Source
r/rpg•
diceproblems

Book Repair Advice?

Has anyone repaired a book before, or does anyone have a good resource on the topic? Got a... shall we say well-loved old book today, and it looks like the band of the spine (the bit with the headband attached, if I'm using book binding terminology right) is loose from the signatures of the text block. The book doesn't feel too bad, but the text block is definitely opening way farther than it should and I'm worried about the integrity of the binding.

A photo: Imgur

For comparison, a healthy spine: Imgur

I'd prefer to avoid doing something drastic like cutting the text block loose to fix it because the book has some sweet endpapers I'd hate to ruin.

Posted Feb 16, 2018, 2:42 AM UTC

16
medic611justonemorefix.com•

Go to your local library and ask them. Most librarians can do basic book repair and point you in the right direction

3
kuatsu_janka•

The glue on the backing material gave way, you can't really properly fix this without rebinding the book. You can reuse the cover but If I had to fix this book I would just cut the endpapers out, sew new ones in and reglue on the cover.

However, if a customer would require me to retain the overall look and feel I would scan the endpapers (which are hopefully just a nice pattern). Fix them up in GIMP/Photoshop and print them on fresh paper. Then use that as endpaper. Of course it will look different (since i would print this on a digital printing machine or even "just" a proofing printer) but also "close enough".

You might try to get some wood glue, water it down a bit and then with a fine brush try to get it everywhere on the signatures edges. After that you have to apply some pressure and let it dry for a day. But there is no way telling if you haven't just glued your book shut.

All things bookbinding is just a repetition of "apply glue/string" and "apply pressure" - if you do it in the correct order you get a book that will last for practically as long as the paper in it. There are not really any shortcuts. I'm sorry.

Source: Am Printer and Bookbinder, jargon is translated from german so It might not be correct for english

3
diceproblemsOP•

I understood you! Thank you for the thorough answer, I really appreciate it.

2
kuatsu_janka•

No problem, always glad to help. I hope you find a way to repair your book.

1
1D13•

Looks like you need some glue.

1
AtlasDM•

Good luck. A good book is worth the effort to preserve. I've got a well-used copy of Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil that I "laminated" with packing tape the 2nd or 3rd time I ran through it.

1