Headband and Tailband

What Are They?

Headbands and tail bands are colorful fabric strips found at the top (head) and bottom (tail) of a hardcover book’s spine. They add a decorative touch while reinforcing the binding, giving your book a polished, professional look. Think of them as the stylish crown and base of your book’s spine.

When to Put Them On?

The headband is applied after the text block is sewn or glued together but before the book’s cover is attached. This typically happens once the signatures are bound and the spine is reinforced with glue or lining. In low-quantity runs, this step is done by hand. But in mass production, there are machines that can handle this task. These machines have adjustable settings for book size and thickness, and they can cut and glue the headband on automatically. In more advanced production lines, this step is often integrated into the larger binding process.

Where to Buy Headbands for Bookbinding

If you’re a hobby bookbinder looking for headbands, there are a number of options on the market. On Amazon, check out brands like FimBand. Online stores like Hollander’s or TALAS offer pre-made headbands in various colors and styles, great for small projects. For unique designs or larger quantities, try Chinese platforms like Taobao or RedNote.