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.
Missing Page Corners
Choose two layers of Japanese tissue that together will be close in thickness to the page being repaired. Protect the pages ...
Modified Four Flap Wrapper
A modified four-flap wrapper can be constructed and glued into a binder to protect thin items or loose pages. This ...
Paper Tears, Cuts and Losses
Over the next few posts I will cover the methods you can use to repair paper tears, cuts in paper ...
Planning Your Repairs
Just like any activity you don't do often, book repairs should be planned and your work area prepared before you ...
Plastic Book Jackets
Replacing damaged or soiled plastic book jacket covers is a fast way to make books look new and inviting. The best kind ...
Preparing Thread for Book Repairs
WAXING LINEN THREAD Like all thread, linen thread has a tendency to tangle. Waxing sewing thread with beeswax keeps the ...
Punching Cradle Instructions
Signature Punching Cradle A signature punching cradle helps control placement of the sewing stations and can be constructed out of ...
Re-attaching Illustrations and Plates
Plates are illustrations that are printed separately from the text of a book. Many plates are smaller than the text ...
Re-attaching Pages
Tipping-in is one way to reattach a detached page or plate, errata sheet or replacement page. Tipping-in is not used to ...
Reattaching a Single Text Page
Each book will accept a repaired or replaced page in a different way. Some pages will sit easily into the hinge ...
Reinforcing Spiral Bound Books
Spiral bindings can be reinforced for longer life. This technique was developed at the University of Michigan Library and uses a ...
Repairing Cut Paper or Pages
Paper cuts slice completely through the paper fibers so they do not have a top or bottom feathered edge as ...
Planning and Preparation
Which repair method should I use?
Designing specific book repair work
How to test for grain in paper or book cloth
Book repair thread | Linen thread
Preparing thread for book repairs
Techniques and Methods
Clear plastic tape (sticky tape)
Replacing missing book corners
How to make clam shell book boxes
How to make a four flap wrapper
Binding pamphlets and booklets
Reinforcing spiral bound books
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.
