Bookbinding

Lesson 2: The Last Step - Making Covers

Decorating Covers for a Rustic Effect

Treating the books and/or paper

In this section you'll learn some methods to give your book an individual look - ageing the book. I have included a recipe to age paper for various uses.

If you would like the whole book to look aged, dip the whole thing into the mixture following the recipe. Lay on newspaper to dry, checking often. When the pages are just damp, using your bone folder between the pages, gently separate them. This might have to be done a few times while they are drying, to prevent them sticking together. Follow the same process after rinsing under running water to remove chemicals. It requires a bit of time and effort but is well worth it. Put on your rubber gloves and get ready to have some fun!

The Rusting Recipe

Here's the basic recipe which is called Rusting and gives the paper a very aged and interesting surface. You can use any paper - I used plain photocopy paper for most but also some nice textured papers and heavier ones.

You'll need to experiment to get the effects you like best. It works differently on different paper.

1. It's a 3 part process so you need 3 trays about 2" high and bigger than the paper.
2. You also need a couple of 5 litre (about 1 gallon) plastic containers to store the made-up chemicals.
3. Always wear rubber gloves as it can be dangerous on your skin.

   You'll need:

4. Ferrous Sulphate (or may be sold as Iron Sulphate, available in a good garden supply shop)
5. 250grams (8 ozs) in 3 cups of water dissolved in a plastic ice-cream container.
6. Pour into large container and add water to make up to 5 litres.
7. Fill one tray about halfway.
8. Caustic Soda (sold in most supermarkets) - 2 tablespoons gently sprinkled onto water in plastic container than made up to 5L same as above and pour into another tray.
9. Strong Tea - take 30 - 50 teabags and pour boiling water over in ice-cream container. No need to store this, just pour into labelled tray (make sure the trays are all labelled)
10. First - dip your paper into the ferrous sulphate, drip the excess off over the tray – a minute or so
11. then dip the same paper into the caustic soda. Drip that over the tray again
12. then dip into the tea tray and do the same.
13. Lay on newspaper to thoroughly dry - maybe overnight or longer.When dry - fill a sink with water and wash the paper (don't rub it, just make sure it is really wet) - and again leave to dry thoroughly before using.
14. Read previous notes on keeping the pages of a book separated while drying.
15. As an added protection against any chemicals rubbing off you can spray the finished paper with a fixative or even lightly with hairspray before using it.
16. I sometimes add a varnish to book covers with Shellac (from hardware stores)- mix half and half with methylated spirits and lightly paint book or paper with a soft brush.
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