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Hollander's stocks a wide assortment of bookbinding tools and supplies. This includes a various traditional hand tools, adhesives, sewing materials, book presses and book repair supplies. Our book board includes several types and we offer the unique service of custom board cutting. We also carry text blocks for casing-in and have a wide assortment of blank and lined journals, photo albums, and various themed books.  In addition we feature our bookbinding & box making kits, as well as many the many instruction books and booklets we have written. Tom and Cindy Hollander recently published  two new books on bookbinding and box making.

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Book Repair

How to Fix Book Binding: Say Goodbye to Loose Pages and Broken Spines

Tracy Shapley Towley

Tracy is a freelance copywriter, all-around ne’er do well, very-adult graduate of the University of Iowa, and occasional waterer of plants. Her hobbies include writing fiction, reading fiction, mixing together various flavors of soup, and typing letters to her friends on an old red typewriter that doesn't have a working period so all sentences must end in questions marks or exclamation points? She has read every Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and has a lot of thoughts on them. Her old Iowa farmhouse is shared by her husband Sean, a pair of cats, a pair of dogs, and the ghost of Kurt Vonnegut.

View All posts by Tracy Shapley Towley

In a perfect world, books would stay in pristine condition from the moment they were created until, well, forever. Unfortunately, if you’re a reader like me who takes their books out into the world, you will likely need some type of book repair in your life. We’ve covered how to save a wet book . We’ve covered how to clean books . Now we’re here to teach you how to fix book binding.

Do You Need to Fix Book Binding? Don’t Do This!

Hopefully, you have found this article before you’ve gone rogue and started with some seemingly apparent options. For example, tape is a great option, right? Glue sticks have saved billions of craft mishaps over the years, and rubber cement is there forever, as evidenced by the rubber cement that was spilled on a fire hydrant near my elementary school and remained there for at least four years. So these would all be great options right? Wrong.

All of these can cause severe damage to your books. They may be fine if you’re trying to keep a few pages in order until the semester’s over and you can recycle the book, but they are not an answer to how to fix book binding.

How to Fix Book Binding: Loose Pages Edition

There are several ways in which your broken book binding can lead to issues, including loose pages. If this is your problem, the following steps should be your solution:

1. Get the Right Products

For the best results with any type of DIY book repair, you need book or binding glue. Acid-free glue is a must because any acid in the glue will eventually eat away at the spine of your book. You can find acid-free options (including those made specifically for books or binding) at your local craft store, book binding store, or the world wide web.

You’ll also need some type of long stick. A bone folder will work, if you’re a nerd like me that has extra bone folders around, or a popsicle stick, or even a knitting needle. These will be used to help spread the glue to ensure it’s evenly applied.

Finally, you’ll need a bunch of heavy books. I know this will be hard for most of our readers, who only have a single book and it’s broken and they’re trying to figure out how to fix the book binding, but you now have our permission to buy several heavy books. You’re welcome!

2. Set the Loose Pages Aside

You will need to remove the loose pages carefully. Then set them aside in a safe space where they will not come into contact with the glue. Keep them in the correct order so that you do not glue them back in out of order.

3. Apply Your Glue

Now, apply the glue. Open your book and squeeze a thin layer of glue inside the spine of the book where the pages have loosened. Then use your bone folder/popsicle stick/knitting needle to spread the glue. The goal is to have an even, thin layer of glue on the spine.

4. Stick Your Pages Back on the Spine

Once again: Make sure they are in the right order! Then line up your pages on both the top and bottom to ensure they are even with the other pages. Press firmly on the edges to set your pages into the spine. Do what you need to do so to get the pages to line up with the rest of the book but remember that you don’t have unlimited time—the glue will dry.

5. Add Some Heavy Stuff and Let the Book Dry

Now close up the book, put a whole host of heavy books on top of it, and let it dry for at least 24 hours. When you open it, you should have a book that has tightly attached pages.

How to Fix Book Binding: Broken Hinge Edition

If your hinge is broken, or nearly broken, then you’ve got a few different steps to follow if you want to learn how to fix a book spine. First and foremost, you need to remove the hinge from the book entirely. We know this sounds counterintuitive but trust us, it is easier to repair a hinge that is removed than one that is clinging to the book. Then grab your scissors and trim away any loose paper or threads. Now you’re ready to get started.

1. Gather Supplies

You will need single-stitched binder tape for this job. This can be found in most craft stores. You’ll need non-acid adhesive and brushes to apply said adhesive evenly. Grab some waxed paper. Finally, get at least two large rubber bands.

2. Cut Your Binder Tape

Cut a piece of binder tape that is the same height as the text block. Why not use the height of the book cover? Because the text block is almost always shorter and if you base your measurement on the book cover, you are likely to end up with way too much tape.

3. Brush One Side of the Tape with Adhesive and Attach the Tape to the Text Block

Carefully and evenly apply adhesive to one side of the tape and then attach it to the text block and spine. Make sure you’re holding the tape by its dry tabs and lining up the stitching with the edge of the text block. One tab with adhesive should be stuck to the first page of the text block while the other should be applied to the spine of the text block. Then find a flat item and use it to rub the tape so it sticks firmly.

4. Give the Adhesive Plenty of Time to Dry

This can take a few hours or it can take all night. You will be able to tell the adhesive is dry by running your finger over the top. Does it feel wet at any point? Then it is not dry enough to move on to the next step.

5. Place Your Waxed Paper

Take your waxed paper and place it on top of the text block while also in the spine. It should be on top of the binder tape you’ve glued into the book and under the binder tape that has not yet been glued. Then apply adhesive to the two tabs, gently bring up the cover so the edge of it fits along the seam of the tape, and press the spine against one tab. You can tell you have done this correctly if you pull the cover up and the spine lays flat against the tab.

6. Attach the Final Tab to the Cover

Now you should attach the final tab to the cover of the book, smooth it with a flat object so that it is lying flat against the cover, and then close the book. Run your flat piece along the spine to make double-sure that the tabs are sticking to the spine.

7.  Keep the Book Tight with Rubber Bands and Let it Dry Overnight

Grab your larger rubber bands, use them to secure the book, and let the whole thing dry overnight. The bands can help ensure that the adhesive is drying evenly and that the tabs are laying flat against both the text block and the spine. Once it is dry, take off the rubber bands, remove the waxed paper, and open your book carefully so that it has time to acclimate to the repair.

If the pages are slightly uneven, use sandpaper to even them out.

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How to Repair a Book's Binding

Last Updated: November 21, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Lois Wade . Lois Wade was a high school librarian for four years. She is experienced in repairing books, resewing bindings, and protecting books, along with general book care and organization. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,104,268 times.

Is your favorite book falling apart or shedding pages or its cover? It easier than you think to repair your book! Using a book or binding glue can help you reattach pages that have come loose from the book. You can also use that glue to tighten up any space that has appeared between the text block – the chunk of pages that make up your book – and the spine of the book. Binder tape is a great way to reattach a cover that’s started to fall off.

Reattaching Loose Pages

• You might need to wiggle the pages a bit to get them to line up exactly with the rest of the book. That’s okay, but work quickly so the pages don’t end up sticking where they’re not supposed to!

Tightening a Gap Between the Pages and Spine

• If there is a gap all along the entire spine of the book, you’ll need to flip the book over so it’s resting on its top and repeat the process.

Repairing a Broken Hinge

Community q&a.

• When mending a book, start with the worst damaged areas to the least damaged areas. If your spine repair does not stick or take, there is no sense in reinforcing any corners or gluing in loose pages. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 0
• A board (larger than the book) and two to four bricks for weight makes a very good book press and is much better at keeping everything straight than wrapping with rubber bands. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 4

• Never use packing tape or duct tape on a book. The first will peel loose in about three years. The second will turn to goo in the same amount of time and will ruin your book. Do not use scotch tape either: the adhesive layer will fail after a few years. Thanks Helpful 52 Not Helpful 12
• Don't attempt to repair a valuable or rare book, as attempts to repair might inadvertently damage or reduce the value of the book significantly. Use the "Find a Conservator" feature on the American Institute for Conservation's website to find a conservator to help fix your book. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 6

Things You'll Need

• Plastic or book binding glue.
• Single stitched binder tape.
• Sharp scissors.
• A bone-folder or similar hard, smooth object like a ruler.
• Carpenter's rubber bands or a book press.
• Knitting needles
• Plastic rods
• Waxed paper

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://blog.library.si.edu/blog/2016/09/29/spine-repair-uncovered/
• ↑ http://www.philobiblon.com/bkrepair/BookRepair.html
• ↑ http://ideas.demco.com/blog/book-doctor-series-book-binding-repair-1/

About This Article

The best way to repair a book’s binding depends on what’s wrong with it. If pages have fallen out of your book, you can use an acid-free book or binding glue to reattach them. Remove the loose pages and spread a thin layer of glue over the spine using a popsicle stick. Then, align the loose pages over the glue and press them into the spine. Stack something heavy on top of the book and let it dry for 24 hours. If there’s a gap between the spine and pages of your book, you can use book adhesive to close it. First, stand the book up and use your finger to open the gap between the spine and pages. Spread book adhesive around inside of the gap using a knitting needle, then lay the book flat and square the block of pages. Partially open the cover and use a bone folder to press the endpaper into the hinge of the book. Then, place a piece of wax paper between the cover and endpaper to protect it from the adhesive. Now close the book and run the bone folder down the hinge on the outside. Place the book on a wooden board and align knitting needles that are thicker than the cover with the outer hinges of the book. Place another wooden board on top followed by 10 pounds (4 ½ kg) of weight. Press the book overnight. To repair a broken hinge, first fully remove the hinge from the book so it’s easier to work with. Cut a piece of single-stitched binder tape that’s the same length as the text block and apply book adhesive to one side with a brush. Next, stick one of the tape tabs to the spine of the text block and stick the other tab to the endpaper. Rub both tabs with a bone folder and let them dry overnight. Then, place one piece of waxpaper over the endpaper and one piece over the spine. Apply book adhesive to the other two tabs on the tape, then bring the cover up so it aligns with the seam on the tape. Rub the free tab on the tape onto the inside of the cover using the bone folder. Close the book and run the bone folder down the outside of the spine. Finally, secure the book with rubber bands and let it dry overnight. For tips on repairing a broken hinge on the spine, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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We offer a large variety of book restoration supplies to help you care for your books and keep them in pristine condition for years of enjoyment. Libraries, book club members, and more can take advantage of these easy to use supplies. Book repair materials like repair kits, cloth tapes, and flexible adhesives will help you fix damaged books. Our kits come in three options ranging from minimal repair needed to more extensive care and repair to meet your exact needs with ease. Find everything you need with our affordable inventory of high-quality solutions.

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Book Repair and Restoration

We have NO minimums for our book repair and restoration services. If you have just one item that you would like us to work on, we would love to fix that old worn treasure or newer binding that just hasn’t held up. As a library bindery, our day to day task is to repair and rebind existing books for libraries. Our job is to bind a book so it will stay together and stand up to the repeated use that library books are subjected to. We will take the exact same care to rebind or repair your book.

Options for book repair or restoration:

• No minimums – we will bind just one book if needed.
• Rebind in entirely new cover – We make a new cover for your book with your choice of cover material and hot foil embossing – possibly the most durable option if buckram or leather is chosen.
• Rebind in entirely new cover, adding “peel & glues” of the old cover – If you want the best of both worlds – new and old.  We can rebind in a strong new binding, but then peel the old front, back or spine (or all three) off the old binding and glue that onto the new.  You get the strength of a new cover, but the look of what you remember your treasured book to be.  Good idea for Mom’s old cookbook or Grandpa’s old dictionary.  That have sentimental value in how they looked.
• Rebind in color copy cover –  We can take a color copy of the existing cover, laminate it and then use that sheet to cover the new hard cover.  This preserves the original details of your cover while giving you a strong new binding.  This is normally used on children’s books that have illustrations on the cover.  Bring it back to life!  The glossy lamination is great at protecting against spills & dirt – just wipe clean with a sponge.
• Restore old cover – If you want the old cover restored, there are a number of options available which can be discussed once we learn of the shape of the cover and exactly what you’re looking for. Feel free to contact us with specifics if you’re interested in this option.
• Full Restoration – We often work on old gothic bibles, plat maps or other ornate books. The pages are brought back together and the cover reassembled and refinished where necessary while keeping as much of the original book’s structure in place.
• Trimming is available if you would like the old pages trimmed slightly to remove old dirt and marks. You may also choose to leave the pages as they are if there are poor margins or if you just prefer its original look.
• Hot foil stamping is available anywhere o n the cover, so you can put whatever you desire on it. This could include the original title and author, your name or even a new title such as “Grandma Beyler’s Favorite Cookbook” to actually describe the book’s use – you decide it, we print it!

Options for New Bindings:

Thesis & Dissertation Binding: The finishing touch for theses, dissertations, term papers, doctoral projects, reports and other important scholastic works. Sewn hardcover bindings in your choice of buckram, linen or leather hard covers at a reasonable cost. Individual works or those of an entire class or organization accepted. Isn’t the finest work of your life worth a lasting quality binding? For easy ordering, click on Make-A-Book link at the top of the page.  You can choose material, set up text to go on the spine or front and upload your PDF file for printing.

Bind on Demand: (aka Vanity Press or Edition Work).  Write and bind your own book to self publish on your own without the restraints or fees of a publisher.  Our professional binding adds distinction to all your literary projects. We will print & hardcover bind your personally written book of family history, poetry, stories for a special child or whatever the imagination can come up with! Create the perfect gift for special occasions like birthdays, retirements, weddings, holidays, etc. Just send your individual pages or your .pdf file and we’ll do the rest. Many colors and styles to choose from.

Professional Journal Binding: Add a touch of class to your home, business or office libraries with professionally bound journals. You will keep your magazines organized, convenient and accessible. No more digging through boxes or closets to find that holiday recipe. Bound volumes are also a valued research tool for doctors and other professionals who need quick access to informational articles. Great for hobbyists as well.  Bound in durable buckram, imitation or genuine leather with the title, volume and year printed on the spine. Once bound, we will keep the record on file so bindings will match from year to year creating an impressive set of books. For easy ordering, fill out our Magazine/Journals Order Form online and then print to send in with your order.

What is the BEST way to send an order?   Just click on Make-A-Book link at the top of the page to build your book NOW!  It’s easy and fun to try the different layouts.  There are options for all of the above services listed.  When done, it will allow you to print a form to send with your existing book, or it will allow you to upload your PDF file for us to print if it’s a new binding.

You may also call 608-221-4443 or email today for an estimate on your book repair or restoration project, or to answer any other questions!  When emailing, feel free to attach a few photos of your old book.

If you prefer to just use a printed form, you can click on and fill out any of the following.  Note that we are no longer updating these forms with current pricing.  For most accurate pricing, use the Make-A-Book link at the top of the page.  We also do business “the old fashioned way” – you can just send a letter with your book explaining what you want done and we’ll contact you with an estimate!

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