What's the best way to punch holes in signatures?

Let's explore all the ways to make holes in signatures for bookbinding! Which method do you find is the most efficient?
SUBSCRIBE
Main Channel: bit.ly/SLDIY
Vlog Channel: bit.ly/SLVlog
SUPPORT
Patreon Rewards: bit.ly/SLPatron
Membership Perks: bit.ly/SLSpo
0:00 Intro
0:33 About Signatures
1:36 Basic Ways to Punch Signatures
4:21 Sawing Signatures
6:11 Punching Cradles
SHOP BASIC BOOKBINDING SUPPLIES
Amazon*: www.amazon.com/shop/sealemon
Blick*: bit.ly/3Nog3Vx
HELPFUL BOOKBINDING CHANNEL
‪@DASBookbinding‬
/ dasbookbinding
DIY PUNCHING CRADLES
• Chipboard (template in description) via ‪@PeterBaumgartner‬: • Cradle for Bookbinding...
• Foamboard (template in description) via ‪@NiktheBooksmith‬: • DIY BOOK BINDER'S PUNC...
• Thin Chipboard via ‪@TheScrapologist‬: • How to Make A Punching...
WHERE TO BUY PUNCHING CRADLES
(FYI, inventory changes frequently and shipping costs vary.)
Etsy
• Search Etsy*: tidd.ly/3exzuyw
• BWShoppe*: tidd.ly/3TuDApE
• ‪@iBookBinding‬*: tidd.ly/3D1b3To
• ‪@ElLibroRojodeAline‬*: tidd.ly/3CMtNVw
Talas
• Wood guide: www.talasonline.com/Awl-Guide
Amazon
• ‪@WeR_Makers‬*: amzn.to/3dGShEi
• Full Review: • Testing We R Memory Ke...
OTHER TOOLS MENTIONED
• Bookbinding squares:
• Amazon*: amzn.to/3nikDI7
• iBookbinding*: tidd.ly/3MCsHQq
• El Libro Rojo*: tidd.ly/3yMqCfe
(other names: machinist or carpenter’s square, rafter square)
• Flat punch tool by iBookbinding*: tidd.ly/3D1b3To
• Sewing station template by El Libro Rojo*: tidd.ly/3CMtNVw
RELATED VIDEOS
• Bookbinding Supplies Playlist: bit.ly/BindingTips
• DIY Book Presses: • DIY Book Press Tips fo...
• Testing We R Memory Keepers Bookbinding Guide: • Testing We R Memory Ke...
SOCIAL
Instagram: / sealemon
TikTok: / heysealemon
Facebook: / sealemon
Twitter: / sea_lemon
Pinterest: / sealemon
SHOP MY PRINTS, STICKERS & MORE
Etsy: sealemon.etsy.com
Monthly Mail: / sealemon
My Patterned Paper: bit.ly/SeaZazzle
My Patterned Fabric: bit.ly/SeaSpoon
Society6: society6.com/sealemonshop​
Amazon*: www.amazon.com/shop/sealemon
MAIL
Sea Lemon
PO Box 1333
Scottsdale, AZ 85252
USA
BUSINESS INQUIRIES
heysealemon[at]gmail.com
MUSIC CREDITS
I use Epidemic Sound, sign up for a 30-day free trial here*: share.epidemicsound.com/iltlxz
DISCLAIMERS
Links above marked with (*) are affiliate links, which means I may earn revenue or credits (at no extra cost to you) via those affiliated sites.

[@DASBookbinding]

Thanks for the nice comment about DAS Bookbinding. Another method, similar to sawing in is to use a knife and make a cut across the spine against a square. It has the advantage of not removing material like a saw. DAS

[@rachelsaganmaraj2928]

As a fellow binder that's the method I found the fastest mark the lines and use the knife to cut into the signature remove and start sewing immediately instead of punching individual signature 😉 and yes I am a big fan of DAS Bookbinding

[@helenspedding-lowe5469]

DAS Bookbinding I love your channel, you've really helped me through lots of problems. Thank you 💖 xxxxx

[@danavanhoeven3023]

Kona looks very comfortable in that chair! 🤣😆. She’s so cute! 🤗.

[@marieduncan8746]

I've been binding books for 15 or so years, but if I need bookbinding instruction ideas, I always come to your channel! You have the greatest videos!

[@pixelated4046]

I for the longest time used an old plastic kids dart that came with a dartboard. It worked fantastic and I still have it incase I misplase my heavy duty awl

[@SeaLemonDIY]

A dart! Good substitute idea :)

[@michellekellar2790]

You are so easy to listen to..calm, cool & collected (as the old saying goes) You are not "rushed" and hurrying through the video. It's a delight to listen and learn from you. I enjoyed this video very much.

[@christhepolyglot9180]

I've only been binding a few years. I've used nails, pens, exactos, you name it to pierce holes. Heck one time I used a nail as a sewing needle Love your videos and I hope anyone reading this has a great day

[@spikeboston1237]

Section: If the sheet has been printed, then folded down, it is referred to in printers' terminology as a signature. Any signature can be called a section, but only a section which has been printed is technically a signature. It is called a signature because the scribes would sign their work. Signature: A specific type of section, differing from the general term of section, in that a signature is a sheet that has first been printed, then folded to a section. Signature is a printer's term for the binder's word section. a single sheet of paper folded in half is a FOLIO. (Marked or not marked) a gathering of folded folios is a SECTION or a QUIRE.

[@XIIxMysticxIIX]

ThAnk you i always forget terminology

[@Marialla.]

A sewing machine also makes a decent signature binding, when on longest stitch length. I can sew through 20 sheets of paper no problem. Also, sewing with no thread in the machine creates perforations that if spaced to a close stitch length can create tear-away sections for your journals. I find this useful for daily to-do lists I like to remove after finishing, or times I want to scribble a note to give to a friend. Machine-sewn signatures like this are convenient for me to whip up quickly and fill into my traveller's notebook for daily use. It feels less formal than hand-sewn beautiful notebooks, which I save for more artistic entries.

[@whatcanidooo]

Oh…my god. I never even considered that, I’ve been wanting a way to make perforated edges 🙏

[@Marialla.]

@@whatcanidooo :D So happy I could help!

[@CydoniaOS]

In my bookbinding projects I use a wire saw, and I find that those are pretty helpful when I comes to making holes in the signatures, especially if you work with handmade paper.

[@janeberrisford8555]

Thank you for another wonderful video - you are so kind to share your knowledge and expertise, we all appreciate your efforts x

[@saeyoungchoiloveschips]

The way you just said everything I do as a new bookbinder (singe reference sheet, folding each page individualy, using a needle as a punch) scares me lol, but that helped me a lot! Ty

[@treemerryweather]

i am in the process of expanding my studio into what remains of my space and just unpacked my bookbinding supplies before taking a YT break. So delighted to see this overview thanks!!

[@rebeccabonner6542]

Love that you gave a nod to DAS. I don’t plan on ever even attempting to be at his level but I always learn something helpful (including the punching template). Would be great to see you do a full cord binding project! Maybe a collab with DAS?!

[@iBookBinding]

Wow! The idea with a used shipping box is quite unusual and very creative! I love it! Thanks for showing our tools! =)

[@lolableu517]

Kona looks so chill an adorable in the back

[@leaamherst]

I love when you make bookbinding videos!

[@MissRuthina]

You are the person that's taught me how to book bind. They're usually pretty scrappy. But dang it if it's not the coolest little skill to pick up!! Been thinking about getting a cradle for a while now

[@tricciavillela]

Loved your video, I've been thinking of making a sketchbook myself for a long time and now I feel more confident to do so! TKS so much 👍❤️

[@charalson3023]

Just getting into bookbinding and this video was soooooo helpful!! Thank you for making it and the tip on using a phone book (or one of the MANY catalogs I receive) is GENIUS!!

[@AngelavengerL]

Loved seeing all the options. I have the memory keepers one and it works nicely. Although that cradle you showed with the magnet looked so cool. Definitely tempted to get one. DAS bookbinding is awesome. Love both your videos'.

[@suhani8840]

Hello ! I have collected a huge stack of unused paper from my school and study notebooks throughout my school years. It was a ritual sort of thing to take those few unused pages out from notebooks. I recently graduated from high school. There are literally tons of them, my mother used to tell me that we will get these binded in the market but now I wish to bind them by myself. I never knew that I could self bind them until I found your channel. Thank you so much for your videos and guidance, miss. I don't have the said materials but I will buy them. This was very helpful.

[@michaelhawkins357]

Thanks for this video! I'm new to the punching cradle idea. This was SUPER helpful! Wishing you all the best. : )

[@starvingartistscollective]

Heard and appreciated every word you said....but spent the time looking at your dog!! Have a We R Memory Keeper's cradle after your review video, love it! TFS!!

[@TheScrapologist]

Thank you so much for featuring my tutorial in your playlist! I put a link to this video in my punching cradle video. Thanks for sharing!

[@lizvanwessem2055]

Glad you mentioned Darryl! DAS is awesome, I found him a few weeks ago when I'd binged through all yours and wanted some extra stuff... LOL - now I'm binging through his! I wouldn't necessarily recommend him for an absolute beginner - there are times when he's been explaining something and whizzed past and I was like "huh, hangonwhatwuzthat". I think if I hadn't already had a little experience thanks to following more basic projects like yours and a couple others, I might have been very confused. With regard to punching signatures: my favorite is straight down, onto a couple sheets of cardboard (which is what DAS recommends). I've never been able to get on with that 45 degree angle you (and DAS) recommend. Like you, I used to fold every sheet individually.. but after seeing DAS not doing that I've done my most recent book his way and I think it made for a better book (case bound... actually a copy of my doctoral thesis ... do I get geeky points for this?). Where I DO fold each sheet individually is if I'm doing a one signature book (I make my own (one signature) inserts for my traveller's journal, which is what got me into this whole rabbit hole in the first place!) and which is about 12-14 pages - I find if I try to do that all in one go the paper slides and it results in a less accurate fold. So those I still do individually. Thank you for an interesting video, it's got me thinking about the different ways to bookbind!

[@saskia16672]

Thank you for helping find ways to make punching easier and informing me on ways that actually have prevented my holes tearing. I was wondering if you could explain the best tool for cutting backing board! your awesome and you videos are sooo informative

[@manugarciazu5273]

I like your videos, I've learned bookbinding watching your videos. Thanks a lot. Greetings from Ciudad de México.

[@nuvoclassic]

Howdy, great video. When I hand sew signatures, I like to use an awl with old manual as cradle, or Cropodile. For 'perfect binding', I like to staple signatures in 3 spots...and/or glue or hot glue them onto into hidden spine. For faux Flo-Jos, I use a giant rubber band, or wrap twine/yarn/string. - TN style. tfs!

[@PatriciaPageMosaicArtsCrafts]

I love your nerdy bookbinding videos🤗💜

[@novak4082]

Great video! I made my own punching cradle from leftover chipboard from a guide i found on pinterest and then made a measurement part to lay on top of the papers (if that makes sense) from old overhead projector sheets 🤓

[@jenniferwatson7118]

Thanks for this video - very helpful!

[@beadzombie72]

This video was exactly what I was looking for! Thanks! :)

[@nina.kifrawi2412]

The first time I learned bookbinding, I was taught to saw. never thought to use any other methods until I found your channel eons ago. I prefer your methods more than the sawing because of the mess it makes.

[@znycelondon5313]

Very interesting. Just added a 3d printer to my design studio equipment. Now I have some ideas and can produce my custom pieces to mark my pages🤗🤗🤗

[@EscuelaAlfabeta]

Gracias por la recomendación del canal. Un abrazo grande y muchas gracias por todas tus enseñanzas!!

[@allcatz]

Your dog is adorable. Fun to watch the dog change positions in the chair.

[@ClaudyaRG]

Thank for the tips. Your dog is so cute!

[@ericathefae]

This was so helpful! Thank you (I had no idea that what I was trying to make was called a signature - knowing that makes the process so much easier to google). I'm gonna go get myself a punching cradle

[@Valen5878]

I love Kona XD what an awesome video, i'm currently using a punching cradle and it's been such a relief on my hands! Before that I was punching through the inside of the signature, but the cradle makes it a lot faster and keeps my hands pain-free! (as pain-free as bookbinder hands can be anyway XD)

[@TsukasaFanTc]

I learned everything I know about book binding from your videos, and I'll be honest, most of my applied methods were born from being kinda lazy. I never folded signatures individually XD I always did every signature all at once. I'm also guilty of punching my holes the same way :'D I take the whole signature and punch through the whole signature at once. It works out better that you might expect! But the cradles intreague me. I want to try one.

[@EE-hi4re]

Thanks so much. I was just wondering!

[@kingkha5672]

Noice! Gonna try it after completing my this week's study plan and after looking after plants and harvests!

[@DeerheartStudioArts]

Your dog is so funny!🦌💌❤️📚

[@amandachapman4708]

I use the pointed end of a dressmaker's seam ripper to make holes, and a folded card guide along the inside of the signature. I rest it on a piece of thick fabric to avoid marking the work surface.

[@paulinewhite9889]

Thank you for this video, I was just telling my husband I'm sure there is a easier way to do this binding

[@andreatthatsme]

Lolol. I LOVE Kona. She has the attitude of not caring. Lolol. Its her chair period.

[@liatc1847]

Kona steals the attention at the beginning... haha

[@laeticiafarah2185]

Big fan!!!!!!!

[@laeticiafarah2185]

Looove ur videos

[@alicelittle6743]

Sweet 😻

[@rachelsaganmaraj2928]

In using the saw my advise is to used 2 pieces of gray board at the front and back to keep the signature sturdier then clamp between the press

[@joeynobody1138]

0:34 sec in and I had to hit the thumbs up. Doggo knows how to bring in the likes. 😂🙃🤣

[@thelasonj]

love your doggie ❤ thanks for sharing this information. i need one of these cradles.

[@mdneery9618]

Hi Jennifer 🤗 Can you please upload tutorial on how to make Photo book/album, I see videos on KZbin that people mostly use machines, but I can't find handmade Photo books. What materials to use, papers, double-sided tape, glue, cardboard, covers etc.

[@conniephillips840]

Thank you for such an informative video. While you made it informative your furry friend behind you made it entertaining...

[@hifoo45]

Kona!

[@jukes243]

I'll just stick with the basics (a phone book) and invest my money elsewhere. Like beautiful paper. It makes my journals (and cards) look as though I know what I'm doing. Thanks, Sea Lemon. I'm a newbie!

[@sarahfcope8811]

Ore more more ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@nancyangel3213]

Excelentes explicaciones. Muchas gracias. Me encantaron las posiciones para dormir de tu perrito. Cómo se llama? Abracitos de colores desde Colombia!!! 🤗🤗🤗🇨🇴

[@mariococco8314]

Hi,i'm new to this type of stuff.i wanted to ask you why i have to use waxed thread.thanks😊

[@sarahmeg4811]

I’ve been using a metal yarn needle instead of an awl

[@sNuGgLeBuNny413]

Any chance you can do a video for using scrapbook paper it make journals? Like the 12x12 size. I have beautiful pads and I wanna make some but still new. Please?

[@recoveringsoul755]

wouldn't you just use these techniques using that paper?

[@recoveringsoul755]

for example if you wanted a 6x6 finished "book" just cut the paper in half, so you have 2 12x6 pieces of paper, then fold them in half together, now with just one page of 12x12 paper you have 4 pages of "book"

[@reihwan]

as someone who wants to start this as a hobby, I'm just nervous that I'll fall into the rabbit hole of materialism "must try and have them all" like I'd just want to bind my favorite stories into personal little books to my shelf, but ordering everything from a place that has everything (the Internet) is daunting...

[@jukes243]

I fell into the rabbit hole and don't use half of what I own. Stick to the basics. Think grade school .... scissors, ruler, glue. Start there. Add on as the need/want arises. Remember, your project doesn't have to be perfect. If it looks good (to your eye) then it's a success. Your little story books sound absolutely delightful. Happy crafting!

[@chloewilson7955]

I use a quick unpick. super cheap and can find it anywhere even remotely directed towards craft

[@ma.angelikaarcilla6623]

Hi! I just want to ask if you sell printable stickers/products. If you do, how do you sell it without being reproduce or plagarized? Thank you so much

[@dinarenee9826]

Hi Jennifer! I just came across your channel, so awesome! I have a rather specific question. I use a disc bound planner and I’d like to take my completed planners/journals and perfect bind them. Is this something you have ever tried or do you think it would work? Basically, I’m trying to figure out a way to take my pages and turn them into a “book” that isn’t coiled or held together by rings. I watched your “perfect binding” video and it’s the closest to what I’m looking to do, but I’m nervous it won’t work because of the holes in the pages. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!

[@nuvoclassic]

Perfect binding should work - don't glue in page holes. Try by testing first.

[@lyzperry]

Aw doggie in the background

[@yvonnedavis7023]

Use the top of the kit box for punching holes.

[@silasandmomsadventures2855]

when creating a novel, and using word, can I use single pages for signatures?

[@odycmboden3580]

Sea Lemon, how do you keep the sine of your book cover from getting a soggy/wet look? When I glue the spine of the paper to the spine of the book cover (I use card stock) the card stock gets soggy and end up not looking very good because it morphs a little bit when I press it. I don't use a whole lot of glue, just enough to make sure it sticks.

[@nuvoclassic]

use stiff cardboard - not cardstock - in spine of cover.

[@neotropic]

What can you add to trimming edges techniques and cutting rounded corners that don’t require expensive tools? I’ve been strugling with that. Tks!

[@dragonflylover1211]

Hello, Search Crop-o-dile Corner Chomper. Made by We-r-Memory Keepers. They are not very expensive or search out used ones on eBay. I am in US and bought mine for about $20 on sale. The regular one does a .25 &.5 rounded inch and can cut several sheets at once if I remember correctly. (I know the whole punches by them do up to 10 sheets of copy paper and I love that tool by them as it also has an eyelet setter)Corner chompers come in rounded, retro and also a scallop (possibly a tag chomper also where it nips the corners off, like a gift tag)for this brand and many other brands have fancier edges but usually only handle one page at a time. Hope this helps :)

[@blacksong915]

hello, i want to ask, which is better? more holes? or lesser holes?

[@ImeldaFagin]

Thanks for this. One thing I never seem to hear about is the number of holes. If the number is odd or if it is even doesn’t that effect whether the string ends up on the outside or on the inside?

[@nuvoclassic]

For junque journals, I prefer odd numbers - 3 or 5 holes. String ends up on the side where you start sewing.

[@recoveringsoul755]

I've seen a book drill that I think spins as you push down. Not sure the proper name but might be good for thick paper or thick signatures

[@TsukasaFanTc]

I think you're thinking of a screw punch? She has one! And I've actually thought the same thing :'D

[@recoveringsoul755]

@@TsukasaFanTc Maybe that's what it is called. It sounds right, Thank YOU! I first started looking into the whole bookbinding thing in trying to learn watercolor and finding very few sketchbooks with real watercolor paper in them and people just making their own. A Screw Punch, excellent

[@kavyanjaligavate449]

Hi! When I tie the pages they are not equal when you see from side. Some stuck out and some stuck in. They are not even. Can you pl. make a video to fix this problem. This happens every time a make a journal.

[@bngr_bngr]

Western hand saws cut on the push. Japanese hand saws cut on the pull. I use a fine tooth Japanese hand saw.

[@ahearnarts]

This is Bill. My first book. A booklet. 5 folded sheets on 9" fold. Two punch holes, tied with one knot inside the booklet. Need a knot to hold the binding tight? Pix available. Help pls

[@boojay111]

what paper do you use please?

[@hotbbgfrfr]

Can someone please help my problem, Whenever I bookbind and sew the signatures together after im done and open the book theres large gaps in the middle of my sewn signatures everytime i flip the signatures i already tightened the thread yet theres still gaps

[@amla2263]

I use a sewing machine needle with a winecork for a handle XD

[@antonellochessa5389]

Did you disable automatic captioning on pourpose?

[@lizvanwessem2055]

The captions are up now. KZbin automatic captioning - across the whole site I mean - is very hit and miss - I rely on them a lot (am deaf), so no, I don't think she did.

[@KylaMichelleC]

how far does each hole need to be?

[@jennglow4647]

😃

[@hazelwoodgenevieve2092]

Can I use a box cutter instead of a saw?

[@okamiseele8614]

How many holes should I punch in signatures. I’ve heard of seven?

[@thaanvi]

How to punch hole in Rectangle shape?

[@forgottenperson1605]

Omg I'm early :)

[@xVentax]

Excuse me - I just started watching but thought I ought to let you know your dog appears to be broken. I hope you kept the manual for reassembly instructions. 😂

[@Necromancer0225]

I use cardboard when punching holes in signatures, then I can tell if I've pierced all the pages or not

[@sesclg]

Me too!!!

[@laeticiafarah2185]

Firsttttt!!!!

[@EmilyParagraph]

*points* dogy

[@laeticiafarah2185]

Looove ur videos