Tried PVA instead of wheat paste for a rebind, kind of regret it

Honestly, I've been binding for about 4 years now and always used wheat paste for my spine linings and endpapers. But last week I had a rush job on a 1920s novel for a client in Portland, and I ran out of wheat paste mid project. Figured I'd give the PVA a shot since I had a bottle of Lineco stuff sitting around. Ngl, the whole experience felt off. The PVA dried way too fast and I couldn't adjust the paper once it hit the spine, so my endpapers ended up a little crooked. Plus it left this weird shiny residue that the wheat paste never does. I got the book finished and it holds together fine, but it doesn't have that same handcrafted feel. Has anyone else switched permanently and found a way to avoid that fast drying issue?

2 comments

2 Comments

reese_bell1mo ago

Why would you want to go back to wheat paste when PVA holds up way better in humid weather?

webb.jordan1mo ago

Stick with what feels right.