
The plastic covering around books is known by many names. Some generic terms used to refer to it are plastic wrappers, wrappings, or plastic sleeve. In the context of bookbinding, the plastic covering is known as a dust jacket, dust wrapper, or dust cover. This detachable outer cover is usually made of paper and printed with text and illustrations. The plastic covering is also known as contact paper, which is sticky on one side and adheres to the book.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Clear plastic shrinkwrap, plastic wrapper, plastic wrapping, dust jacket, book jacket, dust wrapper, dust cover, Wearsie Bind |
| Description | A protective wrapping made from clear plastic film that is shrunk onto an object by heat |
| Use | Protecting books from damage, displaying promotional material, and preventing deterioration |
| Types | Contact paper (adhesive), non-adhesive plastic wrap |
| Application | Applied like a sticker, taped down, waxed, or laminated with heat |
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Plastic wrappers
In the context of books and magazines, plastic wrappers serve as a protective layer to shield the publication from damage. This is especially important for older books, as paper can deteriorate over time, and oil from hands can accelerate this process.
The use of plastic wrappers for books and magazines can be compared to the concept of a dust jacket. A dust jacket is a detachable outer cover, typically made of paper, that is designed to protect the underlying book covers. While dust jackets traditionally served a practical purpose, they have evolved to also include promotional content, such as illustrations, blurbs, and biographical information about the author.
In some cases, dust jackets themselves may be wrapped in another layer of transparent plastic, especially for library books. This additional layer of protection ensures that the dust jacket remains intact and preserves its aesthetic and financial value.
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Plastic wrappings
The process of covering paperback books with plastic wrappings is a simple yet effective way to protect them. There are two main materials one can use: contact paper, which adheres to the book like a sticker, and non-adhesive plastic wrap, which needs to be taped down. Both methods serve to safeguard books from damage.
To apply contact paper, one must first lay the paper flat on a table with the paper side facing up. Then, place the book on the paper, ensuring there is a one-inch gap between the book and the end of the paper to allow room for wrapping the plastic over the inside cover. Next, draw a line along the spine of the book and flip the book over so that the spine aligns with the line, acting as a hinge. Finally, press the book cover onto the contact paper, smooth out any air bubbles, and carefully peel off the backing paper while securing the contact paper in place.
For non-adhesive plastic wrap, a similar process can be followed, using tape to secure the plastic wrap to the book covers. It is important to ensure that the plastic wrap fits tightly over the covers and that any air bubbles are removed.
In addition to plastic wrappings, dust jackets also provide protection for books. Dust jackets, also known as book jackets or dust wrappers, are detachable outer covers usually made of paper with printed text and illustrations. They have existed since the late 1820s, initially serving to protect ornate bindings. Today, they continue to shield books from damage and display promotional content, such as biographical information about the author, summaries, and critical praise.
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Dust jackets
A dust jacket, sometimes called a book jacket, dust wrapper, or dust cover, is a detachable outer cover for a book, usually made of paper and printed with text and illustrations. The dust jacket has folded flaps that hold it to the front and back covers of the book, and these flaps may also be used as bookmarks.
Before the 1820s, most books were published unbound, and book owners would fashion their own protective jackets out of leather, wallpaper, fur, or other materials. The earliest known dust jacket now on record was issued in 1829 on an English annual, and was discovered at the Bodleian Library in Oxford in 2009. Throughout the nineteenth century, nearly all dust jackets were discarded at or soon after purchase, as they were often plainer than the books they covered.
By the 1920s, most of the artwork and decoration that had previously been on book bindings had migrated to the dust jacket, and jackets were routinely printed with multiple colours, extensive advertising, and blurbs. Modern dust jackets continue to display promotional material and shield the book from damage. They are also slightly larger than the actual covers, protecting the book from deterioration due to moisture, dust, and sun, and may in turn be wrapped in another jacket, especially if the book is a library volume.
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Wearsie Bind
In general, the plastic covering around books is called a plastic wrapper or wrapping. However, in religious circles, when plastic is used to protect sacred texts, this covering is called a "Wearsie Bind". This is because the oil from people's hands can cause deterioration to the paper, so a Wearsie Bind is used to protect the books.
A Wearsie Bind is a type of protective covering made from plastic that is shrunk onto an object by heat. It is worth noting that this term is not commonly used, and in most cases, the plastic covering around books will simply be referred to as plastic wrap or a plastic sleeve.
There are several ways to cover a book with plastic. One method involves using contact paper, which works like a sticker and adheres to the book. The other method uses non-adhesive plastic wrap that needs to be taped down. To use contact paper, simply lay the book on the paper and press the book cover onto it, working out any air bubbles. Then, peel the book off, press the paper down, and flip the book over so the cover is facing up. Finally, slowly pull off the backing paper while pressing the contact paper down onto the book.
Another method for covering a book with plastic involves using clear plastic tape to secure the plastic to the front cover. First, lay the book on the plastic with the text block about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the end. Then, draw a line along the spine of the book and flip the book over so the spine faces the line. Next, cut the plastic at the spine and snip off the top and bottom tabs. Finally, press the plastic down so it fits tightly over both covers.
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Clear plastic shrinkwrap
Clear plastic shrink wrap is a common way to protect books, especially hardcover books, deluxe edition comics, children's board books, and coffee table books. It is a polymer plastic film that shrinks when subjected to heat, conforming to the shape of the book and sealing itself. This process results in a clear, durable, protective barrier that shields the book from dirt, dust, moisture, and other detrimental substances, thus improving its longevity.
Clear plastic shrink wrap is often used in place of a dust jacket, which is the detachable outer cover of a book, usually made of paper and printed with text and illustrations. Dust jackets have flaps that hold them to the front and back covers of the book and can also serve as bookmarks. They also display promotional material, such as biographical information about the author, a summary of the book, or critical praise.
While dust jackets provide some protection for books, they are relatively fragile and can be further protected by clear plastic shrink wrap, especially in the case of library volumes. Clear plastic shrink wrap is also useful for protecting older books, as paper deteriorates over time, and oil from hands can cause damage to the pages.
Clear plastic shrink wrap can be purchased in various sizes to accommodate different book dimensions. For example, Amazon offers 500 pieces of 9" x 14" PVC clear shrink bags for shrink-wrapping books and other items. When using shrink wrap, it is important to consider the size of the book and the thickness of the pages, as shrink wrap is typically better suited for thicker books, while thinner books may be better protected by an "OPP" bag, made from stretchable polypropylene.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic covering around a book is called a plastic wrapper or plastic wrapping. In rare cases, when plastic is used to protect sacred texts, it is called a "Wearsie Bind".
A dust jacket is a detachable outer cover, usually made of paper and printed with text and illustrations. It is sometimes referred to as a book jacket, dust wrapper, or dust cover. A plastic wrapper, on the other hand, is typically made of clear plastic film that is shrunk onto the book to protect it.
To apply a plastic wrapper to a book, you can use either contact paper or non-adhesive plastic wrap. Contact paper has an adhesive backing that sticks to the book, while non-adhesive plastic wrap needs to be taped down. Both methods provide protection for the book.









































