Paper Conservation - Repairing Paper Tears

Repairing Paper Tears

This site was updated January 2018

Paper is a very fiberous material fortunately, which means minor miracles can be achieved without using any kind of tape, including "archival tape" the stuff most conservators use.
I use a method I developed many years ago that involves opening the fibres of the paper and knitting them back together creating an almost invisible repair giving back it's natural strength.

Repairing Paper Tears

Of course a page can be completely torn off and lost leaving the remnant in the book.
This can be a major problem to your average bookbinder.

But who said anything about being average.

Repairing Paper Tears

Then there's those bitty little tears around the edges and crease marks,
Not to mention corners torn off, how do they happen then?

      

Often one single sheet has to go through several processes like
removing stains first, then creases, then re-building the missing bits.

Click on images to enlarge

Repairing Paper Tears

And don't forget that knitting back the fibres of any bits that are missing have to be replaced with matching paper from that period, so paper identification, weight and properties are very important.

Stay Inspired!      

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Period Fine Bindings 1983 - 2018 All rights reserved.