TIL trimming a book's folded edges adds 20 minutes per signature

I spent 3 hours on a single novel trying to get the fore-edge smooth before I realized the paper grain was fighting me. Either I pre-trim each signature which takes forever, or I trim after binding and risk cutting into the text block. My copy of Moby Dick ended up with a 1/16 inch tilt on page 247. Has anyone else had this debate with themselves about when to trim?

2 comments

2 Comments

ward.piper1mo ago

Whoa, @harper_murphy you actually just let a 1/16 inch tilt slide?

harper_murphy1mo ago

Aw man, that tilt would drive me nuts. I think post-binding trimming is a calculated risk but pre-trimming takes way too long for my patience. You gotta just live with the tilt and move on to the next book.