Bookbinding board: properties, weight and how to work with it
Bookbinding board is rigid, grey and easy to cut. We laser our board cutouts from 1.2 mm thick bookbinding board.
At a glance
| Property | Bookbinder's board |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 1.2 mm |
| Weight | 755 g per square metre |
| Colour and surface | grey on both sides, slightly rough |
| Raw material | Waste paper – the board is made almost entirely from recycled material |
| Working with it | cut with scissors or a sharp craft knife |
| Gluing | the rough surface takes glue well |
Features
Our bookbinding board is 1.2 mm thick, grey on both sides and very sturdy. It is made from almost 100 % recycled material. Because it is flexible, it stands up to mechanical stress. You can print on it, emboss it or cover it with fabric. Glues stick well to the rough surface.
The board is fairly rigid. As the name suggests, it is suitable for book covers, folders and packaging.
How much does a bookbinding board cutout weigh?
Our board weighs 755 g per square metre. For individual cutouts, that means:
| Shape and size | Weight |
|---|---|
| Square 10 × 10 cm | approx. 8 g |
| Square 20 × 20 cm | approx. 30 g |
| Square 30 × 30 cm | approx. 68 g |
| Square 50 × 50 cm | approx. 189 g |
| Disc Ø 10 cm | approx. 6 g |
| Disc Ø 30 cm | approx. 53 g |
| Disc Ø 50 cm | approx. 148 g |
How bookbinding board is made
The main raw material is waste paper. It is cleaned and dissolved in water. This creates a fibre mash called pulp. The excess water drains away on a large screen, leaving an even layer of fibres. Several layers are pressed together. This is how the different thicknesses are made.
Roller presses squeeze out the remaining water. Heated cylinders or hot air then dry the board. Finally, calender rollers smooth the surface before the board is cut to size.
Working and gluing
The 1.2 mm board is very easy to work with. You can cut it into shape with scissors or a sharp craft knife. The rough surface takes glue well, so the board is easy to glue.
Painting bookbinding board
You can decorate finished shapes and cutouts with many kinds of pens and paints:
- Coloured pencils
- Wax crayons
- Felt-tip pens
- Permanent markers
- Paint and acrylic markers
- Permanent spray
- Spray paints
- Calligraphy markers
- Oil paints and oil pastels
- Alkyd oil paints
- Acrylic paints
- Watercolours and poster paints
- Chalk
For painting, the board should be untreated, clean and free of dust.
Bookbinding board cutouts
- Board cutouts, untreated – hearts, stars and lots of other shapes for crafting
- Everything made of board
Bookbinding board data sheet (PDF) · All materials at a glance