Book Repair Basics
Before jumping into complex structural work, it is essential to understand book construction, paper grain, proper workspace preparation, and correct archival adhesives.
Planning & Workshop Preparation
- Where to Start: Basic terminology, anatomy of a book, and initial assessment.
- Is My Book Worth Repairing? Deciding when to mend and when a book should be boxed for posterity.
- Book Construction (Parts 1 & 2): Understanding signatures, text blocks, adhesive fan bindings, and cases.
- Testing for Grain in Paper or Book Cloth: The bend, tear, and water tests to ensure flat-opening repairs.
- Essential Workshop Tools: Bone folders, awls, microspatulas, cutting mats, and weights.
- How to Measure a Book: Accurate measurement techniques using scratch paper and dividers.
- Tying Knots for Bookbinding: Mastering the Weaver's Knot and Square Knot.
- Drying Book Repairs: Moisture barriers, blotting paper, and pressing under weight.
Materials & Mending Methods
- Adhesives: Glue vs. Paste: Choosing between flexible PVA and reversible starch paste.
- Wheat Paste Recipes: Thick, thin, and microwave formulas for archival pasting.
- Japanese Repair Tissue: Understanding weights (Tengujo, Kizukishi, Sekishu) and tearing techniques.
- Tapes in Book Repair: Why clear cellophane tape destroys books, and how to use archival document tape.
- Mending Tears, Cuts & Holes: Step-by-step paper mends using starch paste and feather-edged tissue.
- Cleaning Book Pages: Dry cleaning tools, Opaline, and vinyl erasers.