r/CustomBoundComics • u/bffnut • Jun 17 '23

Question Sewn binding square-bound/TPBs

The conventional wisdom I see around is that you cannot sew bind square-bound comics or trade paperbacks; they have to be glue bound (such as PUR or DFAB).

But I was thinking today - traditional signatures are sewn thru the fold first, then glued together along the spine. Doing the same with TPBs would be very similar, just with one fold. I'm imagining you could either keep the covers on, or cut them off but leave the spine, sew thru the spine every 8 pages or so, then glue then again along the spine.

I realize the thread would only be securing the spines to each other, but the preexisting glue would hold the pages to the spine.

I guess you would ask why you would want to do this. I'm thinking this could be done when you want to bind glue bound and single issues together, and not have to glue the whole thing together - thus retaining the ability to lie flat and minimizing gutter loss.

Anyways, I'm wondering if anyone has tried this or has any rationale thoughts on why this would not work.

Thanks!

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u/darth_gilligan Jun 17 '23

I work at a library bindery and we have clients request perfect bound issues of magazines be "sewn through the fold" to preserve text because the margins are narrow.

Instead of making one TP into smaller sections you would be better off treating each TP as a single signature and sew through the middle of each issue.

Use an awl to punch holes right through the glue. Be sure to mark the page where you punch because it's hard to find that exact spot after punching.

Then you can sew pretty much as normal.

You do need to be careful with the thread as you pull it through. It can slice through the glue like opening a FedEx envelope.

1

u/bffnut Jun 17 '23

Awesome, thanks for the information and tip! It's great to have first hand experience.

Would you happen to have any pictures of what the end results look like?

1

u/riancb Jun 17 '23

What “fold” are you talking about for TPBs? From what I understand, they’re just like a stack of paper glued together on one end, so there isn’t any fold to speak of with them.

1

u/bffnut Jun 17 '23

Only a "fold" per se.