If you love DIY projects as I do, you must have tried repairing a lot of things. But have you tried to repair torn book pages?
My latest project was repairing one of my dad’s old diaries that I wanted to keep due to its content.
One of the challenges I experienced during the project was finding the best glue for the job.
There are numerous types of glues in the market, but each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Without the right glue, you will fail on the task or also ruin the book.
On the other hand, the right type of glue will help you bind the papers effectively and make it easier.
The glue should be flexible, strong, easy to apply and dry quickly. This article is a guide on the best type of glues for bookbinding.
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PVA (Polyvinyl Acetate)
I have tried PVA glue several times, and the results were satisfactory.
This glue is strong and easy to work with, plus it the most versatile and forgiving among the glues I have used so far.
PVA glue is a regular white glue that you can easily brush onto the book’s spine and wait for it to dry.
Due to its acid-free nature, PVA is mainly used to repair books in libraries.
The only disadvantage of using this glue type is its slow drying time.
You must keep the pages clamped together as you wait for it to dry.
Contact Cement
Contact cement is another of my favourite glues when it comes to repairing torn books.
This glue is thicker than PVA glue, but you can still brush it on the spine with ease.
You should apply the glue to both the cover and the spine and wait for about thirty minutes before pressing the two parts.
Drying only takes a few minutes.
2-Part Epoxy
A friend recommended this glue, which I loved due to its extremely strong bonds.
Epoxy comes into arts which you must mix before applying on the surfaces.
You should mix enough glue for the project because any excess glue will harden into a rock.
Since the mixing process can be tedious, I would only recommend this glue for someone doing minor repairs or binding one or two books.
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Hot Glue
This is the best glue to use if you are looking for fast drying times.
However, I would not recommend this glue to beginners as it is hard to work with and requires special tools like glue guns and a source of heat.
People who use this glue for big projects use professional bookbinding machines with a heated glue pot that evenly deposits the glue across the spine.
From my experience, it is advisable to continue using cold glues like PVA glues and contact cement if you don’t have the right tools for the job.
Using EVA hot glues without professional tools is time-consuming, plus the results may not be satisfactory.
- Books by Hand acid-free adhesive has excellent lay-flat properties and dries clear
- Archival Quality that will provide long lasting materials for centuries to come
- Easy to use professional quality adhesive is water soluble when wet so it can be thinned with water to extend drying time if desired
- Ideal for bookbinding and paper projects
- AVOID FREEZING & DIRECT SUNLIGHT. Best used in 60-80℉
- Acid-free adhesive with a neutral pH
- Easy to use formula is fast setting and can be remoistened with water
- Ideal for book binding, book repairs, framing, collage, paper art & crafts
- Adheres to most porous surfaces, dries clear
- AVOID FREEZING & DIRECT SUNLIGHT. Best used in 60-80℉
- PREMIUM PERFORMANCE: Our gel book glue has excellent bonding strength and flexibility. The glued books bend naturally when turning pages, ensuring that the pages do not deform or wrinkle, thereby improving the reading experience. Our soft book binding glue can meet various binding needs and help you easily complete your creation
- CLEAR BOOK GLUE: Our bookbinding glue dries transparent, ensuring no marks or residues are left. It is specially designed to prevent penetration and wrinkling, making your books look neat and beautiful. In addition, the unique anti-clogging design of the lid ensures smooth opening every time you use it, avoiding book glue drying or waste, greatly facilitating your operation
- PRECISE APPLICATION: Our book glue binding repair is easy to use and comes with a complete application tool. The envelope glue outlet is designed with a precision tip, allowing you to easily achieve precise application. Just follow the instructions and easily achieve a perfect bonding effect
- WIDE APPLICATION: Our book repair glue is suitable for all kinds of books and papers, including craft paper, Kraft paper, etc. Whether it is book repair, binding, cover repair or spine repair, it can easily cope with it. At the same time, it is suitable for projects such as paper crafts, DIY cards and scrapbooks, meeting your diverse creative needs and making every idea of yours come true easily
- AFTER-SALES SERVICE: We are always committed to providing every customer with a quality shopping experience. If our book binder glue overflowed due to transportation or you are not satisfied with our glue for paper, please contact us through Amazon and you will get satisfactory service
- Archival Grade PVA Adhesive: PVA formula and neutral design, safe to your paper and ideal for book repair, bookbinding, and DIY handcrafting. PVA glue has excellent bonding strength and lay-flat properties. Adheres to most porous surfaces. It will not break even when bonding deformed materials, making it an ideal choice to help you complete your craft projects
- Quick Drying and Clear: PVA glue book binding is acid-free, non-yellowing, dries quick and clear, and will not affect the beauty of the crafts. High-lay flat properties remain flexible when dried. PVA glue for crafts creates a professional-grade look for all styles of crafts
- Easy to Use: PH neutral PVA glue is water-soluble, feel free to operate, able to be thinned with water and extend drying time as you desired
- Wide Applications: Book glue is suitable for all types of books, paper, craft paper, kraft paper, etc. Book binding glue is ideal for all types of arts and crafts, photography, scrapbooking, postcards, card stocks, bookbinding, paper projects, as well as mounting artwork
- Intimate After-Sales Service: If you are not satisfied with the archival glue you received, or the book repair glue is damaged due to transportation, you can contact us at any time and we will provide you with satisfactory service
- Easy to Use: Binding glue for notepads features a uniquely designed precision tip designed to give you better accuracy, freedom and control for all your crafting needs. The collage glue kit includes 1×120ml book glue, 2* brushes, 1× emery boards, and 2× disposable gloves. When using book glue, just apply the book glue evenly on the surface, and then apply a little pressure to make it adhere. The drying time is 5-10 minutes, and it is completely dry after 24 hours
- Powerful Performance: Book glue has excellent bonding strength and flexibility, making it ideal for book repair, binding, and student handcrafting. It will not break even when bonding deformed materials. Book binding glues repair can make book that has been torn and bonded together again perfectly
- Quick-Drying and Clear Finish: The quick-drying formula dries clear, ensuring that your repairs and bindings are seamless and professional-looking
- Multi-purpose: Book repair glue is suitable for all types of books, paper, craft paper, kraft paper, etc. Commonly used in book restoration, bookbinding and other crafts, DIY greeting cards, invitations, envelopes, postcards, scrapbooks, photos, etc. Paper glue for crafts can also be used for DIY customized pasting of rhinestones, jewelry, etc
- Intimate After-Sales Service: If you are not satisfied with the book binder glue you received, or the bookbinding glue kit spilled due to transportation, you can contact us at any time and we will respond to you quickly and provide you with quality after-sales service
PolyUrethane Reactive Adhesive
Since these glues react with moisture when curing, they appear to be soaking into the paper and produce a strong spine which can also expand to form lumpy spines when drying.
You should ensure that the application is thick to ensure good results.
Since the drying time for PUR is similar to that of PVA glues, you have to keep the pages clamped together to allow bonding before drying.
Last update on 2025-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API