bindwerken

Bindwerken, commonly translated as bookbinding, is the craft and industry that produces, finishes, and repairs books. It includes turning sheets into gatherings, sewing or binding, attaching a spine and covers, and applying endpapers, trimming, and protective finishes. Bindwerken covers traditional hand-binding and modern machine binding, as well as conservation bindings used to repair deteriorating volumes.

Historically, bindwerken emerged in antiquity and matured in medieval Europe as manuscripts and later printed books spread. The rise of printing in the 15th century created demand for durable bindings. In the 19th century industrial binding methods such as case binding and adhesive binding transformed production, enabling shorter runs and lower costs. The 20th century brought further diversification, with hardcover case bindings, perfect binding for paperbacks, and specialist bindings for art and library use.

Techniques and materials: Common binding methods include sewing folded sheets (signatures) and attaching them to a spine, then covering with boards and a case; or gluing the book block directly for perfect binding. Materials range from traditional leather, cloth, and decorative papers to modern synthetic coverings, boards, and PVA glues. Finishing touches may include gilding, foil stamping, marbling, and endbands.

Applications and preservation: Bindwerken serves publishers, libraries, collectors, and individuals. Preservation-binding and conservation-binding aim to stabilize and restore volumes, while contemporary binders increasingly consider sustainability and reversibility in materials and methods.