Just realized my folded endpapers are leaving visible seams

I've been binding books for a few months now, and I always fold my endpapers in half before attaching them. Recently, I saw a small gap where the endpaper meets the text block when the book is shut. It looks bad and I want to fix it. I tried pressing them harder and adding more glue, but the paper got too stiff. Maybe I'm folding them wrong or the grain direction is off. Has anyone else had this issue? How do you fold endpapers to avoid gaps? I could use some advice on getting them to lay flat. Let me know what works for you.

3 comments

3 Comments

blair1861mo ago

Are you overthinking a minor flaw in your endpapers?

riley8601mo ago

Hey, have you tested if the paper grain is running the right way when you fold? I get how a small seam can suddenly become all you see, like when one thing is off in a workout form and it ruins the whole move lol. Pressing harder or adding glue often backfires because the material can't handle it, kind of like overcorrecting in any skill. Maybe try a lighter touch with the adhesive and see if that lets the paper settle naturally. It's wild how focusing on one flaw makes you notice every little imperfection everywhere else.

mitchell.nancy29d ago

Ugh but like, is it even that big of a deal in the end? I mean, it's just paper, right? Sometimes you fixate on a tiny thing and blow it way out of proportion. Idk, maybe it's just me but I feel like most people won't even notice a small seam.