1LesMiserables
Does anyone know what the ingredients are of the Glue that printers use when gluing books together?
Are there different types... that is, do mass market editions use different glue, from say Easton Press or the Folio Society?
Are there different types... that is, do mass market editions use different glue, from say Easton Press or the Folio Society?
2skoobdo
I will use a white,milky glue or paste (paper glue) to repair the book's spine of hardbound and paperback books. Some glue are packaged in the "circular,stick" form in the plastic capsule that is moveable.
3richardbsmith
I have one book, that I make reference to occasionally. The pages tore out. Borrowered a copy from a friend, his pages were already torn out. Bought a second copy for my self, those pages have torn out. (It is just a paperback, but come on Mr Publisher.)
Have tried to salvage with Elmer's.
Anyway, from my experience with that book, it appears that there is a wide range of glue options. Some perhaps not as good.
Have tried to salvage with Elmer's.
Anyway, from my experience with that book, it appears that there is a wide range of glue options. Some perhaps not as good.
4TheoClarke
Modern commercial publishers use a polyvinyl acetate emulsion or a hot melt adhesive like ethylene vinyl acetate. Since the 1980s many publishers use polyurethane reactive adhesives for paperback perfect binding. Craft bookbinders use hide glue (which is a mixture of gelatine, glycerine, and vinegar) and methyl cellulose among others.
5LesMiserables
Ah, thanks all. And to TheoClarke for sharing his knowledge.
It was as I feared that animal products were part and parcel of the glue.
Being someone who tries to avoid using animals for any purpose, I accept that bar not reading books at all, I cannot avoid being party.
It matters not then if I avoid a 'quarter bound in leather' edition as the 'buckram' edition will no doubt have animal based glue in the manufacturing of the more expensive books.
*sigh*
It was as I feared that animal products were part and parcel of the glue.
Being someone who tries to avoid using animals for any purpose, I accept that bar not reading books at all, I cannot avoid being party.
It matters not then if I avoid a 'quarter bound in leather' edition as the 'buckram' edition will no doubt have animal based glue in the manufacturing of the more expensive books.
*sigh*
6lilithcat
> 5
It's extremely unlikely that the buckram edition will have been bound with hide glue. Frankly, it's even unlikely that a leather-bound edition volume will, either. As TheoClarke says, that's generally confined to craft binders (and even they will be more likely to use wheat paste in leather binding) and conservators.
According to the Folio Society, their books are sewn, not glued. Since they are a production process, the likelihood is that the textblock is attached to the boards with PVA (or, possibly, wheat paste).
It's extremely unlikely that the buckram edition will have been bound with hide glue. Frankly, it's even unlikely that a leather-bound edition volume will, either. As TheoClarke says, that's generally confined to craft binders (and even they will be more likely to use wheat paste in leather binding) and conservators.
According to the Folio Society, their books are sewn, not glued. Since they are a production process, the likelihood is that the textblock is attached to the boards with PVA (or, possibly, wheat paste).
7LesMiserables
>6 lilithcat: Thanks for that information. I'm so unknowledgeable in the area of book making. Oh the irony!
8SamQTrust
Ethylene vinyl acetate, also known as EVA comes as a liquid glue like PVA wood glue does... Art Framers use it, so an Art Frame business is where I get EVA from. I use it to re-glue spines as it tacks fast and is flexible when dry.
TheoClarke obviously knows.
TheoClarke obviously knows.
9Keeline
Reading this made me curious. The adhesive I have used on occasion for many years is Norbond liquid plastic and I see from the Demco website that this is a PVA. Unlike Elmer's "white glue" it does not get hard and crystalize.
With any adhesive you probably want to use less than you think you might need.
Usually, though, I try to avoid books that need repair. Most things done to books should be reversible. For example, it is a simple matter to take off a Demco SuperFold jacket protector with no difference to the jacket. Tapes and glues are permanent changes and you have to make the right decision that will not cause further harm such as introducing acid.
James
With any adhesive you probably want to use less than you think you might need.
Usually, though, I try to avoid books that need repair. Most things done to books should be reversible. For example, it is a simple matter to take off a Demco SuperFold jacket protector with no difference to the jacket. Tapes and glues are permanent changes and you have to make the right decision that will not cause further harm such as introducing acid.
James
10Glacierman
I use Jade 403, a PVA, and wheat paste. The only thing hide glue was used for was gluing the spine, and PVA does the job better, I think, as it remains flexible, whereas hide glue hardens over time and will break if overstressed. Wheat paste should always be used to paste leather to the boards, but PVA can be used to adhere cloth and paper to the boards, etc.