Cover to Cover

LaPlantz’s most influential work and the book she is remembered for. First published in 1995, it established the template for modern creative bookbinding instruction: clear step-by-step projects that progress from simple pamphlets to complex multi-signature structures, with emphasis on artistic expression and personal design.

Why Start Here

This is the only bookbinding book LaPlantz wrote, and it represents the culmination of her teaching experience. She designed each project to build on the previous one, so the skills accumulate naturally. The book covers a wider variety of structures than most introductions, including accordion folds, fan books, and non-adhesive bindings that many other guides leave out.

LaPlantz was particularly skilled at explaining decorative techniques and cover design. She shows you how to work with bookcloth, decorative papers, and mixed media to create books that are visually striking as well as structurally sound. If you are drawn to bookbinding as an art form, this is the guide that will speak to you most directly.

What to Expect

A 144-page guide available in the updated 20th anniversary edition with full-color photography. Basic tools required: bone folder, needle, thread, craft knife, and cutting mat. The materials are kept modest throughout, so you can start without a large investment. Projects range from quick pamphlets to more involved multi-section bindings.