Picked up a tip from a retired binder about using a wallpaper seam roller on book spines

I was at a local book fair last Saturday and got talking to this older gentleman who used to run his own bindery for 40 years. He saw me struggling with a leather spine that had some bubbles and told me to try a wallpaper seam roller instead of my bone folder. I went home and grabbed one from the hardware store for about 8 dollars. It applies even pressure without marring the leather, and it saved me at least 20 minutes on my last project. Has anyone else tried using tools from other trades like this?

3 comments

3 Comments

laura_chen411mo ago

A wallpaper seam roller works great on book spines, I've used one for years on leather and cloth covers and it never leaves marks. It's one of those cheap tools that just does the job better than the expensive stuff.

the_hayden1mo ago

Man, I gotta disagree with @laura_chen41 on this one. A wallpaper seam roller is just too risky for book spines... one wrong angle and you're leaving a permanent dent in the leather or cloth. I've seen it happen with guys who tried it on old hardcovers. Bone folders give you way better control because you can actually feel the glue line and adjust pressure with your fingers. Plus, like somebody said, those rollers are made for flat walls, not curved spines with raised bands. I'd rather take my time with a bone folder than gamble on a roller messing up a good book.

nguyen.morgan1mo ago

The part where you say it "never leaves marks" makes me pretty skeptical. I've seen these things used on drywall and they definitely leave tracks if you push even a little too hard. Book cloth is way more delicate than drywall compound. One slip and you've got a line pressed into the spine that won't come out. A simple bone folder gives you way more control since you can feel the pressure with your fingers. Also, rollers are meant for smooth, flat surfaces, not curved book spines with raised bands or decorative elements. That tool is asking for trouble on anything besides a flat paperback.