The method in which a book is bound denotes both the love and care which goes into its creation and the overall durability and longevity of the tome. Mass-market hot glue machine binding is the standard practice these days for all but the deluxe editions of a select few occult publishers. Primal Craft Occult Publishing eschews this method, instead opting to follow the path of the artisan. Hand-binding standard editions is neither a grossly profitable nor particularly economic route. However, it is the hallmark of the book connoisseur, the passionate writer, and the devoted soul who wishes to create and put forward an offering worthy of the Gods of the Arte.

Within the hand-binding process, each book receives the individual attention of the binder throughout all phases of its manifestation. Many of the methods and materials – ranging from the quality of base material and actual technique, care and attention given to each book – vary greatly from the hot-glue mass-market binding process used by all other occult publishing houses. The brief – though by no means complete – overview below, allows us to see and understand some of the detail and craftsmanship – the same as that used to create hand-bound deluxe books – contained within this process:

ARTISAN: THE CRAFTSMAN’S TOUCH

The papers are sewn together section by individual section in preparation for binding. A linen strip is placed along the spine of the blocks – though not unique to hand-binding, this is then triple layered with Mull Brown Craft-paper. This process initiates the strengthening and formation of the spine. All materials and papers are individually guillotined throughout all phases of this process (unlike the mass-market approach, where everything from guillotining to binding is done by machines in batches of several books or more). Each book block is hand-sewn. The papers and blocks are actually bound individually by hand – not machine bound. The hand-laid lining strengthens the books. The head and tail bands contain hand-inserted bamboo cane – the purpose of which is to assist and maintain the integrity of the spine – as opposed to being mere strips of coloured material glued in place for show; as seen in virtually all standard bound occult books. The spines of the books are rounded and backed by hand – a painstaking process; but one that yields the most beautiful and durable results. Once the spine has been correctly formed, all books are individually hand-set in order to achieve and maintain the shape that they will then hold throughout their life. The endpapers are individually placed – not machine laid. All blocks and markings are multiple stamped to the highest quality. The books are individually hand-glued and bound into their covers – not machine set in batches. Finally, each book is individually checked for quality – both inside and out – as opposed to the mass-market practice of batch checking (the batches in question ranging from every 7 to every 50 books, depending upon the printer). The end result is a hand-bound book that is perfectly formed – one that will retain its beautiful shape throughout its lifetime. The quality of hand-bound tomes is visual – and can be felt when the books are handled – in much the same way that books bound in the standard fashion reveal their weaknesses and flaws; becoming limp and weak over time irrespective of what cover material they were bound in.

The books of Primal Craft are offerings of love and devotion. They are the Vessels and Grails of Witchcraft that bear the Gnosis of the Gods – their spiritual power en-fleshed. As such, I truly believe they should be created with as much hand-crafted love and devotion as possible. A process that is then complimented by the consecration, awakening, and individual empowerment of each and every single book – details of this process are explained in a previous piece entitled Talismanic Spiritual Gateways: The Consecration of The Books of the Arte.

Our hand-bound standard edition books hold the same level of craftsmanship (or above) as the deluxe tomes of other publishing houses- they undergo the same process and are bound by the same hands. Our deluxe level tomes are second to none. Books that are beautifully crafted and hand-bound for longevity – awoken in possession and spiritual fire.

Hand-bound grimoires that will last for centuries.
In the Shadow of the Trident,
In Nomine Hecate,
Mark