Hardcover books are more complex in their construction than most paperback books so the repairs can sometimes be more involved. I have listed here the techniques that are covered on this site and I do encourage you to seek the assistance of bookbinders if you are unsure of whether to repair your book or not.

There are many basic repair techniques listed in the Book Repair Basics section – if you can’t find what you need here, it may be listed there.

Book Repair Glue

Book Repair – Glue or Paste?

There are two main kinds of adhesives used in book repair: paste and glue. Each has special properties and should ...
Book Repair Glue

Book Repair Adhesives

There are two main kinds of adhesives used in book repair: paste and glue. Each has special properties and should ...
Book Repair Glue

Book Repair Glue

The most commonly used glue for book repair these days is Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA). Also known as craft glue or ...
Egg Eye Needle

Book Repair Sewing Needles

Using the right needle will make sewing easy and more successful. Needles should be as small in diameter as possible, ...
Egg Eye Needle

Book Repair Thread | Linen Thread

Books are traditionally sewn with linen thread which is very strong and can be purchased in several sizes. Choosing the ...
book repair folder

Book Repair Tools

Let's have a look at the most useful tools you can have to help you repair your favorite books. A ...

Book Review – Basic Bookbinding

As you will see from the Resources page - I chose this book to include in my list of recommended ...
Cleaning Books

Cleaning Books

Other Types of Cleaning Dry cleaning (as covered in a previous post) will only remove surface dirt. More advanced cleaning techniques ...
Cleaning Books

Cleaning Pages of a Book

When attempting to clean paper, always start with the least abrasive cleaning method before trying others. Keep in mind that cleaning ...

Clear Plastic Tape (Sticky Tape)

Many books are repaired with clear plastic tape or "sticky tape". What appears to be a quick solution can become ...
rebacking a book

Complex Book Repairs

ADVANCED REPAIRS Serious repair problems take more time and skill to accomplish than any other level of repair. Often, books that ...
endpapers

Constructing a Double Spread Endpaper

When the front and back endpapers show the same information or picture, the fly leaf of each endpaper can be used ...

Hardcover Book Repair Techniques

Complex Book Repairs

Tightening and Repairing Loose Book Hinges

Repairing Damaged Book Hinges

Book Cloth Repairs

Book Corner Repairs

Re-attaching single leaves

Damaged folios and signatures

Repairing folios

Repairing signatures

Re-attaching detached signatures

Resewing a damaged text block

Lap link stitch

Link stitch

Repairing the Spine of a Book

Recasing a Hardcover Book

Recovering a Hardcover book

Rebacking a Case Bound book

End paper repairs