From Cover to Cover Bookmaking Kit

For your convenience in having everything available in one place, we have put together a kit that includes everything we use in making our books.

If budgetary considerations are an important factor, we suggest the following:

1. Read the book From Cover to Cover

Once you have decided on making your own book, start with what you have. This is most likely a computer and a printer (simplex or duplex). Set up and print "real" book pages until they look right. Start designing a front cover and a back cover. This can be really exciting. Then,

2. Decide if you want to start with a harcover or paperback book

3. Take an inventory of what equipment and supplies you have. You may already have such items as scissors, rulers, utility and putty knives.

4. Make a list of what supplies you need to order and which ones you will pick up yourself at local stores. Following is a list of the most basic supplies needed.

For making a paperback book: super, book making glue and short grain 8.5" by 11" paper. (Use a 99 cent 1/2" brush and the same equipment we started with as described in the book.)

For making a hardcover book: add headband and bookboard.

Now for items that make your work easier and much more enjoyable. Our first suggestion is the clamp bars (see description below). Second, if you prefer not to purchase your own 2" x 6" blocks on which to set the clamped pages, then purchase our clamp stand.

To purchase only some of the supplies, contact one of the suppliers listed in the back of From Cover to Cover or email us at Layton Publishing for pricing and shipping. That way we can give you the best shipping price.

Now for the book making kit that has everything we use.

Items Included

From Cover to Cover: DVD

DVD 34 minute supplemental video...it's made with extra low tech equipment but it really does show how we make books. The book, From Cover to Cover, is a separate item.

From Cover to Cover: Clamp Bars

Two 6061 aluminum clamp bars, deep blue hard anodized to military standards, securely hold the the folded book page signatures in place for gluing. Clean to handle. Any excess dried glue can be easily removed with a nonabrassive scrub pad. Makes these steps vastly easier than the first ways we tried.

Includes:1- clamp bar with two threaded holes; 1- clamp bar with two drop thru holes, counterbored for bolt head; 2 - Allen head bolts, 8 mm x 50 ; 2 - Allen head bolts, 8 mm x 40; 1 - wrench; 1 - booklet, Materials Certification

From Cover to Cover: Clamp Stand

The clamp stand supports the clamp bars (now holding the book pages) in a vertical position to allow for gluing the book spine. We tried several different ways and are truly please with this stand. Made from recycled ungraded woods rescued from shipping crates, it is coated with three coats of clear sealer to bring out the beauty of the natural wood and its acquired stress marks. Approximate size, 8-1/2" x 11" x 7". Includes:1 - base with attached block; 1 - unattached block; and 1 - booklet telling the fanciful tale of Clamp Stand's story, The Tree That Never Was, The Odessy of White Fir

From Cover to Cover: Press boards

The press boards are made of plywood with a small raised bead along one edge. They are used in "setting the joint" once the book is assembled. Inclues: 2 - press boards with raised bead

From Cover to Cover: Tools

Supplied for your convenience to save all the running around to pick up items you may not have. Includes1 - 1" round bridled brush for glue; 1 - 6” curved bone folder; 1 - rounding widget (used to gently round the book spine before gluing); 1 - retracting utility knife with 2 blades (1 installed, 1 in handle storage); 1 - Phillips screwdriver (needed for changing knife blades); 1 - 12” clear acrylic ruler; 1 - 18” clear acrylic ruler; 1 - pair of 8" scissors; 1 - putty knife

From Cover to Cover: Supplies

More specialized items than can take some time to gather from the required sources. Includes: 1 - 12 oz. jar book binding glue; 1 - 36” strip blue and silver headband; 1 - 12” x 36” piece of super (reinforcement for the spine); 1 - sheet of 9” x 11” sandpaper, cloth backed aluminum oxide paper; 4  pieces - book board .080”, short grain, non-precision cut (makes 5 books); 1 - ream (500 sheets) 8½” x 11” short grain paper, 20 lb, 92 bright; 4 sheets of 8½” x 11” chipboard , lightweight and suitable for backing notepads

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