Sofia Martinez
Covering a paperback book with plastic is a great way to protect it from wear and tear, and to keep it looking new for longer. There are several ways to plastic cover a paperback book, and this paragraph will introduce some of the most common methods. One popular method is to use contact paper, which adheres to the book like a sticker. Another method is to use a non-adhesive plastic wrap, which needs to be taped down. Additionally, one can purchase pre-made plastic covers that can be slipped onto the book. For those who are crafty, a custom-made plastic cover can be created by cutting a piece of thick, clear plastic to size and securing it with tape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Extend the life of a book |
| Materials | Thick, clear plastic; PVC plastic sheets; Contact paper; Scotch tape |
| Thickness | 1-4 mils (the thicker the plastic, the more expensive) |
| Height | 9 inches to 16 inches (select a height that fits the book) |
| Technique | Fold plastic around the book, tuck in flaps, tape in place, cut spinal tabs, slide off the back cover, fold spinal tabs, tuck in remaining flaps, tape them |
| Tips | Cut at an angle; avoid air pockets; use small amounts of tape; avoid extra adhesive to prevent ripping |
| Suppliers | Demco (various sizes); Shopbrodart.com |
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What You'll Learn
Use contact paper for a sticker-like cover
Using contact paper to cover a paperback book is a great way to protect it and extend its life. Contact paper works like a sticker, adhering to the book. It is available at many convenience stores, arts and crafts stores, and online.
To cover a paperback book with contact paper, start by laying a sheet of contact paper flat on a table with the paper side facing up. Unroll a suitable amount of paper, keeping in mind that unrolling too much at once will make it difficult to work with. Place the book on the paper with the text block about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the end. The text block is the opposite end of the spine. Leave a 1-inch (2.5 cm) space between the book and the end of the paper so you have room to wrap the contact paper over the inside cover.
Next, peel about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the paper off the side of the plastic layer. Start at one of the side corners and lift the backing paper, exposing the sticky plastic underneath. Work your way down and peel off about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of paper. Then, fold the paper over, making a straight line parallel with the plastic. Be careful not to peel off more than 1 inch (2.5 cm), as the contact paper will become difficult to work with and could stick to itself. Work from the sides of the contact paper, as peeling from the top or bottom will result in incorrect sizing.
Now, lay the book's text block just over the fold so it touches the sticky plastic. Line up the book where the backing paper and contact paper meet. Press the book cover onto the contact paper, using your hand to smooth out any air bubbles. Make sure the book cover is straight. If it's crooked, your measurements will be off. If this happens, carefully peel the book off and press it down again to straighten it out.
Finally, pull the backing paper off while pressing the contact paper down. With the contact paper sticking to one side of the book cover, flip the book over so the cover is facing up. Hold the cover down with one hand and slowly pull the backing paper off with the other hand. At the same time, use your other hand to press the contact paper down onto the book cover, smoothing out any bubbles as you go. You can use a ruler or a similar instrument to help with this step.
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Use non-adhesive plastic wrap and tape
Covering a paperback book in plastic is a great way to extend its life. Using non-adhesive plastic wrap and tape is a good option if you want to avoid the risk of damaging the book by applying adhesive to its cover.
First, cut a piece of thick, clear plastic to create a durable cover that will protect your book from wear and tear. The plastic should be about 2 inches (5.1 cm) longer and wider than the book. You can purchase a roll of clear plastic that is 1-4 mils thick, with the thicker options being more expensive.
Next, place the book in the centre of the plastic sheet, with the cover facing down. Leave about 2 inches (5.1 cm) of plastic wrap on the top and bottom of the book. Then, fold the plastic around the book, creating two equally-sized flaps on the top, bottom, and right side.
Now, fold the front flap under the front cover and pull it tight. Use a small strip of clear tape to secure the plastic to the front cover. Repeat this process for the back cover, but do not tape the bottom flap. Instead, press down firmly across the crease to create a defined fold.
Finally, cut two spinal tabs into your plastic cover. Make a vertical cut about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from where the plastic folds around the spine, doing this twice on the top and bottom flaps. This will help the plastic fit tightly around the spine and cover of the book.
By following these steps, you can effectively cover a paperback book with non-adhesive plastic wrap and tape, protecting it from damage without risking the long-term effects of adhesive on the book's cover.
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Leave a third of the book width uncovered
Covering a paperback book with plastic film is a great way to keep it looking new for longer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it, leaving a third of the book width uncovered:
Prepare the Plastic Wrap:
- Cut a piece of thick, clear plastic to size, ensuring it is larger than your book on all sides. The recommended extension length varies from 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 2 inches (5.1 cm). This extra plastic will be used to wrap the book.
- If using contact paper, which has a sticky adhesive side, peel back 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the paper backing from the plastic layer. Start at one of the side corners and work your way down. Do not peel off more than 1 inch to avoid the plastic sticking to itself.
Position the Book:
- Place your book in the center of the plastic wrap, with the text block (the edge opposite the spine) facing down.
- Ensure there is a gap of about 1 inch (2.5 cm) between the book and the end of the plastic wrap. This space will be used to wrap the plastic over the inside cover.
- Draw a line along the spine of the book with a pencil, then flip the book over so that the spine faces the line.
Wrap the Book:
- Fold the plastic around the book, leaving a third of the book width uncovered as instructed.
- Secure the plastic with tape. Use a small strip of clear tape on the front cover to hold the plastic in place temporarily. Avoid using too much tape at this stage.
- Cut the plastic wrap straight down the spine of your book.
- Fold in the spinal tabs. Slide the plastic fold off the back cover, then fold and press down firmly on the crease with your fingers.
- Put the cover back on and tuck in the remaining flaps. Tape them down securely, trying to tape from plastic to plastic to avoid applying adhesive directly to the book.
- Ensure the plastic is pulled flat and tight around the book.
Finishing Touches:
- Cut off the excess plastic at the corners. Bring your scissors close to the corner of the book and cut upwards and inwards at an angle to remove the plastic triangles.
- Open the book to the back cover and cut off the inner plastic flaps. Cut at a slight downward angle to remove the inner flaps.
- Ensure there are no air pockets or "tunnels" at the edges of the pages. Prick tiny air pockets with a push pin to release the air.
By following these steps, you can effectively cover a paperback book with plastic, leaving a third of the book width uncovered, and protect it from wear and tear.
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Avoid taping plastic to plastic
Covering paperback books with plastic film is a great way to keep them looking new for longer. However, it is important to avoid taping plastic to plastic, as this can cause permanent damage to the book.
One issue with taping plastic to plastic is that the adhesive can leak and cause the pages of the book to stick together. This is especially true in hot climates, as the heat can cause the adhesive to become more sticky and more likely to leak. Additionally, if the book is not opened for a long period of time, the adhesive can dry and cause the pages to become fused.
Another issue with taping plastic to plastic is that it can be difficult to remove the tape without damaging the book. The adhesive can rip the cover of the book or leave residue behind, which can be difficult to remove. This is true even for tapes that are marketed as being suitable for archival purposes.
Instead of taping plastic to plastic, there are a few alternative methods that can be used to secure the plastic cover. One method is to use plastic sleeves that can be slipped over the book. This method is easier to remove and replace than taping, and it also allows for the book to be easily wiped down in humid environments. Another method is to use a small amount of high-quality tape, being careful to only tape the plastic to itself and not to the book. This method requires less tape and is therefore less likely to damage the book.
Overall, it is important to avoid taping plastic to plastic when covering paperback books, as it can cause permanent damage to the book. There are alternative methods that can be used to secure the plastic cover, such as using plastic sleeves or being careful to only tape the plastic to itself, that are less likely to cause damage.
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Choose between pre-sized or custom-cut plastic
When it comes to choosing the right plastic to cover your paperback, you have two main options: pre-sized plastic or custom-cut sheets. Here are some considerations to help you decide between the two:
Pre-sized Plastic
Pre-sized plastic sheets or rolls are a convenient option if you know the standard size of your paperbacks. They are typically available in set widths, ranging from 9 inches to 16 inches, and can be found at craft stores or online. This option is suitable if you have books that conform to common sizes. However, keep in mind that pre-sized plastic may not be a perfect fit for all your paperbacks, and you might need to trim the edges if they are too large.
Custom-Cut Plastic
Custom-cut plastic, on the other hand, offers more flexibility in terms of sizing. You can find suppliers that allow you to specify the exact thickness, width, and length you require. This option is ideal if you have books of varying dimensions or non-standard sizes. Custom-cut plastic ensures a precise fit for each book, maximising protection and minimising waste. However, it may be more costly than pre-sized options, and there might be minimum order requirements.
Making the Decision
When deciding between pre-sized and custom-cut plastic, consider the size variability of your paperback collection. If most of your books fall within standard sizes, pre-sized plastic can be a cost-effective and readily available option. However, if you have books of unique sizes or want a precise fit, custom-cut plastic is the better choice, despite potentially higher costs and non-returnability.
Additionally, keep in mind the type of plastic you intend to use. PVC, for example, is commonly used for short-term protection but may not be suitable for long-term use as it can degrade over time. Mylar is another option recommended by librarians and is available in various sizes.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use contact paper, which works like a sticker, or non-adhesive plastic wrap, which needs to be taped down.
First, lay a sheet of contact paper flat on a table with the paper side facing up. Place the book on the paper, leaving a 1-inch (2.5 cm) space between the book and the end of the paper. Peel 1 inch of the paper backing off the plastic layer, then fold the sticky plastic over the book cover.
Place the book on top of the plastic wrap, leaving about 2 inches of wrap extending beyond the top and bottom of the book. Fold the wrap over the inside of the cover on all three sides, then tape the top and bottom folds to the wrap running along the spine of the book. Cut the plastic wrap down the spine, then repeat the process for the back cover.
