Paper grain explained for beginners

If you’re just getting into bookbinding or want to enhance your knowledge, understanding paper grain can be the difference between frustration and beautiful books. In this video, I walk you through what paper grain actually is, why paper has a grain direction (and when it doesn’t), and why this concept makes such a huge difference in how your books look, feel, and function. I walk you through everything with practical, visual demonstrations to make paper grain simple and intuitive. You'll learn how to spot paper grain direction easily and how to avoid the mistakes I made when I was starting out — like warped covers and pages that just won’t behave. If you want your handmade books to open beautifully and last over time, this is one topic you really don’t want to ignore! DIY wooden book press: https://youtu.be/axlErJWbdjU&list=ULxiVu34rtURk DIY brick book press: https://youtu.be/LM14I-K1Rig&list=ULxiVu34rtURk Watch my bookbinding essentials playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPx1fSPKY6k&list=PL_mNX1eQb4y4VxwffnAR7xiVu34rtURk- -------------------- Find some of the products that I use for bookbinding & paper crafts here: https://amzn.to/3NewXdA - This is an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy through this links, I earn a little commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you! -------------------- Connect with me here: Blog (DIY and travel, in German): https://missredfox.de Shop (handmade notebooks, stationery & paper gifts): https://missredfox.etsy.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_missredfox_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missredfox Pinterest: https://pinterest.de/missredfox -------------------- Chapters: 0:00 intro 00:00:12 welcome & what you'll learn (about paper grain) 00:00:43 fibers of wood & plants / grain in paper 00:00:59 how paper is made (fabrication process) 00:01:24 paper pulp 00:01:35 what is paper grain 00:02:09 long grain and short grain 00:02:29 special case: recycled paper 00:02:55 special case: handmade paper 00:03:30 bamboo screens for handmade paper 00:03:58 how to tell the paper grain direction 00:04:48 finding the grain direction: the fold test 00:05:46 finding the grain direction: the cut & damp / moisture test 00:06:52 finding the grain direction: the rip test 00:07:51 bonus info: grain direction in book cloth 00:08:23 finding the grain direction: the light test 00:09:53 paper without a grain direction 00:10:17 why do you need to know about paper grain in bookbinding 00:10:50 closed spine bindings 00:11:12 open spine bindings (Coptic & Japanese) 00:11:30 made a mistake: warped covers 00:12:02 paper grain and signatures 00:12:34 books with book cloth 00:12:44 maximizing the use of board and paper 00:13:40 repeat 00:15:28 topic of my next video: paper for bookbinding 00:15:30 thank you / outro -------------------- About this channel: Welcome to missredfox Paper Art, a channel dedicated to bookbinding for beginners, DIY notebook making, and creative paper crafts. Here you’ll find step-by-step bookbinding tutorials including Japanese stab binding, coptic binding, and easy bookbinding techniques you can do at home. Learn how to start bookbinding, discover the best bookbinding tools and materials, and follow beginner-friendly guides to create your own handmade notebooks, journals, and sketchbooks. I also share DIY stationery ideas, aesthetic paper crafts like origami and papercuts, and easy paper craft tutorials for beginners. From handmade notebooks and journals to creative paper projects, each video is designed to be simple, practical, and accessible - even if you have no experience. If you’re interested in bookbinding at home, paper crafts for beginners, and aesthetic DIY projects, this channel will help you learn new skills and create beautiful, handmade pieces. Do you love cozy, aesthetic, and hands-on creativity? Then this channel will help you slow down and enjoy the process of making something by hand. ✨ Subscribe and start your journey into paper art with my bookbinding tutorials, DIY notebook ideas, journal making, and paper craft inspiration - no experience needed! -------------------- Stock photography: licenced from depositphotos by vistaprint Music: "This little happy royalty free music is all about having some fun!" by frequentlyaskedmusic (Luca Tomassini), licence from depositphotos by vistaprint, file ID 412257164