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Can we talk about skipping the press for small notebooks?
Honestly, I think we make bookbinding too hard with all the gear. I bind a lot of thin journals, maybe 50 pages max, and I stopped using a book press months ago. Instead, I just clamp them between two flat boards with some heavy weights on top, like old encyclopedias. The glue sets fine, and the books lie flat when done. I know most folks swear by the press for even pressure, but for these little projects, it feels like extra work. Tbh, it's like when I mix small concrete patches by hand instead of firing up the big mixer, simple gets the job done. Sure, for thick tomes you need the real deal, but for starters or quick gifts, try it my way. Ngl, some binders might call me lazy, but my notebooks hold up just fine.
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michaelwright7mo ago
Seriously, I used to think a proper press was mandatory for anything halfway decent. Trying your board-and-weights method for a last-minute gift book proved me wrong. The result was perfectly flat and totally solid.
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the_mila7mo ago
Glad it worked for the rush job. That trick saves me all the time. Just know for thicker books or real leather, a real press is still the way to go.
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thomas1056mo ago
That method is a total lifesaver for thin paperbacks. Had a client need fifty done by yesterday and the board trick got them all flat and presentable. Sometimes the simple fix is the right one.
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