Most Overlooked Bookbinding Tools, Part 1

Are you wondering what tools can help you turn salvaged paper into books that really sing?

I'm glad you asked!

Like every other bookbinder, I have my favorite tools. They are trusted companions, helping me transform ordinary household paper into amazing handmade books.

But, as you'll soon find out, my list is a little different from most. In fact, none of the standard bookbinder's tools made it on my list.

Not a bone folder, not a metal ruler, not a craft knife not a...

Wait--you don't know what the standard bookbinding tools are?

Let's break it down quickly for our beginners then we can get back to the good stuff. Click the link below to learn more....

THE 9 ESSENTIAL BOOKBINDING TOOLS

Okay good, there you have it. The Classic Bookbinding Tools. The role of classic bookbinding tools, by the way, is to precisely measure, trim, fold and stitch your fancy papers without messing them up.

Now you probably see why classic tools don't make my heart race.

First of all, as an upcycled book artist, most of the paper I work with is cheap and easy to come by. Nothing to mess up.

Secondly, tools that precisely measure, trim, fold and stitch are necessary, yes, but not sufficient for someone who upcycles found paper.

In upcycling, you need tools that transform common paper into something spectacular! You need tools that don't just process your materials, but elevate them.

So this list showcases tools that will help you bring polish and style to materials that would normally be boring and mundane. I've also included a few tools that make my work faster or help me disguise mistakes.

In other words, tools that don't just process your materials, but elevate them. So this series showcases tools that will help you bring polish and style to materials that would normally be boring and mundane. I've also included a few tools that make my work faster or help me disguise mistakes.

So, which tools are an upcycled bookbinders best friends?

I'm glad you asked!

(NOTE: THIS IS AN UNSPONSORED LIST and none of the links in this series will bring me financial benefit of any kind)

CORNER ROUNDER

Nothing turns an ordinary piece of paper into something special like a corner rounder. Nothing. Corner rounders take any random, rectangular scrap of paper and turn it into something that looks professional.

Don't believe me? Look at the photo on the left (or above if you are in mobile view). Yes, I mean the photo of the package that the corner rounders come in. Notice anything special about the package? You guessed it. They rounded the corners! Why? Because it just looks better!

Okay, now consider a thought experiment: you have a plain notebook, and you want to make a smart label for the cover. So you cut a perfect rectangle from a scrap of paper, you write your name on it, and you glue it to your cover. How does it look? Like you phoned it in.

Now take the same rectangular label and round the corners. How does it look? Super polished!

Let's take the thought experiment a little further-- you cut a variety of rectangles from plain and patterned papers, round the corners, and place them in a cellophane bag with a pretty ribbon. What do you have? Your first Etsy shop listing for creative journal labels. See what I'm getting at?

Rounded corners = professional and smart.

Now let's get back to books, since that's what we really care about. I use corner rounders to transform inexpensive (or free) household paper--like blank greeting cards, cereal boxes and file folders-- into cute covers for little notebooks. Like so:

Thinking about collaging a scrap of cereal box to create a sturdy postcard? A corner rounder will spiff that up as well.

Not to mention the fun of rounding the corners of an accordion to create a collaged artist book....

In other words, I can't think of a rectangular paper project that can't benefit from a corner rounder. Now if I could just get my hands on an inexpensive, high-quality rounder that could handle stacks of pages, or thick book board, I'd be one happy bookmaker. Let me know if you find one.

In Part 2 of my tools series, I'll wax happy about another fantastic processor of ordinary paper.

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