DELUXE BINDINGS
Finishing : Gilded decorations are created by applying a substance called glaire to the leather before pressing on layers of 22ct gold leaf using a heated brass tool that permanently attaches the layers of gold to the leather. The loose gold is then wiped away from the leather. The bindery has a variety of golds and decorative tools, types, pallets, and rolls that can be used to add a variety of decorations to the leather of the covers and the spine. Adding titles to the front cover and lettering to the spine : Lead lettering slugs are created for each title using an Intertype machine. The lead slugs are placed into a type holder and applied to the spine in a process similar to adding decorative details. Once a book is complete the lead slugs are melted down to be used for the next book title. Blocking : This involves creating a sunken impression on the leather or other material using a blocking machine which allows for larger images to be blocked onto the book covers. Onlays : These are very thin pieces of leather that are pasted onto the covering of a book. They can be used to create elaborate multicoloured and highly decorative designs. Due to their thinness and the fact that their edges are smoothed down, they are often not noticeably raised. Pasting down the endpapers : This is the last process carried out before a book is finished and involves pasting down plain or decorative endpapers onto the inner boards of the book covers. A video of the binding process at the Chelsea Bindery is available to watch on our website
THE CHELSEA BINDERY
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