Switched from PVA to wheat paste for spine linings and here's what happened

I've been using PVA glue for years on every binding, but my teacher told me wheat paste gives a more flexible spine on rounded backs. After 8 books with the wheat paste mix, I noticed the covers open way flatter without cracking. Anyone else stick with one glue type or do you switch based on the project?

2 comments

2 Comments

cole_mitchell81mo ago

Wait has anyone tested how either glue holds up in really humid conditions? I'm in the southeast US where it gets stupid muggy half the year and my PVA bindings always get this weird tacky feeling on the covers during summer. Wheat paste seems to repel moisture better from what I've seen but I've only done a few books with it. My first wheat paste job got splashed with coffee and it actually beaded up instead of soaking right through.

the_miles1mo ago

…but now I can't get the wheat paste to stop smelling like my grandma's kitchen. I swear, half my bindings come out smelling like a bread factory exploded. Still, I gotta say the flatter open on my last case binding was worth it. Won't lie though, I tried mixing a little PVA into the wheat paste last week and ended up with a goopy mess that looked like a failed science experiment. Guess I'm sticking with straight wheat paste until I mess that up too.