TALAS x Bounty Archive No-Sew Bookbinding Kit: Assembly Instructions

Designed in collaboration with Bounty Archive, our No Sew Bookbinding Kit introduces the fundamentals of hardcover bookbinding through a simplified, beginner-friendly process that requires no sewing. Whether you're making your very first book or looking for an enjoyable creative project, you'll finish with a beautiful handmade journal while learning techniques that form the foundation of traditional bookbinding.

Follow along with the step-by-step video and written instructions below, working at your own pace. Before getting started, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the materials included in the kit and gather the few basic tools you'll need (check out the TALAS x Bounty Archive Tool Kit for suggestions). Once everything is ready, you'll be on your way to creating a journal you'll be proud to use for years to come.

Materials:

• TALAS x Bounty Archive No Sew Bookbinding Kit

  • Book block

  • Book board (“binder board”) - 0.08” (2mm) recommended

  • End papers

    • These are the sheets of paper at the front and back of a book that attach the book block to the cover. They can be decorative or plain, but should be at least as heavy/thick as the paper that comprises the book block.

  • Book cloth

Tools:

• TALAS x Bounty Archive Tool Kit

  • Glue brush

  • OLFA blade or paper scalpel

  • Bone Folder

  • Jade 403 PVA

• Ruler or measuring rule set

• Pencil

• Wax paper or parchment paper

• Scrap paper

• A hand towel or paper towel

• Painters or masking tape

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Book Block

Tip-On the Endpapers

The kit includes two pre-cut Tsumugi endpapers sized specifically for your text block.

1. Place one endpaper on a sheet of scrap paper and mask all but approximately 15 mm or so of the folded edge with another sheet of scrap paper.

2. Apply an even coat of PVA to the exposed strip.

3. Align the endpaper carefully with the edge of the text block and press it firmly into place.

4. Burnish lightly with a bone folder.

5. Carefully trim any excess endpaper hanging over the book block fore edge using a blade.

6. Repeat for the second endpaper.

Attach the Headbands

1. Cut the two supplied headbands to match the width of the spine.

2. Apply a thin bead of PVA along the head of the spine, taking care not to get glue on the pages.

3. Press one headband into the glue so the decorative woven edge sits flush with the top of the book.

4. Repeat at the tail of the book.

5. Allow the glue to become tacky before handling.

Set the completed text block aside while you assemble the case.

Step 2: Assemble the Case

The boards and book cloth in this kit have already been cut to size, allowing you to focus on the assembly process. When working with PVA glue, make sure you’ve read the instructions ahead of time and have a plan of action as the glue dries relatively quickly.

Lay out the supplied pieces:

• Front cover board

• Back cover board

• Spine board

• (3) Book cloth pieces

The card in your kit has two spacers you can cut out to aid in the assembly process. They are each 9 mm wide.

Attach the Boards to the Book Cloth

1. The piece of book cloth which is an unique color will cover the spine of the book. Position this piece of cloth the supplied odd-colored book cloth piece face down, then measure and mark the center width of the piece. Each piece is about four inches wide, so the marked center line should be at 2 inches from each side.

2. Apply glue to the spine board and place down, centered along the marked line and equidistant from the top and bottom edges.

   

3. Cut out your 9mm spacers from the kit card and place one on either side of the spine board.

   

4. Using your brush, apply PVA glue to the bookcloth, along one each side of spine board all the way and spacers to the edge. Make sure you have a piece of scrap paper beneath. and Lay down one of the cover boards one at a time, into the glued-out area right up against the spacer and using a ruler along the bottom edge to ensure a 90 degree angle and even placement.

   

   1. Once the cover board is in place, peel away the spacers if still present before it gets glued in place.

   2. Repeat on the other side of the spice piece, pasting the other cover board into place.

5. Use painters tape or scrap paper to mask the edges of the spine book cloth and apply glue, one side at a time, to the outer sides of the exposed cover boards. Make sure you have a scrap paper underneath.

   

6. Lay down one of the the two remaining book cloth pieces, one side at a time, onto the boards, carefully lining up the cover book cloth to meet the edge of the spine book cloth.

   

   
   

7. Burnish each board from the cloth side with your bone folder to ensure good adhesion and get rid of any air bubbles. Repeat these steps for the other piece of book cloth.

Step 3: Finish the Case

Trim the Corners

Trim each corner of the cloth at roughly a 45° angle, leaving about 2–3 mm of cloth beyond the board corner. Do not cut the book loth directly at the corner of the board.

Turn In the Edges

1. Fold the cloth over the boards on each side and crease with your bone folder. Be sure to use a scrap paper underneath your project when gluing-out the flaps in these next steps.

2. Glue the top and bottom flaps first.

3. On the fore-edge flaps, pinch the corners neatly using the small edge of your bone folder.

   

4. Glue the fore-edge flaps.

   

5. Burnish the joints by running the long edge of the bone folder through each hinge channel. Be careful not to use to much pressure, and don’t use the point of your bone folder as this can accidentally poke through the cloth.

Your completed case is now ready for the text block.

Step 4: Case In the Book

Before applying glue, dry-fit the text block inside the case to confirm the placement and even squares around all four sides.

Attach the Front Endpaper

1. Insert scrap paper beneath the front endpaper.

2. While applying pressure to hold the book in place, apply an even coat of PVA over the entire outside of the endpaper.

   

3. Remove the scrap paper.

4. Carefully close the front cover onto the glued endpaper while holding the text block firmly against the spine.

5. Open the cover and smooth the endpaper with your bone folder, paying special attention to the hinge.

Attach the Back Endpaper

Repeat the same process with the back endpaper.

Insert clean sheets of wax paper inside the front and back covers to prevent any excess glue from adhering to the pages.

Step 5: Press the Book

Place the finished journal between clean boards or heavy books, leaving the spine unsupported. Add weight evenly on top and allow the book to dry overnight before opening.

Once dry, remove the wax paper and enjoy your completed handmade journal.