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: buy it online or make it yourself. This post is part 1 and will focus on buying pre-printed wide format ruled paper online.
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 |
Where to buy pre-printed ruled paper online
Physical (not digital) lined paper sheets
Thankfully, there are a couple of Etsy sellers who offer physical (not digital) lined paper in these sizes. These are custom printed, so the cost is high (as expected). Some even offer different colors, which is unique. I have one USA and one United Kingdom for you:
- United States
Nicole Nikolas (Tennessee): https://www.etsy.com/shop/nicolenikolas - United Kingdom
Bookshell: https://www.etsy.com/shop/bookshell
Pre-sewn book blocks
Some of the big bookbinding retailers offer lined text blocks (sets of pre-sewn signatures). The price is around $7 per text block for A5 size and $3 per text block for A6:
- Hollanders
https://hollanders.com/collections/lined-journals - Talas Online
https://www.talasonline.com/Book-Blocks
Coming Soon: Part II – How to make lined paper for bookbinding at home
In part II of this post, I’ll explain how to make your own lined paper at home and some of the benefits (hint: any size, weight, color you want…yummy).
? Sign up for my weekly newsletter for early access and find me on Instagram for more great info on this topic!
Resources
- Learn about The Most Important Rule in Bookbinding | Grain Direction and Two Easy Ways to Find Grain Direction in Paper
- Are you new to bookbinding? I’ve included some great getting started resources in my New Bookbinder Guide, so be sure to check it out.
So, what do you think? Was this info helpful? Pop over to Instagram, Facebook or YouTube and share your thoughts with me!
ALL my best,
Misty
