#binding resources

[the-transgenda-agenda]

I often see posts asking about different places to get binders. Therefore, I have decided to make a list of different sites where you can buy binders. Hope this helps someone.

amorsensory [based in Australia]

binderme [based in Poland]

cantiq [based in the US]

flavnt [based in the US]

gc2b [based in the US]

gendergear [based in Canada]

peecock products [based in Singapore]

shapeshifters [based in the US]

sockdrawerheroes [based in Australia]

spectrum [based in the UK]

tomboyx [based in the US]

underworks [based in the US]

urbasics [based in Canada]

youropencloset [based in Canada]

Free binder programs based in the US; dcats, genderbands, point of pride.

[puppiesareperfect]

Book binding 101: Materials

I’ve decided to do a series of posts on how to book-bind since I talk about it a lot, and I think it’s a really fun process. This post will include various inexpensive alternatives to “professional” supplies, many of which you will have at home. Not everyone can afford a cricut and that’s ok! I will also be listing more expensive materials for people who want to invest a bit more into the craft, but they absolutely are not a must.

This first post will focus on a list of supplies you can use to make books, but will not yet get into the instructional part of it. That will come later!

Anyway…

Bookbinding Materials: Essentials

These are items you need to bind, but many you can find around your house!

Sewing thread: Any thread will work for bookbinding, though waxed threads can help reduce tangles. You can also double up thread as another way to prevent tangling if you so choose. Waxed thread is definitely more expensive, so it can be good to use what you have starting out. Here’s a link to the waxed thread I used for those that are interested. You can buy it in a lot of different colors! (White is good if want an “invisible” thread).

Sewing needle: A lot of people say to use a curved needle for binding, but I’ve never found it to be much different from using a regular needle. If you have one, I would recommend a larger needle, however, since it’s better for piercing through signatures (aka the stacks of pages you bind together). In other words: there’s no special needle you need to bind books.

Ruler: I’d recommend any metal ruler since it’s better to use as a straight edge for cutting. There’s a good chance you already have one. It’s just used for measuring and being a straight edge. Nothing fancy.

Paper: Any paper will work. What you wanna use depends on your project really: if you’re binding together a work of text you’ll want to use some kind of printer paper (of course). If you’re making a sketchbook, you can fold up some sketching paper. I like to get sketchbooks with perforated edges so I can tear them out easily if I want to use a blank page for bookbinding. You can also buy large sheets of paper made for any medium. For example, if you want a sheet of water color paper, just search “large watercolor paper sheet”.

Awl (or all alternative): An awl is a tool used to poke sewing holes. It’s nice because it’s sharp and ergonomic, but you can totally also use a pushpin or even a sewing needle.

Bone folder (or a bone folder alternative): A bone folder creates sharp creases when you fold your pages, making them lay flatter. It also helps define the hinge gap on finished books, making it open easier. You can use a ruler if you don’t have one.

PVA glue: PVA glue is what to look out for when it comes to binding glue. There are some designed specifically for bookbinding, which spread out a bit faster than ones that aren’t. You can also use tacky glue which IS a PVA glue.

Book board: Also sometimes called chip board, Davey board, or mat board. This is what you’ll use for hard cover books. It is important to use book board specially, as cardboard will warp. You can buy book board directly, or you can cut the covers off of old textbooks or binders, unwrap the paper/plastic around the board, and use that!

Box cutter or utility knife: for cutting the board

Decorative paper and book cloth: For wrapping around cover boards and for endpapers. Book cloth can also be used to cover boards. You can also draw your own designs on Bristol paper if you want (or any paper with a similar thickness/durability). When it comes to decorative paper I like to either get scrapbook paper or rolls of fancy handmade paper (you can get those on Etsy, through paper source, or through bookbinding websites).

Bookbinding materials: Optional (and not crazy expensive)

These are supplies that you don’t need for binding but that can make the process easier and/or help with the decorative elements of your books. I’d recommend these things for when you’ve been binding for a while and feel these things could be helpful!

Paper trimmer: can cut a few sheets of paper evenly—I find it really helpful for endpapers

Stencils: Super helpful if you want to add text on the covers

Stamps: Good for adding text and also great for adding illustrations if you’re not able to draw them on your own. You can buy ink pads for them or use markers by coloring over the stamp lightly and using the stamp immediately so it doesn’t dry (I’ve tested this with alcohol markers and it works very well)

Paint markers: great for drawing directly on the cover. Since they’re opaque they can imitate the look of vinyl. You can also get them super painterly if you want. The internet usually talks about poscas but there are tons of different brands. Do some research, figure out what you like & can afford.

Hot foil pen & heat transfer foil: Perfect if you want to add foil to your covers but don’t want to spend a ton of money on a cricut. A lot of binders uses the foil quill brand, but there are ones that cost less and work the same (I have both a cheaper one & an actual foil quill because I wanted some nib variation. As long as the pen has good reviews that aren’t from bots you should be good). Also remember: don’t use foil designed for going through laminators (I.e. decofoil) . It doesn’t work the same way.

Bookbinding Materials—Expensive

These are materials I’d recommend for people who have been bookbinding for a while & feel that it’s something they really want to invest in. To be fully transparent, I’m a college student and don’t own these and have little personal experience with them. However, I know a lot of binders who love them!

Cricut machine—Cricuts are cutting machines that can make precise cuts into paper, wood, bookboard, or vinyl. A lot of binders will cut designs out of vinyl and apply them to the covers using a heat press.

Book press—What it sounds like. The pressure helps the pages lay flat and stay even. That being said you can stack heavy books on top of your projects, it just may not have the same even pressure. I also know some people will DIY these, so if you’re skilled with power tools you can give it a go!

Paper guillotine—like a paper trimmer but bigger and can cut more sheets of paper at once. I believe really good ones can also be used to cut bookboard!

Those are all the materials I can think of! Hope this can work as a good starting point for those interested in the craft. I’ll definitely be posting more info about bookbinding for people who are interested :)

-Zoë💗

[scout-stims]

tboi blinkies!!!!

[xiaokuer-schmetterling]

for my transmasc peeps !!!

and for anyone else who is interested in chest-flesh-supportive undergarments lol

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my review: i have personally used the gc2b binder--i didn't wind up liking it for myself because of the way the compression interacted with my sensory issues (and the heat. omg i was so sweaty in the summer hahaha) but also. i am very sensitive to fabric textures and prefer loose clothing and ngl don't even wear bras at all anymore so it really depends on the interactions between your dysphoria vs your dysmorphia vs your potential sensory objections!

and i'm excited by the new tape product (which btw is $14 per roll at time of posting) so i'm gonna check that out when i can!!!

ps! if you have financial struggles or barriers to gender affirming healthcare that would prescribe a binder for you--there is a donation program with partner organizations in 42 usa states. here's the link! and although this company is based in the usa, they have international partners in many countries!

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spoiler: the answer is yes

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PSA: list of resources if you are in an immediate mental health crisis (just checked, soz, this list is specific to usa, canada, uk, new zealand)--i will keep looking into more widely-available international resources

edit: this support group available online to ANYONE, ANYWHERE (with the obvs limitation of being hosted in english)

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end post

[4chilleangel]

(No spoons for IDing today sowwy)

rainmaker rentry graphic!!!! self indulgent bc i’m making one but ermb free 2 use… wit creds… tehehe :3

[transmasc-advice-blog]

How to Get a Binder Without Your Parents Knowing

*disclaimer!! we here at transmasc advice blog do not promote lying and sneaking around behind your parents/guardians back! this is just a resource that might help if you are in a situation where you need a binder!*

**disclaimer #2! i am from the us in an urban area. i dont know if this will work in other countries or in an rural area where you dont have gas stations/stores as closely available. feel free to add in the notes/reblogs**

First: ask yourself: how much trouble would you get in if your parents if your parents found out? i trust that you are able to make a responsible decision in your situation. make sure you will be in a safe spot.

If you have access to money:

Do research! the best binder brands that ive tried or others have recommended to me are: Spectrum, Underworks, Wonababi, and ForThem. Make sure to look at the size guide and do measurements!

Depending on your binder, you will need about $30-$60. If you have a credit/debit card that your parents don't monitor, you can ship the package to a friends house whose parents are chill(ask them first!!), or get a p.o. box (this can cost about $5 a month, go to your local ups store to see!). You might be able to have the post office hold the package for you, but contact them about that (you might need a photo id).

If you only have access to cash, or your parents monitor your card, you can go to your local gas station/target or walmart and they should have visa giftcards. buy a visa giftcard with about $10-$20 more then the binder costs (shipping+tax).

If you don't have access to money:

There are programs availble! read the websites!

point of pride

ftm essentials

rainbow youth pride alliance

queer trans project

and many more! do your own research!

If you know transmasc people who bind, ask them! maybe they have a spare/old one, you never know!

I hope this helps! Please feel free to add anything else in the notes!

[penpalspencil]

f2u binding of isaac stamp i made!

STAMP CREDITS

[genderqueerdykes]

hi equinox! this is more a vent than anything but any advice you have is appreciated. besides the fact that i have extremely intense chest dysphoria (literally most of a day is spent thinking about how much i dislike my chest) i also have an extremely large chest (j cups that will not stop fucking growing) that is impossible to bind effectively/safely and also causes me significant chronic pain. im starting my medical transition but i have to wait for an entire year before i can get top surgery. ive attempted to go down the reduction route before because i thought that would be easier, but it was not - they told me to my face that i was too fat to be considered. i don't know how im going to make it a year. i honestly feel hopeless about it.

i wanted to take the time to thank you for sending this message. this is a deeply vulnerable thing to talk about so thank you for feeling safe enough to send this

people don't understand how hard it is to have very large breasts. one of my friends in high school had to get breast reduction surgery because they were making it hard for her to breathe and were causing her pain. it's a serious issue, especially for people with chest dysphoria. im sorry you've been dealing with this, it's not easy. i have somewhat large breasts and they bother me a lot some days

are you planning on starting testosterone? if you are, your breasts may shrink a bit. a lot of people lose breast tissue after starting T and their breasts become less perky and dense. it may help you somewhat. binding is awful i find it to be so inaccessible for most people. only certain people can do it without risking health problems. it's hard to be in that kind of situation

i wish you the best of luck. if you need to shop around to find better surgeons, do so. you may be able to find others that are close by that aren't dicks. your weight literally does not matter when it comes to top surgery. this might help you:

[fart-graphics]

By clicking this link, you will find a download for 72 screencaps of Isaac Moriah from The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth (all Rebirth endings and cutscenes)!

You're welcome to use/edit these screencaps however you see fit! I grabbed these when I decided to roleplay this little booger and let me tell you, it was SO hard to find images I could actually make icons from!! The gameplay itself isn't really good for icons since Isaac doesn't have many animations and his appearance changes so much each run, so having these was a lifesaver..!

Credit isn't mandatory since IMO I didn't do much here, but if these were helpful to you please consider liking/reblogging/linking back :D

For @tasksweekly : Task 001 - Screencaps

[sh4rkf1nn7]

Does anyone have any good, comfortable, and safe binder brands?(not gc2b) The internet is immensely unhelpful ._.

[the-transgenda-agenda]

Hello there! I've updated The Transgender Dictionary so that instead of a lowly carrd, it is instead a HTML website of my own creation. Feel free to share it around as you like.

Some sections are a bit barren, though I must admit that I am only one person. Research is tedious and I get busy and distracted quite often. If anyone has anything to be added or updated, please send me a message or an ask. Thank you!

[slayerangel]

i do like the 4 star dress but idk if i wanna keep pulling....

[scout-stims]

tboi blinkies for @snuggelina!!!

[pegasusknightsonly]

I've always been studiously indifferent to thinking about transmasc Linhardt but. it is a much more convincing explanation for him and Caspar being friends than literally any of their canon interactions

[the-great-binder-drive]

Huge GC2B Sale in the UK/EU!

For those that haven't seen, GC2B are closing their international store, so all binders there are up to 40% off. Seems like there are mainly Large sizes and above left. The store closes on June 25th 2024 at 5pm EST, so please boost for our trans and NB pals!

Check it out here

[4chilleangel]

DARK ESAU PACKAGE!

[pt. dark esau package!]

TWs: None

Stimboard ~ themes of fire, red, & orange!

Userboxes ~ font: Kiwi Soda

Stamps ~ NMA ^^;

IMVU Status Buttons ~ Blood Lust, Undead, Pyro, Destructive

Themed Favicons ~ fire, anger

All our stuff is free2use!! No credit needed EXCEPT for the stamps & userboxes which we made in Ibis. Yours truly, ELO/Lectro 💾 [it/he/xey/zap]