Overheard a master bookbinder in Chicago say something that flipped my view on glue

I was at a workshop last Saturday and this older guy named Joe was talking about how he only uses wheat paste for his spines, even on modern books. I always thought PVA was the way to go for everything, but he showed me a 20 year old book he'd repaired that still flexed perfectly with no cracking. It made me realize I've been over-relying on synthetic glues for decades without really testing the alternatives. Has anyone else switched from PVA to wheat paste for certain bindings?

2 comments

2 Comments

tara70022d ago

Ugh, I totally get that feeling of realizing you've been doing something the hard way for years.

janac5922d ago

Gently correct you there - it's not always the years that make it hard. Sometimes it's just never thinking to ask if there's a better way. I used to fold fitted sheets the same lumpy way for over a decade before my buddy showed me the corner tuck trick. Now it takes thirty seconds instead of a wrestling match with elastic. Have you had any of those little lightbulb moments where a friend just casually dropped some life hack on you?