Thanks for this. Artists use watercolor blocks, that are watercolor pads but with padding compound going right around the pad (except for a small space to insert a palette knife). This makes turning a watercolor pad into a watercolor block so easy!
When I started in a printers the first job you were given was making pads from scrap’s, I believe this was to make you accurate and able to work alone at a given job. This was many years ago and we did not have “padding” compound. We used pva glue watered down, if you wanted a pad for a warehouse the glue had to be stronger so less diluted but for a note pad a 60/40 mix would do. The more water the easier to take a page off and the longer for it to dry
Thanks for this. We have boxes of old stationery from my husband's parent's businesses and I don't have the heart to throw them all in the recycle bin. Scratch paper is all well and good, but it gets everywhere and the cats make a mess of it if they get the chance. Smaller paper pads seem like a good solution, so I'll give it a go and see!
Elmer's glue all, and school glue are different. Glue all is PVA glue, school glue is not. That's my understanding, anyway. Neither are archival, of course.
Thank you so much. I am grateful for your clear instructions. I was about to try rubber cement but thought I do a google first. I am making a custom pad for a friend. What a pleasant surprise.
There is something satisfying about watching you cut apart the pads; like those toy food chopping sets where the knife cuts the wooden “carrot” into sections.
Hello! I've been watching through your videos, and im looking forward to giving bookbinding a whirl as soon as I'm finished renovating my studio. I'm a watercolorist, and a lot of what I want to do is make sketchbooks out of watercolor paper. I thought this padding video sounded interesting. I'm wondering if you think this would be strong enough to hold together the sides of a watercolor block, or if I should use a paper along with the glue to combat the warping of the wet watercolor paper? Thank you for all of these amazing videos!!
This is meant as a temporary binding. Always meant to be pulled apart. So unless this is your intension, I wouldn't use this method. A double-fan (aka Lumbeck) might be better.
Wow!! I have not seen the video yet, but already liked it. I've been looking forward for a video about this topic!!!. Thanks again for sharing your wisdom (: Merry Chrismas!! Greetings from Chile
I ordered a small bottle of padding compound a couple of weeks ago but due to the holidays and COVID etc still waiting. I did try some of my 'builders' pva before but found it wasn't very flexible after a month or so. I think I'll be busy making pads for the neighbours kids once mine arrives. Hoping that 2022 brings everyone all they need plus a bit extra for luck 👍
Are you after off-cuts? Maybe, but I think they would rather not muck around with saving stuff for people. But you are welcome to get some from me. Just book a bindery visit here. calendly.com/das-bookbinding/bindery-visit
I did this with leftover blank ballots (in the three colours 🇸🇪 yellow, blue and white, for national, regional and local elections) after our general election over a decade ago, using ordinary wood glue. 😊 I still have some pads, they’ve lasted well.
Do you think any/all of these glue approaches would work fine in making a travel watercolour pad given the heavier weight of paper? They’re glued on two side of the paper to keep the page from cockling while working with the water.
Definitely some good tips in this video. I've been making notepads one at a time using a double fan perfect binding method, but this gets me thinking I might be able to speed up the process.
Yes, it is is very flexible. But PVA for bookbinding is usually flexible too. Good enough anyway. Maybe the padding compound remains flexible for longer?
My experiments with padding have shown that the smoother the paper block is at the glued edge the better. Unlike perfect binding where one might graze or notch the edge of paper for a more secure attachment, a smoother/tighter block won't suck the glue in too much. Padding doesn't work well with thicker/cotton rich papers; if you've ever used a watercolour block you'll know how difficult it is to separate individual sheets without tearing. One method I found worked rather well was bracing the paper block between a couple of MDF boards and dipping it into a tray of undiluted PVA; the lack of brush action and relatively dry adhesive prevented the glue from penetrating the paper too deeply.
Personally, I find DAS the best of all bookbinding instruction videos on the internet. Well done and keep them coming.
I agree! Simply the best
Thank you for the helpful video!
Thank you so much, this is exactly the information I needed!
thank you for showing this! I really enjoyed it!!
Is it the washable Elmer’s or their “permanent” white glue?
At 9:20 I laughed because I did watch that "referred to" video...
Thanks for this. Artists use watercolor blocks, that are watercolor pads but with padding compound going right around the pad (except for a small space to insert a palette knife). This makes turning a watercolor pad into a watercolor block so easy!
I’ll admit I laughed when the Elmer’s Glue slid across the table.
When I started in a printers the first job you were given was making pads from scrap’s, I believe this was to make you accurate and able to work alone at a given job. This was many years ago and we did not have “padding” compound. We used pva glue watered down, if you wanted a pad for a warehouse the glue had to be stronger so less diluted but for a note pad a 60/40 mix would do. The more water the easier to take a page off and the longer for it to dry
Thanks for this. We have boxes of old stationery from my husband's parent's businesses and I don't have the heart to throw them all in the recycle bin. Scratch paper is all well and good, but it gets everywhere and the cats make a mess of it if they get the chance. Smaller paper pads seem like a good solution, so I'll give it a go and see!
Elmer's glue all, and school glue are different. Glue all is PVA glue, school glue is not. That's my understanding, anyway. Neither are archival, of course.
Thank you so much. I am grateful for your clear instructions. I was about to try rubber cement but thought I do a google first. I am making a custom pad for a friend. What a pleasant surprise.
Ha! I just received a jar of HAR from Amazon this morning and tonight this tutorial popped up. Thank you!
Hmmmm.. Sounds a bit of a coincidence. Who's watching what you buy....
I gotta say, I always appreciate the bits of humor you throw in, like the bit about your Elmer’s glue review 😂
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!
There is something satisfying about watching you cut apart the pads; like those toy food chopping sets where the knife cuts the wooden “carrot” into sections.
Hello! I've been watching through your videos, and im looking forward to giving bookbinding a whirl as soon as I'm finished renovating my studio. I'm a watercolorist, and a lot of what I want to do is make sketchbooks out of watercolor paper. I thought this padding video sounded interesting. I'm wondering if you think this would be strong enough to hold together the sides of a watercolor block, or if I should use a paper along with the glue to combat the warping of the wet watercolor paper? Thank you for all of these amazing videos!!
This is meant as a temporary binding. Always meant to be pulled apart. So unless this is your intension, I wouldn't use this method. A double-fan (aka Lumbeck) might be better.
Wow!! I have not seen the video yet, but already liked it. I've been looking forward for a video about this topic!!!. Thanks again for sharing your wisdom (:
Merry Chrismas!! Greetings from Chile
Merry Christmas and a happy, peaceful new year to you and your family as well, Darryl!
Greetings from Germany! 🙂
Happy New Year to you and your family too! DAS
Thank you for this video, I am off to my bindery to make some pads.
I ordered a small bottle of padding compound a couple of weeks ago but due to the holidays and COVID etc still waiting. I did try some of my 'builders' pva before but found it wasn't very flexible after a month or so. I think I'll be busy making pads for the neighbours kids once mine arrives.
Hoping that 2022 brings everyone all they need plus a bit extra for luck 👍
Are there any print shops in Brisbane I could go to recycle the offcuts?
Are you after off-cuts? Maybe, but I think they would rather not muck around with saving stuff for people. But you are welcome to get some from me. Just book a bindery visit here.
calendly.com/das-bookbinding/bindery-visit
I certainly will be @@DASBookbinding
yoy always best of the best master
Happy new year to you too! I've just got started in bookbinding these last few months, and your videos have been invaluable in getting me going!
I did this with leftover blank ballots (in the three colours 🇸🇪 yellow, blue and white, for national, regional and local elections) after our general election over a decade ago, using ordinary wood glue. 😊 I still have some pads, they’ve lasted well.
If you don't celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a good day in the day that I celebrate Christmas.
I use padding compound because the PVA I buy is much more expensive
Do you think any/all of these glue approaches would work fine in making a travel watercolour pad given the heavier weight of paper? They’re glued on two side of the paper to keep the page from cockling while working with the water.
Yep. all should work fine. DAS
@@DASBookbinding yes. I glue up watercolor paper to make pads using PVA and it works well.
Thank you for making this great tutorial!!
Thank you for a beautifully detailed tutorial.
Thank you for your attentiveness and content over 2021!
These pads were the first thing I made to learn fan binding... I had lots of paper from goofs from the printer
Thank you for a year of great videos, and a happy Christmas and New Year to you.
Definitely some good tips in this video. I've been making notepads one at a time using a double fan perfect binding method, but this gets me thinking I might be able to speed up the process.
Thank you for this little gem!
Another cool and helpful experiment! 👍
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 🎄
💙📚💙📚💙
Thank you !!
I was always told the only difference between padding compound and regular glue (pva) was that the compound stayed more flexible after it dried.
Yes, it is is very flexible. But PVA for bookbinding is usually flexible too. Good enough anyway. Maybe the padding compound remains flexible for longer?
How would one add a decorative cover to the notepad?
Make some sort of case with a pocket for the board to slip into.
Thanks Darryl for another yet fun and instructive video. It's now on my "give a go" list.
I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year too!
My experiments with padding have shown that the smoother the paper block is at the glued edge the better. Unlike perfect binding where one might graze or notch the edge of paper for a more secure attachment, a smoother/tighter block won't suck the glue in too much. Padding doesn't work well with thicker/cotton rich papers; if you've ever used a watercolour block you'll know how difficult it is to separate individual sheets without tearing. One method I found worked rather well was bracing the paper block between a couple of MDF boards and dipping it into a tray of undiluted PVA; the lack of brush action and relatively dry adhesive prevented the glue from penetrating the paper too deeply.