Is your favorite book falling apart, losing pages, or has the cover now separated from the rest of the volume? Instead of getting rid of that old book, we'll show you some tricks to get it back in a usable condition so you can still enjoy it without the thought of damaging it every time you browse it. Keep reading!
Steps
Step 1. Put everything you need together
Go to the "Things You Will Need" section to make a note of a number of tools and items you will need in order to repair a book.
-
Settle into a well-lit work area with all the things you'll need close at hand.
Rb11_495 - Ready-to-use items and a book to be repaired, while another wrapped with rubber bands is waiting for the glue to dry.
Step 2. First of all repair the files and pages
Sew up the booklets, or glue the “flying” pages again before gluing the cover.
-
The “flying” pages must be glued or re-stitched before proceeding to repair the spine or the cover.
Rb1_373 -
The booklets are the set of folded sheets that make up the pages of the book; the various sheets that make up the booklet are sewn together on the fold. Sew up the bundles using double waxed thread or whatever else you have decided to use, being careful to also use knots to better secure the stitches.
Signatures_178 - If the booklet you are sewing has damaged paper along the stitches, you can use duct tape to repair or reinforce it before stitching it back.
- Apply a generous layer of plastic glue along the entire spine of the bound booklets. Once dry, the glue will retain some elasticity, which will prevent future damage to your book.
Step 3. Prepare and apply masking tape
-
Cut a strip of your “single-stitched canvas tape” equal to the height of the book.
Rb2_381 -
Use one side of the “single-stitched canvas tape” by matching the seam on the corner of the back of the sets. Press firmly on both the spine and the first page with the bone or Teflon folder.
Rb4_366 -
Attach the remaining layer of the canvas tape to the inside of the cover and spine.
Rb6_670 - Keep the canvas tape firmly pressed to eliminate any air bubbles and ensure good adhesion.
Step 4. Repeat the operation as needed
-
In this example the tape was applied to the front.
Rb8_896 - The illustration shows the bottom (the sticky) part of the single-stitched canvas tape applied to the front page and half of the back of the sets… with the top half slightly folded in for a better view. The upper part (the one in canvas) of the ribbon, on the other hand, will be glued respectively to the inner part of the spine and to that of the front of the cover.
Step 5. Apply masking tape to the back
Use clear tape, leaving 1 to 2 centimeters of excess to adhere to the cover.
-
Press the tape firmly to the spine of the book.
S2_873 -
Press and hold the tape on the edge of the spine (the one where the title and the author of the book are) and also between its grooves for better adhesion and future mobility.
S3_637 - Make sure to adhere all parts of transparent adhesive tape all over the cover, eliminating air bubbles and applying the right pressure to ensure better adhesion.
Step 6. Position the rubber bands
It is important to hold everything tightly together with rubber bands or a book press while the glue is drying.
Step 7. Remove the book from the press or the rubber bands
Your cover is now properly reattached.
-
While not recommended, the refitted cover should be strong enough not to break again if kept upside down!
Rb10_263
Step 8. Finishing
Proceed with minor repairs, further reinforcing the spine and corners, or re-gluing or taping flying pages, for example.
Advice
- When repairing a book, first proceed with the areas in the worst condition, then move on to the least damaged. If you can't properly repair the spine of the book itself first, there is no point in reinforcing the corners or gluing in the missing pages.
- Try searching for specific editions on the subject.
- Clear adhesive book tape works best on the outside.
- Double-stitched canvas tape is a double-layered tape, placed "back to back", and then sewn to the center. The sewing line then replaces the torn hinge of your book.
Warnings
- Never use packing tape or common masking tape on a book. The former will begin to peel off within three years, while the latter will turn into a kind of mush over the same amount of time, ruining your book.
- Try to use a tape that is not too large. There is no reason to use a 6cm wide repair tape where a 3cm wide would suffice.
- Do not try to repair a rare or valuable book, as an attempt to repair could inadvertently result in damage to the book itself, or otherwise significantly decrease its value. There are many expert restorers or bookbinders in period books, and for a valuable book, they are definitely worth the expense. If you have an antique or valuable book that needs to be repaired, try contacting a university bookstore or a shop specializing in antique books: they may be able to point you to a trusted restorer.
