This is an ideal kit for beginners to start with. With encouragement and support they will learn more than how to make a simple book. These notes are designed to amplify the instructions, explain some points in more detail and provide some "reasons why".
Folding ~ We have laboured this. It is a basic and frequent part of bookbinding. It helps to relax and enjoy it ~ rather than treat it as a chore. It is an important to check for squareness, it should become an automatic part of every folding process. It adds little extra time to check the corners. If the paper is truly rectangular then only one corner need be checked and aligned ~ the other will be correct. If not then the sheet is out-of-square ~ reject it if you can ~ then trim it to a better shape, later.
Folders ~ Do not use anything made of plastic, even if it seems hard. The firming down can generate a lot of heat, sufficient to melt a groove in some materials. Plastic folders are cheaper than bone folders, but have a short life. They ned to be smooth ~ and stay smooth. A recent exception to this advice is to use a Teflon Folder. They are expensive. In the orient they use bamboo, which is hard enough to do the job, and is plentiful and cheap.
Folds ~ We have only made soft folds in your folios, so that you can check for yourself that everything is square and neatly done.
Do not use anything made of plastic, even if it seems hard. The firming down can generate a lot of heat, sufficient to melt a groove in some materials. Plastic folders are cheaper than bone folders, but have a short life. A recent exception to this advice is to use a Teflon Folder. They are expensive. In the orient they use bamboo, which is hard enough to do the job, and is plentiful and cheap..
We have only made soft folds in your folios, so that you can check for yourself that everything is square and neatly done.
