How to Repair a Book Spine
1. Prevention is Key
As with any endeavor, preventing a problem is often more effective than attempting to fix a problem that has already occurred. If you know a book will get a lot of use, such as a bestselling novel at a library or a children's textbook, take time to protect the spine from damage. Heavy duty label protectors and book-binding tape can be adhered to book spines before they go into circulation. Using hinge tape extends the life of the spine by providing extra support each time the book is opened or closed. You can even apply book repair tape to the inside corners where the cover meets the first pages for added security.
2. For Book Binding Repairs, Combine Glue and Tape
After a book has already been damaged, do a little research about book spine repair with the particular type of damage yours is facing, like peeling or detaching. Proper repair methods can help prevent further wear. In general, book spine repair tape can seal any cracks that might have appeared on the spine. If the pages of a hardcover book have separated from the spine, first use glue to reattach them. Let the glue dry for about a day, and then seal the repair with an outer layer of tape.
3. Other Book-Care Tips
Tape and glue can be used in several other book-repair applications. For example, if book pages are beginning to "tip in" from the spine to fall loose, a thin line of glue for each loose page might do the trick. If pages are torn, book repair tape or even clear glossy label protectors can seal the rip without obscuring words.
Most novels today run between 280-320 pages. That usually means about 75,000 to 110,000 words, depending on font, page spacing, and the page size. With an entire world contained in those pages, it's no wonder that keeping a book intact takes such a high amount of care. To protect the stories you love, use the tips listed above for a library that lasts a lifetime.
Update from April 2021
You have multiple options when it comes to repairing your books! Chromalabel's book repair corners and labels will help fix up the edges of a book. Our cloth book binding tape is incredibly sturdy and will last a very long time. The clear and stretchable BookGuard is great for protecting and repairing a book spine. If you're still not sure which is right for you, give us a call and we'll answer any questions!
1 comment
Dorothy Rose Howland
we have a paperback service manual for an outboard motor once my husband started using the book the pages are starting to come loose. This is not a hard cover its soft back. Can this be repaired? My thinking would be to bind it . The manual is not very old only a couple of months but used regularly .