Bookbinding Instructions

Many of us have books we love and read every year. Some are probably showing the years (even more than we are!) so here are some basic repairs you can do with a minimum of equipment, although I do recommend you get the right supplies - particularly the book tape.

When one or two pages have fallen out of your favorite paperback- you will need a clean rag, tacky glue (see below), a few wax paper strips, some heavy books.
1. Open the book to where the page/s belong
2. Place a thin strip of glue along the spine (sometimes easier to do with a toothpick dipped in the glue than straight from the glue container)
3. Line up the edges of the loose page with the adjacent pages and carefully press the remaining edge onto the glue at the spine
4. Place a strip of wax paper on either side of the glues edge (to stop any glue from joining the next pages as well!)
5. Close the book and wipe away any excess glue from the top and bottom of the book with the rag
6. Place under a few heavy books until the glue dries (at least 3 hours)

When the front or back cover has departed company with the rest of your favorite paperback - you will need tape, rubber bands and some heavy books.
1. Place the tape parallel to the spine of the book so that half can be stuck to the first (or last) page of the book.
2. Fold the tape back on itself
3. Align the cover with the rest of the book making sure the spine edge will be met
4. Press the cover down onto the tape
5. Put a couple of rubber bands around the book and leave under the heavier books for a couple of hours

Disaster - the complete cover has decided to call it a day and disassociate itself from the written word. You will need clean rag, glue, rubber bands, some heavier books.
1. Retrieve the cover and open out completely on a flat surface
2. Put a film of glue all over the spine area
3. Place the spine edge of the book onto the glue
4. Close the covers
5. Using the rag, wipe away any excess glue from the top and bottom of the spine (making sure you wipe towards the spine not the pages or they will stick together!)
6. Wrap a few rubber bands around the book and place under some heavier books.
7. Leave overnight to dry

Now that's a good start on having you keep your library full of your favourites.