Magazine Binding

After purchasing a number of PDF format magazines, I decided that I wanted a physical copy of them, so I made some. After showing the community my work, I was asked for more detail. This is that detail.

I solid printer capable of borderless 11"x17" glossy prints; pH neutral, acid-free PVA glue and small brush, a book press (I made mine out of a pair of wooden shelves); small clamps to hold the pages in place.

I printed the inner pages on regular printer paper; double sided. The cover is printed on 11"x17" glossy photo paper. When printing the inner pages I wanted there to be no blank page at the end, so if the document (minus the cover) has an even number of pages, I don't have to do anything special, but if it's odd I don't print the last page as part of the inner pages. Instead I print it on the opposite side of the cover, so that it becomes the rear, inner cover.

Once everything is printed, I like to shape the cover around the pages, which I learned through trial and error makes it easier to attach the cover to the bound pages at the end of the project.

Using the inner pages as spacers to ensure a proper fit, fold the cover in half, but do not crease it. Sharp creases makes it harder to attach to the inner pages later. Just gently fold it over, align the corners, and use some small clamps to hold them in place.

Slide the entire thing into your book press, spine first and close it gently, while pushing the inner pages inward to ensure the spine forms to the correct width.

Leave it in the press for about ten minutes, then remove.

Square up the inner pages. Take your time and ensure you get this step as exact as possible. If the pages are out of alignment they may not bind properly and could ruin the whole project to the point where you may have to reprint the entire thing. Save yourself the headache and do it right the first time.

Once the pages are aligned to your satisfaction, use the clamps to hold the pages together. Place them on the edge that will be the spine of the magazine, as close to the edge as possible.

Place the pages in the press. Get as little of the spine sticking out as you can without messing up the alignment. This will ensure that the edges of the pages stay tight together during the gluing step.

Tighten the press then remove the clamps.

Apply an even layer of glue to the spine edge of the pages. I use a small brush to accomplish this. You don't have to be too picky about this step, but make sure you cover the entire edge of all the pages, and that none have separated from the bundle. This will be covered by the cover when we attach it, so making it a strong bond is more important than making it pretty.

Let the glue dry. Drying times will vary depending on the type of glue you use.

Once the glue is dry on your inner pages, remove them from the press.

Apply a line of glue to the inside of the spine on the cover. Making sure that the top and bottom edges are aligned well, slide the inner pages (spine first) into the cover. Push the inner pages as far back as you can get them and clamp it at the opposite side to hold it in place.

Return the magazine to the press, but this time have the spine on the inside. You don't have to leave it in the press as long as you did in the previous step, just long enough for the glue to get a solid grip between the cover and the inner spine. You could probably do this part without the press, but I like to be 100% sure the cover binds to the exact spot I want it in. I didn't put in all this work to trip at the finish line, right?

Once the glue is dry, the magazine is ready to use/display.

Note: due to the size of paper I use, there will always be a tiny sliver of the pages that protrudes from the cover opposite the spine. I'm fine with this, but if you're not you may want to trim the edges. However that is beyond the scope of this tutorial.

I would like to thank Matt Colville and his team at MCDM for creating a magnificent publication which inspired me to learn a new and unexpected skill.

If you would like your own copies of Arcadia you can get them here:

https://shop.mcdmproductions.com/

or

https://www.patreon.com/mcdm/posts

The cover art for the issue I used in this tutorial was created by Nephelomancer

https://nephelomancer.net/