Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to produce hand-bound books including set up and assembly of materials, and techniques involving adhesive binding/tipping, sewing, forwarding, blocking and hand finishing.
It applies to individuals who may assemble, bind and cover books, other publications and printed products by hand or machine, with limited responsibility to ensure the production process is maintained.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare for job | 1.1 Job specifications are read and interpreted from job documentation 1.2 All necessary materials are assembled according to job specifications |
2. Complete adhesive binding/tipping | 2.1 Sheets are fanned and masked every 3-4 mm 2.2 Thin even coating of adhesive is applied on area of sheet designated for tipping 2.3 Correct adhesive is applied to achieve a good bond 2.4 Tipped sheet is accurately positioned |
3. Number book | 3.1 Sheets are placed in correct sequence and numbered correctly according to job specifications 3.2 Numbering machine is set for appropriate number of copies 3.3 Sheets are knocked up squarely without damage |
4. Index book | 4.1 Index is spaced correctly and evenly 4.2 Durable square, clean and neat cut tabs or cut-outs are constructed 4.3 Headings are constructed legible and permanent |
5. Apply adhesive binding/padding by hand | 5.1 Product is knocked up squarely to spine and head with boards inserted between pads 5.2 Spine folds are completely removed from sections in guillotine 5.3 Adequate spine margin is preserved 5.4 Appropriate number of saw cuts are made in work 5.5 Edge of spine is roughened sufficiently to improve adhesion 5.6 Thin even application of appropriate adhesive is applied 5.7 Book is fanned before gluing (except for pads) to ensure increased surface coverage 5.8 Thoroughness of adhesive is assessed after book has dried |
6. Sew sections | 6.1 Appropriate sewing supports are selected and spaced according to job specifications 6.2 Consistent thread tension is maintained during sewing 6.3 Sections are aligned at the head 6.4 Swelling is monitored and controlled |
7. Forward book | 7.1 Spine is glued, rounded and backed 7.2 Spine lining is attached 7.3 Text block is covered (board attached) 7.4 Text block is cased in |
8. Block book | 8.1 Image is blocked into required position according to job specifications |
9. Hand finish book | 9.1 Hand finish book according to job specifications 9.2 Typeface size and type are appropriate 9.3 Design is in keeping with the period of publication 9.4 Embellishment is evenly applied |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
correctly set up and produce at least THREE hand-bound books within the accepted production timeframe, according to job specifications and enterprise procedures; use a range of substrates and pulling down and section sewing on the multi-section books (minimum of ten sections).
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
Work health and safety (WHS)
explain WHS concerns relating to hand binding
Adhesive binding/tipping
explain ‘viscosity’
explain the role of grain direction in relation to the tipping operation
identify recommended tipping width for endpapers and the recommended adhesive to use in tipping
Numbering
explain what needs to be checked when the numbering machine is:
set for duplicate/triplicate numbering
re-inked
explain how a given number is set on the machine
Indexing
list different types of indices and ways to reinforce an index
explain how an index is evenly and correctly spaced down the sheet
Adhesive binding/padding
identify adhesives not recommended for padding, and explain why some of these adhesives are not suitable
explain the terms ‘pH’, ‘viscosity’, ‘open time’, ‘tack’, ‘specific adhesion’, ‘molecular adhesion’ and ‘mechanical adhesion’
list techniques to ensure permanent adhesion of the padded sheets
name ways the padding operation can be accelerated
Sewing
identify different methods of hand sewing
describe important considerations to be addressed when setting up for sewing
describe the importance of using a sewing frame
identify the ‘cord’ (calliper) thread suitable for sewing 8pp sections
describe checks to make when sewing thread is joined during the sewing operation
identify checks to make when the sewing operation is finished off
describe the result of sewing being too loose/too tight
Book forwarding
describe the important result to achieve when gluing the book spine, and what occurs if the spine glue is too thick/too thin
explain how to recognise a correct round in a book spine
outline problems likely if too much round is applied to the spine
outline problems likely if insufficient round is applied to the spine
name different spine linings and reasons for spine linings
describe special techniques applied to 2-on 2-off spine linings
explain the important considerations to be given to spine linings
identify the correct direction of the grain in spine linings
describe the result if the grain direction in the spine lining is incorrect
describe how to recognise a good corner
identify the recommended turn-in
identify steps to ensure a clean job
describe how to ‘trim-out’ a case
explain the correct board calliper on a book
identify the micron board recommended on a book 5mm thick
explain what to monitor when casing-in a book
Blocking
explain which procedures ensure a good blocking result
describe the checks to do when positioning type on a book spine, and when positioning type on the front of a book
explain ‘blind blocking’
Hand finishing
name methods of hand finishing a book cover
explain criteria used to ensure an appropriate typeface is selected
explain criteria used to ensure the design chosen corresponds with the era of the book
explain what considerations to give to hand finishing a book
describe the result of uneven impressions
Information sources
identify manuals and safety documentation relevant to this task, where they are kept, and the information included in them.
Assessment Conditions
Gather evidence to demonstrate consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the converting, binding and finishing field of work and include access to:
special purpose tools, equipment, materials
industry software packages.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Reading | 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 6.1, 8.1, 9.1 | Recognises and interprets text and diagrams to establish job requirements from information contained in specifications |
Numeracy | 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 5.3, 5.4 | Uses mathematical concepts to estimate measurement, calculate quantities and to ensure correct sequence of number sheets |
Get the work done | 1.1, 1.2, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.3, 4.1-4.3, 5.1-5.8, 6.1-6.4, 7.1-7.4, 8.1, 9.1-9.4 | Determines priorities and sequences steps involved in clearly defined, familiar tasks Implements actions as per instructions, making slight adjustments if necessary Plans, identifies and assembles resources required to complete tasks Makes routine decisions directly related to completion of set tasks |
Sectors
Converting, Binding and Finishing