Why does nobody talk about how much glue a basic case binding really needs?

I was reading a 1980s library repair manual from Chicago and it said to use a full ounce of PVA for a single hardcover. I always thought that was way too much, maybe a tablespoon at most. Tried it on a practice text block last week and the spine was way too stiff, it wouldn't open flat at all. Has anyone else found older guides give you bad glue amounts?

3 comments

3 Comments

noah_chen172mo ago

Thought that too until I tried it.

bettywilson1mo agoTop Commenter

Nah fr, once you try it you get it.

wright.luna2mo ago

Until I tried it" makes it sound like a big deal... but is it really that serious? I feel like @noah_chen17 is maybe overstating how much it changes things. It's just not that deep.