Verso. Left hand page of an open book.
Warp. The threads running lengthwise in cloth.
Waste papers. The part of the end papers or fly leaves which in some kinds of work are removed when the end paper is pasted to the cover. The terms end papers, fly leaves and waste papers are used in different binderies with much the same meaning.
Waterproof sheets. Sheets of waterproof cardboard sometimes laid in or between books when pressing.
Weft. The threads running crosswise in cloth. Also called woof, and filling.
Whipping, or whipstitching. See Overcasting.
Whole bound. Term indicating that a book is bound in full leather. See also Full bound.
Wire sewing. Sewing the signatures of a book to cloth by means of wire staples driven through their centers.
Wired. Pamphlets held together by wire staples driven through and clinched near the back edge, are said to be wired.
Witness. The leaves of a book which show the original size of the sheet, although other sheets have been trimmed, are a witness to the fact that the book has not been cut down.