Bookbinding
What better place to have bookbinding equipment than a library? Learn what goes into designing and making softcover books using EPL’s newest bookbinding equipment. See your magnum opus all the way from idea to material object.
Interested in how binding your book block to your cover works? Watch this short video:
Bookbinding Service
Service Overview
This service is for anyone who has a digitally typed-up text who wants to make a proof copy or a small number of copies of their book. The process is hands-on with machine assistance and requires attending in-person classes.
Service Details:
- Softcover books using the Perfect Bind (glue) method.
- Cream internal pages printed in Black & White; Full Color covers.
- Minimum 50 pages, Maximum 700 pages.
- 5.5” x 8.5” (statement size) paperbacks.
- Customers can submit one book project per month (can create up to five copies).
- Customers must be 12 years or older to participate.
- Service is run through a series of classes and workshops throughout the month.
- Customers will pay for their book when they submit the Print-Ready files, before the Bookbinding Workshop.
Getting Started
To access the bookbinding service at EPL:
- Have an EPL Library card. (Other card options are accepted).
- Attend book making classes like Bookbinding Files and/or Covers Workshop.
- Submit your Print-Ready book block and cover spread files in person with staff.
- Pay for your book block and cover at the Makerspace desk.
- Staff will register you for the Bookbinding Workshop.
- Complete the Makerspace waiver.
- Ready to Make Acknowledgement.
- Attend the in-person Bookbinding Workshop to make your book.
File Submission and Payment
To bind a book first submit your files in person to Makerspace Staff. After paying, staff will register you for an in-person Bookbinding session to make your book (offered once a month).
If this is your first time designing a print-ready book, please attend one of our bookbinding classes or talk to Makerspace staff to get assistance.
Equipment and Material Details
Makerspace and Copyright Statement
It is the user’s obligation and responsibility to determine and satisfy copyright or other use restrictions including but not limited to, copyright, privacy rights, licensing, trademark, and technical protection measures. The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) is not responsible for infringing copies or items made by users of the Edmonton Public Library Makerspaces and copying equipment.
Bookbinding Classes
BiblioEvents Feed
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Register for one of our Notebook Classes! For a fee, you'll be able to make a custom notebook and get hands-on experience with the binding equipment.
-
- If you are interested in submitting your book to EPL’s collection, please visit the Collections FAQ at www.epl.ca/faq/collections/
- You can submit your writing to the Capital City Press at www.epl.ca/capital-city-press/collection/
- If you would like EPL to consider purchasing your ebook, please follow the guidelines provided on our Information for Creators page
-
Customers are welcome to use EPL’s book to print public domain and Creative Commons licensed works that permit format shifting (e.g., ebook to printed book) and distribution. To re-print or format shift a material that is in copyright, EPL requires written authorization communicated by the intellectual property holder to EPL directly.
-
No, staff cannot bind your books for you. As with other Makerspace services, the objective is to empower customers to learn about and directly operate the bookbinding machines rather than duplicate services in the community.
-
It is $0.05 per page plus $1.00 for the cover and glue to bind your book. For example, a 150-page book would cost $8.50.
