Fanbinding Community Guide

Getting into fanbinding, information on ethical and illegal binding, what can be considered frowned upon in the community, and resources for binding.

Last updated: 2/27/24

About This Guide

As something that was highly requested, this is a resource to serve as an introduction for new binders joining the community, especially on Instagram. More "seasoned" binders can also contact us on our Discord for any additional input in this guide they think may be helpful. This guide will be continually updated as new information becomes available, and what can be agreed upon as a community.

This guide is not restricted to one particular fandom, but it does encompass fanfic binding as a whole.

Intro to Fanbinding

Bookbinding for fanfiction has been gaining popularity within the last few years. There is a decently established fanbinding community on Instagram, with few other binders also located on Tumblr, Twitter, and TikTok.
    In terms of legality, bookbinding for personal use is fine and non-profit commissions for fanfic bookbinding is also okay as long as the commission is charging for cost of materials and shipping ONLY.

Ethical and Illegal Binding

It should go unsaid by participating in fanbinding, you will do it ethically. Most ethical fanbinding practices pertain to those that offer fanfic commissions, but there are some rules for personal use binding also.
    Illegal binding includes the use of professional printing or print-on-demand services like Lulu and B&N in the United States and other similar print shops or print sites internationally, even for personal use. This is because those sites charge for-profit to print and bind the book for you. Since it's already established that we cannot profit from the fandom for bookbinding, that is one of the reasons of what makes it illegal.

You can read up on the published article by Lulu on why it is illegal to print fanfiction via their services here.

General Ethical Binding Practices:

  • Fanfic commissions should be cost of materials and shipping ONLY

  • Stories offered for commission must be granted author's permission to the binder

  • Use of artwork in dust jackets, hardcovers, or typesets must have artist's permission.
    Just because it's posted in the fic on AO3 does not mean the artist will allow it for use in commissions.

  • Fanfiction typesets must be free to access and not held behind a paywall such as Patreon, ko-fi, etc.
    Note: Typesets can be uploaded to Patreon but they must be a public post that anyone can access and not be restricted by a subscription tier

  • Fanfiction commission slots should be free/equal opportunity and not given advantage via paywalls such as Patreon early access slots.

  • Have or provide upon request a cost breakdown list of materials for fanfiction commissions

  • Respect author's wishes in regards to use of their work in binding and other transformative works

  • Respect an artist's wishes in regards to use of their art in binding or other transformative works

  • Do not use another binders' typeset for your own commissions

  • Do not use professional printing services for your fanfic commissions

  • Do not distribute other binders' typesets, especially onto public forums or Google Drives, unless given permission by said binder.

Etiquette and Common Courtesy

  1. The general etiquette is to ask writers, artists, binders, etc. for permission to use their original work when you are in doubt. Some creators have personal policies on their social media pages. Please take the time to look into the personal preferences.

    If they do not have a blanket statement, send a private message. If you do not hear from them or they have left your fandom, the best rule of thumb is, unfortunately, to assume you should not use their work unless it is for personal use only. The original creator takes priority.
    If you do a personal bind and use artwork without permission, don't upload photos of the bind to social media to respect the artist's artwork. Most artists do not allow repost/usage of their works without permission.

  2. When it comes to creating works that are inspired by other creators, please credit them in your posts to social media, websites, etc. Since most fanworks cannot earn a profit, the least we can do is be acknowledged for our contributions.

  3. Blatant copying of someone else's work is not acceptable unless you were given permission to by said person (specifically copy+paste of designs, not things like common motifs, themes, etc) . We all work hard to create the unique pieces that we do, so let's not rip it off for clout or views.

  4. Please keep in mind that fandom creators don't make money off of their work most of the time. Their work is a gift to the community. While you may not like someone's work, be kind. This also applies to the community etiquette/common courtesy. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

  5. Criticism for violation fandom legalities is a different story. We must hold each other accountable in order to protect the fandom.

  6. Gifts and exchanges are widely accepted and encouraged. Usually for close to equal value from all parties to make the exchange fair. Just be courteous and respectful.