You may have noticed a few steps back that we only trimmed the end sheets to the length of the text block, but not to its width. That's because it's a lot easier and really more accurate to wait and do it after the end sheets are attached (or the first end sheet can be trimmed as soon as attachment is complete, before beginning the attachment of the second end sheet…it doesn't matter whether it's done then or now). A steel ruler is placed on top of the end sheet, flush with the fore edge of the text block, and the cutting is done with a knife.

The one last step of end sheet attachment is to reinforce the sewing with an adhesive bond. Just the 1/8" or so of exposed hinge cloth is covered with PVA mixture (see red arrows in photo). The book is then closed so the end sheets are fastened to the text block with adhesive. The book will be going right into the finishing press, so the adhesive will set up and the bond between the end sheets and text block will become permanent during its time there.