How to Repair a Paperback with a Split Spine

[@ukjurist]

I love the care that goes into preserving an old well-read paperback for a few more years! I look forward to continuing to support your channel! 📖

[@AnnesiBindings]

@ukjurist Thanks very much!

[@michaelhutin5451]

Brilliant, much better than Gaffer tape down the spine.

[@AnnesiBindings]

@@michaelhutin5451 Yes, definitely. And thank you!

[@alicegaiba]

13:26 I'm glad you have a helper, it would have been difficult to do everything by yourself

[@AnnesiBindings]

Haha! I have three, although this one is the most diligent. 🐱

[@quietudinal4857]

Very helpful presentation. I had used a bandage insted of mull (which I did not have) problem was after some months I found it had loosened, I now realise it had no grain and was too stretchy. Spine broke again and some pages came loose. I also realise I had used far too little adhesive. I think I will disassemble my book and follow your method carefully. I really appreciate your level of explanation and the pace of your delivery, and of course your excellent diction. Thanks

[@AnnesiBindings]

Thanks very much! Yes, I'd avoid stretchy fabric, but otherwise you should be able to use any thin fabric, but cotton would be best. Good luck!

[@51094]

🎉great 🎉

[@AnnesiBindings]

@@51094 Thank you!

[@51094]

@@AnnesiBindings I am so happy to find your channel and - especially - this one! I have plenty of old paperbacks. Sadly, I couldn’t afford professional rebinding. Now I know what to do!

[@AnnesiBindings]

I'm glad it's helpful - good luck!

[@samellowery]

Great information as always thanks.

[@AnnesiBindings]

You're welcome, and thank you.

[@Nanakinsz]

That was awesome! Now I want to know what your friend said when you returned the book!

[@AnnesiBindings]

@@Nanakinsz Haha! She hasn't seen it yet. 🙂

[@CheapEngineerCrafts]

Thank you! I just split the binding of a favorite book and was wondering how to keep it readable. What kind of string do you use? Is cotton or synthetic better?

[@AnnesiBindings]

You're welcome! I prefer to use cotton, but I'm not sure if it really matters.

[@leslijenkins3661]

I am interested to know if you would do the same thing with a brand new paperback that had a cracked binding? I bought a new book and unfortunately when it was delivered I wasn't home so it sat on my doorstep for a few hours in freezing temperatures. In my excitement to look at it, I didn't let it warm up first and so during the very first flip through it cracked for lack of a better term (it actually made the sound as well). It's still intact mostly, but there's one page that's not as attached to either side, basically there are holes where you can see into the spine with a definite crease between the two halves. I have some bookbinding tools but lack a lot of important ones like a book press, end papers, etc., so I haven't done any binding yet. Could I just open up the book at that page, strengthen the binding with glue and try to strengthen the page or is there another approach for an absolute novice? Thanks for the wonderful video.

[@AnnesiBindings]

Probably, yes. You could try just gluing the two pages together and seeing if it holds, but it will always have a weak spot there. But there's no reason why one can't do what I demonstrated here with a new book.

[@MrBeiragua]

I know that perfect bound books make books cheaper, and more accessible, but they are so difficult to preserve sometimes.

[@AnnesiBindings]

Yes indeed!