BookBindingTools

• Laser printer ($200) -- but the ink refills are cheap. You need one if you are serious about making books!
• Bonefolder ($5) -- for creasing, folding, smoothing out
• PVA glue ($5)
• clamps ($20 and up) -- need to hold books shut as the glue sets! Buy something that's actually good.

The rest of the tools are for people who plan on sewing books and not simply gluing them, as in perfect binding (softback books)

• Awl ($5) -- for poking holes in signatures, don't be lazy using your needle for this
• Waxed linen thread (0.4 - 0.6mm) ($5)
• curved needle ($2) -- you want these for sewing signatures together, straight needles work but not as well!
• endpapers - work to connect the cover to your textblock. Go for higher GSM paper.
• bookboard -- thick cardboard
• knife (for cutting bookboard)
• fabric -- for wrapping around the outside of the book

A softback book takes almost no time to make, besides the time spent printing and waiting for glue to set. A casebound book may take around an hour of labor per book and an investment of under $5 a book -- but well worth it, it makes it classy, and a very tasteful gift!

BookMaking