Book binding is the art of placing loose sheets of paper in a protective cover. The main purpose of book binding is to make the book durable to protect the written documents. However, book binding also enhances the overall appeal of the book. Sometimes book binding is done to encompass the repair of damaged books, such as replacing missing or torn pages, sewing up loose sheets, or replacing the book cover with a new one.
The art of binding books probably originated in India, where religious sutras were copied onto palm leaves (halved lengthwise) with a metal pencil. The sheet was then dried and rubbed with ink, which made a stain on the wound. The finished leaves were given a number and two long strings were threaded through each end through wooden boards, forming a palm leaf book. When the book was closed, the excess thread was wrapped around the boards to protect the manuscript pages. Buddhist monks carried the idea through Persia, Afghanistan, and Iran to China in the 1st century BC.
The Chinese are said to have used bamboo strips to produce books by weaving each bamboo strip with string or thread. Similar techniques can also be found in ancient Egypt, where priestly texts were compiled on papyrus scrolls and books. Another version of the creation of books can be seen throughout the ancient Mayan codex and only four are known to have survived the Spanish invasion of Latin America. Each book has mainly seven parts. They are the front cover, back cover, spine, leading edge, head, tail, and body.
Tools are devices that are used to run various projects. On the other hand, materials are surfaces or media that are used for the production of items. Equipment is special instruments needed for a business or to perform a service. Tools and equipment are not part of the finished product, but materials become part of the finished product.
The tools, materials and equipment used for book binding are:
Tools: Needle, Bodkin, Bone Folder, Scissors, Trimmer Knife, Combination Pliers, Hammer, etc.
Needle – This is a small, thin piece of metal with a sharp end used for sewing. It is used to sew loose sheets together.
Bodkin- This is a tool with a strong metal piece with a pointed tip inserted into a wooden handle that is used to punch holes for sewing books.
Bone Folder: A flat, tapered, polished piece of bone used to fold paper. They help a lot in folding papers into sections to be stitched together into a book.
Scissors: This is a small cutting tool with two sharp blades that screw together. They are used to cut the leaves and covers of books.
Trimming Blade: This is a special sharp blade used to trim the edges of books.
Combination Pliers: This is a tool with two handles on one end and two flat, hard metal parts on the other. Combination pliers are used to hold and pull string for book binding.
Hammer: This is a tool consisting of heavy metal at the end of a handle. It is used to round and support books.
Materials: Adhesives, Muslin/Crash, Binding cloth, Thread, Cover boards, Endpapers, etc.
Adhesives – This is a form of glue used to bind books.
Muslin/Crash: This is a very thin cotton fabric glued over the stitched areas of a book.
Binding cloth: used to bind the hard covers of books. Examples of binding methods include full, quarter, and three-quarter.
Thread – This is a thin piece of material used to sew books together.
Cover boards: These are hard boards used for book covers.
Covers- These are the papers that come with the section or body of a book and the covers.