How Long Will Your DIY Book Covers Last? Depends on What They're Made of!

The "best" supplies for book re-binding might vary from book to book. In this video I break down the materials I use most often, and how I select them for each project.
If you are interested in any of the supplies I feature, click the link below for a one-stop shop on my Amazon storefront. Buying there doesn't cost any extra and it helps to support the channel!
amzn.to/3PtVkkX
0:00 Different Projects, Different Priorities
0:30 A Grossly Oversimplified History of Paper
01:21 Text Blocks
2:05 Endpapers
2:54 Glue
3:46 Text Block Preparation
5:00 Binder's Boards
6:15 Leather
9:14 Cover Art
10:56 Counting the Cost
Sources for History of Paper:
www.loc.gov/preservation/care...
www.nytimes.com/1989/03/08/ny...
cool.culturalheritage.org/byo...
Sources for Veg-Tan versus Chrome-Tan Leather:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
books.google.com/books?id=gSk...
www.syncsci.com/journal/MER/a...
nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/nbs...
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.c...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/a...
cool.culturalheritage.org/coo...

[@OperatorZx]

One small correction. Elmer's is not pH neutral. It is mildly acidic. Elmer's craft bond tacky glue has a pH of 5.1. Most types of Elmer's glues have a pH in the upper 4's to the low 5's.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention! I tried to fact check what I said, but I must admit I took the glue's marketed claims of being acid-free at face value and didn't verify with my own litmus test. I appreciate you commenting so the community can know!

[@Chiberia]

@@ingeniusdesignspH strips are super cheap online! always a good idea to double check the marketing. you can dip the glue and wait for it to dry (assuming it's clear) or water-down the glue and dip a more sensitive strip (using math and such to adjust the dilution)

[@jasond.valentine5931]

How is this channel so underrated? Not even 10K subs... This is such a crime.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks so much! With enthusiastic support like yours here's hoping the channel will grow eventually!

[@srsssssssss]

Two years ago, your original tutorials inspired me to start bookbinding and were an invaluable resource! Since then, I’ve bound over 50 books and owe it all to you. Keep up the great work :)

[@ingeniusdesigns]

That is amazing news! I'm so happy I could be a part of your journey!

[@bugsbunny7117]

Awesome video! Super informative and entertaining to boot. Also, I'd absolutely love to see a video where you compare different foils.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks so much! My goal for this video was to make a supply list as entertaining as possible, so I'm glad it worked for you!

[@Morna777]

Oh quick tip: put the masking tape on a piece of cotton fabric (I use my shirt) and pull it off before using on the davey board. It takes the tackiness down a bit so it doesn't tear the material as much.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Good thinking. I do the same thing often in other contexts to reduce the stickiness of adhesives. I'll have to try it to save my boards too.

[@j.o.s.h.]

Thanks so much for your bookbinding tutorial! I rebound and gilded the pages of my book. The instructions were clear and concise that i was able to achieve success the first try! I bound it in blue goat skin. If you have an email or discord id love to send you a picture. You deserve some of the credit!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Oh wow, I'd love to see it! You can find my channel email in the "about" section of my channel page: www.youtube.com/@ingeniusdesigns/about

[@moonlithaven]

Absolutely amazing! I would love to hear more about different types of foils!!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

So glad to know there's interest! It's an idea that I've been toying with for a while.

[@daneryta]

As always ❤you’re the best !!!! I love your content and how you explain !!!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thank you for always being there to support! This channel couldn't exist without your help.

[@jisan8549]

I am addicted to your content ❤

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Hope you'll come back for future posts!

[@ladislavantal7268]

This is an excellent summary, thank you!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

My pleasure. I really appreciate the feedback!

[@angelartistic3056]

Thank you for sharing this knowledge and expertise. You earned my follow!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thank you and welcome aboard!

[@matildag.5670]

I’m starting my leather bookbinding journey and your videos are an amazing resource. Just subscribed!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Welcome aboard! So glad to hear you're giving it a whirl. Feel free to reach out in the comments if you hit any snags.

[@MadJustin7]

I swear I'm going to try this by the end of the year. I would love to add to my Easton Press collection with some books that I've rebound myself. Love your content man, keep it up.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Sounds like your bookbinding motivations are the same as mine! I'm so glad my videos have helped!

[@Morna777]

Your content just keeps getting better! Also I bought myself some iron on gold recently!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks so much! I'm doing my best to make each video an improvement on the last!

[@saifrahman8782]

I like his smile and face reaction, very good explanation.❤ keep it up

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks so much! I hope you'll stick around the channel!

[@brandogould9432]

Great video!!! Is there any chance you could talk a little about pleather options?! Is it even possible to bind books with a vegan friendly method? Will you rise to the challenge?! I would so appreciate your insights! ⚔️

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I'm actually currently experimenting with vegan leather options, and I'll be sure to include the topic in upcoming videos once my thoughts are fully formed. Glad to know there's interest!

[@Budgetinpurple]

I absolutely would love to see a video comparing foil brands!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for letting me know! I'm glad to know there's interest!

[@kelliec9608]

Thank you so much for this video. It was very informative. I’m new to book binding and have soooo many questions, and ideas😊. I want to create a baby book for my first grandchild ❤, and really want it to last a very long time. Thank you again and I will watching for great content👍🏼

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks so much! That sounds like such a wonderful project. You may want to experiment on something less precious first though. You can refer to my other tutorials if you get stuck. Good luck and have fun!

[@kimjunjae]

Love this guy and this channel. Thanks a lot for this goldmine of information, tho I'm not skilled enough to practice them yet !

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thank you so much for watching! The only way to get skilled is to try it, so why not give it a whirl and see how it goes? My first book was far from perfect, and I'm still learning. I should probably make a video about that, come to think of it...

[@kimjunjae]

@@ingeniusdesigns Thank you so much for your kind reply !! I really should, I'm currently building a victorian library and some of the more modern books are quite unsightly and need some work !

[@JuanettesCraftingCorner]

I have watched all of your videos. I wish you were making more I've learned a lot from you.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks so much! I hope to be more consistent in the future, and to make good on that hope there's a new video coming out tomorrow morning!

[@JuanettesCraftingCorner]

I also do KZbin videos and have for three years. I made a commitment to myself I would do one every single Monday. Please check out my channel. I make more junk journals than beautiful books like you. But doing videos consistently has helped my channel grow.@@ingeniusdesigns

[@simonjern5325]

Amazing video, as always! Have you ever made any book covers with different colored vinyl instead of only traditional gilded details on the cover, like using a limited palette with 4 or 5 colors? Something like the Barnes and Noble leatherbound books. I guess you could produce a picture with 4 colors, cut out the different colored vinyl sheets on a Cricut and then arrange them and attach them one by one on the cover. I would be very interested if you could do a video about it! Anyway, you have a very undersubscribed channel for the quality and amount of effort you put in, I’m sure it will grow exponentially if you continue on the same track. Thank you so much! :)

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the suggestion! I have done something like that once before. It was a gift for a family member who collects the Barnes and Noble books and wanted a book to match their collection. I made it before I was in the habit of recording everything I make though. It's good to know that there's interest in that kind of project though!

[@alexa4298]

@@ingeniusdesigns I'm definitely also interested in replicating something akin to the Barnes & Noble Collectible editions!

[@camilleperkins7757]

I love your videos so much! They are so insightful! Your transitions and edits are so well done, and you are so well-spoken! Have you ever made your own book? What I mean by that is sewing your own signatures? I also am having a tough time with gilding the pages. I have been using the same foil quill from We R Memory Keppers, but I am having so much of the shavings from the paper ruining the final look. I sand the paper till it is reflective, but after I finish and separate the pages, paper dust is everywhere, my pages are bowing out at the gilded edge, and the foil seems to just chip off (I am not using beeswax currently because I don't have a lot of spare money, but I am thinking that is my problem). I plan on making a book press like the one in the other video, but I haven't gotten there yet. I've been weighing my project down with books and weights on top of it, which I thought would be enough, but I am not sure. I think I am not sanding it enough to be completely flush with the chipboard that sandwiches my papers. Could that be my problem?

[@adorabledeplorble8497]

Not only am I going down the rabbit hole as a brand new sub, but now I have also found rabbit holes inside rabbit holes, just drawing me deeper into the comments section 🤓 I simply cannot keep doing this and expect to get anything done in my day. THAT is how much I appreciate your channel and your followers already though - bravo 👏

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Welcome aboard! I'm so glad this content is hitting the spot for you! The videos are a slow trickle but I hope you'll stick around for them when they come and you can be a part of this great community :)

[@adorabledeplorble8497]

My confidence is really high, if not downright foolish, but my first attempt at greatness will include working with foil quill and perhaps if that goes as planned then I will be playing with fore edge water color. I am considering myself a master beginner until I find some lesson here in over-confidence. I am not actually installing a new book cover yet, but that is clearly on the horizon. See what you have done to me? I am suddenly finding myself scrutinizing glues for pH and wandering the store aisles for beeswax and obscure things I have never even thought to buy. What amazing fun 🤓 I appreciate you 😎

[@coledunham6597]

I love your videos. So I formative. I would like to see a step by step tutorial on how you use your specific cutting tool (cricut) as in how to place the paper and transfer etc. 🎉

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the suggestion! There are so many Cricut tutorials out there that I've avoided that kind of content for now, but if there's enough demand I'll do it!

[@biblereviews934]

Thanks for this helpful video. 😊 Please Make a full video of rebinding a Bible 😊

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the suggestion! I've done scriptures before, but failed to film it. Still, the process is identical to any other book. Here's a link to my cover-making tutorial, if you haven't seen it yet! kzbin.info/www/bejne/maGthHSpfLqVnZI

[@Antonio-mo1uh]

Thank you for your very detailed account! I'm thinking about buying a custom leatherbound book and am a bit worried about durability. Would an embossed design outlast both stamp and HTV? HTV's unknown bums me out, it's so versatile and allows for such pretty artwork! Would the leather underneath remain untouched should the HTV wear away?

[@kristiereed1403]

Yes please do a foil comparison video

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm so glad to know there's interest in this idea!

[@mattm9434]

Great information. You mention board grain can influence cover warping. Which direction then is the best orientation to reduce warping?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

It is better to align the grain length-wise (from the top to the bottom of the book). This won't fully prevent cover warping, because there are a lot of other factors that play into it, but it will at least help!

[@hemanshubhojak]

Amazing content. Thanks for sharing 🙏🏽 Can you share links to the foil quill page guild ing and htv that you use please?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Sure thing! Here's a link to my Amazon storefront, where I keep a list of the products I use. If you choose to order there on Amazon it supports the channel a little too! www.amazon.com/shop/ingenius.designs/list/12IL3LGKPV6AD?ref_=aipsflist_aipsfingenius.designs

[@malcolmballistictool]

Fascinating. I've watched all your videos with interest. My biggest question has to do with the difference I see in the corners of the books. On your original tutorial I thought the whole thing was outstanding, except the corners, which were poking out pretty bad (not that I know how to correct this or do it right you understand!). Now in THIS video, not only are the corners of the finished products pretty darn spectacular, It seems like you used a different fold on the two. I definitely thought the 300 year book corners were better, but the top edge of the cover seems less straight than the 30 year book. The 30 year book looks absolutely beautiful. So, to sum up my questions: 1. Please explain corner folding (If you feel like doing a whole video on leather folding etc, I wouldn't complain). 2. How do you get perfectly straight edges, and does the 30 year old book only APPEAR to be straighter because of thinner materials etc? Thank you for these amazing videos and sharing your skill. I would love to do the same in my profession but I have no ability to edit videos. You sir are a master.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for your thoughtful questions. I'm still an amateur at this, and corner folding is something I'm trying to improve. The corners on my 30-year book were made with the method from my original tutorial, which does tend to poke out a bit, as you observed. I was using a thinner leather for the 300-year book, however, which allowed me to fold the corners and make them more aesthetically pleasing. I'm still not totally happy with the folding technique yet, but when I have it better refined I may make a short video on the topic, as you suggested.

[@blancspace799]

Hi! I live your videos! Also I noticed you use a cricut for your cover designs. Could you make a video on how to design and produce a cover for beginners with the cricut?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the question! Thusfar I have avoided making videos that focus specifically on how to use a Cricut because there are thousands of other videos out there on that topic and I have wanted my content to apply to users of all kinds of vinyl cutters. That being said, this video on designing cover art may be a good starting point for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpbcc5h-q9GMlbs

[@darue5873]

I’m new to this channel and have just started watching. I stayed because of the instructions and mentioning mistakes. I like that, it’s important for teaching. My question is; Do you still sande the papers before folding on a 100yr+ old book? I watched video #1 and it was done but to I reckon a non important book. Idk. Thank you for your response

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Yep, I sanded it. I am on an ongoing quest to find out how to get satisfying gilding results less destructively, but for now if I wanted to give this antique book the gilding it deserved, the only way I know to do it was to sand. I actually have a video in the works on my sanding process for this exact book.

[@elliotjakos1448]

Ingenius Designs, Have you tried binding a mass market paperback? If so was it that much different from a normal paperback binding?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Yes, I've done plenty of mass market paperbacks! As far as I can tell there's no appreciable difference in the binding technique.

[@kathleendavidson6552]

Why do you only do heat transfer instead of a premium vinyl? I see you working on your cricut in some of your videos, so I’m curious what the difference between the two different types of vinyls are.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I use heat transfer vinyl for better adhesion to the leather; I don't want my designs peeling off someday. Also, I find it easier to keep detailed designs aligned just the way I want when using HTV. With other vinyls you have to use transfer tape, which adds another opportunity to mess things up.

[@kathleendavidson6552]

Hmm. Interesting.. thanks for responding so quickly! 🎉

[@tj2375]

The cost increase for the 300 year binding is negligible given the enormous increase in longevity. Even in money terms is not that different. It surprised me.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

True, true. I think the supplies are less expensive than people sometimes assume, as long as you shop around a bit. Although longevity and cost aren't the only things to consider when buying materials, as I hope this video illustrates!

[@-----REDACTED-----]

Little typo that snuck in: Polyvinyl Acetate, not Acrylate. Also from a conservation point of view reversibility is just as paramount as the archival quality of the materials used. That goes especially for the adhesives. Further from the same point of view I can’t help but wonder whether leather truly is the best way to go as a material since at least vegetable tanned leather requires periodical dressing to stay flexible which has caused a rather substantial headache for modern day conservators…

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Oops! Good catch! Looks like I misremembered that name. Should have added that to my fact-checking. You make an excellent point about whether leather is really the best thing for long-term book conservation, and from what I've read, some book conservators would agree with you! It's not the ideal material if you want your books to survive the apocalypse, but it's still a classic.

[@ionascucornel4560]

Please, Andrus, send me the ebay link where you buy this beautiful, soft red leather. Thanks a lot

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Unfortunately leather is produced and sold in batches, and since I purchased this leather a couple of years ago that batch is now sold out and not available anymore. It definitely was great though, and I bought a bunch when it was for sale. I do have another video which explains how to find good bookbinding leather on Ebay, so perhaps you will find that helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4XJoZ2ph5p_mNk If you really want the best prices (like I got with the red leather in the video) then I would recommend looking for auctioned items on Ebay instead of "Buy it Now" items. It can be time consuming, and you don't always win the auction, but when you do bid on something no-one else seems to be interested in you can really get a killer deal!

[@ionascucornel4560]

Austin, many thanks for your reply. I buy some pieces of leather chrome tanned and will try to foiling see whats happen.Lookng forward for your next bookbind video. Which site you downloaded the frames on the book covers ? Will try also to cut on plotter.

[@KaylaCreates042]

Could we get a link for those 3 hides for $32? 👉🏾👈🏾

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Unfortunately leather is produced and sold in batches, and since I purchased this leather a couple of years ago that batch is now sold out and not available anymore. It definitely was great though, and I bought a bunch when it was for sale. I do have another video which explains how to find good bookbinding leather on Ebay, so perhaps you will find that helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4XJoZ2ph5p_mNk If you really want the best prices (like I got with the red leather in the video) then I would recommend looking for auctioned items on Ebay instead of "Buy it Now" items. It can be time consuming, and you don't always win the auction, but when you do bid on something no-one else seems to be interested in you can really get a killer deal!

[@darkwriter_xx94]

I love Hollanders but that shipping cost always gets me 😅

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I hear you! So I have to order a few things together. Wish I had a free shipping option to offer!

[@showman139]

If society breaks down we will need to save our knowledge through books. Can you say this will help prolong their life for those who will not last long without them?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

As I mentioned in this video, the number of years that a text will survive is primarily determined by the paper it is printed on. Using archival-quality materials in the cover can help the pages reach their maximum longevity potential, but if the pages are acidic to begin with a fancy cover will not likely extend their lifespan.

[@showman139]

​@ingeniusdesigns What would you suggest then? Society is now addicted to electronic technology, and eventually, we will need to save our knowledge somehow. How and what do we do? Would you consider getting a typewriter and binding the pages you type on? I'm curious 😁.

[@tjokawa6640]

Served in Japan, huh? 😊

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Guilty as charged!

[@CotoDeCaza3]

Hi Austin, if I had a Bible that I wanted gold gilded and rebound is this some you could or would do for me? Best regards,

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Hi there, Thanks for reaching out. I'm not currently taking commissions, but I'm in the process of setting up a way to do that. Once we go commercial I'll be sure to post about it on the channel so you can see how to order. Thanks again for your interest!

[@heidihubbell3504]

My only question is why did you not just give your archival book a new spin and keep the original cover? The cover is an integral part of the the book edition and replacing the entire cover just reduced the quality of the book. Next time try just restoring the book and not rebinding the entire book, it will retain a higher value. They both look great but now the archival book has lost all of its personality.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the feedback! The simple answer is that I didn't really want to do a book restoration. I find it more fun to make my own covers, which for me adds personality and meaning to the book--quite the opposite of losing the personality! I get your point, though, and respect where you're coming from. There are many first editions of this book available out there, and I specifically chose one with a ruined cover because I wanted to upcycle it without feeling bad about damaging a pristine antique. Hope that helps answer your question!

[@TheGreatProphecy]

I wish you would supply where you got your leather skins from!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I actually have a whole video devoted to this topic! I figured people who watched this video would have your same question, so if you explore my channel page you'll find that video was published right before this one.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I actually have a whole video devoted to this topic, which was published right before this one. If you explore my channel pages it shouldn't be too hard to find. Thanks for asking!