Dude, you've seen me commenting on three videos already, but as a video editor and graphic designer I'm just impressed of how genuine your editing and design is. You truly have an eye for detail and know how to express yourself in a pure yet functional and illustrative way, withouth having to add any flashy transitions/green screen/etc. I would take this style of editing over the modern, most popular editing style there's on TH-cam right now anyday.Thank you so much for this videos man. Makes sense you're a good with gold tooling, since your whole channel is gold itself.
Thanks so much! I am teaching myself editing as I go, so since you kindly binged my videos I'm sure your trained eye has picked up on my gradual learning process with animations, lower thirds, etc. It's really gratifying to hear that you like the editing style, since the overall production value is one thing I'm still not entirely confident in.
I didn't think about that till you pointed it out, but yes, the presentation is second to none. Just a passionate and skilled craftsman sharing his love for books with us.
Tip for avoiding damaging your material with the alcohol wipes! -> try just getting a liquid version and use toothpicks dipped in it to gently etch off the excess. A less broad application will keep damage minimal to nonexistent. Other methods to remove foil bleeds can also include taking a piece of basic scotch tape and gently running it across the design to "tacky" it off. And sometimes just slightly coarse texture cloth can be enough to rub off the excess. Worked in a bookstore for about six years where we did name imprinting with presses and these exact heat foils. These methods saved my life *many* times! 😂 Also note, the softer your leather the more problematic heat press foils will be - i.e. calf skin leather is nearly impossible to imprint without severe bleeding of the design (if it takes at all) and it's a lot easier to accidentally burn too deep through the leather. Also the type of leather/material used will vary the amount of pressure required to get an imprint to take. I'd advise always doing a test run on scrap of the same material (like shown in this video). Not all leathers are alike and heat foils react differently to the range of faux leather, bonded, leather-like, and genuine. Also test out the tape and alcohol hacks on these material scraps because on some they work, others they'll either just smudge it, take off the foil altogether, or worse pull off/eat through a layer of the leather! Love the way this video helps make this method more accessible to others! The cost of the heat press machines is no joke! 😅
Thank you so much for your advice! I tried some of your tips recently and they worked great! With your permission, I'd love to include some of this information in a future video (citing you, of course).
This is what makes youtube awesome! Someone does an interesting video on how to do a project. Someone else add value to the video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
I know this is an older video, but I wanted to reach out and thank you for posting this; as someone who is just venturing into customizing my own book bindings, your honesty and inclusion of mistakes gives me confidence to keep at this.
Thank you so much. Feedback like yours has caused me to change my video style to show a lot more of my failures and how I work through them. Thank you for making a difference in my content!
I was looking for information on how to do this traditional style gold tooling for a reasonable budget and for a total novice. Having just finished your video I’m actually laughing quietly to myself at how helpful and informative this single video has been, and how I now know precisely what equipment and supplies I need. Thank you!
Thank you so much! I'm so glad this video really hit the spot for you. I've been experimenting more with this technique and have some more tips to offer, so I appreciate you subscribing! See you around the channel!
I'm a new bookbinder and your videos are a HUGE help! You also give me cheap options that most binders don't. Also, I enjoy your enthusiasm and charisma. Also, I am in love with how you LOTR books match in size.
Thanks! It was a challenge to find high quality illustrated editions for my Tolkien books that were all the same height. The middle book actually isn't as deep as the other two, but because it's the same height you can't tell unless you take them off the shelf and look at them side by side.
3d resin printer (mine cost $220) + high temp uv resin ($60) + 3d modeling software (many free options) = unlimited stamps. High temp resin can withstand temps up to 160c (320f) so care would need to be taken to heat a resin stamp to the correct range ... luckily a flat iron would do the trick. Because it is used on hair it doesn't get too hot and higher end models include a digital readout of its temperature.
Oooh, I like that idea. I have a resin 3D printer and 3D modeling software already, but I hadn't thought about trying to make stamps out of high temperature resin. I wonder if I could make a set of letters and a type setter? Maybe it would get too deformed by the repeated heating, but you never know until you try!
amazing! i am genuinly so glad that you keep in mistakes in your video and go through them as a learning experience because often its always perfect on the first go with other peoples projects as if youre supposed to be an expert right away. its encouraging to see this approach and refreshing honestly you did a great job!
Thank you so much for your genuine kindness! When I started making tutorials I only did things I was already very practiced with, and some people responded, "I bet that's a lot harder than you make it seem." That feedback has really stuck with me so since then I've tried to suck it up more and let others see and laugh at my mistakes along with me. Hopefully that way we can all learn together!
I'm so glad you started this channel! You're videos are some of the most straightforward I've seen. I don't put any books out because I don't like the way modern covers look. I think I'm definitely going to play around with both vinyl decals and traditional techniques you've shown. I can't wait to see what other videos you come up with!
Wow, thanks so much! I agree with you. A shelf full of modern covers just looks messy and noisy to me. I'm really happy to hear that you're going to try these things out yourself! I only put out videos about once a month, but hopefully the future films will be helpful to you too!
Thanks! The positive reception to mistakes shown in this video has changed my style of content going forward so I appreciate you weighing in and letting me know it was helpful to you.
I can’t tell you how grateful I am for this video. It took me a very very long time to find this video. Ive been trying to figure out a way to heat metal design pieces to use with gold foil since 2 years. Never knew the solution was $18 away.
Can you have fun watching bookbinding tutorials ? Turns out that yes, you can I am just in the planning part for a project that who knows when -or if- I will do but I am enjoying your videos
Thanks! Very helpfull! Do be carefull when heating those stamps though, and make sure none of them are galvanized, as heating them could release toxic fumes. Stay safe!
I've just come across your videos and binge watched all the book-related ones. May I say you got me fond of this art within minutes of listening to you, though I would have been listening for days! Also, you inspire such peace and joy, that just your videos are kind of therapeutic themselves! Congrats for your work, keep it up and thank you so much for sharing your hard-earned knowledge with us! ❤
@@ingeniusdesigns Hi! Have you ever had an issue with the stamping foil turning green after awhile? Like two weeks later. Cause I stamped a leather book and that happened. Not sure why mine did it not but not every leather book that gets stamped
When presented with a conundrum my goto is TH-cam, never have a struck such a rich vein of information on the first click. Thank you so much you have answered so many questions and cemented some ideas. Thank you muchly sir .
Thank you so much. That is high praise indeed! Your questions must have been the same as mine on this topic, because I mostly just try to make the videos that I wish I could have found earlier!
Nice job explaining the difference between leatherworking & bookbinding tools. It's something every new bookbinder may struggle with when getting into traditional hand tooling. I sure did, but happy I finally settled on quality (albeit expensive) bookbinding tools. Great to see your appreciation for the traditional approach and creativity in your vinyl designs as well 😀
Thanks for the positivity! Proper bookbinding tools are my ideal too, and I didn't want them to be unrepresented, which is why I shelled out to get one that I could feature in the beginning. I keep my eye on Ebay for when other tools become available at an affordable price. As with most of my hobbies, I will likely grow my tool collection with time, but for now I'm just happy to know that the threshold to start doesn't have to be too intimidating!
THANK YOU!!! I needed a one-off prop book, and didn't want to spend a fortune on bookbinding equipment. I figured there must be a way to use my cold-stamping tools to hot stamp, but the particulars eluded me--especially how to gauge the right temperature, and how NOT to burn my fingers with the metal handles!
This is the first time I’ve come across your page and it has been an absolute delight. As a book binder beginner this video gave me so much info and helped so much in the questions I had. Thank you for being so generous and showing us your process as well as your mistakes and discoveries 😊
Hi. I enjoyed this video very much, i want to do one. I am a stencilist, i have found when i do a pattern around an area that i have better ending results when i start in the center and work towards the corners, so in this case the pattern ends the same at the corners.
Thanks for the tip! I like that idea for improved symmetry. That way I wouldn't stress about mathematical perfection in my designs. Would you mind if I mention your advice in a future video?
And thank YOU for being so nice about my goofs! I used to think that I had to be perfect at things before I would be worthy to put them on TH-cam, but comments like yours have changed my mind!
I'm so glad you enjoyed! It was quite and adventure and a learning process, and I hope to get better as time goes on. Thank you for all the support along the way!
your videos are amazing ! thank you for all the tips and also for walking us thru all possible mistakes and how to fix them ! not many people do this and I highly appreciated it, not to mention it was fun to watch you learn with us.
I appreciate that you left in your "mistakes" and showed how you dealt with them. This helps me as a new foil stamper. I saw you used a finish at the end. Do you find that it helps keep the stamping in place too?
@@ingeniusdesigns jokes can make a mole hill of a mountain ! 😊 - By faff i mean the great deflator - the banal heaped on the pointless - the vids that start with 20 minutes of " Oh, i just have to tell you about this amazing hack my granny used. ( violin track, tea, cake, dear dog story ) So i hunted some down..... It's actually called string. It's not too thick..... not too thin 😯... just so easy to tie around things 🤤 - here are some examples of how you can use string 😢 to tie around things ( 10 mins later ).... don't be afraid to tie different things by yourself 😴 Now, i'm not quite sure how long it is ... i suppose i should measure it for you 😭 ...---... Truly unto you i extend my heartfelt gratitude, admiration and respect !!
@@ingeniusdesigns yes. Literally if I could make a living binding books, I'd love that. I plan to use your videos to bind some of my favorite modern books then hopefully books I've written myself. Thank you for sharing this information.
I was randomly searching "how to use gold foil on a leather book" because I have a large somewhat torn photo album with a similar curved spine and golden foil on top and I wondered if I could try to repurpose it into something better. I've only seen this one video from this channel and I never subscribed a person so fast in my life. This was very easy for me to follow along and it was very entertaining that it actually kept me hooked til the end. Well done! I may watch more of your videos to hopefully someday if I have the coin to actually attempt something similar to this! Thank ye, matey! 🦇
Thank you so much for your kind words. They really warm my heart! I'm so glad you enjoyed not only the topic, but the way it was presented, because I'm trying to become a better video editor.
@@ingeniusdesigns Well ye're definitely off to a great start, matey! Not only was this educational, but it was very amusing and enjoyable to stay hooked in instead of the usual professional slow tutorials ye would normally come across. Yer video was very unique, easy to follow and fun throughout and I hope to see more of 'em when I get the chance. Spring be practically 'ere bein' a fresh start and wishin' ye all the best throughout the year! Ye got this! (Forgive the pirate dialect, been doin' it for about a decade now. 😆)
Too true. In this video I tried not to sugarcoat the fact that this was my first time and there's definitely trial and error involved. But nobody should give up because "perfect" is a possibility with enough practice!
Amazing video man and what a beautiful book. I’m just dipping my toes in to book binding and I aspire to make something as special as you have here. Nicely done
Thank you so much! This book was such an experiment and I made my fair share of mistakes. I really appreciate your support and hope things work out for you too!
If the lettering is cheaper to buy using leather stamps. Get two sets. So, you'll heat the letter "T" up and press it. Now get the "T" from the other set (which is obviously cold). Rest that in the completed "T" indentation. Place your next hot letter. This should give you more accurate spacing. I'm a complete novice with leather crafting. It's just something I worked out for myself. I came here for help with leafing leather. I was not disappointed. The fact you show the good, and, bad gives me hope in my attempts. Thank you.
Interesting thought. I have continued to experiment with this technique and have learned a lot from comments like yours! More updates on things I've learned are coming in future videos, so I hope you'll stick around the channel!
This is soooo cool!!! I've been looking up for videos of how to start book binding (i still haven't done any lol), one day i'll use this video as a reference for my work!! Hehehe
So glad you enjoyed the video. Hopefully I can help you speedrun the trial and error process. You should go ahead and try bookbinding soon; it might seem intimidating to start, but it's not as hard as it seems!
Thank you so much for such beautifully made videos, a real treasure for beginners like me. I've always been fascinated by the beauty and "power" of books as both art objects and troves of knowledge and your idea to "upgrade" their look to match the "classic" tradition of bygone eras is just fantastic. I have a couple of questions: First, is it possible/reasonable to skip the foil part and just inlay the leather and then paint the bottom of the recessed areas with metallic leather paint? Second, have you experimented with processes to age leather and create more "antique" looks?
Yes, it is completely possible to do what you're suggesting. In fact, that is very close to one of the traditional methods of book finishing. One school of book finishing (English or French, I can't remember which off the top of my head) advocates for painting the entire cover in glaire, then covering it all in foil, hot stamping, and removing all the foil and glaire from the areas not stamped/heated. This is similar to what I'm doing in this video with my hot stamping foil, except that I don't need to use glaire. It is called "blind finishing" because you can't see the leather under the foil while you're tooling it. The other traditional method (which is similar to what you're proposing) is to first hot tool the designs without any foil, then paint the glaire only inside the designs and go back over them with foil and stamps a second time. This method is much more tedious, as your work time increases by at least 300%, but you have the advantage of getting to see the designs as you tool them. I have not yet experimented with antiquing a book, but I've done plenty of antiquing on other leathercraft projects. If you want to carve designs into the leather then you will need to use vegetable tanned leather. Chrome tanned leather (90% of what you can buy out there) can be tooled with heat, allowing you to stamp designs into it, but it won't allow for the kind of detailed design carving that you may have seen on things like saddles, wallets, knife sheaths, etc. If you start with a light colored leather and then antique it, you can get dark stain to settle primarily in the recessed areas of your design. This will work on a book, although bookbinding leather is so thin that your carving relief will necessarily be very shallow. Sorry if that was way more in-depth than you wanted, but I hope something in my ramble helps! I do have some more ideas for how to hack leathercraft for faster, fancier bookbinding, so maybe after I experiment a little more a future video will be able to address your questions better!
@@ingeniusdesigns Thank you so much for taking the time to share this wealth of information!! So much appreciated! These bits of advice and knowledge make all the difference for people like me, to go from mere admirers of experts' work to actually trying do some of these myself. It would not be possible otherwise. Your channel is a great find, so glad I ran into it. I'll make sure to follow all of your future videos !
Thanks so much! I look forward to seeing you around the channel. Feel free to drop a comment like this any time you have a question. I am usually able to respond within a few days.
This is tremendously helpful! I happen to have a large collection of brass letterpress type--I'm wondering now if I could jury-rig a system to use that type to do heat foil into leather. I've certainly had an easier time finding old fonts secondhand than I have with leatherworking or bookbinding tools. Hmm...experiments necessary!
You're one step ahead of me, it seems! I've been eyeing old brass letterpress type sets for a while now and wondering how I could build my own typesetting tool to fit them. If you crack the code on it, send me an email or another comment and I'd be happy to feature your discoveries!
@@ingeniusdesigns Tried it and it worked! I put together a quick tiktok video of the tests. I can link it. Still figuring out a setting tool but the letters themselves work fine.
@@ingeniusdesigns i totally understand. Yesterday i watched the series starship enterprise and a lot speak like you. With the same color, melodie and rhythm.
You are very enthusiastic and patient, that's fantastic! A little hack, if you don't mind. At the beginning of the video, you are tasting a gold leaf. It is too thick, try to find a very thin one. Good luck!
Thanks for the feedback and the tip! I've tried a few different types of gold leaf and that does seem to make some difference. Since making the video I've found that the type of leather may make a difference when using conventional gold leaf as well.
I would love some tips on which technology would be the best for the gold vinyl design. I have no idea where to start looking for something like that or the backend/workflow of designing the covers. I'm getting ready to bind my first novel, and it just so happens to be the 1st novel I've written. These leather-bound versions will be for my family members 🙏
If you want to use vinyl for your art, I would recommend checking out the rest of the bookbinding playlist on my channel, since that is my main cover art technique, and you might be able to find some good information in my other videos. I'm always here if you have specific questions too! Thanks for watching!
Nice video! I wonder if you could make a video showing how the vinyl heat thing works. I really like this idea and id like to maybe invest on it :D Keep the awesome job!
Thanks! I would recommend starting with my original two bookbinding tutorials (the second one especially demonstrates how the vinyl is applied), and my cover design video. I'll link the videos here: th-cam.com/video/bhaZ4znFvww/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/cpJSAsGUbg0/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=IngeniusDesigns th-cam.com/video/PeyBeHvlY_Y/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=IngeniusDesigns There are a lot of videos out there on how to use vinyl cutters and their software, so I felt like it would be redundant for me to get into the nitty gritty on those topics, but if you have any questions you can always reach me here in the comments section. Hope you try out this new hobby! It's a lot of fun!
@@ingeniusdesigns makes total sense. Thank you for the tips. I’ve doing some bindings for some time, but never had the courage to try leather yet. Always thinking: „ok let me improve this and that first”. I think now is the time. Your videos inspired me :D I will research about the cutters and try getting one after I do my first binding in leather. Thx for the reply and keep the awesome work!
So glad the videos helped your confidence! There's a learning curve as with any new hobby, but if you've bound books before then I bet it will work out great for you!
Hey brother thank u for sharing your knowledge/experience; something a lot of people this day in time charge to do Orrrr show a semi perfect leather product and say it’s their first one 🤨lol. Question tho bud if you don’t mind … DID YOU MAKE ANY OF YOUR TOOLS BY HAND. (As far as engraving the design?) or order/have it made elsewhere ? I’d appreciate any feedback but I appreciate your time and effort either way. God bless take care
I haven't made any of the stamps that I use for books by hand, although I have toyed around with making my own stamps for other purposes. For books, so far I have just purchased pre-made stamps. It's pricier, but if you really want a custom design then there are many people on Etsy with CNC mills who can make brass stamps to your specifications. I've done that before. If you want to buy pre-made stamps, you can find some of my favorites here: www.amazon.com/shop/ingenius.designs/list/233P5W8TCIZEP?ref_=aipsflist_aipsfingenius.designs
Ok followed all your advice and have overcome the vast majority of of the problems/obstacles that I was previously plagued by in foiling leather. Smooth leather comes out beautifully, and am getting very professional looking results. However, I am back to square one with textured leather. I have some pretty heavily textured leather that I am not having any success with. Any thoughts/tips? Thanks for the info.
Ooh...that's tricky. A leather grain with deep grooves would be very challenging for this technique. I've gotten reasonable success with mildly textured leather so long as I use enough pressure, but I haven't experimented much with more difficult textures. I don't want to shoot from the hip and give you advice that I haven't tried myself, but if I face the same challenges as you in the future and find a way to overcome them I'll put it in a video! I'm so glad at least the problem solving in this first video was able to help with the smoother leathers!
Looks like the item isn't available on Ali Express, but here's an old link to it, which may at least tell you what it's called! www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832836458796.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.10.2e5f1802AXFSLz&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt&_randl_shipto=US
Wow, what a great video! Although this is about proper gold tooling, do you know if this gold foil could be applied directly to a book via a laser engraver?
I'm not familiar with any technique for applying foil with a laser engraver, although you could certainly etch the cover that way and get dark burned designs, which could look cool.
@@ingeniusdesigns thanks for the reply. I figured as much. Still, your videos are super inspiring and my braining swirling with so many potential projects based off the stuff you're doing!
The big ones were 1/2 inch and the little ones were 1/4 inch. I just added the products to my Amazon storefront for your convenience: www.amazon.com/shop/ingenius.designs/list/233P5W8TCIZEP?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_aipsfingenius.designs_XYM0PTCRYSX396FG5N98
Do you think it’s possible to restore gold embossing (on a professional leather bound book) that’s been rubbed off because of use/handling? I’m exceedingly curious about this.
Yes, it's possible, but I would use a different technique than what I have demonstrated in this video. Do do what you're recommending I would paint the areas that have rubbed off with gilding size or tacky glue and then put gold leaf on the area. It will stick only where the gilding size has been applied.
Hoping you may have some advice. I bought some letter stamps very similar to the ones you used and placed them on a hot plate. Within 45 seconds, one of the stamps was melting on the hot plate. With the stamps I used in time, this method did work and looked great, but now I'm going to have to buy another set of stamps. I have managed to find the exact set of 3mm letter stamps you used in the video ('chrome-plated'), whereas the ones I used were (allegedly) alloy steel, but now I'm wondering if the amazon listing was inaccurate, as the melting point for alloy steel is far beyond what a typical hot plate can produce. You mention in a comment below that you experience warping of one letter set. Was that the RealLeather set (3mm) or the larger set? Tandy Leather also has a set, though not in my preferred font. I'm wondering how much use I can get out of the RealLeather set, if they are also warping after use.
This is an excellent question, and I think I'm going to address it in a future video. I haven't had any stamps outright melt like you have. If your stamp melted then I think it must have been make of pewter, tin, zamak, or some other low-temperature alloy. What I have experienced is a sort of bubbling of the metal in the part of the stamp that receives the handle. This deforms the receptacle so that the handle no longer fits. I have now had it happen with a couple of letters both in my big and small sets. Those are SUPPOSED to be brass and steel, which should not be melting at such low temperatures, and the fact that it only happens on a couple of letters per set makes me think that it is not actually the stamp melting. What I think is going on is that there is a casting flaw where a little pocket of air is trapped inside some of the stamps, and as I heat them over a long period of time (hours) the metal becomes ductile enough to allow the force of the expanding air bubble to gradually deform it. That's my working theory anyway. In any case, the letter part of the stamp is still useable, so I just shove some toothpicks in the receiving end (like shims) when I want to use the letters, and use that as a makeshift handle. The lettering is definitely part of this process that I want to perfect more.
@@ingeniusdesigns Yes, I had the bubbling as well, but there was melting on the letter in addition to the part of the stamp where the handle goes in. My tactic will be to find the lowest possible temperature/time-on-plate combo that still works. I like your theory, though.
HTV is sold in many places. I use the Siser brand Easy Weed HTV, which is available from Michaels Crafts, Walmart, and Heat Transfer Warehouse, among others. www.heattransferwarehouse.com/siser-easyweed-htv/?gclid=CjwKCAjw5MOlBhBTEiwAAJ8e1jXaEnzcZJb2nlwLrLP9VBk1uyohobB5VdAvW_zMEQs0qZBW4aqj_RoCi24QAvD_BwE
Hey, I love your work. Would you be interested in making a custom green leather desk mat with a gold foil embossed border and initials? How would I get in touch with you to commission such a thing?
Hello so I’ve been trying my hand at hot foil stamping without success so far. I had a large brass custom stamp made with a handle and also tried a roller. The result is very patchy and the middle of the large stamp isn’t leaving any gold behind even though it’s making contact. I’ve played with the heat a little and how long and how hard I’m pressing, but still patchy. Any suggestions??? Is it possibly the hot foil? I got it from Amazon. It was cheap but had the “overall pick” tag on it.
Will heat transfer vinyl hold up with greater usage. I'm thinking of putting a new leather hard-cover on my Alcoholics Anonymous book. I sponsor people in the program and use the book once or twice a week. My last book lasted about five years. Also what kind of leather holds it the best? BTW great videos!!!
That's a great question. I have mostly used the heat transfer vinyl on books which see less usage, but it survives the books being read from cover to cover just fine, and I've shoved them in backpacks on a few occasions without damage. That being said, I imagine if I put them in a backpack day after day, the constant rubbing might cause problems. As for leather, I don't have a solid answer for the most rugged binding under all conditions, but I address the pros and cons of different types of leather in a couple other videos. Maybe they will help you make a decision. th-cam.com/video/AUFqyFz6bhw/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/uTfpjsR5Lbw/w-d-xo.html
To mask the corners I actually didn't use tape at all, I used scraps of the clear backing that comes off sheets of heat transfer vinyl. I have a lot of that on hand because I decorate most of my books with vinyl.
I know that some cloth-bound books have gilded lettering, however cloth doesn't hold a stamped indentation like leather does, so if you wanted the engraved texture then you would need to use enough pressure to press into the chipboard underneath. I haven't tried it myself yet, but I encourage you to experiment!
It depends on how much bookbinding you want to do, and how important variety is to you. If you only want to make a few, similar books, then the hand stamping is cheaper. The hot stamping foil is less expensive than vinyl, and everything I used on this project came out to around a hundred dollars (as opposed to potentially spending $200-300 for a vinyl cutter, plus the cost of vinyl). That price could also be decreased by using less stamps. I used two border stamps, one embossing wheel, an embossing wheel holder, and two sets of letters on this project. If you wanted a simpler design you could use only one set of letters and one stamp and still get decent results for only around $50-60 total. On the other hand, if you want to make many books, especially if you'd like them to all be completely different one from another, then buying more and more stamps would eventually outstrip the price of the vinyl cutter, making vinyl the more cost effective option. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much; that's super nice of you. So far I haven't done this hobby in any commercial way yet, but if that changes in the future I'll be sure to notify the channel. In the meantime I hope the tutorials can help you try it yourself!
Im using hot foil pen $16, and I have so much letter stencils with different size letters and different fonts, and stencils that have ornate designs. The stencils I get from Amazon and art stores they are very affordable and I have so much stencils with thousands of different designs for book designing. This is just until I can afford the tools and the machine you have. But it does still look Store brought. It doesn’t look like I made them. So hot foil pen, gold foil paper, and stencils. There are Stencil that comes with a lot in 1 pack for $10.
Nice! I have a foil quill pen, and I did fool around with it when trying to develop this technique, but it never occurred to me to use stencils! That's brilliant! Would you mind if I mentioned that idea in a future video (attributed to you, of course)?
Good morning, I stumbled across your channel, because my pocket is not big enough to buy the great works of history, soon I will do like you, it really is authentic art. At the end of this year I will get to it, I have seen other techniques on the internet. One thing that I have been able to observe that may help you is the finishing of the corners, you cut it straight, but it seems that it gives better results if the cut is not straight and has this shape (somewhat more open than in the symbol)< Greetings and thank you very much By the way, could you make a video of the program you use for your laser tool or do you have any recommendations? I would like to start there
Thanks for the feedback! I have been trying to improve my corners, but I haven't tried something like that yet. I'll give it a go on a future project! I use Adobe Illustrator to make my designs and when I design with vinyl I use a Cricut Maker (although any other vinyl cutter would work too). I have more details about the process in other videos on my channel, but you may have already seen those. Let me know if you have any more questions I can answer, and good luck starting this fun and rewarding hobby!
@@ingeniusdesigns Could you recommend me some video to use both programs? Or which machine do you recommend buying? Greetings and thank you very much, your videos are very inspiring
Let this man live forever and be happy
Thanks so much for the well wishes! I wish all bookbinding success and happiness on you too!
Dude, you've seen me commenting on three videos already, but as a video editor and graphic designer I'm just impressed of how genuine your editing and design is. You truly have an eye for detail and know how to express yourself in a pure yet functional and illustrative way, withouth having to add any flashy transitions/green screen/etc. I would take this style of editing over the modern, most popular editing style there's on TH-cam right now anyday.Thank you so much for this videos man. Makes sense you're a good with gold tooling, since your whole channel is gold itself.
Thanks so much! I am teaching myself editing as I go, so since you kindly binged my videos I'm sure your trained eye has picked up on my gradual learning process with animations, lower thirds, etc. It's really gratifying to hear that you like the editing style, since the overall production value is one thing I'm still not entirely confident in.
@@ingeniusdesigns Yeah really impressed
I didn't think about that till you pointed it out, but yes, the presentation is second to none. Just a passionate and skilled craftsman sharing his love for books with us.
You're the King. The king of all the beginner book binding tutorials. No contest even. It's just you and then all the others.
Thank you so much. Your many kind comments mean a lot to me.
Tip for avoiding damaging your material with the alcohol wipes! -> try just getting a liquid version and use toothpicks dipped in it to gently etch off the excess.
A less broad application will keep damage minimal to nonexistent.
Other methods to remove foil bleeds can also include taking a piece of basic scotch tape and gently running it across the design to "tacky" it off. And sometimes just slightly coarse texture cloth can be enough to rub off the excess.
Worked in a bookstore for about six years where we did name imprinting with presses and these exact heat foils. These methods saved my life *many* times! 😂
Also note, the softer your leather the more problematic heat press foils will be - i.e. calf skin leather is nearly impossible to imprint without severe bleeding of the design (if it takes at all) and it's a lot easier to accidentally burn too deep through the leather. Also the type of leather/material used will vary the amount of pressure required to get an imprint to take.
I'd advise always doing a test run on scrap of the same material (like shown in this video). Not all leathers are alike and heat foils react differently to the range of faux leather, bonded, leather-like, and genuine. Also test out the tape and alcohol hacks on these material scraps because on some they work, others they'll either just smudge it, take off the foil altogether, or worse pull off/eat through a layer of the leather!
Love the way this video helps make this method more accessible to others! The cost of the heat press machines is no joke! 😅
Thank you so much for your advice! I tried some of your tips recently and they worked great! With your permission, I'd love to include some of this information in a future video (citing you, of course).
@@ingeniusdesigns Absolutely! Always happy to pass along info to help others 😄
This is what makes youtube awesome! Someone does an interesting video on how to do a project. Someone else add value to the video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
@@jasonwojcik Always happy to help where I can! 🥰
I know this is an older video, but I wanted to reach out and thank you for posting this; as someone who is just venturing into customizing my own book bindings, your honesty and inclusion of mistakes gives me confidence to keep at this.
Thank you so much. Feedback like yours has caused me to change my video style to show a lot more of my failures and how I work through them. Thank you for making a difference in my content!
Never thought a book binding video could be education and funny. Good job!!
Thanks so much! I'm so glad the humor worked for you and didn't distract from the education too much. Good luck with your own bookbinding projects!
I was looking for information on how to do this traditional style gold tooling for a reasonable budget and for a total novice. Having just finished your video I’m actually laughing quietly to myself at how helpful and informative this single video has been, and how I now know precisely what equipment and supplies I need. Thank you!
Thank you so much! I'm so glad this video really hit the spot for you. I've been experimenting more with this technique and have some more tips to offer, so I appreciate you subscribing! See you around the channel!
I'm a new bookbinder and your videos are a HUGE help! You also give me cheap options that most binders don't. Also, I enjoy your enthusiasm and charisma.
Also, I am in love with how you LOTR books match in size.
Thanks! It was a challenge to find high quality illustrated editions for my Tolkien books that were all the same height. The middle book actually isn't as deep as the other two, but because it's the same height you can't tell unless you take them off the shelf and look at them side by side.
3d resin printer (mine cost $220) + high temp uv resin ($60) + 3d modeling software (many free options) = unlimited stamps. High temp resin can withstand temps up to 160c (320f) so care would need to be taken to heat a resin stamp to the correct range ... luckily a flat iron would do the trick. Because it is used on hair it doesn't get too hot and higher end models include a digital readout of its temperature.
Oooh, I like that idea. I have a resin 3D printer and 3D modeling software already, but I hadn't thought about trying to make stamps out of high temperature resin. I wonder if I could make a set of letters and a type setter? Maybe it would get too deformed by the repeated heating, but you never know until you try!
Your videos are so comprehensive and so pleasant and entertaining!!!! You're amazing+!!!!!!!
Thanks so much for your kind words! I'm so glad you're enjoying the videos. I hope to have another one out soon!
Amazing information. You have saved many hours of frustration and opened the door for many others to make something incredible. Thank you.
I'm glad my hours of frustration could help you learn from my mistakes! You are most welcome.
amazing!
i am genuinly so glad that you keep in mistakes in your video and go through them as a learning experience because often its always perfect on the first go with other peoples projects as if youre supposed to be an expert right away. its encouraging to see this approach and refreshing honestly
you did a great job!
Thank you so much for your genuine kindness! When I started making tutorials I only did things I was already very practiced with, and some people responded, "I bet that's a lot harder than you make it seem." That feedback has really stuck with me so since then I've tried to suck it up more and let others see and laugh at my mistakes along with me. Hopefully that way we can all learn together!
I'm so glad you started this channel! You're videos are some of the most straightforward I've seen. I don't put any books out because I don't like the way modern covers look. I think I'm definitely going to play around with both vinyl decals and traditional techniques you've shown. I can't wait to see what other videos you come up with!
Wow, thanks so much! I agree with you. A shelf full of modern covers just looks messy and noisy to me. I'm really happy to hear that you're going to try these things out yourself! I only put out videos about once a month, but hopefully the future films will be helpful to you too!
Which clear coat do you used when finished the gold works?
I’ve watched a couple of your videos so far and i just wanna say a massive thank you for having accurate subtitles! Also, book looks great!
Thanks! Auto-generated subtitles bug me too, so I've been trying to avoid them in my recent videos.
Subscribed! This is very informative and fun to watch. Show the mistakes, one can only learn from it.
Thanks! The positive reception to mistakes shown in this video has changed my style of content going forward so I appreciate you weighing in and letting me know it was helpful to you.
This is one of the most helpful videos I’ve ever seen on my 12 rebinding journey. Awesome!
Thanks so much! I'm very pleased that my journey could help you in yours!
I can’t tell you how grateful I am for this video. It took me a very very long time to find this video. Ive been trying to figure out a way to heat metal design pieces to use with gold foil since 2 years. Never knew the solution was $18 away.
I'm sorry it took 2 years to find but I'm so glad the video could be so helpful to you. Good luck with your projects!!
Your channel is a precious gem to be discovered !
Thanks so much! I'm so glad you're enjoying it!
Your end product looks like a joy to read, hold, and to behold!!!
Thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoyed it, and I definitely love how this book turned out :)
Great job and exactly the video I was looking for
Thanks so much!
This video is sooo useful on top of being humorous, thanks a lot for sharing !!
So glad you got a lot out of it! The humor makes it more fun for me to make too. Hope you try this new hobby some time!
Wow, I was surprised to learn that Schmedt is not the only one, supreme emperor of bookbinding brass stamps.
Hear hear! Ere long the empire shall topple!
Can you have fun watching bookbinding tutorials ? Turns out that yes, you can
I am just in the planning part for a project that who knows when -or if- I will do but I am enjoying your videos
Thank you so much! My enjoyment of the video making process is directly proportional to the number of gags I can put in! XD
Thanks! Very helpfull! Do be carefull when heating those stamps though, and make sure none of them are galvanized, as heating them could release toxic fumes. Stay safe!
Thanks for the tip about the galvanization!
I've just come across your videos and binge watched all the book-related ones. May I say you got me fond of this art within minutes of listening to you, though I would have been listening for days!
Also, you inspire such peace and joy, that just your videos are kind of therapeutic themselves!
Congrats for your work, keep it up and thank you so much for sharing your hard-earned knowledge with us! ❤
Wow. I've been watching bookbinding videos for three years and have nevr seen one as thoughtful and practical as yours! Thanks a lot!
Thank you--that is such high praise! I'm just trying to make the tutorials that I wish I'd had when I started.
@@ingeniusdesigns Hi! Have you ever had an issue with the stamping foil turning green after awhile? Like two weeks later. Cause I stamped a leather book and that happened. Not sure why mine did it not but not every leather book that gets stamped
When presented with a conundrum my goto is TH-cam, never have a struck such a rich vein of information on the first click. Thank you so much you have answered so many questions and cemented some ideas. Thank you muchly sir .
Thank you so much. That is high praise indeed! Your questions must have been the same as mine on this topic, because I mostly just try to make the videos that I wish I could have found earlier!
Nice job explaining the difference between leatherworking & bookbinding tools. It's something every new bookbinder may struggle with when getting into traditional hand tooling. I sure did, but happy I finally settled on quality (albeit expensive) bookbinding tools. Great to see your appreciation for the traditional approach and creativity in your vinyl designs as well 😀
Thanks for the positivity! Proper bookbinding tools are my ideal too, and I didn't want them to be unrepresented, which is why I shelled out to get one that I could feature in the beginning. I keep my eye on Ebay for when other tools become available at an affordable price. As with most of my hobbies, I will likely grow my tool collection with time, but for now I'm just happy to know that the threshold to start doesn't have to be too intimidating!
Just what I needed, thank you for the information, now I only need those weeks of practice!
So glad to hear this hit home for you! Good luck with your first project!
THANK YOU!!! I needed a one-off prop book, and didn't want to spend a fortune on bookbinding equipment. I figured there must be a way to use my cold-stamping tools to hot stamp, but the particulars eluded me--especially how to gauge the right temperature, and how NOT to burn my fingers with the metal handles!
I'm glad this hit the spot for you. Hopefully your prop book will be a smashing success and your poor fingers will be saved from frying!
You're the only one who's answered my questions. Subbed.
I'm so glad this video filled a need you had! That's exactly why I made it. Thanks for the subscription too!
This is the first time I’ve come across your page and it has been an absolute delight. As a book binder beginner this video gave me so much info and helped so much in the questions I had. Thank you for being so generous and showing us your process as well as your mistakes and discoveries 😊
You're very welcome! Welcome to the channel! My videos come out slowly but surely, but I hope I'll be able to keep addressing your future questions.
Hi. I enjoyed this video very much, i want to do one.
I am a stencilist, i have found when i do a pattern around an area that i have better ending results when i start in the center and work towards the corners, so in this case the pattern ends the same at the corners.
Thanks for the tip! I like that idea for improved symmetry. That way I wouldn't stress about mathematical perfection in my designs. Would you mind if I mention your advice in a future video?
Thank you so much for sharing your goofs on video, it makes me feel less insecure about mistakes happening in my attempts as well
And thank YOU for being so nice about my goofs! I used to think that I had to be perfect at things before I would be worthy to put them on TH-cam, but comments like yours have changed my mind!
I am new to business and really like your work. Grateful indeed 🎉 for such an excellent video.
It’s amazing how many ways to use these tools, I’m so impressed !! Thank you for your work and your amazing talents !! You’re the best ❤️
I'm so glad you enjoyed! It was quite and adventure and a learning process, and I hope to get better as time goes on. Thank you for all the support along the way!
your videos are amazing ! thank you for all the tips and also for walking us thru all possible mistakes and how to fix them ! not many people do this and I highly appreciated it, not to mention it was fun to watch you learn with us.
My pleasure! And for my part I appreciate your kindness in seeing my mistakes as a positive!
I appreciate that you left in your "mistakes" and showed how you dealt with them. This helps me as a new foil stamper. I saw you used a finish at the end. Do you find that it helps keep the stamping in place too?
Excellent question. I imagine it would help, but I haven't done any experimenting with and without the finish/sealer to know for sure.
I'm giving it one thumb's up, because I cannot give 10 of them. Thank you for the excellent video.
Thanks so much! I'm glad you're not "all thumbs" though, since that would make it difficult to try this yourself! ;)
Today I found out about book binding, you make gold inlay look so easy, you got a new sub.
Thanks so much! It did take some practice, but it wasn't impossible, so I encourage you to try it out yourself!
Great video - really clear instruction and no faffin about - excellent
thankyou 💐🖖
Thanks! I dare say I add plenty of "faffin" with my jokes, but I'm glad it doesn't come off that way.
@@ingeniusdesigns jokes can make a mole hill of a mountain ! 😊 -
By faff i mean the great deflator - the banal heaped on the pointless
- the vids that start with 20 minutes of
" Oh, i just have to tell you about this amazing hack my granny used. ( violin track, tea, cake, dear dog story ) So i hunted some down..... It's actually called string. It's not too thick..... not too thin 😯...
just so easy to tie around things 🤤 - here are some examples of how you can use string 😢 to tie around things
( 10 mins later ).... don't be afraid to tie different things by yourself 😴
Now, i'm not quite sure how long it is ... i suppose i should measure it for you 😭 ...---...
Truly unto you i extend my heartfelt gratitude, admiration and respect !!
Wow, I learned so much from this video. Creating templates is a great idea. And alcohol. I’m going to practice with that one.
Yeah, practice is required for sure, but I'm so glad you feel enabled to try it yourself. Good luck!!
bro you're actually saving my life, I'm working on a TV show and I need to learn bookbinding and foil stamping stat!
No way!!! So glad to be here in your hour of need! I'm just a beginner at it, but I'll be happy to answer any questions that I can. What's the show?
@@ingeniusdesigns I'll let you know in a year or so :D
Bro, i love you. I appreciate your love for books.
Sounds like you are a fellow bibliophile! I hope these videos can help you show it by fancifying your favorite editions!
@@ingeniusdesigns yes. Literally if I could make a living binding books, I'd love that. I plan to use your videos to bind some of my favorite modern books then hopefully books I've written myself. Thank you for sharing this information.
Wow. I had no idea there was such a thick book on osteology of reptiles alone.
Yeah it's a paleontology classic! If I weren't a former paleontologist I wouldn't have known about it either though!
I was randomly searching "how to use gold foil on a leather book" because I have a large somewhat torn photo album with a similar curved spine and golden foil on top and I wondered if I could try to repurpose it into something better. I've only seen this one video from this channel and I never subscribed a person so fast in my life. This was very easy for me to follow along and it was very entertaining that it actually kept me hooked til the end. Well done! I may watch more of your videos to hopefully someday if I have the coin to actually attempt something similar to this! Thank ye, matey! 🦇
Thank you so much for your kind words. They really warm my heart! I'm so glad you enjoyed not only the topic, but the way it was presented, because I'm trying to become a better video editor.
@@ingeniusdesigns Well ye're definitely off to a great start, matey! Not only was this educational, but it was very amusing and enjoyable to stay hooked in instead of the usual professional slow tutorials ye would normally come across. Yer video was very unique, easy to follow and fun throughout and I hope to see more of 'em when I get the chance. Spring be practically 'ere bein' a fresh start and wishin' ye all the best throughout the year! Ye got this! (Forgive the pirate dialect, been doin' it for about a decade now. 😆)
Respect for your work! 💪
Thanks so much! I'm a noob, but I'm happy if my experiences were helpful for you!
Practice makes perfect
Too true. In this video I tried not to sugarcoat the fact that this was my first time and there's definitely trial and error involved. But nobody should give up because "perfect" is a possibility with enough practice!
I appriciate your efforts on these videos! Keep it up please, I love it super helpful!
Thanks so much! I really appreciate the positive feedback!
Thank you for sharing this with us very informative
Thanks! It was a fun project. I've experimented more since then, so more tips and tricks to come!
dude...your books are awesome!!
Thank you so much! I'm so glad they meet with your approval and I hope you can try to make some of your own!
Really loved this video !!!!!!!! Thank you
You're very welcome and thank you for subscribing!
Amazing video man and what a beautiful book. I’m just dipping my toes in to book binding and I aspire to make something as special as you have here. Nicely done
Thank you so much! This book was such an experiment and I made my fair share of mistakes. I really appreciate your support and hope things work out for you too!
Another great video - thank you!
Thanks for watching! I really appreciate the feedback.
Working on a project of my own and wondering what brand of clear coat you use?
Nice job! Beautifully done!
Thanks so much! I really appreciate the support. It was a really fun project.
This was amazingly helpful, thank you.
So glad this came in handy for you. I'll try to put out more on this topic.
@@ingeniusdesigns Please do, I think you underestimate how much your videos help us. Thank you so much
Awesome channel!
Thanks so much! Welcome aboard!
Cool! Lots of useful stuff. 👍
Thanks! I really appreciate the positive feedback!
If the lettering is cheaper to buy using leather stamps. Get two sets. So, you'll heat the letter "T" up and press it. Now get the "T" from the other set (which is obviously cold). Rest that in the completed "T" indentation. Place your next hot letter. This should give you more accurate spacing. I'm a complete novice with leather crafting. It's just something I worked out for myself. I came here for help with leafing leather. I was not disappointed. The fact you show the good, and, bad gives me hope in my attempts. Thank you.
Interesting thought. I have continued to experiment with this technique and have learned a lot from comments like yours! More updates on things I've learned are coming in future videos, so I hope you'll stick around the channel!
So Cool
Thank you! It was such fun to try!
This was very helpful thanks!
So glad it came in handy for you!
This is soooo cool!!! I've been looking up for videos of how to start book binding (i still haven't done any lol), one day i'll use this video as a reference for my work!! Hehehe
So glad you enjoyed the video. Hopefully I can help you speedrun the trial and error process. You should go ahead and try bookbinding soon; it might seem intimidating to start, but it's not as hard as it seems!
This was so much fun! I might try this!
I sure hope you do! I'd love to hear how it turns out!
Well done. Very helpful thankyou. 😊
You're very welcome. Welcome to the channel!
Шикарно сделано! Ты молодец! Очень интересное видео! И очень позновательное!
Спасибо! Я так рада, что тебе понравилось!
Amazing
Thanks! Especially since it was my first time trying this technique, I really appreciate the positive feedback!
Great, GREAT VIDEO!!!
Thank you so so much! I'm glad my creative experiments were valuable to you!
I think it is beautiful. The Chinese purposely make one imperfection in the art that is made. Why? To humble perfectionism and honor the human hand. 😊
Thank you, your kind words mean a lot to me. My art has far more than one imperfection, so I guess I'm well on my way!
Thank you so much for such beautifully made videos, a real treasure for beginners like me. I've always been fascinated by the beauty and "power" of books as both art objects and troves of knowledge and your idea to "upgrade" their look to match the "classic" tradition of bygone eras is just fantastic. I have a couple of questions: First, is it possible/reasonable to skip the foil part and just inlay the leather and then paint the bottom of the recessed areas with metallic leather paint? Second, have you experimented with processes to age leather and create more "antique" looks?
Yes, it is completely possible to do what you're suggesting. In fact, that is very close to one of the traditional methods of book finishing. One school of book finishing (English or French, I can't remember which off the top of my head) advocates for painting the entire cover in glaire, then covering it all in foil, hot stamping, and removing all the foil and glaire from the areas not stamped/heated. This is similar to what I'm doing in this video with my hot stamping foil, except that I don't need to use glaire. It is called "blind finishing" because you can't see the leather under the foil while you're tooling it.
The other traditional method (which is similar to what you're proposing) is to first hot tool the designs without any foil, then paint the glaire only inside the designs and go back over them with foil and stamps a second time. This method is much more tedious, as your work time increases by at least 300%, but you have the advantage of getting to see the designs as you tool them.
I have not yet experimented with antiquing a book, but I've done plenty of antiquing on other leathercraft projects. If you want to carve designs into the leather then you will need to use vegetable tanned leather. Chrome tanned leather (90% of what you can buy out there) can be tooled with heat, allowing you to stamp designs into it, but it won't allow for the kind of detailed design carving that you may have seen on things like saddles, wallets, knife sheaths, etc. If you start with a light colored leather and then antique it, you can get dark stain to settle primarily in the recessed areas of your design. This will work on a book, although bookbinding leather is so thin that your carving relief will necessarily be very shallow.
Sorry if that was way more in-depth than you wanted, but I hope something in my ramble helps! I do have some more ideas for how to hack leathercraft for faster, fancier bookbinding, so maybe after I experiment a little more a future video will be able to address your questions better!
@@ingeniusdesigns Thank you so much for taking the time to share this wealth of information!! So much appreciated! These bits of advice and knowledge make all the difference for people like me, to go from mere admirers of experts' work to actually trying do some of these myself. It would not be possible otherwise. Your channel is a great find, so glad I ran into it. I'll make sure to follow all of your future videos !
Thanks so much! I look forward to seeing you around the channel. Feel free to drop a comment like this any time you have a question. I am usually able to respond within a few days.
This is tremendously helpful! I happen to have a large collection of brass letterpress type--I'm wondering now if I could jury-rig a system to use that type to do heat foil into leather. I've certainly had an easier time finding old fonts secondhand than I have with leatherworking or bookbinding tools. Hmm...experiments necessary!
You're one step ahead of me, it seems! I've been eyeing old brass letterpress type sets for a while now and wondering how I could build my own typesetting tool to fit them. If you crack the code on it, send me an email or another comment and I'd be happy to feature your discoveries!
@@ingeniusdesigns Tried it and it worked! I put together a quick tiktok video of the tests. I can link it. Still figuring out a setting tool but the letters themselves work fine.
Wonderful work. By the way, your voice sounds like people from the 1960s. Really cool.😊
Thanks! Everyone hates hearing their own voice on camera, so I'm glad to hear it doesn't sound as grating to everyone as it does to me!
@@ingeniusdesigns i totally understand. Yesterday i watched the series starship enterprise and a lot speak like you. With the same color, melodie and rhythm.
You are very enthusiastic and patient, that's fantastic! A little hack, if you don't mind. At the beginning of the video, you are tasting a gold leaf. It is too thick, try to find a very thin one. Good luck!
Thanks for the feedback and the tip! I've tried a few different types of gold leaf and that does seem to make some difference. Since making the video I've found that the type of leather may make a difference when using conventional gold leaf as well.
Loved this video. Great job!
Thanks so much; you're too kind. It was a lot of fun!
Thanks bro
You're certainly welcome. Thanks for watching!
I would love some tips on which technology would be the best for the gold vinyl design. I have no idea where to start looking for something like that or the backend/workflow of designing the covers. I'm getting ready to bind my first novel, and it just so happens to be the 1st novel I've written. These leather-bound versions will be for my family members 🙏
If you want to use vinyl for your art, I would recommend checking out the rest of the bookbinding playlist on my channel, since that is my main cover art technique, and you might be able to find some good information in my other videos. I'm always here if you have specific questions too! Thanks for watching!
Nice video! I wonder if you could make a video showing how the vinyl heat thing works. I really like this idea and id like to maybe invest on it :D
Keep the awesome job!
Thanks! I would recommend starting with my original two bookbinding tutorials (the second one especially demonstrates how the vinyl is applied), and my cover design video. I'll link the videos here:
th-cam.com/video/bhaZ4znFvww/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/cpJSAsGUbg0/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=IngeniusDesigns
th-cam.com/video/PeyBeHvlY_Y/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=IngeniusDesigns
There are a lot of videos out there on how to use vinyl cutters and their software, so I felt like it would be redundant for me to get into the nitty gritty on those topics, but if you have any questions you can always reach me here in the comments section. Hope you try out this new hobby! It's a lot of fun!
@@ingeniusdesigns makes total sense.
Thank you for the tips. I’ve doing some bindings for some time, but never had the courage to try leather yet. Always thinking: „ok let me improve this and that first”. I think now is the time. Your videos inspired me :D
I will research about the cutters and try getting one after I do my first binding in leather. Thx for the reply and keep the awesome work!
So glad the videos helped your confidence! There's a learning curve as with any new hobby, but if you've bound books before then I bet it will work out great for you!
great video! very useful information.
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed!
-thank you!
It's my pleasure; I'm glad you enjoyed!
Hey brother thank u for sharing your knowledge/experience; something a lot of people this day in time charge to do Orrrr show a semi perfect leather product and say it’s their first one 🤨lol. Question tho bud if you don’t mind … DID YOU MAKE ANY OF YOUR TOOLS BY HAND. (As far as engraving the design?) or order/have it made elsewhere ? I’d appreciate any feedback but I appreciate your time and effort either way. God bless take care
I haven't made any of the stamps that I use for books by hand, although I have toyed around with making my own stamps for other purposes. For books, so far I have just purchased pre-made stamps. It's pricier, but if you really want a custom design then there are many people on Etsy with CNC mills who can make brass stamps to your specifications. I've done that before. If you want to buy pre-made stamps, you can find some of my favorites here:
www.amazon.com/shop/ingenius.designs/list/233P5W8TCIZEP?ref_=aipsflist_aipsfingenius.designs
Ok followed all your advice and have overcome the vast majority of of the problems/obstacles that I was previously plagued by in foiling leather. Smooth leather comes out beautifully, and am getting very professional looking results. However, I am back to square one with textured leather. I have some pretty heavily textured leather that I am not having any success with. Any thoughts/tips? Thanks for the info.
Ooh...that's tricky. A leather grain with deep grooves would be very challenging for this technique. I've gotten reasonable success with mildly textured leather so long as I use enough pressure, but I haven't experimented much with more difficult textures. I don't want to shoot from the hip and give you advice that I haven't tried myself, but if I face the same challenges as you in the future and find a way to overcome them I'll put it in a video! I'm so glad at least the problem solving in this first video was able to help with the smoother leathers!
where did you get that awesome 1760 Gold State Coach model in the background? Great & helpful video... Thanks!
Good eyes! I got that model kit from like Ali Express or something. I can send you the link if you want!
@@ingeniusdesigns only if you have it at the ready otherwise please don't inconvenience... I can dig around on the internet.
Looks like the item isn't available on Ali Express, but here's an old link to it, which may at least tell you what it's called!
www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832836458796.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.10.2e5f1802AXFSLz&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt&_randl_shipto=US
Wow, what a great video! Although this is about proper gold tooling, do you know if this gold foil could be applied directly to a book via a laser engraver?
I'm not familiar with any technique for applying foil with a laser engraver, although you could certainly etch the cover that way and get dark burned designs, which could look cool.
@@ingeniusdesigns thanks for the reply. I figured as much. Still, your videos are super inspiring and my braining swirling with so many potential projects based off the stuff you're doing!
Hi, very greate video and very helpfull. What are the size you use for the letter stamps?
The big ones were 1/2 inch and the little ones were 1/4 inch. I just added the products to my Amazon storefront for your convenience:
www.amazon.com/shop/ingenius.designs/list/233P5W8TCIZEP?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_aipsfingenius.designs_XYM0PTCRYSX396FG5N98
Do you think it’s possible to restore gold embossing (on a professional leather bound book) that’s been rubbed off because of use/handling?
I’m exceedingly curious about this.
Yes, it's possible, but I would use a different technique than what I have demonstrated in this video. Do do what you're recommending I would paint the areas that have rubbed off with gilding size or tacky glue and then put gold leaf on the area. It will stick only where the gilding size has been applied.
Hoping you may have some advice. I bought some letter stamps very similar to the ones you used and placed them on a hot plate. Within 45 seconds, one of the stamps was melting on the hot plate. With the stamps I used in time, this method did work and looked great, but now I'm going to have to buy another set of stamps. I have managed to find the exact set of 3mm letter stamps you used in the video ('chrome-plated'), whereas the ones I used were (allegedly) alloy steel, but now I'm wondering if the amazon listing was inaccurate, as the melting point for alloy steel is far beyond what a typical hot plate can produce.
You mention in a comment below that you experience warping of one letter set. Was that the RealLeather set (3mm) or the larger set? Tandy Leather also has a set, though not in my preferred font. I'm wondering how much use I can get out of the RealLeather set, if they are also warping after use.
This is an excellent question, and I think I'm going to address it in a future video. I haven't had any stamps outright melt like you have. If your stamp melted then I think it must have been make of pewter, tin, zamak, or some other low-temperature alloy. What I have experienced is a sort of bubbling of the metal in the part of the stamp that receives the handle. This deforms the receptacle so that the handle no longer fits. I have now had it happen with a couple of letters both in my big and small sets. Those are SUPPOSED to be brass and steel, which should not be melting at such low temperatures, and the fact that it only happens on a couple of letters per set makes me think that it is not actually the stamp melting. What I think is going on is that there is a casting flaw where a little pocket of air is trapped inside some of the stamps, and as I heat them over a long period of time (hours) the metal becomes ductile enough to allow the force of the expanding air bubble to gradually deform it. That's my working theory anyway. In any case, the letter part of the stamp is still useable, so I just shove some toothpicks in the receiving end (like shims) when I want to use the letters, and use that as a makeshift handle. The lettering is definitely part of this process that I want to perfect more.
@@ingeniusdesigns Yes, I had the bubbling as well, but there was melting on the letter in addition to the part of the stamp where the handle goes in. My tactic will be to find the lowest possible temperature/time-on-plate combo that still works. I like your theory, though.
I wonder if gold sizing will work for the gold leaf method if you want to be really fancy?
Yep, that should work just fine. It would be a bit more time consuming but would give you more artistic freedom!
Great Video! Thank for sharing. Where can I get HTV Transfer vinyl's from?
HTV is sold in many places. I use the Siser brand Easy Weed HTV, which is available from Michaels Crafts, Walmart, and Heat Transfer Warehouse, among others.
www.heattransferwarehouse.com/siser-easyweed-htv/?gclid=CjwKCAjw5MOlBhBTEiwAAJ8e1jXaEnzcZJb2nlwLrLP9VBk1uyohobB5VdAvW_zMEQs0qZBW4aqj_RoCi24QAvD_BwE
Hey, I love your work. Would you be interested in making a custom green leather desk mat with a gold foil embossed border and initials? How would I get in touch with you to commission such a thing?
That's a great question. Tell me more about what you're envisioning. Something like a large mousepad or more like a leather top for the entire desk?
Hello so I’ve been trying my hand at hot foil stamping without success so far. I had a large brass custom stamp made with a handle and also tried a roller. The result is very patchy and the middle of the large stamp isn’t leaving any gold behind even though it’s making contact. I’ve played with the heat a little and how long and how hard I’m pressing, but still patchy. Any suggestions??? Is it possibly the hot foil? I got it from Amazon. It was cheap but had the “overall pick” tag on it.
Will heat transfer vinyl hold up with greater usage. I'm thinking of putting a new leather hard-cover on my Alcoholics Anonymous book. I sponsor people in the program and use the book once or twice a week. My last book lasted about five years. Also what kind of leather holds it the best? BTW great videos!!!
That's a great question. I have mostly used the heat transfer vinyl on books which see less usage, but it survives the books being read from cover to cover just fine, and I've shoved them in backpacks on a few occasions without damage. That being said, I imagine if I put them in a backpack day after day, the constant rubbing might cause problems.
As for leather, I don't have a solid answer for the most rugged binding under all conditions, but I address the pros and cons of different types of leather in a couple other videos. Maybe they will help you make a decision.
th-cam.com/video/AUFqyFz6bhw/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/uTfpjsR5Lbw/w-d-xo.html
Great video. Which master tapes do you used for the corner. Thanks
To mask the corners I actually didn't use tape at all, I used scraps of the clear backing that comes off sheets of heat transfer vinyl. I have a lot of that on hand because I decorate most of my books with vinyl.
Could this be done on cloth fabric you used instead of leather for book binding
I know that some cloth-bound books have gilded lettering, however cloth doesn't hold a stamped indentation like leather does, so if you wanted the engraved texture then you would need to use enough pressure to press into the chipboard underneath. I haven't tried it myself yet, but I encourage you to experiment!
Do You think this technique could also work in thick paper?
Yep! Hot stamping foil and cardstock are a great combination!
Have you tried dying your own leather? I saw someone use an airbrush to get the right color and consistency.
I have dyed my own in the past, but I've never airbrushed color on before. Sounds interesting though!
With counting cost. Is it better to get vinyl printer or hand tools for stamping?
It depends on how much bookbinding you want to do, and how important variety is to you. If you only want to make a few, similar books, then the hand stamping is cheaper. The hot stamping foil is less expensive than vinyl, and everything I used on this project came out to around a hundred dollars (as opposed to potentially spending $200-300 for a vinyl cutter, plus the cost of vinyl). That price could also be decreased by using less stamps. I used two border stamps, one embossing wheel, an embossing wheel holder, and two sets of letters on this project. If you wanted a simpler design you could use only one set of letters and one stamp and still get decent results for only around $50-60 total.
On the other hand, if you want to make many books, especially if you'd like them to all be completely different one from another, then buying more and more stamps would eventually outstrip the price of the vinyl cutter, making vinyl the more cost effective option.
Hope that helps!
@@ingeniusdesigns it does thanks for the insight. Love your videos and can’t wait to start my own book binding journey.
My pleasure. I wish you luck with trying these things yourself. That makes this whole channel worth it!
Do you do custom covers like this with names or titles? Would love one from you
Thank you so much; that's super nice of you. So far I haven't done this hobby in any commercial way yet, but if that changes in the future I'll be sure to notify the channel. In the meantime I hope the tutorials can help you try it yourself!
Im using hot foil pen $16, and I have so much letter stencils with different size letters and different fonts, and stencils that have ornate designs. The stencils I get from Amazon and art stores they are very affordable and I have so much stencils with thousands of different designs for book designing. This is just until I can afford the tools and the machine you have. But it does still look Store brought. It doesn’t look like I made them. So hot foil pen, gold foil paper, and stencils. There are Stencil that comes with a lot in 1 pack for $10.
Nice! I have a foil quill pen, and I did fool around with it when trying to develop this technique, but it never occurred to me to use stencils! That's brilliant! Would you mind if I mentioned that idea in a future video (attributed to you, of course)?
@@ingeniusdesigns that will be great!!
Thank you very much!
Good morning, I stumbled across your channel, because my pocket is not big enough to buy the great works of history, soon I will do like you, it really is authentic art.
At the end of this year I will get to it, I have seen other techniques on the internet.
One thing that I have been able to observe that may help you is the finishing of the corners, you cut it straight, but it seems that it gives better results if the cut is not straight and has this shape (somewhat more open than in the symbol)<
Greetings and thank you very much
By the way, could you make a video of the program you use for your laser tool or do you have any recommendations? I would like to start there
Thanks for the feedback! I have been trying to improve my corners, but I haven't tried something like that yet. I'll give it a go on a future project!
I use Adobe Illustrator to make my designs and when I design with vinyl I use a Cricut Maker (although any other vinyl cutter would work too). I have more details about the process in other videos on my channel, but you may have already seen those. Let me know if you have any more questions I can answer, and good luck starting this fun and rewarding hobby!
@@ingeniusdesigns Could you recommend me some video to use both programs? Or which machine do you recommend buying? Greetings and thank you very much, your videos are very inspiring
Beautiful work !! What vinyl cutter do you use?
Thank you so much! I use a Cricut Maker, but any cutter would work.
Do you do bibles i have a cover i broke that my my gave me before she died the binding an cover broke at the seam where the spine and cover meets.