I went with a 3mm backing spine over a 5mm one for a recent commission

Everyone at the local guild in Charlotte said the thicker spine was standard for a 400-page text block, but I felt it made the book too stiff. I used a lighter-weight linen and a thinner board, and the openability is perfect. Has anyone else had pushback on using thinner spines for larger books?

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2 Comments

finley_harris56mo ago

Honestly, that's just common sense. A book that can't open flat is a badly made book, no matter the page count. The guild isn't the one handling your finished piece, you are. Why let a "standard" rule ruin the function of the thing? A stiff spine feels awful in the hand. You made the right call for that specific book.

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lindahunt6mo ago

Yeah and think about the paper too. A stiff spine puts extra stress on the glue and the pages when you force it open. It's not just about feel, it's about the book falling apart faster lol.

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