Bookbinding Tools
Choose a folder for creases, hinges and covers
Start with the surface the tool will touch. A long crease across a folded section, a hinge beside the spine and a turn-in at a cover corner need different contact shapes. Compare the working edge and the length you can control with your hand.
A long fold across a sheet
A long, smooth edge gives you a continuous contact surface while you press the fold. Try the folder on an offcut from the same paper. Look for a clean crease and check the side that will remain visible for gloss or dents before repeating the stroke on the book.
Work beside the hinge
A narrow profile gives your fingers clearance when you work close to a spine or around a small corner. Test the actual edge radius. A sharply pointed end can be useful for marking the line of a fold, while a rounded surface changes how the tool contacts the material.
Smooth a pasted cover
Compare a broad folder with a pencil-shaped tool. The first gives you a larger area of contact over the cover. The second lets you work in a smaller area near a joint. Test the combination of the tool, cloth and adhesive on a spare piece, especially if the finish marks easily.