CIA Library: Making a Book: Finding technical guides

Finding more guides

To find more books on bookmaking or pop-up engineering, search the following subjects in the online catalog

BOOK DESIGN

BOOKBINDING

LIFT THE FLAP BOOKS

ORIGAMI

POP UP BOOKS DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

POP UP BOOKS TECHNIQUE

TOY AND MOVEABLE BOOKS

TOY AND MOVEABLE BOOKS DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

If browsing is your preference, you will find these call number ranges helpful.

Book design and construction: Z 116 and Z 266-271
Pop-ups and origami: TT 870 and Z 1033

Japanese bookbinding: instructions from a master craftsman by Köjirö Ikegami; adapted by Barbara Stephan
Call Number: Z 270.J3 I3713 1986
This has good photographs and diagrams, and a detailed list of tools and instructions.
Non-Adhesive Binding by Keith A. Smith
Call Number: Z271.S6 N6 1990 ; Z271.S6 N6 1999
Keith Smith is a prolific book artist, having made 200 artists’ books. This is Smith's third book on bookmaking and is a "how-to" binding manual, explaining basic to elaborate binding techniques that do not require adhesives, presses, or other heavy equipment. He begins this book with the “why” of binding. The second part presents 32 binding patterns, and the third part focuses on book covers. The last section lists various binding resources. Smith’s instructions are clear and accompanied by excellent drawings and photographs.
1, 2 and 3-Section Sewings by Keith A. Smith
Call Number: Z 271 .S6 N6 1995
This is really volume two of Smith’s Non-Adhesive Binding, and you will want to look at it first. 1-2-&3-Section Sewings begins with fairly simple section sewing patterns and instructions and continues with more complicated raised support patterns for the advanced binder willing to consider what Smith calls “unorthodox” procedures.
Structure of the Visual Book by Keith A. Smith
Call Number: Z 116 .A3 S58 1984
In this book, Smith considers some of the inherent properties of a book's structure--such as traditional book forms, picture relationships and sequence, movement, and composition--using his own and other artists' books as examples. Smith will change the way you see and read a book.
Woven and interlocking book structures by Claire Van Vliet and Elizabeth Steiner
Call Number: Z 116 .A3 V36 2002
Using Janus, Steiner, and Gefn Press books as examples, this handbook provides clear and detailed instructions for constructing accordion books, and woven and concertina structures.
Books, Boxes and Portfolios by Franz Zeier
Call Number: Z 271 .Z4413 1990
This is a very detailed, step-by-step book covering book materials, folding techniques, adhesives and glues, book forms (Eastern as well as western, traditional, modern, and specialty styles), a variety of boxes (including round ones), and portfolios. It has good line drawings and color illustrations.

Bookbinding
Call Number: DVD Z 271 .W57 2007 (ask at the desk for this DVD)
This hour long video demonstrates making a hard cover “case binding.”
Between the folds
Call Number: DVD TT 870 .B48 2009
This fascinating DVD (91 minutes) shows the ever-changing paper foldings and origami by 10 artists and scientists.

You might also want to take a look at Karen Hanmer's Biblio tech: reverse engineering historical and modern binding structures with a focus on board attachment. (Special Collections Z 271 .H36 2013; this set must be looked at in the library)

Bibliotech Hanmer

This reference set of twelve binding models is based on Karen Hanmer's popular workshop Biblio Tech: Reverse engineering historical and modern binding structures. The models remain uncovered and only partially completed so methods of board attachment, sewing, spine lining, and endsheet construction are visible.

The set is accompanied by a forty-five page illustrated guidebook outlining key structural features of each binding, providing numerous references for further study. The hand-bound booklet is sewn in three signatures and presented in a German stiffened paper binding.

Structures include:

Tacketing of a thick single signature into a leather wrapper
Ethiopian Binding
Medieval Binding
Laced-on boards Binding
Colonial American Scaleboard Binding
Early Nineteenth Century Publishers Boarded Binding
German Case Binding with double fan adhesive text block
Split Board Binding
Simplified Binding
Crossed Structure Binding
Sewn Boards Binding
Non-Adhesive Paper Case

Making a Book: Finding technical guides

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