A Centuries Old Art: Book Binding and Marbled Paper
The craft of book binding dates back much further than you may have imagined – centuries, in fact. One of the oldest methods involved folding sheets of parchment in half and sewing them together along the fold. The book covers were made of wooden boards and a goatskin bag kept the book protected.
Marbled paper is also a craft with a long history. Discovered over 1,000 years ago, marbled paper is created by floating paints on water to create delicate, one-of-a-kind designs. The pattern is printed and trimmed to decorate the outside and inside covers of the book. Our marbled paper, handmade in house by the artist, mirrors a classic pairing of book and paper arts.
At Azalea Bindery, we provide full book binding services. We create books, photo albums, photo frames, boxes, and more. We can create one piece or a limited edition as well as make any size or proportion you require. With your inspiration, we craft book binding pieces that perfectly reflect your needs.
Newly bound books and albums become family heirlooms or professional presentation pieces that preserve important occasions, business events, and more. The use of well accepted book binding practices guarantees the longevity of each piece we create. Our craftsmanship and materials are of the highest quality.
Techniques and Materials
There are several techniques that can be used for professional book binding, depending on how the pages are presented. The process a book binder uses involves cutting, sewing, and gluing paper, fabrics, and supple leathers, to create a final product that is a custom piece of art. Our book binding services include case binding, sewn signature binding, perfect binding, and historic bindings.
Our handmade book binding pieces begin by sewing and gluing the pages together then covering the book boards with a cover material. They are then married together. Our book bindery is fully equipped with tools and equipment operated almost entirely by hand.
Our leathers are high-quality goat and calf skin from experienced suppliers who tan leather specifically for book binding. We recommend Natural, Smooth Historical and River Grain goatskin, Natural Calf, Asahi Japanese silk book cloth, and Iris linen book cloth for book binding materials. There are many colors and textures found in these lines. All materials we use are of the highest quality and are guaranteed to be archival. We love to pair sumptuous fabrics, harmonious hues, and distinctive imagery.
[ubergrid id=1059]
How is book binding done?
Azalea Bindery can bind your manuscript, genealogy, memoir, thesis & dissertation, report, periodical, business records, drawings & photographs, menus, and more. With a specific print layout, pages can be folded, nested and sewn together to form the text. We call this a ‘sewn signature’ binding.
Single pages can be printed at your home or office and are bound using a flexible adhesive with thin cords dropped and glued into tiny notches made in the text block. The flexible adhesive and dropped cords ensure the pages will not come apart and the book will open and close nicely. We call this a ‘perfect’ binding.
The book cover is made to exactly fit the text, then titled, and attached to the text at the cover hinges. Because of the techniques we use, both book binding methods maintain their integrity for centuries.
How should pages be presented for book binding?
Azalea Bindery can receive your documents by mail or email. A PRINT READY PDF MUST BE PROVIDED. NO EDITING IS DONE AT AZALEA BINDERY. If you choose to have us print your document, it must be formatted exactly as you would like it to appear in print. Unless otherwise specified, we will have your document printed on 28# 100% cotton paper. If you are investing in a beautiful handmade book, it’s wise to use a paper with more strength and better appearance than 20# copy paper. You can also purchase 28-32# cotton paper from an office supply store to use in your own printer.
How do I choose cover materials?
Together we will create the book cover design, titling options, and decorative elements you desire. We keep a large inventory of leather and book cloth in the bindery. We can link you to book cloth and leather samples on the web where you can pick your cover material or you can visit the bindery in Asheville, NC. For a limited edition of books, we can mail you material samples so you can see the true color and feel the texture of the cloth or leather, if desired. We recommend Asahi silk book cloth and Iris linen book cloth for your cloth cover materials. We recommend Natural, Smooth Historical, and River Grain genuine goat for most books, or genuine English calf for heavy book bindings. Imitation leather is also available but only in black. These materials are archival, durable and highly attractive.
Need Custom Book Binding Service Quickly?
Your book cover will need a title and perhaps you would like an original art image or your logo printed. A hot foil stamping press is used to transfer the title, author, and selected image. While we arrange individual metal type, letter by letter, to title your book, a metal die or plate can be custom ordered to print your original cover art or company logo. We can blind deboss your book cover or apply 22k gold among other colors to complete the titling. A photograph or printed text can also be inlaid on the cover.
Are Azalea Bindery Book Bindings Archival?
Yes, all materials from paper to cloth, board, and adhesives are of the highest quality and are guaranteed to be archival.
How much does book binding cost?
The cost of book binding depends on several factors and the design elements that you want included in your book. As a starting point, a custom silk or linen book that is 8.5” x 11” in size, starts at $330.00. There are additional charges that will apply for cover inlay, cover photo, titling, die making, and printing. To learn more about the potential cost of your cloth book, please request an estimate.
Available Products in Our Book Binding Line
Custom Manuscript Book Binding
Custom Genealogy Book Binding
Custom Memoir Book Binding
Custom Thesis & Dissertation Book Binding
Custom Business Report & Document Binding
Custom Report & Periodical Binding
Custom Menu Binding
Custom Portfolio Binding
If you are seeking a photo album or photo box please email our administrative assistant. She will contact you in 5 business days to get more information about your project.
More from Azalea Bindery
Leather Book Binding
for a luxurious feel and exceptional durability
Convey the true sense of value you place on the content of your special books with our leather book binding. We create beautiful pieces of art using your pages and our genuine leather book binding. Together, these components create perfect, fine-bound, heirloom-quality books.
Book Repair
to save
your treasures
Let us restore the beauty of your damaged books with our expert book repair services. Family Bibles, children’s books, albums, text books, and books that are heirlooms are often irreplaceable. We can lovingly repair your special books that have become tattered or damaged, preserving your family’s treasures.
Photo Albums
for life’s
momentous occasions
Weddings, births, anniversaries, and other meaningful occasions are moments you’ll want to remember. There’s no better way to preserve memories of your special events than with a custom photo album that captures the day forever.
Photo Box
for your albums, books,
and keepsakes
Protect and save your precious photos, albums, books, prints, or other important documents with a custom-made photo box, designed to your specifications. We can make the perfect container for your images, books, and special keepsakes using the beautiful silks, linens, or leathers you choose.
