Coptic binding

Coptic bindings, the first true codices, are characterized by one or more sections of parchment, papyrus, or paper sewn through their folds, and (if more than one section) attached to each other with chain stitch linkings across the spine, rather than to the thongs or cords running across the spine that characterise European bindings from the 8th century onwards.

[3][note 2] Covers of Nag Hammadi bindings were limp leather, stiffened with waste sheets of papyrus.

The textblocks were sewn with tackets, with leather stays along the inside fold as reinforcement.

If the leather is omitted, a Coptic binding is non-adhesive, and does not require any glue in its construction.

Artisans and crafters often use coptic binding when creating hand made art journals or other books.