My old teacher told me to never use PVA glue on leather bindings, and I finally get why.

She said it would crack and fail in a few years, but I used it on a journal cover anyway (you know, to save time). Sure enough, after about two winters, the leather started pulling away from the boards at the hinges. What's your go-to adhesive for full leather work these days?

3 comments

3 Comments

uma_taylor4722d ago

Man, I've seen that exact failure so many times. Hide glue is great, but it's a pain to work with and the open time is so short. For full leather, I've had way better luck with a flexible PVA made for bookbinding, like Jade 403. It stays a bit pliable and doesn't dry brittle like cheap white glue. The key is using it thin and letting it tack up a bit before you make the joint.

miles_young5922d ago

Hide glue is the real deal for leather. It moves with the material and won't crack.

leodavis22d ago

Wait, you actually went ahead and used it after the warning? That's some bold testing. For full leather, it's hard to beat a good hide glue. It stays flexible and ages with the leather. Wheat paste is solid for the paper parts, but for those leather to board joints, the protein glue just holds. Cleanup is a sticky mess, but it's worth it.