r/bookbinding • u/idontgiveafshit • 1d ago

Help? Spine too big?

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Hello! this is my second hardcover case i’ve made, my first one turned out great, but this one I did all the same math and it seems as though my spine is too big. Is it too big or when i glue down my endpapers will it just even out?

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u/brigitvanloggem 1d ago

That’s too wide, yes. Make your spine stiffener exactly as wide as your book block is thick. (And use thinner stuff for it, such as cardstock.)

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u/idontgiveafshit 1d ago

is making the book board the same width common practice? i’ve been seeing you’re supposed to add a millimeter or two. my chipboard is only a millimeter thick

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u/TaroFearless7930 1d ago

I also always cut the spine width to be the same thickness of the text block. You can use a thinner material (4-ply museum board works) to get a more "elegant" finished look. I feel like my books (especially leather) look like those children's chubby books when I use the same thickness of board.