The oldest printed book that still exists today is Diamond Sutra, and there are lots of old books that are still in good condition because those who made them wanted to make sure that they would last for a long time. 

Digital books are more accessible and easier to use, but nothing compares to the feeling of holding a unique book in your hands, especially if you managed to personalize it. 

In addition, binding a book will keep it in good condition and will allow you to add your personal touch to it. So, if you want to learn how to bind a book in some easy steps, you’ve come to the right place.

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Whether you want to start a scrapbook, need to protect your diary, or have an old book that you want to customize, learning how to bind a book will be the right thing to do. Although some books are already bound, learning how to secure a book will deliver several benefits.

It’s a great way to protect an old book. After years of use, the cover of the book wears out, and knowing how to replace it will guarantee that all the papers will stay in perfect condition. 

There are different bookbinding styles, so you can actually customize the book cover if you want to create something personal or want to prepare a special gift for someone. 

You will feel a lot of satisfaction when you learn how to bind a book because you’ve made it yourself. 

If you’re looking for an easy way to introduce your kids to the world of DIY projects and art, learning how to bind a book will be appropriate.

Why Do You Need to Bind a Book?

Luckily, there are several methods that you can follow if you want to bind an old book, photo album, notebook, diary, or scrapbook. And the good news is that the material you need can be easily brought from the store, or you can already find them at home. Some of these methods are quite simple, while others will need more work and time. 

If you have an old book, align the pages together, and if you’re creating one, create a crisp fold of the papers using a bone folder. 

Start stapling the folded crease so the flat part of the staple is facing out and the arms are inside the crease. Make sure to leave about ½ inch of margin, so you can read the book or write in the notebook. 

Choose a simple or colorful binding tape to hold your book together. It can be made of cotton or linen to provide the needed support. Cut a piece that is about 2 inches longer than the height of your book. 

Put the tape on a table and press the book into the middle of the tape. Fold the tape to cover the book’s other side.  

Wrap the tape all the way around the spine so it covers everything from top to bottom. Repeat if your book is too old or thick. 

Using a colorful ribbon is a cool way to customize a book for you or a loved one.

Leave at least 1 inch of margin to make sure that your book is easy to read. 

Make a hole ½ inch away from the top and another ½ inch from the left-hand side. Use a pencil and ruler to mark the holes. Repeat the process on the bottom. 

Draw a line between the two holes using a pencil and ruler. 

Punch holes along the line, each hole ¼ inch away from the next. 

Measure the ribbon to be double your book’s length. The ribbon can be thin, thick, solid, or colorful, depending on your taste. Cut the needed ribbon. 

Thread the ribbon through the holes. Don’t completely pull it through. 

Loop the ribbon through the top and bottom holes and tie the two ends together. You can repeat the looping process if you want to secure your book better. 

Tie your ribbon into a simple or fancy knot and cut the excess. 

This method is suitable for bigger and older books because it’s stronger than the other book binding methods. 

Use a bone folder to fold your pages in half or make sure that your pages are properly aligned. 

Use a ruler to measure the length of the book precisely.

Divide the measurement by 6 to have five holes at the crease. The holes should be equally spaced to give your book a clean look. 

Mark the dots with a pencil and make sure that they’re equally spaced. 

If you have 5 holes, start with the first hole or station at the bottom of the page. The distance between the first dot and the edge should be equal to the distance between the first and second dots. 

Use an awl made for paper to pierce the stations. You can also use a large needle. 

Start sewing your book by putting the needle in the third station. Pull 2 inches of string or thread through the page and hold the rest with the non-dominant hand. 

Put your needle through the fourth station to be on the inside of the crease. Pull the string through. 

Thread your needle through the fifth station, then back through the fourth to be inside the crease one more time. 

Thread the needle through the second station to be on the outside. 

Put the needle through the first station, then back through the second, so the thread is facing away from the crease. 

Finish sewing by pulling the thread through the third station. Make sure that every station is threaded on the inside and outside of the crease. 

Tie a knot inside the third station’s crease and pull firmly to keep the sewing in place.  

How to Bind a Book

Binding a book is actually an easy task if you have the right tools. Just give yourself time and experiment with different binding methods to keep your books in excellent condition while adding your personal touch. 

How to Bind a Book

How to Bind a Book

Why Do You Need to Bind a Book?

How to Bind a Book

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