Bookbinding Terms Every Beginner Should Know

If you’re just starting out with bookbinding, you’ve probably come across a few unfamiliar terms already — kettle stitch, bone folder, grain direction. It can feel like learning a new language.

But the truth is, every binder starts here — at the beginning, with curiosity and a handful of questions. Knowing a few key terms can help things click into place a little faster. It’s not about memorising everything — just having the right words so you can follow a tutorial, ask a question, or feel more confident choosing your tools.

To make things easier, we’ve put together a simple glossary of bookbinding terms that come up often in the early stages. These are the ones we wish we’d known when we were just getting started.

And if you’d like to keep a copy handy — or tick them off as you learn — you can download our free Beginner’s Guide to Bookbinding here.
🧵 Grab the guide

Bookbinding Terms to Know

Signature
A group of folded sheets sewn together to form one section of a book.

Book block (Text Block)
The sewn pages of a book before the cover is added.
Think of it as the heart of the book — the part you read.

Bone folder
A smooth tool used to fold and crease paper neatly.
Not made from bone these days — ours are made from Teflon.

Grain direction
The direction fibres run in paper or board.
Matching grain when folding or gluing makes all the difference.

Awl
A sharp tool used for piercing small holes in folded paper for stitching.

Case
The outer cover of your book - usually made separately then attached to the book block.

Endpapers
The decorative or plain papers at the front and the back of your book, either sewn or glued on

Tip On
A way to attach a loose page to a book block using a thin line of glue along the edge.

Learning the language of bookbinding doesn’t just help you follow instructions — it gives you the confidence to explore, experiment, and enjoy the process. When you know what things are called (and why they matter), choosing tools or starting your first project feels a lot less intimidating.

Our Beginner’s Guide to Bookbinding includes this glossary of terms, plus a list of essential tools and one simple project to get you started. It’s an easy way to begin.

📥 Download the free guide here