Get ready to change up your book making game and offer more options by creating journals with lined paper.
Let’s be honest: most binders start with blank paper because it’s easy to source and allows for more uses (sketch, paint and watercolor art books, journals, etc.). At some point, though, you’ll want to experiment with lined paper. After a quick search on Google, I’m betting you’ll be just as surprised to find there are very few (if any) commercial printers that make ruled paper in sizes wide enough to fold into signatures.
That’s why in this blog post, I’ll show you how to find lined paper online for bookbinding so you can finally offer journals with both blank and ruled pages.
Why is lined paper for bookbinding so hard to find?
This is the million dollar question, but I have a sneaky suspicion it has to do with return on investment. A business would have to make a lot of books every month to offset the production costs of such unique paper, and many of us are solo creatives with small binderies. We just don’t generate enough demand to make it worth a commercial printer’s time.
If commercial printers aren’t making lined paper, then where can I find some?
In all my years making books, I’ve learned there are two ways to source lined paper wide enough to fold into signatures: make it yourself. I’ve got three options for you:
✨ If you’re good at Adobe InDesign and want to make your own templates, I created a tutorial to show you how to set up InDesign.
✨ I do offer lined paper as one of the options in my bookbinding kits. These kits have everything you need a beautiful book, so they’re perfect if you’d like to try bookbinding or give someone the gift of a book kit that has all the goodies.
Paper requirements
For signature folding, lined paper should be wide enough for common journal sizes while also respecting the most important rule in bookbinding (grain direction) so the pages will not buckle over time.
Paper manufacturers offer several common starting sheet sizes* (in inches):
- 8-1/2 x 11
- 11 x 17
- 12 x 12
- 12 x 18
- 13 x 19
* There are many more sizes, but these five have the most options available.
The trick is to find the right size and grain to produce two of the most common journal sizes: A5 and A6.
I created the following table when researching this for my own use. I hope it’s helpful for you.
| Standard | Folded Size | Minimum sheet size for signatures | Recommended commercial sheet size for signatures |
|---|---|---|---|
| A5 | 5.8 x 8.3 (14.8 x 21.0cm) | 8.3 x 12 (14.8 x 30.48cm) Grain Direction: Short | 12 x 18 (30.48 x 45.72cm) Grain Direction: Long |
| A6 | 4.1 x 5.8 (10.5 x 14.8cm) | 5.8 x 8.5 (14.8 x 22.86cm) Grain Direction: Short | 12 x 12 (30.48 x 30.48cm) Grain Direction: Either |
Pre-sewn lined book blocks
Some of the big bookbinding retailers offer lined text blocks (sets of pre-sewn signatures). I’ve purchased these from Hollander’s, but you can also find them at Talas.
I hope this information was helpful!
Good luck!
More bookbinding goodness
✨ What tools do I need to get started bookbinding?
- Bookbinding Tools & Supplies Quick Start Guide – learn all about book making tools, which to buy first & where to go online
- Pick up my popular Complete Starter Bookbinding Tools Kit – all the bookbinding essentials in one spot
🌟 Looking for a simple way to start making books?
Try a Complete Book Materials Kit. Each one has everything you need (+ tutorials & videos) to make a beautiful book without all the fuss.
Thank you for taking me along on your book making journey!
Misty
