Steamboating. Cutting books out of boards, a number being cut at the same time.
Straight edge. A flat ruler.
Super. A thin, loosely woven cotton cloth, glued onto the backs of books to help to hold the signatures together and, by extending over to the inside of the cover, to hold book and cover together. In publishers’ binding this is usually all that holds a book in its case. It is thin and loosely woven that it may be easily glued down and starched that it may be easily handled. Its place is taken in good binding by fine muslin or jaconet.
T. E. G. Top-edge gilt.
Tacky. Sticky; spoken often of glue after it has set, but before it is quite dry.
Tail. See Head and tail.
Tape. Cotton tape on which many books are best sewn. It should be stout but flexible.
Thread. The thread with which books are sewn is usually made of linen, unbleached. It comes in several sizes. If of good quality, say Hayes’s Standard linen, it costs about $1.25 per pound for No. 18 2-cord.
Silk thread is sometimes used in extra binding and on very thick books.
In machine sewing cotton thread is used and wears well.