How to Protect Hardcover Book Corners

Co-authored by Lois Wade

Last Updated: December 23, 2021

Do you have an old tattered book that you just hate the thought of having to throw out because you love the story? Perhaps you have an old college textbook that you still use as reference, that needs some TLC to keep from falling apart? Mending your books yourself can potentially save you money, not to mention it fixes your books and can prevent further damage.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Corners

1
Mend the binding first, if necessary.
2
Cut a four inch (10 cm) piece of 2" (5cm) wide book mending tape for each corner to be mended.

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3
Place the tape diagonally across the corner of the book so that:
- The edge away from you overlaps both the vertical and the horizontal edges of the cover.
- The long edge closest to you overhangs the corner.
4
Press firmly to eliminate any bubbles and to ensure good adhesion.
5
Cut the overlapping edge twice. Once in line with the vertical edge and once in line with the horizontal edge. Leave the center "flap" attached to the rest of the tape.
- Note: Leaving the flap attached ensures that your corner will be completely covered in tape, with none of the original (damaged) corner showing.
6
Pull the center "flap" snugly over the corner and press to the inside of the cover.
7
Pull the side flap(s) snugly over the edge(s) of the book and press firmly to eliminate bubbles and ensure good adhesion.
- Take care to avoid leaving any "tunnel" along the edge of the book. This will only speed deterioration of the cover. Pull the tape snugly over the edge of the book.
8
Repeat for all damaged corners (or for any corners you wish to protect).

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Spine Ends

1
Cut a piece of tape equal in length to the width of your book plus three to four inches (6-10cm).
2
Fold the tape strip in half with sticky side facing out.
3
Cut a half inch (1.5cm), angled, snip into one edge of the tape.
4
Tear or cut off the resulting "tab".
5
Place the tape on the spine of the book so that the bottom of the "U" shaped divot is 1/4 inch(5mm) above the end of the spine.
6
Press the tape firmly against the spine.
7
Wrap the tape around the edge of the book and into the "gutter", press firmly into the gutter.
8
Press the tape out beyond the gutter onto the book cover itself. Eliminate bubbles to ensure good adhesion.
9
Repeat for opposite side.
10
With the book on its edge, open both covers.
11
Pull the "flaps" of tape firmly and snugly down over the edges of the cover near the spine. Take care not to leave any "tunnel" of air between the tape and book edge.
12
Pull the covers slightly in the direction away from the book to stretch the mending tape slightly and allow you to roll down the center of the "divot" into a folded/rolled edge.
- Note: book tape in a single layer tears fairly easily. Tape folded onto itself in two layers not only looks neat, but will stay clean and will not rip easily.
13
Repeat for any other spine ends that need reinforcement or protection.

Community Q&A

Question

Is there any way to make the cover shiny again?

Community Answer

For my glossy dust jackets I use high gloss acrylic floor finish (not floor wax). The floor finish is harder than wax. There are several brands. The one I use currently is "Floor Finish." I assume it'll help shine up a glossy graphic cover as well. Try it on a little corner first.
Question

Some of my books are not hard bound, and when I keep them in my bag they get dogeared, how do I prevent it?

Canasta

Community Answer

Press the paperback between two hard "covers" in your backpack. You could try removing old or unnecessary pages from a used writing journal using an exacto-knife as closely to the spine as possible and inserting the paperback book inside. Just make sure the spine of the journal is a cozy fit for the paperback.
Question

Where can you buy book mending tape?

Community Answer

.Online would probably be your best shot. Try Amazon or a book making website.

Warnings

Never use "packing" tape or "duct" tape on a book. The first will peel loose in about 3 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.

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Use appropriate caution when using edged tools such as scissors.

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This will decrease the value of the book.

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