Overheard a librarian say something about grain direction that finally clicked

I was at the public library in Portland dropping off some donations and heard a conservator say 'grain runs the long way just like a tree.' Been binding for 4 years and that one sentence fixed my warping problem on the spot. Has anyone else had a random comment from a stranger that changed how you work?

2 comments

2 Comments

lucas4981mo ago

Used to think grain direction was just some rule bookers made up to sound smart. That one sentence 'grain runs the long way just like a tree' finally made it click for me too. Now I check it on every sheet before cutting and my book covers stay flat.

jamiesingh1mo agoMost Upvoted

Honestly never bought into the whole grain direction thing myself. Cut against it every time and my books still look fine after years on the shelf. Think people overthink this stuff way too much.