First Choice Books' Blog

The first thing to do is to identify the problem(s) and tackle it from the inside of the book outward. Experiment with a throw away book  or buy one cheaply from a Thrift Store

Use unprinted newsprint or wax paper to avoid moisture penetration and sticky pages after gluing.Use a heavy  weight with boards to press the books and leave glue to dry for a certain period of time.

Librarians and Book Dealers Tips &Techniques

Book Parts:

 

• Front and back cover
• Inside front cover – attached end  paper
• Spine –  Book back (bind edge) of book
• Hinge – space between cover and spine case to allow cover to open
• Fore-Edge – face or right edge of book
• Book block – inside pages
• End sheets – folded sheet normally of different paper or substrate attached by tip-in method to front and back of book block
• Dust Jacket – a sheet of printed paper wrapped around outside  cover with an inside flap

 

Bookbinding Tools:

• Pink Pearl eraser
• Sand Paper
• Wax Paper
• Paring Knife
• Cleaning Solvent
• Rubber Cement
• Book Press
• PVA Glue
• Cutting Knife
• Rags
• Transparent Tape
• Brushes
• Paste
• Scissors
• Ice Pick
• Japanese Rice Paper
• Book Cleaners
• Ruler
• Folding Bone

 

Book Cleaners:

• Opaline dry cleaning pad
• Delkote book clean
• Quick dry non-harmful solvent
• Pink pearl eraser

 

Shy Riyasat

Bookbinding Professional

www.firstchoicebooks.ca

Before you start experimenting with your library book, I suggest getting a throw away book. By using a practice book you will gain some measure of confidence in your abilities.

Pencil Mark

Use pink pearl eraser rubbing with light pressure in one direction (never back and forth)

Ink Mark

Try pink pearl eraser rubbing in one direction. Paper is made from wood so it will react to the sand paper differently. Use the finest grade possible.   Attached to your finger and rub gently in small strokes as if lifting the ink off  the page.

Cracked Hinge

Using a dull knife, run under sheet and apply glue with a thin  brush.   Insert a folded wax paper so the page does not stick to the cover. Put in a book press or weigh down for 4 hours.

Dusty Book

Top edge of most books get dusty. Hold the book tightly and blow dust from spine out, and then dust lightly with a feather duster.

Dull Cover

Try white bread for removing dirt. Do not ever wash covers. This will make them dull and cause moisture penetration in boards leading to mildew.

Candle Wax

Try removing with a dull knife or finger nail. A suede brush will help loosen the wax.

Chewing Gum

Wrap  book in plastic tightly and place in freezer for a couple of hours. Remove the hardening gum with a dull knife lifting upwards. Clean off residue with a light cleaning fluid. If the gum is stuck between pages, slice the  hardened gum to Separate  the sheet.  Wrap some ice in plastic and place on top of sliced gum until hardened. Try the surgery again

Cover Fade

Apply a good cleaning fluid and a coat of wax.

Cover Spots& Stains

This is difficult to remove as it may damage the cover fabric and           finish. Try a light cleaning fluid in a small area first

Crayon

Apply a thick coat of rubber cement and let it dry. Rub it until it forms a ball and this should remove the crayon marks.

Coffee Rings

Try a cleaning fluid such as potassium permanganate with a cleaning blotter and wax paper under the page.

Red Wine Stains

Apple white wine with a dropper then cleaning fluid.

Stickers(Labels)

Lift off with a dull knife and clean any residue with a cleaning fluid.

Dirty Pages

Erase, white bread, or opaline pad all used with extreme care.

Rubber Stamp

Leave it alone unless you have an excellent cleaning fluid.

Flowers and Leaves

Don’t do it. For the stubborn at  heart,  take your chances.

Folded Down Corners

Straighten them out and press book down. Stubborn folds can  be soften with light moisture and straighten with pressing iron.

Hinge Loose

Stand book up and allow a small amount of adhesive to dribble down between the inside cover and end sheet. Turn the book around and do the same. Press book down with wax paper between cover and end sheet.

Ink Underlining

This is difficult since removing the ink will remove the type (print). Pink pencil stick eraser may be helpful.

Insect Stains

Remove residue with fingernail or dull knife. If it is not in a printer area try a cleaning fluid.

Leather Books

Treat the cover before tackling the rest of book. Apply a preservative or leather rejuvenator like lenol or potassium lactate if the covers are dry. Older leather books develop a problem called ‘red rot’ where the leather simply crumbles away.A leather shoe repair shop is best for supplies

Mildew

Brush the mildew off and dry the book. Apply hydrogen peroxide carefully with an eye-dropper. Lemon juice may work as well. Place book in sunlight or under  a lamp 

Paper Clips

Don’t ever  use in books!! They may leave indentations and rust stains.Iron out after moisture softening

Scotch Tape

Hexane is best but there is difficulty getting it. Use rubber cement thinner and cleaning fluid.

Suede Bindings

Do not use any waxy or oily preparations on them. They will look awful. Use a suede brush to try lifting any spots or stains. Use masking tape with your fingers to lift stains off.

Cloth Tape

Most people use these to tape the unhinged cover. It is difficult to remove the adhesive residue. Try to soften with Hexane and gently remove

Shy Riyasat

Bookbinding Professional

www.firstchoicebooks.ca

 

The answer you seek may depend on your point of view. I will simply present the facts and allow you to make a decision.

The term VANITY or subsidy press is a derogatory term coined by someone in the traditional publishing industry. It simply means taking payment from an Author to print or publish his book. Therefore, simply put,  Printing and Self Publishing companies fall in the category as a subsidy publisher. We can get a little more technical here but we won’t.

I,sometimes wonder, when he coined  the phrase”VANITY Press” if he ever gave thought to the numerous manuscripts rejected by  traditional publishers that later  became successful for the Self Published authors.

I also wonder,  whether the amount of royalty provided  by traditional publishers was enough for the Author to justify giving up all rights to his book. Do they have any negotiating power or much say when the manuscript is submitted ?The fact that a manuscript was selected in the first place should empower the author .

First Choice Books has taken exception to the derogatory word VANITY bandied  around by publishing agent, book sellers and traditional old school publishing houses . All Self Publishing  Companies provide a much needed service to the many talented authors who pay for professional  layout , design , editing and marketing services. Amazon, thru their printing and distribution company Create Space  offer such a service.

I wonder if the traditional publishers who list with Amazon would dare call Amazon a subsidy publisher? We are all doing this to make a buck, are’t we?

Self Publishing and Self Publishing Companies  are here to stay and that is why AMAZON thru Create Space is joining the party! Without us, many poetry, family history, public speaking and self counsel books would just be a dream.

How about changing the word VANITY or SUBSIDY   to Alternate Publishers or Self Publishing press?

Shy Riyasat

Bookbinding Professional

www.firstchoicebooks.ca