Avoiding Warped Boards // Adventures in Bookbinding

[@skeletonkeybindery3936]

It's videos and information like this that addresses a lot of the frustrations and problems beginner binders confront that will keep the art of hand binding alive and well, giving us generations to carry on the trade. Thank you for your insight, your skills, and the generosity to share them with the world.

[@TheMangaRebinder]

i would never thought that i will have so much interest in how paper works :D

[@amandachapman4708]

I'm learning so much fom your channel. Thank you.

[@Autofestiva]

thank you so much! you are the best bookbinding teacher on you tube.

[@DASBookbinding]

Thanks, but it's probably because there isn't many of them:) DAS

[@sinceyouveaskedilltellyouw2241]

There aren't many of them because it requires not only a deep knowledge of binding, but also of filming and editing, and the ability to teach and communicate ideas. You do all of this well. We are all blessed with your gifts and grace to share them with the world.

[@acknims]

One happy lady here! Thanks dear

[@daveturnbull7221]

14:04 'bookbinders learn by binding books' - a very accurate statement that can be applied to a great many things in life. Personally I get a vast amount of enjoyment from experimenting and trying out various ways of doing things so that I can work out which is the best one for me. Thanks as always for the insightful and helpful video 👍

[@zimgeo]

You are a very erudite teacher.

[@sinceyouveaskedilltellyouw2241]

This is such an important topic, that I would recommend that anyone starting out, review and become familiar with it before venturing into any binding project, period. Thank you for the video.

[@Mubashar60]

So glad I came across this video re binder board warp. I cannot say I understood everything first time but I will continue watching it again and again. Thank you!

[@anthonywest3504]

It would be fun if you created a playlist called "Mis-adventures in Bookbinding."

[@MoniqueAO888]

Great tutorial as usual !!! And in my opinion, to understand how paper behaves (and why), is essential for every person who likes to create with paper. If all the paper-crafters on KZbin had learned that first important lesson, there would be less frustation and less double-sided adhesive-tape... 🙂

[@tannerpippert]

I have just started venturing into paste. The added moisture has been causing some frustration. This is exactly the video I needed! Your presentation and explanation is thorough and your explanation is clear. Many thanks!

[@Leo1406hongkong]

The tutorial is excellent! Thank you very much.

[@claymoma]

I have learned so much from your videos I now can enjoy bookbinding again. I started years ago and learned just enough to make all the rookie mistakes, got frustrated, and stopped. Now, your videos have been like a breath of fresh air. Thanks again, I'll keep watching and more importantly, Learning!!! Cheers!

[@jessicawicher]

I know I'll be referring to this video over and over because this is one area of bookbinding that has had me stumped. Thanks for generously sharing your know-how and experience, I really appreciate it.

[@michaelporter4362]

I made a book with covers of machine-made paper entirely pasted outside and in, and they are beautifully flat. Then, after seeing you drum on in another video, I used the same type of boards and paper and the result was a substantial bowing from head to tail. Conversely, entirely-pasted covers with a hand-made paper ended up bowed from corner to corner :-( I need to get more of this paper to try drumming on. There is so much to learn, and I'm guessing a lot of trial and error is necessary! After those experiences I ended up with many questions about techniques, properties of glues/pastes and types of paper. Your videos are helping a lot, so thank you!

[@DASBookbinding]

Yes, learning about materials and practice is something bookbinders continue to do forever. Glad you're enjoying the journey. DAS

[@roman_bard]

Amazing video and presentation! Thank you!

[@Misstucci]

A Julius Sumner Miller drop? I very much approve

[@vernonchew6112]

Your wisdom and insight on the stretch and pull of paste on book boards are illuminating. Thanks.

[@GrumpetteJV]

You are such a great teacher. I just love listening to you. Thank you so much. And thank you for always giving options and stating your way isn't the only way. It keep the road to more learning open and I cherish people who can do this. 🖤

[@carlpeberdy9086]

Appreciate the effort that went into making such a comprehensive analysis - it's really helped to clarify the issues for me.

[@wesandell]

Thanks for the video, I've known about how moisture affects covers conceptually, but it's awesome to see examples of it in practice.

[@marktadford]

so much to learn😱

[@EB-yx4fn]

oh wow - I made a very cute book including kraft paper, and it warped like nobody's business. This is so exciting to understand why! Thank you so much, I'll absolutely pay attention to this going forward!

[@1musicsearcher]

I recently came across your channel and have throughly enjoyed it. This video however has given me a headache. I’ll need to rewatch it. The one item I retained was: learn by doing. Thanks.

[@nardeenkeryakes2847]

I can’t thank you enough for this video! You just saved my latest bookbinding project. This is the second book I’ve made attempting to use book cloth instead of paper for the covers, and the first one had terribly warped covers so I wanted to try again. I got the grain direction of my boards wrong the same way I did with the first book so they were bowing out from top to bottom, but this time I knew about paper grain and stretching /expansion and was lucky enough that the paper that I chose for the end pages was short grain. I used the water method to determine grain direction that you showed in your paper grain video. I glued my pages on to my warped boards and came back a few hours later to find them perfectly flat!! Absolutely magical, thank you!!!

[@rebeccasutton1719]

I can't thank you enough for this video, Darryn, it's answered so many questions.

[@DASBookbinding]

Hi Beck! Glad you found it useful. Maybe not to most exciting subject but I see so much poor advice on the internet about it and get so many questions I thought it was time for a series of videos on the basics. All the best, Darryn

[@debboye]

I love how you show so many varieties and how they affect what happens to the cover board. I will have to watch this a few times and as I am practicing some of the techniques. Thanks so much for all you do to elevate those of us around you.

[@dim9753]

You are a godsend sir. Thank you!

[@WritersCreed]

That was incredibly useful! Thank you :)

[@nauci]

This is the most brilliantly helpful video! Thank you so much for all of the effort and expenditure that went into making this! I once used hardboard instead of gatorboard to stretch my watercolor paper, and learned that 140lb Arches paper is string enough to badly warp 1/8" thick hardboard! As someone who has done woodworking, sewing, and painting, it's amazing how different yet similar grain mechanics are across mediums. Always critically important to consider. At least it's not so complex as grain in metal-working.

[@ornamentalapplique]

That was a great presentation. Answered a lot of my questions. Thank you.

[@bella-bee]

Very useful, thank you so much!

[@janegreen9340]

Thank you for this - I am an absolute beginner in the world of book binding and there is so much to take on board. I watched this through 3 times and thought I’d cracked it, but oh dear I was greeted by a pair of castanets this morning! Missed the golden rule of thinner paper next to the text block. Good to learn from mistakes. I believe that during the privations of World War 2 that some Russians ate “library candy”, would that have been the wheat paste adhesive?

[@DASBookbinding]

No, I don't think paste would be the library candy. But I can't think of anything else either. Happy binding!

[@Zx2Nick]

Exactly what I was looking for.

[@yuliyatarkhanova1420]

Thanks again for a great video! I was just thinking about it today. As some of my projects came up warped! 🤷‍♀️

[@DASBookbinding]

It happens. Just look at that blue covered book I showed. If I'd just filed in under the paste down the extra bit of inward pull would have fixed that. Otherwise that was such a nice book. DAS

[@BillieRuben]

Thank you so much for sharing all your wisdoms with us! Your content really is so stellar. Now that I have a new job I'll be subscribing on patreon soon just as soon as I'm back in a comfy position!

[@DASBookbinding]

Glad you like the videos. Make sure you're all good first. All the best! DAS

[@BillieRuben]

@@DASBookbinding you're a legend! 😊❤️

[@diegooland1261]

This is very, very helpful. Thank you. I'm dealing with these issues and the're driving me nuts! I'm new so I'm not sure what is called what. When I have my text block and cover prepared, it's the step of attaching the text block to the cover that I'm finding really hard. I can manage it, but I'm getting terrible wrinkles on the paper that is adhered to the inside cover. I've changed materials, smashed it even harder in the press, etc. but I'm still getting a very unprofessional look that is evident as soon as someone opens my book.

[@DASBookbinding]

Have a watch through of the videos on a cased rounded and backed book. Putting down the endpapers can be very difficult. Pressing doesn't get rid of wrinkles just as it doesn't unwrap boards. Make sure the grain direction is head to tail, use paste and not PVA, and let the paper relax before putting it down. If you get some wrinkles, lift it back up and carefully put it back down using some rubbing down paper to smooth it out towards the edge. Good luck! DAS

[@diegooland1261]

@@DASBookbinding Thank you

[@colinsmith5218]

Thank you. Unfortunately, as much as I hope to learn from your videos, I learn best by making my own mistakes.

[@DASBookbinding]

Yes, I've lived the Paul Kelly life and made plenty of mistakes. But it helps if you know what is causing the mistakes. In hindsight, I personally would have been happy to get some good advice and miss some of those mistakes. Take care, DAS

[@aixot_3073]

Thanks a lot for sharing your detailed and experienced deep knowledge! I enjoy your channel and your videos a lot!

[@DASBookbinding]

Glad you like them! DAS

[@nauci]

Is this why sewn-board binding typically used drumming for cover materials? Because the way things are layered makes it more difficult to account for or predict warping? Or is it just that the sewing provides strength that then isn't necessary to provide with extra adhesive?

[@DASBookbinding]

I'd have to go back to Gary Frost early articles to see what his main reasoning was, but I think it was more aesthetic. More layers will end up very rigid, and more opportunity for corrections if needed. But slow, and one of the features of the sewn board binding is how fast they can be made. DAS

[@BlueLineofthesky]

I never considered that there are so many details in bookbinding. Now I have started to understand that this craft is very complex and you learn many hears in order to be good enough. If most of the issues in this video are caused by water in the glue, is there glue alternatives that do not cause so many issues?

[@DASBookbinding]

It's only an issue while you are learning to use your materials. I guess the real issue is when people don't want to work with materials, but fight it instead. I do find it hard to manage expectations. You can do great stuff very quickly. I try and guide people by categorising projects to start with in the beginners playlist. But people still want to start with a traditional full leather binding. It's like sitting down at a piano and expecting to be able to just play the Goldberg Variations. It is complicated by the internet being full of work that is held up as being of this standard done by beginners, which is not. But back to your question, what solvent (or a suspension, I guess) other than water could be used in adhesive that wouldn't swell cellulose fibre and still act as an adhesive? Water is hard to beat and if you did find another, is it traditional bookbinding? Commercial binding takes a different approach, but unless you can work at the speed of a machine, these adhesives have limited (no?) use to the hand bookbinder. Hope this helps.

[@BlueLineofthesky]

@@DASBookbinding You are a real mentor. I really appreciate that you take the time to explain to me. It is true, I was looking for some glues that will not give me trouble. Your video with paper tension and paper fibers direction was really inspiring. I will try to pay more attention to the materials I have and what they really need to make it work. Thank you! I wish you a great week-end!

[@NakedUndone]

Would you have any advice for someone using wood as the board material? Since I build the boards up in multiple pieces (typically four, interlocking triangular pieces) with opposing grain directions, the boards don't warp in a linear fashion, but rather twist, forming a saddle shape.

[@DASBookbinding]

Sorry, wood is a different beast that I probably know less about than you. I do know that wood will move and I think what you describe might be next to impossible with solid wood. Maybe veneer? Maybe the type of wood?

[@NakedUndone]

@@DASBookbinding Thanks for the response. Yes, I am switching to aircraft grade birch plywood rather than cheap, single-ply basswood. If that doesn't work, I will just have to give up on wood covers.

[@kateholland9343]

Hi there many thanks for the video. I'm often showing your films to students asking. I'm still wondering why we laminate boards with kraft paper inbetween though. The only reason I can think of is so that you know where to stop chamfering. Do you think there would be a huge discrepancy strengthwise between a board made up of two boards laminated with kraft inbetween and kraft inside and a board made up of two boards laminated with only kraft for the inner layer. Thank you again. Kate

[@DASBookbinding]

It makes a big difference to the rigidity. I guess it's the trapped tension in the layer of kraft paper.

[@Aukush]

What if you use PVA glue, let the paper dry and relax and then iron the components together?

[@samuelbarber6585]

@ DAS Bookbinding I have a book that has broken in several pieces, there was major damage to the glue along the spine. Do you have a video about reassembling a text block and regluing the spine?

[@DASBookbinding]

If it is a paperback then there will be something in the next few months. If it is sewn sections then I have a lot more to teach first. Actually, if it is really falling to pieces then finish the job and pull it back to sections and do a complete rebind using one of the many methods I've demonstrated. To pull apart, cut the sewing on the inside. Test the spine glue to see is it softens with a bit of moisture. If it does, carefully moisten the glue, trying to not let it get in the paper, and scrape the glue off with something blunt, the back of a knife. Press the cleaned sections to get them flat and rebind. Good luck! DAS

[@samuelbarber6585]

@@DASBookbinding Thank you DAS! It is a hardcover book! I think I can get it back together with some patience, you have some great technique videos out there (the best in bookbinding IMO). Thanks!

[@graciouscompetentdwarfrabbit]

Mechanical forces, material properties... goddammit, I can't escape Hibbeler even while watching a bookbinding video 😥 I kid, of course. Both Hibbeler and this are quite cool to learn, while also being about equally as frustrating when you mess up.

[@DASBookbinding]

My PhD is in physics, so it should be Tipler:) DAS

[@Gonzonian33]

Hello Darryn. You know, I've seen a lot of bookbinders laminate boards on both sides and I wonder, why do they do that? Is it important to laminate boards? Should I do it always?

[@DASBookbinding]

Mostly for leather bindings, because of this really strong pull of leather. You want the boards to be as stiff as possible (the mechanical advantage) and usually pulled inwards before you cover with leather. They will usually send u being slightly pulled outward and this will be corrected with another draw sheet or fill-in and pastedown. I don't do it for cloth bindings and for leather I used to only line the inside with paper, but am laminating boards more often now. But never cross grain even if other very good bookbinders say it is a good thing to do:) All the best, Darryn

[@Gonzonian33]

@@DASBookbinding Thank you, Darryn. Cheers!

[@jakemasters3208]

Would board thickness have an impact on bowing if your covering with paper or pasting down?

[@DASBookbinding]

Usually thicker board is stiffer and thus for the same pull it will warp less. But everything still applies as it still warps. But it is more stable once the book is complete in that any warping due to environmental changes will be less. I hope I answered your question. DAS

[@jkafie]

I just realized I cut the board in the wrong grain direction but already pasted the cloth which was embroidered. It is now warped. Is it possible to solve this with an additional layer of thinner board glued onto it to pull the opposite direction? Can I remedy this at all ?

[@kyststudio-epicartadventure]

Do wooden boards have these same difficulties?

[@bookbindinggeek]

I'd imagine so as wood also swells from moisture and it has a "grain direction" as well.

[@wesandell]

Wood does indeed warp due to moisture, that's why quartersawn wood is so prized because the it only has grain in one direction. Carpenter's frequently have to factor in wood movement because there will be changes based on humidity. However, quartersawn wood is much more expensive. You also need to make sure the wood has dried to it's final moisture level because until then, it will warp. However, if you use dried boards, at the size of a book cover, there is not likely to be that much wood movement. As long as you used quartersawn or even plywood, it wouldn't be a big factor.

[@DASBookbinding]

Jim Croft has written extensively on this subject. As mentioned in a reply, quarter sawn deals with most issues. But if wood does decide to warp with time there is no paper going to stop it:) DAS

[@diegooland1261]

Yes leather has a very strong pull. I didn't account for it and undercut my corners by 3-5 cm. Project totally ruined.

[@DASBookbinding]

Sorry:(

[@diegooland1261]

@@DASBookbinding Like you said, the only way to learn how to do bookbinding is to do it. And now I know what not to do.

[@user-vo3ku2sf2d]

What about using a hardboard like Masonite? Wouldn't that be hard enough to resist warping?

[@DASBookbinding]

Very acidic. I wouldn't use Masonite in a bookbinding project as the acidity will migrate into the book. Plus, the easiest way to deal with pull is to balance it out rather than to overcome or over power it:) DAS

[@arunavel0211]

Fade-free technology

[@nashvillain171]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@thinkingahead6750]

Another must watch video. And to see correction of warped boards kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZq2d4eipLyZgac

[@bookbindinggeek]

Like this comment, if you've ever made a book with warped cover boards. I certainly have made a book like that. xp I suspect that the wrong grain direction of the boards was the culprit. Thanks for the informative and helpful video. I'll be sure to watch this again in the future. You might want to add a link to your paper grain video and the "drumming on board covers" video to the above video description.

[@csbbookbinding9769]

Thanks so much for this video. Such useful information and great examples to go along with it.