Bookbinding is the process of creating or restoring the structure of a book, typically involving the attachment of pages to a cover. Book rebinding, on the other hand, involves replacing or repairing an existing book’s binding. BachelorPrint specializes in printing and binding digital files that customers upload, offering premium options for theses, dissertations, and other important documents with various binding choices.
Definition: Book rebinding
Book rebinding involves repairing or replacing the cover and binding of an existing book to restore or enhance its condition. This process is often used for books that are worn out or damaged, making them more durable and extending their lifespan.
Why rebind a book?
Book rebinding is an opportunity to upgrade your book’s look, feel, and longevity. Whether for practical use or aesthetic appeal, a new binding can make a big difference.
Students may choose to rebind their theses or dissertation drafts for final submission to meet academic requirements or enhance the presentation.
Rebinding is commonly used for manuals, presentations, and archived documents to make them more durable and presentable.
Rebinding offers the opportunity to add custom designs, such as new cover art, foil stamping, buckram, or leather-look finishes for a unique look.
It can also be used to convert softcover books to hardcover or make a book look more premium, improving its durability and appearance.
Rebinding is often done to repair old or damaged bindings, fix loose pages, or restore sentimental books that are important to preserve.
Common types
There are several binding styles to choose from, each suited to different needs.
Offers personalized designs, including embossing, foil lettering, and logos, ideal for special editions or unique projects.
Uses durable materials such as buckram, linen, or leather-look covers to replace or restore the original binding, providing a sturdy and long-lasting finish.
A highly durable, institutional-style rebinding designed for books that need to withstand frequent use and last for many years.
Flexible and practical, often used for documents that need to be easily opened and used but with a less prestigious appearance.
Bindings
Durability
Appearance
Typical uses
Custom
Varies
Special editions, gifts, personal projects
Hardcover
High
Old books, theses, and important documents
Library
Very high
Books for frequent use, libraries, archives
Spiral
Moderate
Reports, manuals, and documents requiring flexibility
Dissertation or thesis printing and binding
- Fast production & express delivery to meet your deadline
- Professional thesis & dissertation printing & binding services
- Premium materials, hard & soft bindings for a lasting impression
Learn more!
Essential tools
To rebind a book at home, you’ll need a few essential tools and bookbinding materials. Below is a list of the bare minimum items you’ll need, along with approximate prices to give you an idea of what to expect:
Exacto knife ($8 / £6): A precise cutting tool to trim and shape materials.
➜ Opt for a high-quality knife for smooth, accurate cuts.
Scissors (price varies): For cutting book cloth and other materials.
➜ A sturdy pair of fabric scissors works best.
Folding bone ($7 / £5): Used to fold and crease materials like paper and cloth without damaging them.
➜ Essential for crisp, clean folds.
Brush ($10 / £8): For applying glue evenly.
➜ Rubber brushes are ideal for removing dried glue without washing after use.
pH-neutral PVA glue ($10 / £8): A water-based adhesive, ensuring your book doesn’t deteriorate.
➜ Make sure it’s pH-neutral to prevent damaging the book’s materials.
Book cloth ($9 / £7): A durable fabric used to cover the book’s boards.
➜ You can also make your own book cloth, but we won’t go into detail on that here.
Cork-back ruler ($10 / £8): A ruler with a cork backing to prevent slipping while cutting.
➜ Look for a ruler that’s at least 12 inches (30.5 cm) long to ensure accuracy on larger books.
Piece of mull or linen ($9 / £7): Used to reinforce the spine of your book for added durability.
➜ This is a must-have for a long-lasting binding.
Book boards ($30 / £22): These are used to create the front and back covers of the book.
➜ You can also use these boards to reinforce the spine if needed.
Papers ($10 / £8): To create the endpapers, which help bind the book’s pages to the cover.
➜ Choose a high-quality paper for a professional finish.
Cutting mat ($10 / £8): To protect your work surface and help make precise cuts.
➜ A self-healing mat will make your work easier and protect your knife.
Book press ($40 / £30): Used to press the book and keep it in place while the glue dries.
➜ If you don’t have a book press, you can improvise with a heavy object and clamps.
Note: This list includes the basic materials you’ll need to rebind a book, along with a few tips to help make your process smoother. The total cost of the materials can vary based on quality, but on average, expect to spend around $150–$200 (£112–£149) for the basics.
Additional tools
These tools aren’t essential for the basic rebinding process, but can add a special touch to your book or make the process a bit easier and more efficient.
Bookmark ribbon ($8 / £6): A decorative ribbon that can be sewn into the spine for a classic touch.
➜ Adds a professional finish to your book.
Endbands ($7 / £5): Decorative bands that are sewn onto the top and bottom of the book’s spine.
➜ You can buy single colors or large packs with various colors for added customization.
Rolling cutter ($11 / £8): An alternative to scissors; great for cutting book cloth and endpapers.
➜ While scissors work, a rolling cutter is faster and gives cleaner cuts.
To enhance your book with designs using heat transfer vinyl (HTV), you’ll need extra tools:
HTV ($10–$20 / £8–£15): Vinyl sheets used for creating designs to iron onto your book cover.
➜ Any brand will work, but ensure it is iron-on vinyl for easy application.
Tweezers ($5 / £4): Handy for lifting small pieces of vinyl when creating intricate designs.
➜ Recommended for precise handling of small vinyl pieces.
Weeding pen ($8 / £6): Helps you remove unwanted vinyl pieces.
➜ A normal biro can work in place of a weeding pen if you’re on a budget.
Cutting machine ($129–$449 / £96–£334): A machine that cuts designs from the vinyl sheets with precision.
➜ Prices vary based on the model, but these machines can save a lot of time and effort.
Mini-iron for vinyl ($23 / £17): A small, specialized iron for applying vinyl.
➜ A regular iron won’t work as well; this mini-iron is perfect for vinyl applications.
3D-printed spacers ($22–$30/ £16–£22): Custom spacers for your book’s corners and hinge gap, which is the measurement between the front and back covers and the spine.
➜ These are available on platforms like Etsy from various sellers. We recommend that everyone purchase these to expedite the process and ensure a perfect fit.
Note: The total cost for these additional tools ranges from $230 to $570 (£171–£425), depending on the tools you choose. While these tools are optional, they can significantly enhance the quality of your final result and save you time.
DIY tutorial
Rebinding a book can be a delicate process, but by following these steps carefully, you’ll restore your book with professional-quality results. Here’s a basic guide to help you get started.
Removal of old binding
Before you can rebind the book, you need to remove the old cover and binding. This step will vary depending on whether you’re working with a softcover or hardcover book.
- For softcover: Simply pull off the cover. If the cover is loose or torn, it should come off easily. Be gentle to avoid damaging the pages.
- For hardcover: Cut off the edges. Use your exacto knife to trim the cover away from the book block, paying attention not to cut into the pages.
What you need
- Exacto knife
- Flat, stable surface
- Ruler (optional)
- Protective gloves (optional)
Process
- Place the book on a flat, stable surface to ensure precision.
- Use the exacto knife to cut through the end sheets, mull, and cover material.
The end sheets are the first and last pages of the book that are glued to the inside of the cover.
The mull is the strip of cloth or fabric attached to the back of the pages, connecting them to the spine. It helps secure the pages in place and is an important part of the structure.
- Cut away any excess glue, loose threads, or ripped pages that stick out of the text block.
The text block is the stack of pages that make up the book.
- If you’re working with a paperback, the cover may be loose enough to rip it off by hand. Be careful not to tear the pages while doing this.
Prepare the text block
Now that you have a naked text block, it’s time to prepare it for the new cover. The text block needs to be properly reinforced and ready for attachment to the case.
What you need
- Mull
- Brush
- Endpapers
- Headbands
- Glue (PVA)
- Exacto knife
- Scissors/rolling cutter
- Extra cardstock (for strengthening)
- Bookmark ribbon (optional)
Process
Endpapers help attach the book block to the cover, so they need to be sturdy enough to bear the weight of the book and secure the cover properly.
- Choose sturdy stock paper for the endpapers.
- Lay your text block on top of the stock paper and mark its height.
- Cut the paper to match the height of the text block and twice its width.
- Fold the endpaper so the “wrong” sides are facing outward. This way, the smooth side will face the inside of the cover.
- Brush PVA glue onto the spine edge of the first page of the text block and attach the endpaper along the crease. Do the same for the last page of the text block.
Alternative method: If you prefer, you can cut two endpapers to the exact size of the text block pages and sew them in place with a needle and thread.
Optional: Add a bookmark ribbon
If you’d like to include a bookmark ribbon, this is the perfect time to add it. The ribbon is a practical and decorative feature often added to the spine of the book, making it easier to mark a specific page.
- Cut the ribbon to your desired length. Typically, the ribbon should be about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long, depending on how long you want it to hang out of the book.
- Using your brush, apply a small amount of PVA glue to the spine, ideally near the top or center of the spine. Ensure it’s a thin, even layer to avoid excess glue that could seep out.
- Carefully place the end of the ribbon into the glued area. You can fold the ribbon so that it lies flat against the spine or allow it to hang freely, depending on your preference.
- Gently press the ribbon against the spine and hold it for a few moments to secure it. You may want to use a small weight or clothes peg to keep it in place while it dries.
- Allow the ribbon to dry completely before proceeding with further steps. This ensures that it is securely attached and won’t move once the rest of the bookbinding process is complete.
Making your case
Now that your text block is ready, it’s time to create the book case. This step involves making the front, back, and spine of your book, then attaching them to the text block.
What you need
- Brush
- Spacers
- Text block
- Book cloth
- Glue (PVA)
- Book boards
- Exacto knife
- Folding bone
- Scissors/rolling cutter
Cut book boards and use text block for measurements
- For the cover, you can use Bristol board, chipboard, or stiff cardboard.
- Use an exacto knife and ruler to cut two boards for the front and back covers, as well as an additional, smaller piece for the spine.
Note: Before cutting, check the grain direction of the board. Bend the board lightly in both directions. The side that bends more easily should face up and down for the cover. This ensures the board is flexible in the right direction for binding.
Glue book boards to your book cloth
- For the book cover, select book cloth.
This fabric is specifically designed for bookbinding. It’s ideal for preventing glue from seeping through the fabric and provides a durable, professional finish.
- Lay the three pieces of board onto the fabric. Leave 3/8 of an inch (0.95 cm) between each cover and the spine.
- Measure a 1 inch (2.54 cm) margin around the entire cover and cut the fabric into this large rectangular shape.
Glue the cloth to the boards
- Add a thick layer of glue to the arse of the board cutouts, then position them on the fabric as per your measurements.
- Cut the corners of the fabric at a 45-degree angle to ensure the fabric folds neatly around the edges of the book boards.
- Fold the fabric over the edges of the boards, making sure to apply more glue to the inside.
- Use a folding bone to press and stick the fabric in place, ensuring smooth, neat folds without wrinkles or air bubbles.
Decorate your cover with HTV
Now that your book case is ready, it’s time to add some personal touches or decorative elements to make your book truly unique.
What you need
- HTV
- A little iron for vinyl
- Cutting machine (optional) to create your design
Process
- Create or buy a design for your book cover using HTV. If you have a cutting machine, cut out your design from the vinyl.
- Place the HTV design on the book cloth where you want it. Ensure the pattern is correctly positioned.
- Use the mini-iron to press down on the design, following the manufacturer’s instructions for temperature and time.
- Allow it to cool and check the design’s adherence.
- If needed, go over it again with the iron to make sure it’s properly bonded.
Alternatives where you don’t need an extra iron
If you would rather not use HTV or don’t have a mini-iron, here are some alternative decorating methods that don’t require extra tools:
- Fabric appliqué
If you want a textured design, you can sew fabric shapes onto your book cover. This method allows you to add colorful, patterned fabric pieces to your cover, giving it a layered and tactile feel.
- Paint or markers
If you’re artistically inclined, you can use fabric paints or markers to hand-paint designs directly onto the book cloth. You can create intricate patterns, lettering, or completely custom illustrations.
- Stickers or decals
For a simpler, faster approach, you can use high-quality stickers or vinyl decals designed for fabric or paper. These can be applied directly to the book cover without needing any heat.
Glue everything together
Now that you’ve made the book case, it’s time to attach the text block to the cover. This step requires careful gluing to ensure the book is securely bound and looks professional.
What you need
- Brush
- Book case
- Mull fabric
- Glue (PVA)
- Folding bone
- Front and back endpapers
Process
- Position the text block on the back cover of the book case. Make sure it’s aligned properly.
- Brush a solid layer of glue onto the inside of the front cover. Be sure to cover the edges thoroughly, but avoid excess glue that might seep out.
- Press the mull fabric into the glue on the inside of the front cover.
- Place the front endpaper onto the inside of the front cover, and press it firmly into the glue with a folding bone.
- Smooth out the fabric and paper with the folding bone so everything is glued securely and evenly.
Repeat the same process with the back cover
- Turn the book around and repeat the process for the back cover.
- Apply glue to the inside of the back cover, attach the mull fabric, and then add the back endpaper in the same manner as you did with the front cover.
- Use the folding bone again to ensure smooth attachment of the fabric and paper.
Extra security: Glue the spine
For added security and durability, glue the spine of the text block directly to the spine of the cover before gluing the covers down completely.
- Apply a small amount of glue to the spine of the text block.
- Press it against the spine of the cover.
- Hold it for a moment to ensure a firm bond.
Let it dry completely
After gluing the covers to the text block, it’s crucial to let everything set properly for the best result.
What you need
- Wax paper or baking paper
- Book press or heavy objects (other books)
Process
- To prevent the end pages from sticking to the text block, place a piece of wax paper (or baking paper) between them.
This ensures that the glue doesn’t transfer to the pages while drying.
- Place the book inside a book press. If not, place the book between heavy objects (like other books).
This will apply even pressure, ensuring the pages and covers adhere properly.
- To avoid any glue leaks from staining other objects, place wax paper or baking paper between the book and the weights.
This will protect your other belongings from any potential mess.
- Make sure the book dries fully before handling it. Leave it in place for at least a few hours or overnight to ensure the glue has set properly.
DIY pros & cons
Bookbinding can be a fulfilling DIY project. However, like any DIY task, it has both advantages and drawbacks. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide if DIY bookbinding is right for you.
Pros
- Bookbinding is a rewarding, hands-on project that teaches a new skill.
- DIY is often cheaper than professional services, ideal for small budgets.
- You have full control over design and customization, making truly unique books.
Cons
- Without proper tools or experience, you could damage the book.
- DIY bindings may be less durable, particularly with low-quality materials.
- Bookbinding takes time and tools, so it may not suit those with limited resources.
Costs
When considering bookbinding, several factors influence the overall cost of the service, including:
- Size
- Extras
- Materials
- Binding type
➜ While prices can vary widely, expect a professional bookbinding service to cost anywhere from $20 to $50 or more, depending on these factors.
Hardcover with individual embossing
- Price calculator & 3D live preview
- Professional binding for thesis, dissertation, or books
- Print on demand with fast delivery right to your doorstep
Learn more!
Alternatives
If you’re not ready to commit to full book rebinding, there are alternative ways:
For minor damage, you can use tape or glue to fix torn or loose pages temporarily. However, this is a short-term solution that won’t provide the long-lasting durability that a full rebinding offers.
If preservation is your priority, scanning your books and digitizing them could be a great alternative, especially for archival purposes. This allows you to keep a copy of the content without worrying about physical wear.
These provide a quick and easy way to protect your books from dust, dirt, and damage without altering the original binding.
While these alternatives offer temporary or digital solutions, rebinding remains the gold standard for preserving important books like theses, dissertations, or heirlooms. It provides the most durable and professional finish, ensuring that your valuable books are handled with care and will stand the test of time.
FAQs
Book rebinding is the process of replacing or repairing the cover and binding of an existing book to restore its condition or enhance its appearance. It involves removing the old cover, reinforcing the spine, and attaching a new cover, which can be customized with various materials.
Yes, bookbinding can be done at home with the right tools and materials. However, DIY bookbinding requires time, skill, and precision, and results may not be as durable or professional as a service provided by an expert.
Rebinding old books is a great way to preserve their condition, especially if they are worn or damaged. If the book has significant sentimental or historical value, or if it’s a rare or important document, rebinding is a good choice to extend its life and keep it in good condition.
Professional book binding costs vary depending on binding type, size, materials, and customizations. At BachelorPrint, the cheapest option is spiral binding, starting from AU$11.90. DIY rebinding can be more expensive, typically $300–$450 with the additional tools.
Repairing an old book can range in cost depending on the extent of the damage. Minor repairs (e.g., page reinforcements, re-gluing) can cost around $10 to $30, while more extensive repairs (e.g., spine restoration, cover replacement) may cost $50 or more.
