The smooth sides of whole calf volumes are sometimes impressed with a pattern by pressing them between graining plates Fig. 124, this operation being known as graining. One plate is placed against each board of the book, which is then put between pressing boards, screwed down tightly in the standing press, and left for some hours or all night. The most usual pattern is an imitation of the grain of Russia leather. After the book has been pressed with the plates in one position the plates are reversed, and the book again put into the press. The result of the double pressing is shown in Fig. 125. Fish scale, shagreen, and many other patterns may be obtained by the use of engraved graining plates.

It is the custom in some shops, when dealing with half bound books, for the sides to be put on when the lettering and ornamentation are complete. The inside of the board is lined with the end paper laid aside for that purpose. The other end paper is pasted to the board; care should be taken to make it stick at the joint. The boards are left open to dry, and when sufficiently so the boards are closed, and if the book has marble edges they are burnished with a tooth-shaped burnisher. A sheet of tin or zinc is placed inside and outside each board, and the book placed in the standing press, and the press screwed up more or less tightly, calf allowing of more pressure than morocco. Instead of tins for the outside of morocco books, boards covered with flannel are used to preserve the grain of the leather. When the books are taken out of the press they are polished up and looked over for any defects or finger marks, and when these have been put right the book is completed.

One of the most necessary things in bookbinding is to have clean hands, clean brushes, sponges, paste, water, etc. If this is not attended to strictly, stains and dirty marks are inevitable. Oxalic acid is the only acid used to remove stains. Should a book become stained and dirty, prepare a saturated solution of the acid, pour a few drops into a cupful of water, and wash the entire book cover, using a clean sponge. Do not attempt to rub any spots locally, as rubbing will take the colour out of the leather, and when the leather is of the quality known as fair calf, pink spots will result. In such a case the only remedy is a new cover. The acid solution can be kept in a bottle.

To clean up calf or morocco covers of books, the following method may be employed. Procure a piece of raw rubber, and if this is not soft heat it over the fire or gas flame, for hard, square edges produce scratches on the covers. With this rub over all the gilding on the backs and sides, gently at first and a little harder afterwards; this should make the gilding clear and bright. Now prepare some paste water, mixing flour with water till it is as thick as good milk, and apply this with a sponge. Wash over the leather, taking care not to touch the cloth or any of the gilding.

To clean cloth sides, use glaire and a sponge. Have plenty of glaire in the sponge and work quickly in a circular motion, taking care not to go over the same part twice. For some cloths a weaker solution must be used, so add as much water as will make twice the quantity. If this glaire is not properly beaten up, the parts of the book to which it is applied will, when dry, have a nasty glaze, which will turn white and so spoil the appearance.

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