Headbands

Headbands, also known as bookbinding tape or book edge tape, is a type of processed webbing material with decorative stitching along its edges.

Headbands are typically made from materials such as cotton, linen, or polyester:

• Cotton headbands​ are flexible and easy to adhere, making them convenient to apply;
• Linen headbands​ offer higher strength and durability, though they are less pliable and may require a second application to achieve a smooth finish;
• Polyester material​ provides relatively lower structural support and is generally not recommended for hardcover binding where higher durability is required.

Headbands are primarily applied to the head and tail edges of a trimmed book block in hardcover binding. They serve to conceal and finish the folded sections of the book signatures​ while revealing the sewing threads, hence the name “headband.”

They not only enhance the structural integrity of the book block​ but also contribute to a neat, elegant, and dignified appearance​ of the hardcover book, fulfilling both practical and decorative functions.