My first attempt at a leather cover for a friend's poetry book in Seattle went sideways when the dye bled through the paper lining.

I had to carefully peel the lining off with a bone folder and redo the whole interior with a thicker stock, so has anyone found a dye that really doesn't bleed?

2 comments

2 Comments

ivan21123d ago

I read a piece from a bookbinder in Portland who swears by Fiebing's Pro Dye for leather. She said she uses it for all her fine binding work because it's alcohol-based and dries super fast. The key is to apply it thin and let it cure fully before you line anything. I tried it on a test piece with some cheap paper and had zero bleed. Might be worth ordering a small bottle to test.

charlesj4623d ago

Wait, she uses it on fine bindings? That stuff is so strong, I always thought it was just for heavy leather like belts or saddles. I'd be terrified of it soaking through and staining the pages. But if she's getting clean results with thin coats, maybe the trick is in the paper lining step.