Sew signatures into a thick notebook

A signature is a small group of folded sheets, typically 3–6 sheets (12–24 pages). Thick notebooks are made of several signatures sewn together, so each fold stays thin and the book opens flat.

Print signatures

In the export dialog, set Binding to Signatures (sew) and choose the number of sheets per signature. Four sheets of 80–90 g/m² paper is a good starting point; use three for heavier paper.

Notebook Generator splits the pages into signatures in reading order. Blank pages needed to complete the last signature are placed before the back cover by default, so your back cover stays on the outside. The preview in Print sheets mode labels each sheet with its signature.

Fold and stack

1. Keep the printed sheets in order and separate them into signatures (the summary tells you how many sheets each one has).
2. Fold each sheet of a signature and nest them inside each other, in order.
3. Stack the folded signatures in order, first signature on top. Line up the spines.

Pamphlet stitch (one signature)

For a single signature, such as a Traveler’s Notebook insert, a three-hole pamphlet stitch is all you need.

1. Open the signature to its centre. Mark three holes on the fold: one in the middle, and one about 2 cm from each end.
2. Pierce the holes with an awl or a thick needle.
3. Start inside at the middle hole, go out, come back in through the top hole, run along the inside past the middle to the bottom hole, go out, and come back in through the middle hole.
4. Tie the two ends around the long stitch inside and trim.

Sewing several signatures

A simple kettle stitch binding joins several signatures:

1. Mark the same hole positions on every signature (use a paper template for consistency): an even number of holes, for example 4 or 6, with the outer holes about 1.5 cm from the ends.
2. Sew through the first signature from end to end. At the last hole, add the next signature on top and sew back through it.
3. At each end, link the new signature to the one below with a kettle stitch: pass the needle between the two signatures below and loop it through the thread before going up.
4. Repeat until all signatures are sewn, then tie off with a final kettle stitch.

Use waxed linen thread or strong cotton thread about four times the height of the spine per signature.

Covers

Choose Separate sheet under cover printing to print the covers on cardstock as one piece (back, spine, front). Set the spine width to the thickness of the stack, about 0.1 mm per sheet of 80 g/m² paper. Fold the cover along the spine marks and glue it to the first and last pages, or sew it on with the first and last signatures.