Unique Bookbinding Materials and Ideas

Books are one of the most beloved gifts – which is why exploring unique materials for bookmaking is a thoughtful way to level up your next project. Journals, novels, sketchbooks, you name it, they never go out of style. There is something so incredibly delightful about handling the paper and experiencing something so tangible. Whether you are re-covering a book or starting from scratch, these unique bookbinding materials are sure to spark inspiration.

Techniques and Materials for Bookbinding

To begin, let’s cover a few basics about the techniques, materials, and skills used during bookbinding. A technique is the application of skills to achieve an ideal result. Materials are the products used to make the product. Both matter when it comes to product quality.

Techniques play a massive role in both traditional and non-traditional bookbinding. Because of the various styles of bookbinding, technique may dictate what supplies you choose. For example, if you would like a beautifully latticed open spine design, the technique to achieve this would require a tightly spun thread so that the thread does not obstruct the pattern. Whether it is a technique or a material guiding the result, consider both when planning your design.

Non-traditional materials are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, unique fabrics, papers, and threads offer a challenge and something new; on the other hand, strange materials can cause problems and non-ideal issues. To avoid difficulties, make sure to have essential bookbinding supplies on hand.

Basic Bookbinding Supplies

The right supplies make all the difference, from folding paper to making clean cuts. Investing in the proper tools will save time and peace of mind. A metal ruler, bone folder, OLFA utility knife, and cutting mat are examples of essential supplies.

Essential Bookbinding Supplies: Crafting Beautiful Books

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced bookbinder, these supplies will help you create a better book at an affordable price.

Read “Essential Bookbinding Supplies”

Non-Traditional Materials for Unique Books

To mitigate the guesswork when creating your special book, here are 8 unique materials for bookbinding.

1. Stitching Thread

Craft an open spine with an exceptional composition using thicker ply threads, yarn, or cord. A 2-3 ply linen or natural fiber thread is standard for traditional books. Straying from common sewing materials means that the stitch, supplies, and technique must be adjusted.

Colorful-bodied thread pairs work well with delicate-looking stitches such as the French link. The Coptic stitch is another simple but beautiful bookbinding stitch.

Stepping outside of thread and into more creative materials like yarn and cord will require experimentation. Consider how the thickness of the yarn will affect the bulk inside the signatures or how the stitching pattern will appear given the extra bulk. One appropriate way to use non-traditional materials is with signatures of art pieces prepared on thick paper. The yarn and artwork will burst at the seams – inviting viewers to flip through the book.

2. Embroidery

No other craft can pair as well with bookbinding than embroidery. The sewing of elements on the book cover fabric parallels a hand-sewn binding beautifully. Start your design by choosing the embroidery placements.

The easiest placement for embroidered elements is on the spine. Centering the chipboard on the spin is far easier than on the covers. Other beginner placements include the center of the front cover or creating a simple design pattern over the entire surface. More complex but beautiful placements are on the corners of the book, the center of the front and back page, or around the book edges—the more complex the design, the more difficult the process.

When adding embroidery, remember to achieve as smooth a backing as possible. The extra bulk of threads added below the embroidery can cause wrinkling, abnormalities, and imperfections to your book cover. The more attention you give to preventing bulk on the back of your fabric, the better. The threads will be held down once you begin the fabric preparation steps.

3. Sublimation Printing

Sublimation is the action of transferring one substance directly onto another surface. Sublimation printing supports several stylistic preferences. It can add a graphic art piece, photo, pattern, and more.

Before sending work to the printers, account for your book's size and how the design should sit on the cover. The print size can hang over the sides of the book for a seamless design. The image can also sit centered on the front and back pages for a more presentation and tributary look. NOTE: The front of the book will be on the right-hand side of the fabric, and the back is on the left side.

Sublimation, like embroidery, should happen before the fabric preparation steps.

4. Painting

Complete the bookbinding process before painting. For traditional acrylic or gouache painting, it is acceptable to start this process after the product is completed or on a pre-existing book.

Begin with a layer of prep material, such as gesso or Mod Podge. Purchase a sealing material as well.

5. Shape

Change the shape of your book. The book shape can be paired with other methods, such as painting. For example, the book can be made as a rose and painted to match. The possibilities are endless.

Changing the shape of the book will make all other book-building steps challenging. The signatures will need to be shaped, the spine stitching will need to be accounted for, and building the cover will take extra care. Consider each step and how it will interact with the new shape.

6. Unique Fabrics

Traditional bookbinding fabric with a tight weave includes cotton, cotton linens, leather, and other natural fiber materials. There are a few things to consider while building around a non traditional fabric.

Support and backing should be used, even with a cotton fabric. If the fabric weave is so loose that there are holes to see through, it is ideal to back it with cotton fabric. If the material is stretchy, the HeatnBond will be a critical step.

Consider the bulk added to the edges of the book as well. If the fabric is heavyweight, folding the fabric over the chipboard will take a lot of work.

7. Collage and Decoupage

Collaging may be the easiest of all. Collaging is also the most accessible. A few magazines, paper clippings, and Mod Podge culminate in a singular design that cannot be reproduced. It makes the book most unique to the creator or as a gift for someone special.

This process can be completed during several stages of bookbinding or even on a finished book. Consider how it will interact with the book. For example, completing before stitching on an open spine means there will be puncture holes in the cover design. If completed on raw chipboard, it must be pressed to prevent warping. Collaging on a finished book is satisfying and easy, however, consider how it will constrict the spine and how you will finish the edges.

8. Quilting

The art of quilting has existed for centuries. Today, it has developed into an entirely mind-blowing art. The works of quilted portraits and scenes are breathtaking. For bookbinding, stick to the traditional cotton quilted fabrics.

While anything is possible, to avoid stress, do not use batting. If the quilted fabric is made from scratch, tighten the stitch length. Tighter stitch lengths allow for excess fabric to be cut shorter. The less seam allowance, the smoother the cover will look.

Starting Your Book Design

Plan your next book design out carefully and decide which unique material you’ll use. Many of these ideas can be combined! Write out each step and when you will implement the creative elements. No matter if the newly crafted book is for you or a friend, trying out one of these ideas will make a lovely gift. Which will you try?