Repairing a book binding

This tutorial will show you quick and easy ways to fix a books binding. I have done a little book binding in the past so i have some of the tools needed like a bone folder and book. The number depends on the size and weight of the book. This process is more formally known as tearing apart. My last repair was a zoology book from the mid 1800s that required resewing signatures and repairing pages. A simple buckram or leather binding is the perfect remedy for aging and ailing bindings, or you may choose something that is more elaborate. Well, take out your supplies, and follow the rebinding process in this chapter. Xfasten book binding repair tape, black, 2inch by 15yard, cloth library book hinging repair tape, acid free and archival safe. It is likely that your bible will need a new genuine leather custom cover and binding work. I buy certain reference books, sometimes they are used and the binding needs a little tlc. Cut some strips one inch wide and as long as the books page. A firstedition copy with no damages is much more valuable than a firstedition copy with missing pages and broken binding. As i have time between studentsclasses, i can pull out the binder and stand it up on my desk, along with the file and tape guns, and do repair.

Unless you are tryign to make a family heirloom regular elmers. Whether an old and prized hardcover book or a inexpensive paperback, books occasionally need to have the binding repaired or replaced. Sep 09, 2011 this is a guide about repairing a book s binding. How to repair a paperback book fixing a break in the binding open the book where the binding is broken. Quick and easy ways to fix a books binding youtube. A stepbystep guide to book repair for beginners duration. Eileens tacky glue is thick and, just as it says, tacky. Use white glue, the very common one which can be thinned with water. Three basic book repair procedures 1 by carole dyal and pete merrilloldham introduction hinge tightening i hinge tightening ii tippingin loose pages conclusions references. Mar 19, 2019 pva glue is a liquid but they are not all the same. If you have never done this before, i suggest you start with a paperback book that is not an expensive treasure. The covers have a tendency to become damaged near the hinges and outer edges. Pavel takes pride in handling your books at the highest level of respect, obliging to your tradition.

Feel free to ask any questions, i would be happy to answer them. Cut three strips of tyvek a little narrower than the space left by the cut spirals, apply pva, and thread the strips into the book. Note, not all binders use the most long lasting glue. Youll know this has happened because your book will fall easily open to the break, and youll be able to see the binding glue. Jofamy book binding kits, 17 pcs bookbinding supplies,a necessity book binding starter kit real bone folder,paper awl, largeeye needles,glue brushes, scissors, steel ruler wax thread. Use book repair tape and linen bookbinding tape or a clear tape to repair book covers, mend loose pages, and hinge book spines. I could live with the damage because i got it at a really good price, but i would like to repair it if i can. This flap is be glued atop the binding on the first and last pages to separate the first page from the cover. Acidfree glue is a must because any acid in the glue will eventually eat away at the spine of your book. Open your book to where the glue binding has broken.

About obs bindery and repair in business since 1940, we have three bookbinders experienced in the restoration and binding of books. How to repair and restore antiquarian books alibris. Use binder tape to aid in repairing spines, covers, and damages along the hinge. Bookbinding and book repair tape blick art materials. So what should you do when you have a book that needs repairs. Book repair tape was specifically designed to aid in small repairs and reinforcements in books. Book repair is the stuff they dont teach you in library school. At, we are dedicated to bringing high quality and affordable bookbinding, book restoration and book repair services to corporations, businesses, and individuals alike. I do book restoration and repair and binding on the side. Personal hand and study bibles are the most common book we repair. Performing a book restoration ranges from the removal of a regular stain or repair of a torn leaf to a complete rehab of its binding material and cover. Three basic book repair procedures 1 the book arts web. It is more flexible than other types of tape, and doesnt. Apr 26, 2018 the binding is tight if there is no crack or glue backing visible where the page fell out.

Book rebinding, repair and custom restoration services we offer quality custom book repair, rebinding, wedding album repair, bible rebinding, hand crafted journals and much more. For over twenty years the book doctor has provided custom bookbinding, book restoration, and book and bible repair services to customers nationwide. Bound volumes mended as soon as they show signs of damage may never require more complex repair or binding. How can you patch up a paperback book thats falling apart. As a division of university products, we produce highest quality conservation su.

Repair an old classic book rebinding i became interested in reading the old book moby dick because of a radio program where they discussed the qualities of the story. I absolutely love repairing books and hopefully you will like fixing yours and will fix more. Today we are recommended by many libraries, bookstores, and dealers. For a book of any special value, this poses an important question. Basically all modern books have their pages independently. Years of rough handling, careless falls, and countless careful readings all take their toll. Set your book open and flat at the proper page joint. Jun 18, 2014 got an old book that has its pages coming apart and its stitches loosening up. Our job is to bind a book so it will stay together and stand up to the repeated use that library books are subjected to. The type of damage you describe indicates that the book binding is failing completely and needs extensive repair.

Gain triedandtrue book repair tips from your peers. Tape bound books use a pressuresensitive or heatactivated adhesive that attaches to the pages. Hardbound books can take quite a beating, but sometimes youll need to step in for some book binding repair. Valuable books should be repaired by a professional. Sep 05, 2019 open the book where the binding is broken. For the best results with any type of diy book repair, you need book or binding glue. We have no minimums for our book repair and restoration services. Repairing a broken book binding is fairly easy, although please check that you are not damaging a first edition. Our job is to bind a book so it will stay together and stand up to the. As the leather dries and a book is handled, it is vulnerable to damage. Book rebinding, repair and custom restoration services. Eventually, many of these books require some degree of repair.

We will take the exact same care to rebind or repair your book. Some have sewn bindings, but most bibles now have a glued perfect binding. Dont wait to take advantage of these excellent supplies to protect and care for your books long term. The chelsea bindery show the processes of book binding duration. In particular, either one or both covers are torn or have come off, or. Paperback books are especially vulnerable to the wear and tear caused by voracious readers. Using a book or binding glue can help you reattach. Mend tears in the book cover with linen bookbinding tape. Book repair basics for libraries american library association.

Xfasten book binding repair tape, black, 2inch by 15yard, cloth library book hinging repair tape, acid free and archival safe 4. Repairing a broken hinge on a library book youtube. But when i went to all the bookstores, they only had drab dreary new copies of the book. Our nyc bookbindery is one of the few remaining businesses of its kind in the new york area. Book restoration and repair is a fairly simple process that can quickly and inexpensively restore books to nearoriginal condition with the right tools, saving you money in replacements. It is not easy to reposition paper with this glue but i have found that these types of thick glues work well on book cover repairs. Paperback books make up the bulk of most peoples personal libraries.

When repairing pages, i like to use one of brodarts book repair glues. This kind of repair is used when the spine if offloose, and the hinges attaching the boards to. Book repair supplies glue, tape, and book repair tools. How to fix the cover of a paperback book pen and the pad. Got an old book that has its pages coming apart and its stitches loosening up. Binding101 has it all whether you need to repair book spines, a library book, or anything in between. This edition of b o o k c r a f t continues the tradition and presents updated techniques for the maintenance and repair of books in school and public l i b r a r i. But the moment materials leave the shelf, danger lurks. Tape binding is a low cost way to effectively bind single use publications such as manuals and training documents. You can find acidfree options including those made specifically for books or binding at your local craft store, book binding store, or the world wide web. Step 1 call brother to save the day this step could be skip. Manages circulating collections rehousing and repair. We have all the diy book repair supplies youll need to save the day. Find book repair glues and tapes, repair wings and corners, and book repair tools to get the job done.

This works as long as the cover is still in one piece, even with bonded. Pavel book restoration master bookbinder with 40 year of. Buy products related to book binding repair products and see what customers say about book binding repair products on free delivery possible on eligible purchases. Sadly she didnt notice that the binding spinecover. Pva glue is a liquid but they are not all the same. It is clear to me that you really love books and were trying to do your best to put your book back into usable condition. Whether it is a bible, personal prayer book, siddur or other holy book, we at pavel book restoration will give it a new life. How to repair a books binding tightening a gap between the pages and spine gather your equipment.

Sep, 2014 common among professional bookbinders are the acidfree ranges of pva glue, developed specifically for the book binding, conservation and book repair industries and as the name states, offer a ph neutral chemical makeup perfect for bookbinding or restoration projects. Remove all the binding components of the book, which include the mull, signatures and the cover. The binding of a book takes the brunt of the wear over time. Apply pva to both pieces of board, and attach to the inside of the front and back covers. Simple techniques for the maintenance and repair of books. Before you decide which method to use you need to examine the book. Use a bone folder or flat edge of a knife to create a crisp fold in one edge of the paper. Demco collection care how to repair a broken hinge on a library book. A book with tightened hinges is sometimes more sturdy after treatment than it was at the time of purchase. Because they are newer, family bibles from the 1950s tend to need less sewing to repair the binding.

I used tacky glue yesterday on a book binding because the elmers glue has been watered down for decoupage. Glue options for perfect bound paperback books diy. The use of the old binding methods is often the reason why the book is in need of rebinding. Repairing this will ensure that pages or segments of pages dont fall out of your binding. Here are some of the ways we can repair your bible without rebinding it in a new cover. Place your book on a flat surface, and with a sharp knife, cut right through the endsheet, mull and the. It is important to repair a damaged paperback book as soon as possible, before the cover or individual pages separate from the spine and become. Bringing a wide variety of materials and experience for your restoration and repair needs anywhere in the usa. The repaired book s spine cracks when you open it too wide because the glue brittle as in not the best choice for a softcover book.

Its a quality product that worth having on hand for damaged books. Is your favorite book falling apart or shedding pages or its cover. Book repair is easy using our thermal binding machines and precut glue strips for books where some or all the pages have fallen out can insert the appropriate width glue strip, reinsert the pages and heat the books in the thermal binding machine. Apr 16, 2008 glue options for perfect bound paperback books. Leatherbound books are some of the highest quality, most expensive and most desirable kinds of books available. Recasing just putting the book back into the original cover, and tightening up a loose text block. I recently purchased a book from amazon warehouse deals and it has a tornbusted spine.

A short video tutorial on how to reattach the cover to a hardcover book. I used, together with book binding glue, to repair large study bible. We prefer to use a binding method that allows the spine leather to be loose from the binding instead of having it pasted down onto the spine and creating a potential for creases in the leather. Using a book or binding glue can help you reattach pages that have come loose from the book. Repairing a broken hinge on a library book demco madison. Lineco manufactures archival quality bookbinding and repair products. How to repair a leather bound book home guides sf gate.

This damage is not possible to repair, so many bibles need new, customized full leather covers. It is evident how much a book has been loved by how blemished or damaged it is. Keep your books and materials in pristine condition with these excellent and affordable tapes. If you have just one item that you would like us to work on, we would love to fix that old worn treasure or newer binding that just hasnt held up. Antiquerare book restoration leonards book restoration. In libraries large and small, minor repair is a critical component in overall efforts to care for collections of books and journals. They are highly portable, thus taking an amazing amount of abuse. Remove the backing to reveal the adhesive on the tape, and press the tape onto the tear at the inside of the book cover. What other options are there to protect a rare title.

Use scissors to cut a section of tape that is just longer than the tear. Book restoration is the arduous process of taking a book in disrepair and returning it to as close to its original condition as possible. No wonder the three most watched demco youtube videos are from our collection care series. My older sister bought an out of print book off of ebay for her kids this christmas. This works on glued bindings, and also works on broken sewing. Repairing a broken hinge on a library book duration. We are open to discussions, sharing of ideas and techniques, general binding chatter and more. We offer a large variety of book restoration supplies to help you care for your books and keep them in pristine condition for years of enjoyment. As a library bindery, our day to day task is to repair and rebind existing books for libraries. If the book will not stay easily open try weighting either side down with whatever is available. A stepbystep guide to book repair for beginners youtube.

Oct 22, 2014 you reinforce spines, apply laminate or mylar book jacket covers, you even add an layer of protection to your labels. Place a piece of wax paper between the cover and pages. As a used and rare bookstore with over 300,000 volumes in stock, we have 70 years experience and understand the way old books should be bound. To accomplish this you will need to remove the text block the contents from the cover and reattach it to a sturdy cloth tape. May 11, 2011 the chelsea bindery show the processes of book binding duration. One technique for preserving the originality and market value of a rare antiquarian book is to recase it in a binding of a vintage contemporary to the book. You will need both of your hands free for the repair. Glue options for perfect bound paperback books diy bookbinding.