Materials for Intermediate Bookbinding at Eclectic Academy

Below are links to purchase the materials for this class from MisterArt.com. I find this supplier to offer the selection of products needed at a fair price with a good customer service. In the case of brand names, these are the brands I prefer, but others will work as well.

Required

• Fabriano Uno Watercolor Paper - I prefer the 140 LB smooth press. Cold press has more texture than hot press and smooth press is velvety texture that is between hot and cold press. I recommend this paper because it folds without tearing and takes a wide variety of media without buckling. One sheet should be enough to complete the assignments in this course. This is also paper recommended by the Moore's, who publish Studio and Play zines, for art journals.
• Canson 8.5 X 11 inch Mi-Teintes Tinted Paper - I love this paper for the insides of my stab bound books. You can get it in a wide variety of colors, it has a slight texture on one side and smooth finish on the other. Also, being able to purchase it in 8.5 X 11 inch sheets it's easy to cut down to size with my paper cutter I have at home. You'll want 15 - 8.5 X 11 inch sheets for each of the 6 books we make in this class. I recommend picking up an additional 3 sheets for each book you'd like to make spacers for.
• Canson 19 X 25 inch Mi-Teintes Tinted Paper - This is the same paper as the above, but in parent sized sheets. It's a bit more economical and better to use for the books with spacers, but can be harder to cut-down as the size exceeds that of most home paper cutters. If you purchase it at an art supply store, often they have a cutter you can use to cut it down to size. With one, 1-inch spacer per page (enough to add one photo to one side of a page) you can get 8 pages per sheet with only one 3 X 19 inch strip left over. I like a 16-24 page album with spacers. Only three of the books will be taught with the option to include spacers, though all the books could be completed that way.
• Chipboard, Mat Board or Lineco Acid Free Binder's Board - This is best bought at a craft stores or framing shops. Hobby Lobby stocks chipboard in the fine art section by the sketch pads (chipboard is not acid free though) it's a package of 10 sheets that are approximately 8.5 X 11 inches. Michael's and often other framing shops offer the scraps of mat board for sale. You'll need at least 6 pieces at least 5.5 X 8.5 inches.
• Lokta Handmade Papers - these papers should have enough strength for binding. Otherwise, parent sized sheets of Tyvek can be purchased from Hollander's (though they have flat shipping rate of $10 for all orders under $200).
• Lineco Binding Thread - this is good quality thread for bookbinding. It does need to be waxed, however.
• Lundmark Pure Beeswax - this is a good wax for waxing linen thread.
• Lineco Bone Folders - this is an essential to get a nice, smooth cover for the books and make nice sharp folds in papers.
• Lineco Light Duty Awl - this is an essential if you need to make all your holes for the books by hand. A heavier duty one might be nice, but be sure the shaft does not thicken as it nears the handle.
• Lineco Bookbinders Needles - these are the most commonly available bookbinding needles available from non-speciality bookbinding stores.
• Gamblin PVA Sizing - this is also a good adhesive, though it dries quickly. Yes! Paste available from Dick Blick Art Materials is also a good option and stays wet longer for repositioning ease.
• Pro Art Non-Skid Steel Corkback Rulers - I'd recommend at minimum of a 12-inch ruler.
• X-acto Suregrip Retractable Metal Utility Knife - I like this utility knife because of it's grip. It's harder to slip and cause accidents. Be sure to get some blade refills, as having a sharp blade is the best way to prevent accidents.
• X-acto No. 292 Heavy Duty Utility Blades - this is a pack of 5 blades for the untility knife listed above.

Recommended, but not Required

• Paper Cutter - I recommend this to make the process of cutting the pages for the books easier, but it can be done with a non-skid ruler and craft knife or a rotary cutter. If you'd like the Rolls Royce of paper cutters, I highly recommend the Genesis Trimmer from Bonnie at Stamp Salad. It takes several weeks to arrive as they are made to order.
• Japanese Book Drill - this is not essential, but is really handy for making nice clean holes in the covers for the books. I recommend ordering one from Bonnie at Stamp Salad.
• Hobby Drill (Dremel) and 1/16th - 1/4 inch bits - again, this is not essential, but it makes quick work of making the holes in your pages. I recommend a drill press too if you have the resources as it assures straight holes. I don't recommend using a drill of this type on the covers, as the exit side doesn't look clean. These can be purchased at any home improvement or hardware store.
• Paints, markers, ribbons, charms, rubber stamps etc. - these are great for decorating and giving your new books a personal touch.

Other Sources for Bookbinding Supplies

• Hollander's - Has all possible bookbinding supplies, but their shipping is a flat rate of $10 per order for any order under $200.
• Talas - Has a fair selection of bookbinding supplies.
• Volcano Book Arts - They have a good selection of supplies and will even custom cut bookboard to your specifications.
• Dick Blick Art Materials - They have a similar selection as most art supply and craft stores.

Kristi will cover information about these supplies more in depth during the course, including where to locate them. Should you have a question before the class begins, please contact her.