There are a number of repairs you can do to help lengthen the life of your favourite books, and like any trade, there are a myriad of terms and tools that you don’t come across every day.
To help you through this maze, I have listed here (with links) all the information on this site that I have categorised as Book Repair Basics. It covers everything from how to decide if you should repair your book, what tools you might need to step by step instructions for simple repair tasks.
When applying adhesive to Japanese repair tissue, choose a brush that matches the size of the surface. If the area ...
Over the next few posts I will talk about methods of binding pamphlets, booklets or single pages of information into ...
Punching Sewing Holes in Pamphlet Materials Center Folded Materials For items that are center folded, a punching jig and signature ...
THE THREE HOLE PAMPHLET STITCH Choose the three hole stitch for fairly thin material that is less than 7” tall. A ...
THE FIVE HOLE PAMPHLET STITCH The instructions for the five hole pamphlet stitch use a one signature pamphlet. The same sewing ...
Sewing Multiple Signature Pamphlets Into Binders A multiple-signature pamphlet that is side sewn or side stapled can be punched or drilled ...
The corners of a book take a great deal of stress and can be damaged while the rest of the ...
There are two main kinds of adhesives used in book repair: paste and glue. Each has special properties and should ...
There are two main kinds of adhesives used in book repair: paste and glue. Each has special properties and should ...
The most commonly used glue for book repair these days is Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA). Also known as craft glue or ...
Using the right needle will make sewing easy and more successful. Needles should be as small in diameter as possible, ...
Books are traditionally sewn with linen thread which is very strong and can be purchased in several sizes. Choosing the ...
Planning and Preparation
Where to start?
Is my book worth repairing?
Which repair method should I use?
Planning your repairs
Designing specific book repair work
Complex book repairs
Using bookshelves correctly
How to measure a book
How to test for grain in paper or book cloth
Book repair tools
Book repair sewing needles
Book repair thread | Linen thread
Preparing thread for book repairs
Tying knots
Drying book repair work
How to make a punch hole jig
Punching cradle instructions
Techniques and Methods
Cleaning pages of a book
Repairing paper
Simple or complex paper tears
Japanese repair tissue
Heat set tissue
Document repair tape
Clear plastic tape (sticky tape)
Repairs with document tape
Book repair – glue or paste?
Book repair glue
Wheat paste recipes
Repairing cut paper or pages
Adhesives and repair tissue
Repairing holes in book pages
Missing page corners
Replacing missing book corners
Re-attaching loose pages
Hinging in detached pages
Replacing missing pages
Flattening Rolled Paper
How to make clam shell book boxes
How to make a four flap wrapper
Modified four flap wrapper
Plastic book jackets
Binding pamphlets and booklets
Reinforcing spiral bound books
How to remove paperclips
How to remove staples
If the specific technique or problem you want is not listed here, please check both the Hardcover and Paperback Book Repair pages for more techniques that are designed for these types of books.