Reference Book
getting on the cords or tapes. It is convenient to place the book between two
pieces of waste board and the slips being tucked away between them.
Rounding
By rounding the swelling in the back of the book is reduced. Rounding gives
the familier round shape to the back, convex at the back and concave at the
foreedge. After some use the back of the book may sink in, but rounding
prevents this.
Backing
Backing is carried out only for letterpress binding. For account books, spring
back is adopted and only rounding is done. The objective of backing is to bind
the sections together independent of sewing, to form a slight fold down the
back for ease in opening the book flat; to form a groove or joint to attach the
board to the book.
Trimming the edges
The last operation is to trim the head, tail, and foreedge of the book. Adhesive
bound or perfect bound books are ready for use after the above operations are
completed.
Edge decoration
It is the method of decorating the edges by different methods. Edges are
decorated for improving the appearance of the book and for preventing the
edges from getting dirt.
Colouring, sprinkling, gilding, painting, gauffering, and marbling are different
edge decoration methods.
Colouring:This is the simplest method of edge decoration. The book is kept
under a weight board, water colour is applied with a brush evenly through the
edges.
Sprinkling: Different colours are sprinkled or sprayed to the edges with a brush
or with a sprayer.
Gilding: Gilding is the method of producing solid gilt edges instead of solid
cut edges.
Painting: Painting is done only at the foreedge since the leaves are frayed out
or fanned out for painting the picture.
Gauffering: After gilding, solid gilt edges are cut into different patterns (like
flowers, leaves,etc.) harmonizing with finishing the works on the cover. This
is done with small hot tools.
Marbling: It is a colouring process used for decorating the edges of heavy
account books. Thick and smooth paper should be used for marbling. It is
usually done after cutting the edges or before rounding.