All-Along.—When a volume is sewed, and the thread passes from kettle-stitch to kettle-stitch, or from end to end in each sheet, it is said to be sewed all-along.
Asterisk.—A sign used by the printers at the bottom of the front page of the duplicate-leaves printed to supply the place of those cancelled.
Backing-Boards.—Are used for backing or forming the joint. They are made of very hard wood or faced with iron, and are thicker on the edge intended to form the groove than upon the edge that goes towards the fore-edge, so that the whole power of the laying-press may be directed towards the back.
Backing-Hammer.—The hammer used for backing and rounding: it has a broad, flat face, similar to a shoemaker's hammer.
Bands.—The twines whereon the sheets of a volume are sewn. When the book is sewed flexible the bands appear upon the back. When the back is sawn so as to let in the twine, the appearance of raised bands is produced by glueing narrow strips of leather across the back before the volume is covered.
Band-Driver.—A tool used in forwarding to correct irregularities in the bands of flexible backs.
Bead.—The little roll formed by the knot of the headband.
Bleed.—When a book is cut into the print it is said to bleed.