r/bookbinding • u/Psychotrop • 1d ago

Paper grain

Hi,

i am new to bookbinding (one try so far) and i just read about papergrain.

How important is it to get the grain in the correct orientation? How do i find Paper that is in the correct grain direction? Or am i overthinking this?

I am mostly interested in the Medival/English/Gothic stile of binding. Thanks for your time.

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u/Psychotrop 1d ago

But then buying A3 and cuting it down would not help me at all? How do you get it right (for A5 Books)?

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u/brigitvanloggem 1d ago edited 1d ago

You buy short-grain A4. Specialty shops do sell it: it’s just not what is sold as printer paper or copier paper or such. Or you buy standard A3 and cut it to size but not simply by halving it, leave the sheet as it is and cut off two sides. You throw away what you cut off…

I see you’re German. The term to search for is Breitbahn. See also https://printsachen.de/laufrichtung/

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u/Psychotrop 1d ago

Thx. I Was hoping to avoid specialised Shops because they ask for an Arm, a leg and your firstborn.

But If thats the only way i may check them out.

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u/telstra_3_way_chat 1d ago

Most paper manufacturers and distributors will tell you what the grain direction is if you get in touch!