DIY Bookbinding

COVER THE COVER 19

Cover the Cover

To cover the unsightly skeleton you’ve created, you’ll now cover the exterior of the boards

with a single piece of decorative paper, which will wrap around the front cover, back cover,

and spine. To accommodate this wrap, use your utility knife to slit the mull by ½" where

the covers meet the spine at both the head and foot edges; doing so creates room to slide

the paper’s turnovers over the edges of both the covers and the boards.

Now, you’re ready for your paper. Pick a piece of decora-

tive paper or cloth that suits your project. It should be

thin enough to fold easily (I’ve learned the hard way how

difficult leather and thick cloth are to work with) but strong

enough to hold up to glue and wear. The piece you use

should be large enough to more than cover your front

cover, back cover, and spine.

Lay your cover paper face down and use your carpenter’s

square and pencil to measure and mark the placement of

your boards. Allow ½" (or the thickness of four boards)

turnover (the area of paper that extends beyond the edge

of the board, which you will turn over to finish the edge) for

all edges and ¼" (or the thickness of two boards) for each

hinge (the area between the spine and cover).

20 DIY BOOKBINDING

Attach the spine to the cover paper where marked ...