Book Rebinding: How to Replace a Book Cover & Spine

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Repair damaged books yourself so they look beautiful and new again
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As the saying goes, don't judge a book by its cover... or lack thereof. If you have a precious book that is simply falling apart because the spine or cover is in poor condition, don't toss it out! Rebinding your book at home is an easy way to fix your favorite books and give them new life. In this article, we’ll teach you all the steps on how to rebind a book, including how to replace the entire cover and how to just repair the spine.

Rebinding a Book: Quick Overview

Remove the old cover, measure it, and cut a new cover and spine the same size out of heavy cardboard. Glue the boards to a piece of book cloth to create the cover. Glue end pages made of cardstock to the original textblock, then glue the text block to the new cover. Put the book between weights to dry.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Replacing the Entire Book Cover

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  1. Whether your current book cover is well-attached or hanging on by a thread, the first step to rebinding a book is to remove it. Place the book on a flat surface and use an x-acto knife to cut through the end sheets, mull, and cover material. Then, cut off any ripped pages, excess glue, or loose threads that are sticking out of the text block. [1]
    • The mull is the strip of cloth attached to the back of the pages and connects them to the spine. It helps set the pages in place.
    • The text block is the stack of pages that make up the book.
    • If you have a paperback, it may be possible to rip the cover off without a knife.
  2. If the original covers and spine are in good shape, measure them with a ruler so you know what size to make the new cover. Alternatively, measure the text block itself. If you choose the latter, add an additional 3/8 inch (0.95 cm) to the height and width to ensure the new cover fits properly. [2]
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  3. There are a few different materials you can use for this step, including Bristol board , chipboard , and stiff cardboard. With a sharp utility knife and a steel ruler, cut out two pieces for the front and back cover and a piece for the spine. [3]
    • Before cutting the board, check the direction the grain runs by bending the board lightly in both directions. One side will bend more easily than the other, and this is the side you want facing up and down for your cover.
  4. Select a piece of sturdy cotton or linen fabric that will act as the material for your book cover. Place the 3 pieces of board onto the cloth with 3/8 of an inch (0.95 cm) between each cover and the spine. Measure a 1 inch (2.5 cm) margin around the entire cover and cut the fabric into this large rectangular shape. [4]
    • If you want, it’s also possible to use leather or faux leather for your book cover. Cotton or linen are easier to work with for beginners, though.
    • Book cloth is another option. This fabric is specifically designed for book binding and helps prevent glue from seeping through.
  5. Add a thick layer of book binding glue or PVA glue to the backside of your board cutouts, then place them in the same position as when you measured the fabric. Cut the corners of the fabric off at a 45 degree angle and fold each over onto the inside of the covers. Add more binding glue to the inside and use a bone folder to stick the fabric in place. [5]
  6. Choose a sturdy stock paper and lay your textblock on top of it. Mark the height of the textblock and cut the paper to the same height and twice the width. Fold the end paper so the “wrong” sides are facing outward, then brush some PVA glue onto the spine edge of the first page of the text block and attach the end page along the crease. Do the same with the last page of the text block. [6]
    • End pages need to be sturdy, as they glue the cover to the book.
    • Another option is to cut two endings to the exact size of a text block page and sew them to the book with a needle and thread.
  7. Cut a piece of book binding cloth the same height as your text block and about an inch wider on either side. With the spine of the text block facing up, place the book between two weights to press the pages together tightly. Brush a thick, even layer of PVA glue onto the entirety of the spine and firmly press the cloth onto it. Let it dry completely. [7]
    • If there are any loose threads, trim them off with a pair of scissors.
    • Do not glue down the excess fabric on either side of the spine.
  8. Place the text block on the back cover and brush on a solid layer of book binding glue to the inside of the front cover. Attach the loose mull fabric and front end page, using a bone folder to smooth it out and securely glue it to the front cover. Repeat the same process with the back cover. [8]
    • For extra security, glue the spine of the text block to the spine of the cover before gluing the covers down.
  9. Place a piece of wax paper in between the end pages and the text block to prevent the pages from sticking. If you happen to have a book press , place the book inside and let it dry overnight. If not, place the book between heavy weight (like other books) and let it dry completely. [9]
    • If you place the book between heavy objects, put some more wax paper between them in case the glue leaks. This way, you don’t have to worry about your other belongings getting damaged.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Repairing the Spine of a Book

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  1. With a utility knife , cut into the cover’s book cloth approximately half an inch (1 cm) from the spine on both the front and the back. Avoid cutting along the hinges, as these connect the cover to the text block. Then, take a bone folder and gently pry the spine off of the book. [10]
  2. Either measure the spine you just removed or the space between the hinges on your textblock. Then, cut a piece of cardboard or Bristol board to match this measurement. This will be the base of your new spine. [11]
  3. Select a sturdy piece of cotton or linen fabric, like book cloth , that matches the current cover of your book. Measure it to equal the size of the spine, then add an additional inch (2.5 cm) to the length and 2 inches (5 cm) to the width. Cut the fabric out in this shape. [12]
  4. Cover the back of the cardboard spine with book binding glue and center it over the book cloth. Cut the corners of the fabric off at 45 degrees angles and add glue to the bottom edge of the board. Fold the top and bottom of the book cloth over and press it into the spine. Allow it to dry completely. [13]
  5. While the new spine is drying, use your utility knife to chip away as much of the old spine’s glue as possible. This will help ensure the new spine attaches securely to the text block. [14]
  6. A mull is a piece of fabric that holds the book’s pages in place and attaches the text block to the cover. With the spine edge facing up, place the book between two weights, like bricks, to hold it in place. Cut a piece of book cloth to the same height as the text block and a little wider on each side. Brush a thick, even layer of book binding glue onto the spine and press the mull into place. [15]
    • Let the mull dry completely before moving on to the next step.
  7. Brush on another layer of book binding glue onto the exposed side of the mull. Carefully drape the new spine over the book and, starting from the spine, push the book cloth onto the cover. Use a bone folder to remove any air bubbles. Wrap the book cloth around the top and bottom of the original cover. [16]
  8. Place wax paper between the covers of the book to prevent the pages from sticking. If you have a book press , place the book inside to dry overnight. Otherwise, stack the book between weights, like other heavy books, and allow it to dry completely. [17]
    • If you place the book between other books, it may be a good idea to put wax paper between them. This way, if any glue leaks, the other books won’t be ruined.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Could I trim pages before recovering a book?
    Jazi Cotton Candi
    Community Answer
    No. You could ruin the book that way.
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  • Question
    How do I make the spine?
    Community Answer
    Use thick, clear packing tape. My school librarian does it all the time and it works really well.
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      Tips

      • If you want to take up bookbinding as a hobby, purchase cheap books from thrift stores to practice on. This way, you’re less likely to mess up on a book you care about.
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      • If you want, cut the title from the old spine to glue onto the new spine. This will help you identify the book.
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      • If you only have one book that needs to be rebound, consider taking it to a professional due to the large number of specialized materials you will need to purchase, like book cloth and a book press with book plates.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://libpres.sitehost.iu.edu/manual/treatments/qj/qj.html
      2. ↑ https://libpres.sitehost.iu.edu/manual/treatments/qj/qj.html
      3. ↑ https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/collections-archives/rare-books/resources/learning-and-teaching-resources/cover-to-cover
      4. ↑ https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/exhibitions/cover-to-cover/covering-cased-book/
      5. ↑ https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/exhibitions/cover-to-cover/covering-cased-book/
      6. ↑ https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/exhibitions/cover-to-cover/endpapers/
      7. ↑ https://www.ibookbinding.com/blog/attaching-the-mull-creating-and-fixing-the-boards/
      8. ↑ https://libpres.sitehost.iu.edu/manual/treatments/qj/qj.html
      9. ↑ https://www.dartmouth.edu/library/preservation/repair/dartmouth-book-repair_manual_spine-repair.pdf
      1. ↑ https://www.dartmouth.edu/library/preservation/repair/dartmouth-book-repair_manual_spine-repair.pdf
      2. ↑ https://www.dartmouth.edu/library/preservation/repair/dartmouth-book-repair_manual_spine-repair.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.dartmouth.edu/library/preservation/repair/dartmouth-book-repair_manual_spine-repair.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/exhibitions/cover-to-cover/gluing-rounding-backing/
      5. ↑ https://libpres.sitehost.iu.edu/manual/treatments/qj/qj.html
      6. ↑ https://www.ibookbinding.com/blog/attaching-the-mull-creating-and-fixing-the-boards/
      7. ↑ https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/exhibitions/cover-to-cover/gluing-rounding-backing/
      8. ↑ https://www.dartmouth.edu/library/preservation/repair/dartmouth-book-repair_manual_spine-repair.pdf

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To rebind a book, start by removing the old spine, measuring it, and cutting a new spine from cardboard or Bristol board to match the old one. Then, cut a piece of cotton or linen that matches the book’s cover, so it’s 1 inch longer and 2 inches wider than the spine. Next, cover the back of the new spine with book binding glue, and attach it to the center of the book cloth you just cut. Clean any old adhesive from the book, then glue a spine liner paper to it. Finally, glue the book cloth with the new spine onto the book, and let it dry overnight. For tips on how to fit the new spine and book cloth exactly to your book, scroll down!

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