August 02, 2022 |
This time, we would like to talk about the kinds of bookbinding we can do at おour Watanabe BookBinding.
We hope that by letting you know that there are actually many ways to bind books, you will enjoy seeing books on your bookshelves, in bookstores, and in libraries with a little more depth and dimension.
There are a variety of bookbinding styles, but first we will introduce “Codex binding,” which Watanabe Binding receives many inquiries about.
【What is Codex binding?】
A semi-hardcover binding style in which the book is bound in such a way that the back of the thread-bound book is left bare. Also called “parallel binding with thread binding. The book opens very well to the end of the spine, so it can be kept open without being held down by hand. This binding method is also suitable for books with many facing pages, such as illustrated catalogs. Recently, it is also known as “backless binding.
-Taken from the glossary of bookbinding terms (Watanabe Bookbinding website).
It is a popular style that has gained recognition over the past decade or so.
We receive many inquiries for photo books, catalogs, apparel catalogs, etc., because it opens very well and has a sophisticated and cool look.
The keywords for this style are rugged, minimalist, smart, and urban texture.
The beauty of Codex binding is that it is a purely interesting design when you hold it in your hand.
Depending on the combination of cover material, thickness, and binding thread, you can create an image that matches the contents of the book.
Here are some examples.
You can also choose colored thread for the binding thread.
The back of the book will have excess threads if the binding is left as is, so a process called “spine cleaning” is performed to make the binding look good.
You can also use gauze-wrapped Codex binding.
The famous Midori MD notebook in Japan may be the easiest to find in gauze-wrapped Codex binding.
In this book, the three sides of the book, except for the back of the Codex binding, are painted in the same color as the binding threads.
In the photo above, only the text is color coated, but we also created a dummy pattern in which the color is applied even to the side faces of the cardboard on the front cover.
This is a binding that makes effective use of signature name & markings and Codex binding to prevent missing or misdirected copies. Signature mark are generally applied in a stair-step pattern, but in this book, the title and author’s name are printed in a calculated manner so that they stand out.
The folds had to look like letters, so we worked very carefully, paying attention to even the slightest misalignment of the folds.
This is a B4 side-stich size photo book.
There are very few bookbinders who can produce B4 side-stich size books, but we can produce this size book.
The book is bound with a wide waistband instead of a cover, which adds to the oversized size of the book and accentuates the strength of the photographs while showing off the backside, which is one of the most appealing features of the Codex binding.
Various types of paper can be used for the cover material, but designers also like to use thick cardboard for the Codex binding, which combines foil stamping and embossing.
The photo above is an exhibition catalog.
The paper is wrapped and pasted on all four sides so as not to show the cross section of the cardboard.
The artist did not want to show the cross section of the cardboard used for the cover, so the book is bound with a little extra care and ingenuity.
Although this process is more time-consuming and costly, it gives a rounded appearance and a soft, elegant quality.
![[Extra Edition] Codex outfit with a cross wrapped around the spine.](https://www.booknote360.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/IMG_7113-2.jpg)
The standard style of Codex binding is to show the binding threads on the back, but this one has a cloth wrapped around the spine.
This style is a cross between German style(Bradel Allemand) and Codex.
We hope that the many examples we have shown you that you can combine design and readability with the use of Codex binding.
Recently, some recipe books and drawing instructional books are also using the Codex binding.
In both cooking and drawing, there are situations where you want to keep the book open and use it, such as when you can’t take your hands off the book or it’s dirty. The Codex binding is perfect for this.
