Glossary of Bookbinding Terms & Phrases

A special saw with fine teeth used to cut sewing stations into the spine of a book block. The book block is usually clamped tightly in a finishing press.

A pair of wedge shaped boards used in the process of rounding or shaping a spine so there is a 90 or 45 degree angle at the shoulder (called “backing”).

A special tool used to round and back the spine of a book. Backing hammers feature a rounded head and notchless claw at one end.

A pair of wedge shaped boards with a steel faced beveled edges used to apply pressure juut under the spine of a text block. Backing irons are used to “convert” a lying press to a backing press.

Bags filled with beans, rice, shot or other lightly weighted material. Used to gently press adhesive bindings between steps. Generally available in various shapes, sizes and soft materials.

Plier-like tools with broad, flat jaws, used to pinch or “nip” leather or cloth around raised bands during the book covering process. These are also used to straighten book bands that have been sewn on raised cords.

A cake of wax, typically purchased as a small block, used for waxing thread prior to sewing. Beeswax is naturally produced, organic, with a neutral pH and a high melting point. These characteristics make it desirable for use in book making.

The material used for the front and back boards of a book. Also referred to as “Davey” or book board. Available in various thicknesses.

Premium quality, solid steel scissors that are extremely sharp and hold a tight cutting edge right to the tip.

A piece of spring-loaded bent steel with two closed loops used to secure signatures without marring paper. Binder clips are available in many different sizes.

Also called a text block, these are pages of a book that have been sewn or glued together into a single unit.

A semi-flat, polished tool traditionally made of bone. Used to score, flatten folds or smooth paper in a single stroke without marring delicate papers.

The material used for the front and back boards of a book. Referred to as “Davey” or “binder’s” board. Available in various thicknesses.

Specially prepared covering material for book covers. Strong, long-lasting and protective. Depending on the sizing method, some may be water resistant and/or waterproof.

A book press (also: bookpress) is a piece of equipment used by book makers to apply pressure to a book (or various parts of a book) throughout the binding process.

A piece of equipment with a sharp blade used to trim the edges of a book. A plough usually comes with a tub where trimmings can be captured as they fall away.

Solid blocks made of machined brass with very slightly rounded edges to prevent snags, dents or other damage to valuable materials. Used to press books and other materials. Available in various lengths, widths and heights.

An all-purpose craft board made from waste wood. May be either acidic or acid-free depending on the manufacturer.

Pre-cooked wheat paste which has been dehydrated into a fine powder. Cold water is whisked into the powder to reactivate the paste, making it a time-friendly alternative to traditional wheat paste.

A piece of equipment that combines the functionality of a standing press, lying press, and plough in a single unit.

A heavy, high quality, unwaxed, unbleached and minimally processed cord made of twisted linen threads. These cords provide spinal support when sewn perpendicular to the spine using a sewing frame.

A tool used to create even, consistently shaped corners on the case or covers of a book.

Material used to cover the spine, providing added reinforcement. Typically made of starched linen material. Given the global. nature of bookbinding, the mull may also be referred to by one of the following names: Mull, Muslin, Super, Tarlatan.

Named after the company that manufactured it (The Davey Company (Davey Est 1842)). This is a superior quality binder’s board created using a single ply wet lap construction. The board’s high density makes it difficult to break and provides a high corner crush resistance.

The amount of light visible through a book press when fully opened. More daylight space will allow more books to be pressed at one time.

Elements placed at the head and tail of a book, historically used to reinforce the spine. Today, end bands may be hand-sewn or manufactured and serve more of a decorative purpose.

These are the papers at the start and end of the book which provide a pause or introduction before the text begins. They are never glued to the cover (those are called endpapers). Artistic book makers like to think of these as the “curtains that rise” before the real show begins.

These are papers at the start and end of the book, usually decorative, which are pasted down onto the covers in order to hold the text block in place while supporting the hinge.

A piece of equipment used to clamp a book in place while “finishing” activities (endband sewing, foredge decoration, lettering, etc.) take place.

In bookbinding, when all pages share uniform alignment to one or more edges of a book.

A single sheet folded in half to create a signature of four pages and two leaves. 

The front edge of a book, parallel yet opposite to the spine. 

A measurement of the final thickness of thread once woven together.

A brush specifically used to apply adhesive to books. Adhesives may be water-based, plant-based or synethetic. Usually made with synthetic or natural bristles. Various sizes allow for many different types and styles of application.

In paper, grain direction refers to the orientation of settled paper fibers once water is removed.

The white space or inner margin visible when a book is opened to any page. If the book is opened to a signature, sewing thread may be visible running along the gutter.

Another word used to describe endbands. These are sewn, wrapped or beaded thread decorations at the head and tail of a book.

The top a book when standing upright.

The flexible area between a book’s covers and spine, allowing the book to open and close easily.

A large piece of cast iron equipment specifically used for rounding and backing the spine of a book. Job backers are rare today, so bookbinders will often use backing boards in a lying press to simulate functionality. 

The act of knocking a folded signature or gathering upon a solid surface in order to level all papers to one edge (usually the head).

The sewing station at the head and tail of a book created by linking the previous signature with the next in a sewn connection.

Made from 100% cotton fiber, linen thread is considered to be the strongest and highest quality sewing thread used for bookbinding.

Available in various thicknesses.

A sheet or set of two pages, folded back to back.

A quality linen (70%) and cotton (30%) blend material used as a sewn support in bookbinding. Referred to as “tapes” due to their shape, they are available in widths from 3mm (1/4″) to 19mm (3/4″).

Material used to cover the spine, providing added reinforcement. Typically made of starched linen material. Given the global. nature of bookbinding, the mull may also be referred to by one of the following names: Muslin, Crash, Super, Tarlatan.

Material used to cover the spine, providing added reinforcement. Typically made of starched linen material. Given the global. nature of bookbinding, the mull may also be referred to by one of the following names: Mull, Crash, Super, Tarlatan.

Curved needles are traditionally used to create Coptic or Ethiopian binding stitches. They’re sturdy with a polished eye to prevent wear on thread. The needle shank is often thin or thick. All curved needles have a sharp point.

Used in traditional bookbinding, straight needles are sturdy with a polished eye to prevent wear on thread. The needle eye comes in various sizes and the needle point may be sharp or blunt.

A type of book press used by binders to apply quick, even pressure to a book (or parts of a book) during the binding process. Nipping presses are generally easier to open and close, making them a great choice for short, quick bursts of even pressure.

Another word for folio. A folded sheet to create a signature of four pages with two leaves.

A light duty retractable utility knife for use in cutting paper and thin board. Usually made of carbon steel with snap off blades to allow for continuously sharp edges.

Refers to how easy it is to put a dent on the surface of a sheet of paper using a different material (like a pen, pencil or ruler).

A brush specifically used to apply water-based wheat or starch paste adhesive. Usually made with synthetic or natural bristles. Various sizes allow for many different types and styles of application.

Another word for punch. In bookbinding, the act of puncturing a piece of paper, board or other material using a tool (such as an awl or screw punch).

In bookbinding, the number of layers pressed or twisted together, increasing the thickness or gauge, of a material such as board or thread.

Usually a set of two finishing boards used for pressing books under weight or with a book press. The “board” may be made of wood, acrylic, brass or other materials.

In bookbinding, the act of piercing a piece of paper, board or other material using a tool such as an awl or screw punch.

A piece of equipment used by bookbinders to accurately pierce sewing stations along the spine of a signature.

A water-based adhesive (poly vinyl acetate) that is non-toxic, acid-free, dries clear and remains flexible.

The original material, usually plant based or synthetic, that something is made of or from. Example: thread made of cotton, silk, or flax.

A Latin term used in bookbinding to describe the front of a book. Book makers will often mark the book with a “R” to denote the front. Contrasted with verso.

Also known as a Japanese screw punch. A tool used to pierce or punch holes of various sizes in paper or other material. The tool contains a brass chuck used to swap out metal tips of various diameters ranging from 1.0-4.0 mm. Downward pressure is applied, spinning the bit within the chuck and cutting the material in a single motion.

A group of folded, nested pages that are blank. This is in contrast to a Signature, which has printed text or images.

A piece of equipment used to sew supports (linen tapes, cords, thongs or other) to the spine of a book.

A specific place on the spine of a signature or board where a hole is pierced, enabling the needle and thread to pass through during the sewing process.

Small, heavy weight brass tools in one of two shapes (“A” or “H”) used for securing tapes or cords under the base of a sewing frame. The “A” shape is used for cords, while the “H” shape is used for linen tapes.

A group of folded, nested papers containing printed text, images, etc. This is in contrast to a Section, which is typically blank.

Spine swell in bookbinding refers to the difference in thickness between a text block spine prior to sewing vs. the final text block thickness once sewing is complete.

A larger version of a Nipping press in both height and width. These machines are generally tall and wide with more light visible through the machine when fully opened (called “daylight space”).

A less expensive alternative to brass. Solid blocks made of machined steel with very slightly rounded edges to prevent snags, dents or other damage to valuable materials. Used to press books and other materials. Available in various lengths, widths and heights.

Material used to cover the spine, providing added reinforcement. Typically made of starched linen material. Given the global. nature of bookbinding, the mull may also be referred to by one of the following names: Mull, Muslin, Crash, Tarlatan.

Material used to cover the spine, providing added reinforcement. Typically made of starched linen material. Given the global. nature of bookbinding, the mull may also be referred to by one of the following names: Mull, Muslin, Crash, Super.

Also called a book block, these are pages of a book that have been sewn or glued together into a single unit.

The phrase “tipping in” refers to the process of attaching a loose page to an existing book block. The attachment is usually achieved by drawing a thin line of adhesive along the spine edge of the page, then pressing it glue-side down onto the text block.

A natural, reversible plant-based adhesive created by cooking a mixture of wheat flour and water over heat for a specific period of time.