My mentor's 'stop forcing the spine' comment finally clicked

I've been binding for about 4 years and always struggled with stiff, creaky spines on my case bindings. Last month my mentor watched me work and said 'you're pressing down like it owes you money, let the grain do the work'. I switched from heavy pressing to a lighter touch with a backing board and started using a bone folder more gently. Honestly, my last 3 books opened flat without that horrible cracking sound. Has anyone else had to unlearn a heavy-handed habit after a specific comment like that?

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caleb_thomas9315d ago

Dropped the same habit after my teacher said I was "fighting the paper instead of working with it". Started letting the spine round naturally and just guiding it with light pressure, night and day difference on how the books feel in your hands.