book corner repairs

Book Cloth Corner Repairs

After the corner book board is repaired, cut a piece of new book cloth to cover the repair. The grain of the book cloth (see separate post) must run parallel with the spine of the book.

Glue the book cloth patch in place on the outside of the book cover. Dry under weight.

Fold the point of the new book cloth corner over the book board so it forms a 45 degree angle. Use a needle-in-a-stick to mark the position where the book cloth covers the corner. This mark should be as close to the edge of the corner as possible

Unfold the new book cloth corner and draw a line through the needle point, along the 45 degree fold. Cut the book cloth along this line.

The new book cloth patch has two edges. Regardless of which corner is being repaired, in these instructions the top or bottom edge of the book will be designated as the top. The other edge will be the fore edge of new book cloth patch.
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Apply PVA along the top edge of the new book cloth then fold the edge over the book board. Use a folder to press the book cloth flush against the thickness of the book board. The book cloth should be glued completely flat to all sides of the book board.

The new book cloth has a tendency to bulge out at the corner so push the new book cloth downward against the front edge of the book board with the point of a folder.

Apply glue to the fore edge of the new book cloth and work the cloth into position over the book board with a folder. Use a folder to work the new book cloth flat against the book board and slightly round the corner.

The original cloth can be trimmed to eliminate the ragged edges and glued down or the ragged edge can be glued as is. Gluing the loose threads down can sometimes help camouflage the new book cloth if it is not a good color match.

Dry the repair under weight using paper covered bricks or between
pieces of book board with bulldog clips. Some older books may look more “natural” with rounded corners, especially if only one comer is being repaired. For rounded comers, mold the corners into position while the glue is wet; dry without weight or pressure.

Book Board/Corner Repairs

The book board used in book case construction consists of many layers of board. If the book cloth is damaged or torn open at a corner, the different layers of board are often visible. When damaged corners are repaired with plastic tape, the book board is not repaired, it is only covered up. To truly repair the book corner, the various layers of book board must be glued to one another and the book cloth repaired or replaced.
In some cases the corners are damaged while the book cloth is still intact. Other times the book cloth will be torn or missing. In either case, cut through the book cloth on the top and fore edge of the board. Cut well past the damaged board into sound board and cloth.

Separate the layers of board and use a microspatula or knife to apply PVA glue to several of the book board layers. The PVA will seep through the thin layers of board so every layer does not need to have glue applied. The number of glued layers depends on the condition of the book board.

If the original book cloth covers the corner, paint a small amount of glue on the wrong side of the book cloth and smooth it over the corner. (If the book cloth needs to be replaced, follow the instructions for Attaching New Corner Book Cloth in a separate post.)

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With fingers or a folder, press the book cloth onto the board, moving from the base of the repair up toward the comer edge. Wipe away any excess glue with a cloth or paper towel.

Note how much excess glue came out of the corner and use that as a gauge to decrease or increase the amount of glue used. A small amount seeping out is good because it means that the glue has reached all the layers of cardboard. Too much adhesive seeping out is wasteful and makes a mess to clean up.

For sharp flat corners, cover each side of the corner with wax paper or non-stick material and clamp between two pieces of book board using bulldog clips. Use dense mat board or book board, not corrugated cardboard that will compress under the pressure of the clips.

Another way to achieve flat corners is to lay the repaired comer flat against the work table and weight it down with a paper covered brick.

Corners do not have to be sharp or flat to protect the book. Some older books may look more “natural” with rounded corners, especially when only one or two corners are repaired. If rounded comers would look better, mold the corners into position while the glue is wet and let the repair dry without weight or pressure.

The corners of a book take a great deal of stress and can be damaged while
the rest of the case is still in good condition.

This is another repair that is often handled with plastic tape or purchased
“repair wings.” Applying tape or wings does not repair the corner; instead it
adds a layer of tape on top of the problem.

The adhesive on the tape can seep out or dry up over time, causing the plastic carrier to fall off. That can leave behind a sticky residue that is often impossible to clean up.

If the book cloth has been worn off the top or bottom edges of the cover boards, replacing the book cloth at the corners may not be a wise use of time. You might consider rebinding your book to get the best value for your time invested in repair work.

The next post will show you a method for repairing corners of a hard cover book.