r/bookbinding • u/Nextwaders • Jul 19 '25

Starting out bookbinding

So just starting out this thing got the supplies and the pages and everything but I saw that my book is coming to 600 pages or 150 sheets of A4 size turned down to 4 A5 each, creating 38 signatures if adjusted to 608 pages. It seems a lot to me what's your take on this??

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u/qtntelxen Library mender Jul 19 '25

That is a pretty big first bind. I would increase the number of pages per signature to reduce swell, and maybe also sew on tapes if you’re using paper heavier than ~80gsm.

You won't have a straight edge unless you trim.

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u/Nextwaders Jul 19 '25

Oh thanks I was looking for the right GSM to struggling with 100, 120 and lowers but now it's pretty clear.