Posts Tagged ‘book binding’

Your Family Bible: Restore It With A Hand Done Bible Book Binding

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

It is a family tradition in many circles to pass a family bible from one generation to the next. Bibles were the books where family records were listed for births, deaths, baptisms, and marriages. Often these bibles were the only accurate records of family history, and were treasured and loved. Over time, the bindings of books become worn though. If you own a family treasure like this, you should consider investing in new Bible book binding that is done by an expert hand book binder.

An excellent hand book bindery will accept a bible, evaluate its current condition and then give you a solid estimate for restoration work. You will be involved in the decision making process when it comes to choices of papers and leathers. The bindery can accomplish much in the way of restoration work if necessary. It does take several weeks and it is not cheap. But this investment is actually not only for the bible itself, but for your family members who will use and care for it during their lifetimes.

Book bindings for new books are mass-produced, and this includes your average everyday bible. But family heirloom bibles often are works of art. Nothing is so wonderful as restoring these art pieces to their former beauty. Allowing your bible to be hand bound will care for the book in a way that it was originally created.

The craft of hand bookbinding has existed for over five hundred years now, with tools that have been the same for equally as long a time. It takes talent and love for books to be disciplined enough to do this work correctly. When you see the artistic work that often appears on the covers of bibles, then you can understand how difficult it is to work with these bindings and make them as beautiful as needed.

Leather styles and colors must be matched when binding any book. But bibles often have a level of quality that is far superior to an average book. Family bibles in particular may have been covered with rare leather that is difficult to match. This is part of skill needed when any bible is in need of a new spine and covering.

The craftsman must also make decisions about the interior pages of the bible. How much paper is available to properly construct the spine? How much damage is done to facing pages, and interior linings? Can the majority of the bible be saved, or must some be sacrificed in order to save what is possible? These questions can only be answered after the bible receives a full examination by the trained eye of the bookbinder.

The cost for having a bible bound is not cheap. It can range anywhere from $35 to $75 or more depending on the amount of work needed, and the prices for the various papers and leathers that are chosen to bind it. There are also imitation leathers that are available for binding bibles that are damaged but new, or are mass-produced and of little historical value. Binding of this type is not as expensive as it would be for a bible that is a family heirloom.

Once you make the decision to have the bible bound, then it will take about four to six weeks for the work to be done. Every step is done with great care in an excellent book bindery. Nothing is rushed, and everything is done with precision. This is work that is done with an eye towards long lasting quality. There is nothing that delights a bookbinder more than being able to bind a bible that will hold up for future family members to be able to enjoy it.

Looking to find the best quality for Bible book binding, then visit www.yeoldebookbinder.com to find the best book binder for your needs.

categories: books, bible, book repair, book binding, christian

From Schools To Bookbinder And Beyond

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

Bookbinders are probably the most useful non electronic documentation organizer ever created. The bookbinder’s predecessor was originated in India and later revolutionized by Muslims. With the advent of paper and other products, different types of bindings were introduced. There are also places such as bookbinder Columbia where they will do the binding for the customer. This is particularly important for specialty books and projects.

For most of us, our first experience with bookbinders was in school, secondary school to be exact. There are the three ring binders, spiral notebooks, and composition tablets. The three ring binders, sometimes four rings, are available in various widths from under half an inch to over three inches. The utility they provide is tremendous, given the ability to add, remove, and place pages where desired. This is an ideal way to organize class notes and schoolwork.

Ring binders are also convenient for albums and scrapbook projects. Binders for these specific purpose are available in a wide variety at most stationery and gift stores. Some of these specialty products also come in various sizes, designs, and formats. For example, there are some mini binders that can be used for address books and that little secret black book. Others are designed more for keeping a journal or diary. There are also styles to fit most fashion trends.

However, binding has come a long way. Bindings range from wood, bamboo, leather, calf skin to cloth, paper, and simply glue. The type of cover, whether hard or soft, also plays a significant role in the binding solution. Hardcover binding comes in three types: oversewing, sewing through the fold, and double fan adhesive.

One typical solution, commonly available in most quick copy shops, is the punch and bind. Here the pages are punched with holes depending on the type of bind. Some types of punch binding would be wire binds, comb binds, velobind, spiral or coil binds and zip binds. Zip binds are great for small presentations and reports.

For longer lasting binds, there are pre-treated binds which can include some type of glue and heat. For example, paperback books use something called the perfect bind. Here the heavy gauge paper is glued together at the spine with a strong flexible substance. Thermal binding uses a one piece cover with glue, which is then heated. Some schools use tape binds for class workbooks. Manuscripts and sometimes office manuals can also be tape bound. The type of binding always depends on the type of project and the audience.

Hardcover tomes and texts have been known to be stitched or sewn at the bind. The saddle stitch is one type that is used often in some magazines and more popular with comic books. The saddle stitch is a process where the pages are stapled through the center fold. Most periodicals, particularly the glamour magazines, use the perfect bind for its clean look. These binds also have specific requirements for text and graphics.

However, in the modern age with the increasing popularity of electronic readers and the like, the focus and importance of binds and bindings has diminished. However, there are places that specialize in preservation and reclamation. The work here is tedious and often requires the skills of master book binders. There is something about holding a book in your hand that has been thoughtfully put together as part of the overall experience. This tactile joy and sensory input is extinct in the digital age.

Looking to find the best quality for Bible book binding, then visit www.yeoldebookbinder.com to find the best book binder for your needs.