Acid Free
 

Acid Free materials such as paper and glue are available and should be used when making books.  Over time non-acid free paper may start to discolor itself and what is on the page.  For example, photographs put on non-acid free paper will start to yellow over time.  In order to insure that your books don't discolor over the years make sure to use acid free paper and glue.  Both of these materials can be found at any craft or art store.

Woven cloth material that works well for covering the spine of a book cover.  Cloth can be painted using an acrylic paint so to match any decorative paper or cloth used to cover the flap of a books cover.

Chipboard

A board made up of pasted layers of pulp.  Used for the covers of hard cover books, as well as spines.  Chipboard is less dense than Davey board but comes in similar thickness'.

Davey board

Bookbinders board made from recycled paper fibers, produced by the Davey Company.  A single layer of pulp is calendared to various thicknesses and densities.  Used for the cover of hard cover books.

Decorative Paper

Any paper that can be used to 'wrap' up the covers of a book.  Usually papers that do not have high gloss finish work best.  Paper should be able to fold and bend easily, as well as be able to glue to itself.

Flap

The largest part of the front (and/or back) cover, the section to the right of the spine that covers the body of the book.

Foot

The bottom of a book when looking at the front cover, the bottom of each page.

Fore-edge

The opening edge of a book; the right hand side when the closed book is viewed from the front.

Head

The top of a book when looking at the front cover, the top of each page.

Headbands

Decorative ribbons attached to the head of the spine, in medieval time head (and tailbands) were an integral part of the hand sewn construction of a book.

The distance between the head of a sheet of paper and the head of the cover (when finished).  Minimum head trim should be 1/8", usually 1/4".

The 'joint' that allows a hard front (and/or back) cover to open, usually 1/8".

Non-PH  Glue

Glue that has a neutral PH, which will not cause discoloration over time, great for gluing paper to paper surfaces.

Tailbands

Decorative ribbons attached to the tail of a spine.  (See headbands)

Spine

The bound edge of a book or it's cover.  For hard cover books similar to the one you have learned to make the spine should be no smaller than 1".

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