creaser

A creaser is a hand tool or machine used to create a crease or scoring line on materials such as paper, cardstock, leather, or fabric. In bookbinding, paper crafting, and leatherworking, a creaser helps guide folds, reinforce edges, and produce decorative lines without cutting. By compressing or lightly scoring the surface, it enables precise folds and reduces fiber cracking on delicate materials.

Types range from wheel creasers, which feature a small wheel mounted on a handle that is rolled along the surface to press a shallow crease, to spoon or flat-edged creasers that lay down broader lines for decorative effects. Some leather creasers are heated or used with stamping patterns to produce recessed lines that interact with dye or ink. Machine creasers exist in binding or finishing lines, where a creasing roller or flat platen applies consistent creases to multiple sheets.

Materials commonly used include steel or brass wheels with wood, plastic, or metal handles. Leather-specific creasers may be steel with tempered tips, and heated variants rely on controlled heat to set the crease.

Usage tips include aligning the tool with a ruler or edge for straight folds, applying light, even pressure, and testing on scrap material first. For leather, surface moisture or conditioning may be used, and heat-activated creasers require careful temperature control to avoid damage.

Alternatives such as bone folders or scoring blades achieve similar results, though they implement different mechanisms and effects. A creaser’s choice depends on the material, desired crease width, and whether a decorative or functional crease is needed.