Switched from PVA to wheat paste for clamshell boxes and never going back

I used to use PVA for everything, including the spine lining on clamshell boxes. Then about 6 months ago I took a workshop with a binder in Portland who showed me how wheat paste gives you way more working time for adjusting the spine curve. Ever since I made the switch, my boxes close way more consistently and I don't get those annoying pops when opening. Has anyone else had better luck with paste over glue for certain steps?

3 comments

3 Comments

christopher_wells42mo ago

Oh yeah, working time is the whole game. Once you get used to wheat paste for spine linings, PVA feels way too rushed and unforgiving. I can actually breathe now when I'm adjusting those curves.

karen_west591mo agoOG Member

Come on now, @christopher_wells4, you're making it sound like PVA is some kind of rush job monster. I actually find the shorter working time forces me to be MORE precise with my cuts and folds. If I've got five minutes to fidget with a spine lining, I'll just overthink it and mess up every time. Wheat paste also leaves this weird tacky residue if I don't get it perfect, and that's just not worth the hassle. PVA might feel fast, but it's way more predictable for me.

alexc932mo ago

That "working time" thing is exactly why I switched too. Being able to adjust the spine over a few minutes instead of rushing with PVA makes a huge difference in how the final box feels.