You have two different choices when considering thermal binding for your homemade books: hot glue guns and thermal binding machines. Hot glue guns are more appropriate for those who do not expect to be making books in large volumes. Thermal binding machines are terrific for desktop publishing.
Thermal Binding Supplies and Equipment
You can buy a low end thermal binding machine for under $200. In addition to the machine, you will have to purchase special covers for your books that already have adhesives placed on the spines. If you choose to make your own covers, you will have to buy glue strips that are compatible with your thermal binding machine.
Thermal book binding machines are very easy to use. You simply put the interior papers inside the cover, put the book into the machine and let it go. When the book has cooled, you are ready to make your next copy.
If you are using custom covers and glue strips, plan on losing a few books as part of the learning process. It may take a couple of passes to learn how to get everything aligned correctly.
Hot Glue Gun Thermal Book Binding
Supplies for hot glue gun binding include all of the supplies that you would need to make a perfect book at home, plus a hot temp glue gun with a 1/16 inch nozzle, hot temp glue sticks and an iron.
Score and form your cover and make sure that your papers are neatly squared. You can then either shoot a curvy line of glue down the spine, making sure that you don't drift over your score lines, or run vertical lines of glue on the paper at half inch intervals. Do not put glue within about a half inch of either end so the glue does not run over the edges of the interior of your book or your cover when heated. Let the glue dry.
If you have more than one book to do at a time, separate them with colored sheets of paper. When the glue is dry, cut the books apart using a sharp knife and tear off the colored paper.
Heat up your iron. Put your papers and cover together, making sure that they are in as close contact with each other as possible. Then iron the spine until the glue has melted and let your book cool. You may have to use a piece of scrap paper between your binding and the iron to prevent scorching.
 | Follow these beginner bookbinding instructions to make your own handmade journals to keep or give as gifts. |
The joy of altered books is that it's not difficult to find great altered book ideas, especially since there are no definitive altered book instructions. |
Making handmade paper isn't difficult and will yield beautiful results with a just a few simple supplies. |
Japanese bookbinding stitches are a basic and classic way to bind a book. |
All you need to get started binding your own books is the right bookbinding supplies, a willingness to learn and the time to dedicate in order to create a beautiful personalized book or journal. |
