F/S   Fold & StitchLittle tools for handmade books
THE BOOKBINDER’S WORKBENCH · TOOL 01

A small guide.
A straighter stitch.

Turn your notebook’s measurements into a printable punching template. Less measuring, more making.

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01   Set up your guide

Measure along the fold. The end margin runs from each end to the nearest hole.

For a single folded section. This positions holes; it does not specify a sewing route.

YOUR PUNCHING GUIDE

Preview is scaled to fit. Your printed guide is actual size.

Every hole, measured from the top

FROM SCREEN TO PAPER

Measure once.
Check before you punch.

  1. Print at 100% / Actual size.

    Disable “Fit to page”, headers and footers. Use the selected paper size.

  2. Check the 50 mm scale.

    Measure the printed calibration line with a ruler. It must be exactly 50 mm before you use the guide.

  3. Align with the fold.

    Cut out the strip. Align its top with the top of the folded section and its dashed centre line with the fold. Keep the same top orientation.

  4. Test on scrap first.

    Mark the centres on a spare folded sheet. Use a suitable punching cradle or protective support.

A few things worth knowing

Which binding is this for?

This guide marks evenly spaced holes in a single-section pamphlet. Multi-section, French-link, Coptic and Japanese bindings have different requirements. Follow a verified sewing tutorial for your chosen structure.

Why is the height limited?

The guide fits on one page: 40–250 mm on A4 and 40–239 mm on Letter. End margins must be at least 5 mm, with at least 5 mm between holes.

How are the positions calculated?

Spacing = (height − 2 × end margin) ÷ (holes − 1). Positions are measured from the top of the folded spine.

Are my measurements uploaded?

No. Calculations and downloads happen in your browser. This prototype has no analytics or account system.