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The Book Block
The Book Block is an industrial bookbinding technique manual, developed in partnership by Itemzero and Maiadouro, the first in the Making a Book collection, which focuses on manuals intended for graphic book production.
Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
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April 10, 2023
Honestly disappointing. I wanted to learn more about the process of bookmaking but I didn't get as much as I thought from this. First I wasn't a huge fan of the book format itself. It tries too much to be creative, but it's not super practical. I also think it's silly to have both languages in 1 book, rather than offer each language separately.
The book covers several types of bookbinding, such as saddle stitching, perfect binding, smyth sewn, etc. This as a whole wasn't done poorly, but it does feel shallow. Each just has a few sentences on characteristics and considerations, and that's basically it. It does have a cool illustration for each, but that doesn't add that much.
What disappointed me the most is that there is so many types of bookbinding, almost 20 in total. This may seem like a positive thing, but it ends up covering binds that just aren't practical and no one uses. There is a reason why you don't see 20 types of bookbinding when you go to a magazine or book store. Only some are practical to use, and thus it's likely the one the reader is going to use.
And if you're buying a bookbinding book, then you likely already have an idea of what you want... Meaning that if you're interested in 2 types of bookbinding let's say, then all you have of useful information for your purpose is 4 pages...2 per type. You would be better off watching a 5 minute YouTube video about it.
And while does this is about bookbinding, I expected to be more information about the process of making books in general. Some minor information is given about paper for example, but it's very small.
Including shipping, I think I ended up paying like 30€ for this which is quite expensive. Not worth it at all. I learned almost nothing useful, and the bulk of the book is random specifications of types of bookbinding that most people will never use.
It has a very pretty marketing and design, but the substance of the book is a huge letdown.
The book covers several types of bookbinding, such as saddle stitching, perfect binding, smyth sewn, etc. This as a whole wasn't done poorly, but it does feel shallow. Each just has a few sentences on characteristics and considerations, and that's basically it. It does have a cool illustration for each, but that doesn't add that much.
What disappointed me the most is that there is so many types of bookbinding, almost 20 in total. This may seem like a positive thing, but it ends up covering binds that just aren't practical and no one uses. There is a reason why you don't see 20 types of bookbinding when you go to a magazine or book store. Only some are practical to use, and thus it's likely the one the reader is going to use.
And if you're buying a bookbinding book, then you likely already have an idea of what you want... Meaning that if you're interested in 2 types of bookbinding let's say, then all you have of useful information for your purpose is 4 pages...2 per type. You would be better off watching a 5 minute YouTube video about it.
And while does this is about bookbinding, I expected to be more information about the process of making books in general. Some minor information is given about paper for example, but it's very small.
Including shipping, I think I ended up paying like 30€ for this which is quite expensive. Not worth it at all. I learned almost nothing useful, and the bulk of the book is random specifications of types of bookbinding that most people will never use.
It has a very pretty marketing and design, but the substance of the book is a huge letdown.
Displaying 1 of 1 review