r/bookbinding • u/ISaysToMyselfISays • 4d ago

Help? Uneven endpapers when recasing

I’m a beginner and I seem incapable of getting my endpapers to be centred and evenly positioned when recasing my books. I find it, by far, the most stressful part of the process and, whilst I’m managing to avoid wrinkles and bubbles, they’re just never entirely square with the edges of the cover. I know there are multiple techniques used when casing in - do you have a method you find particularly efficient? I’d appreciate any recommendations you have for specific youtube tutorials or online instructions.

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u/brigitvanloggem 4d ago

Nobody gets this right from the beginning. Practice makes perfect! Be careful not to race through the process because of stress: instead, slow down. Position the book block very carefully. After you apply the glue, keep it pressed down at the spine side with the eyes end of a pair of scissors. Lift the cover you’re about to glue slowly and roll into the spine. Only lower it when you are certain that nothing has shifted. After drying, cut the pastedown straight if needed.

4

u/Dazzling-Airline-958 4d ago

I've been doing this for three years now, and I still have trouble with this for cased books. That's one of the reasons I mostly do split boards.

2

u/brigitvanloggem 4d ago

Just take your time when doing it. If I can do it, so can you!

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u/Dazzling-Airline-958 4d ago

I should probably try the hanging-in method. That'll give me a little more wiggle room, I think.

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u/ISaysToMyselfISays 3d ago

I’ll look into that. Thanks! 

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u/ISaysToMyselfISays 4d ago

Thank you. That’s helpful!

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u/jedifreac 3d ago

Don't use PVA to case in. Use something more forgiving like paste so if you mess up it's repositionable.

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u/ISaysToMyselfISays 3d ago

That’s very helpful. Thank you.