bookbinding

Securing of the pages of a book between protective covers by sewing and/or gluing. Cloth binding was first introduced in 1822, but from the mid-20th century synthetic bindings were increasingly employed, and most hardback books are bound by machine.

Bookbinding did not emerge as a distinct craft until printing was introduced to Europe in the 15th century. Until that time scrolls and (from around 1200) codices (see codex) were usual. Gold tooling, the principal ornament of leather bookbinding, was probably introduced to Europe from the East by the Venetian Aldus Manutius.