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guides · 12 April 2026 · 3 min read

Bookbinding supplies: a beginner shopping list

Exactly what to buy for your first five hand-bound books — with gsm, lengths, quantities, and INR prices from Indian suppliers.

By Ananya Rao

A beginner bookbinding kit is the minimum set of paper, thread, needles, and tools needed to stitch a complete hand-bound book. For under INR 2,000 in India in 2026, you can bind your first five books and keep going. This list assumes A5 journals with 96 pages each.

The core five items

| Item | Specification | Quantity (for 5 books) | Price (INR) | |---|---|---|---| | Paper | 120gsm recycled mixed-media, A4 | 120 sheets | 650 | | Waxed linen thread | 18/3 ply, natural | 20m | 180 | | Bookbinding needles | Size 18, blunt | 4 | 120 | | Chipboard | 2mm, A4 | 10 sheets | 240 | | PVA glue | Neutral pH, 100ml | 1 bottle | 160 | | Core subtotal | | | 1,350 |

Useful but not essential

| Item | Why it helps | Price (INR) | |---|---|---| | Bone folder | Sharpens folds, burnishes covers | 180 | | Awl | Makes cleaner piercing holes than a push pin | 220 | | Metal ruler (300mm) | Straight cuts and straight tears | 160 | | Cutting mat (A3) | Saves your dining table | 450 | | Beeswax block | Re-waxes thread as it dries out | 90 |

Adding these five takes the total to INR 2,450. Every item lasts at least 30 books, so the per-book amortised cost drops to under INR 90 after the first set.

Where to buy in India

Paper: any sheet-paper dealer on Bengaluru's SP Road or Mumbai's Fort — ask for 120gsm recycled.
Thread and needles: Talas-India and our own supplies shop stock genuine 18/3 waxed linen.
Chipboard: local binders and most art shops. Ensure it is 2mm and cuts cleanly without flaking.
PVA glue: Fevicol SR 998 or Mowicoll from a local paint store. Avoid white glue marketed for children — it is too watered down.

What you do NOT need in month one

A standing book press. A stack of textbooks and a 5kg weight is fine.
A paper guillotine. A sharp knife and a metal ruler cut trim edges well for the first ten books.
A bone-handled awl. A hardware-shop awl is INR 220 and works identically.

Where to next

Our Japanese stab notebook kit ships with every item above pre-cut to A5 and is a good way to skip the sourcing. To see the paper options before committing, visit the paper supplies page. For the thread specifics, see waxed linen thread 101.

FAQ

What are the basic bookbinding supplies?

Paper (120gsm is the safe default), waxed linen thread, bookbinding needles, chipboard for covers, and PVA glue. That set costs about INR 1,350 and makes five books.

What thread is used for bookbinding?

Waxed linen, typically 18/3 or 25/3 ply. It is strong, holds a knot, and the wax reduces friction through paper without staining.

What GSM paper is best for a beginner?

120gsm. It folds cleanly without cracking, takes ink without bleeding, and tolerates a light wash of watercolour.

Do I need special glue?

Neutral-pH PVA. Avoid acidic white glues and hot-melt. A 100ml bottle of Fevicol SR 998 binds 10–15 journals.

About the author

Ananya Rao stitches, teaches, and writes at Spread & Spine in Bengaluru. She has bound more than a thousand books by hand and believes every journal should open flat.