry Potter book faster than watching the old videos . I’m just now realizing I’m typing a-lot. Oh well, bright side is the KZbin algorithm might see this and boost you up . 🤙🏽

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for you algorithm boost (but mostly just for caring enough to comment)! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. Good luck with your Harry Potter project! you can learn a lot from practicing on a series like that. (And yes, I do love my sister very much!)

[@sunny1849]

I really like these hacks. Do you live in Utah?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Glad you like them! Nope, I don't live in Utah, but if you do, it's a beautiful place!

[@philipkeeler9997]

I have to point out that trimming with this technique (loading a cheap chinese tool with 'pressure' it was not intended for) could result in reading your now beautiful book with one eye. Just sayin' Wear protective eyewear at the very least!~ When that thing snaps the projectile will be travelling more than 100 ft per sec. That means it will be in your eyeball before you can blink!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Good point! I should probably be more careful about including safety warnings and showing my protective equipment in my videos.

[@sirbinkalot]

I've been learning to rebind books using these tutorials, and was wondering where you source your materials. I have no sources for leather locally, and buying sight unseen online is a gamble. Also, high quality paper for end papers seems to only be sold in 12x12 sheets or smaller, inadequate for larger books.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

You can find large sheets of cardstock at most hobby shops, but it's usually not with the rest of the papers. Alternatively, you can get archival-quality art papers from bookbinding suppliers like Hollander's or Talas Online (I'll put a link under this comment), but you can expect that to be pretty pricey. As for the leather, I do get most of mine online (Ebay). I've made a few purchases I regret, but in general as long as you are sticking to very thin leather (1.5-2 oz or less) and if you can see in the pictures that the leather is supple enough to have some wrinkles, you'll usually end up with something useable. I'll have to make a video on how I find leather online some time.

[@sameash3153]

5:25 my face was agasp

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Hopefully it was for all the best reasons! XD Thanks for watching!!

[@theexplodingchicken7376]

I am starting a project, where i'm going to be binding an old out of print Manga series into a physical leatherback hardcover. And I was wondering what method you think would be best to bind the loose leaf pages. I've looked into the sequences and stich binding but it seems extremely time consuming compared to the double fan method I saw used by Pesky cat paper craft here kzbin.info/www/bejne/iICZf3qtbdSBebM Just wondered if you had a method you preferred to use if you have dealt with loose leaf binding before. Love the videos, super informative btw.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Hmmm...that's a great question. If you're printing pages one at a time then you won't have signatures (large papers with many pages on them which are folded up to form different sections of a book) to work with, so I don't think you'll be able to pull off a sewn binding. I think the simplest thing to do in your case would be a glue binding, if I understand your project right.

[@theexplodingchicken7376]

@@ingeniusdesigns thanks for replying! What do you mean by glue binding? is that a perfect bind? or more like the double fan method that I talked about? I just don't want anything too bad in the realm of gutter loss on the art