How to Make a Watercolour Sketchbook - A Bookbinding Tutorial

Learn bookbinding - how to make a professional-quality watercolour paper sketchbook.
OR BUY ONE from my online shop willjbaileyshop.com

Watch Part Two for updated instruction here: youtu.be/SwVhjv7aVuQ.

Part Two details my refined process, having been making sketchbooks professionally over the year between videos. Updates and link to materials below:

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UPDATES:

I don't cut my board with a scalpel anymore, I use a Rotatrim Pro 24 Rotary Cutter. It cuts 2.5mm greyboard (though only just!) Cutting with a scalpel then sanding works too though, it’s just messier and not quite as neat.

I still use a very large pile of heavy art books to press my XL sketchbooks, but for A4 and smaller I use a Vevor bookbinding press - link below.

Note that materials costs have gone up a lot since I made this video!

For the spine, I now use the same Bockingford paper as for the endpapers. I cut them short grain to make the spine stiff. Works well.

Also for the head and tail bands use black string instead of white and then dye it! I use 3mm black makrame cord, which I bought on Amazon - link below.

Turns out I'm allergic to nitrile gloves - they make my hands sore and blotchy. Apparently this is quite common due to 'accelerants' used in their manufacture. I now use Unigloves Zero Nitrile GM005 Accelerator-Free Gloves which stop this from happening.

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MATERIALS

(Some of these are affiliate links, which cost you no extra, but earn me a small commission which helps support the channel)

Vevor A4 Bookbinding Press:

amzn.to/4qCIhOU

Fabriano Artistico Hot Press Extra White 300gsm:

USA: tidd.ly/3Wfq6Ca
UK: tidd.ly/3W9fW68

Bockingford Hot Press 300gsm (for end papers and spine)

USA: tidd.ly/4hczQ8n
UK: tidd.ly/3WdIUSk

Awl:

hewit.com/PxRpn7
amzn.to/40bUWN7

Bone Folder:

hewit.com/c8wzc9
amzn.to/3WdIMlz

Waxed Linen Thread:

hewit.com/E9DnZf

Bookbinding Needles (Size 18):

hewit.com/W73SzH
amzn.to/40pNyPs

Adhesive

In this video I use PVA M289 from J Hewit, which is a brilliant archival / conservation grade bookbinding adhesive. But you can use EVA, or other PVA adhesives (but not the type designed for sizing) - ideally they should be PH neutral.

PVA M289 UK: hewit.com/uMGi7w
PVA USA: tidd.ly/4aePPAc
PVA UK: tidd.ly/3PuijMT

Unbleached Linen Sewing Tape 13mm:

The type below is designed for bookbinding, but you can use linen tape designed for clothing, it’s very similar. So if you’re struggling to source it, check local or online haberdasheries.

hewit.com/0oFMT8

Mull:

hewit.com/Yx6KxG

Buckram:

I currently use Hewit’s Archival Buckram, which is amazing and worth the cost. But before that I used Aberlave Library Buckram which is also really good and a bit cheaper. You can use other covering materials too - buckram is just particularly well-suited and hard wearing

Aberlave Library Buckram: hewit.com/N7QTVJ
Hewit Archival Buckram: hewit.com/opfRUx

Greyboard 2.5mm

hewit.com/YHeGuy

Makrame Cord, 4 strand, 3mm (for head and tail bands)

amzn.to/3WdiShS

Scalpel, Swann Morton 10A:

Handle US: tidd.ly/40eQOfg
Blades US: tidd.ly/4a9Lwq5
Handle UK: tidd.ly/3PzWpaY
Blades UK: tidd.ly/4fTf6kE

Cutting Mat A2:

USA: tidd.ly/4fNQREI
UK: tidd.ly/3PzWUSo

Nitrile Gloves, Accelerator-Free

amzn.to/4fRkxRk