Book Repair Tools & Supplies
Using the correct archival materials ensures your repairs preserve the book without causing paper degradation, embrittlement, or yellowing down the road.
1. Genuine Bone Folder
An indispensable tool for making sharp paper creases, burnishing repair tapes, and working book cloth into outer joints without stretching fibers.
2. Lightweight Awl
A lightweight, durable alternative to a handmade "needle-in-a-stick." Excellent for piercing clean sewing stations through signature folds.
3. Round Glue & Paste Brush
The ideal size and bristle density for applying both PVA glue and starch paste. (Always keep separate brushes for glue and paste).
4. Bookbinding Needles
Egg-eye tapestry/binding needles with blunt points that pass smoothly through pierced sewing holes without splitting linen thread.
5. Unwaxed / Waxed Linen Thread
Strong, durable linen thread specifically sized for resewing signatures and text blocks without tearing through inner margin paper.
6. Lineco pH Neutral PVA Glue
Archival-quality polyvinyl acetate adhesive. Dries clear and remains completely flexible over decades so joints will not crack.
7. Archival Document Repair Tape
Acid-free, semi-translucent repair tissue tape for torn pages. Non-yellowing, reversible, and safe unlike clear household cellophane tape.
8. Archival Hinging Tape
Ideal for complex repairs, attaching loose plates, and reinforcing endpapers at the hinge without creating excessive bulk.
9. Basic Bookbinding (A.W. Lewis)
My most-used reference book. Clear instructions and illustrations explaining the classic structural construction of books.
10. Bookbinding Demonstration Video
For those who prefer learning through visual example, a complete video demonstration of core binding and repair techniques.