Repairing Guides

how to repair torn paper documents

by Prof. Cassidy Bogisich DDS Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How to Repair a Torn Page in a Book

  1. Examine the Torn Page and Pay Attention to the Details. Torn page in a child's picture book. ...
  2. Put Waxed Paper Behind the Torn Page to Protect the Other Pages. Put a sheet of waxed paper behind the page that needs the repair. ...
  3. Apply Glue to Torn Edges. Using a thin brush or toothpick, carefully apply the glue to one torn edge. ...
  4. Apply Gentle Pressure. Gently press the torn edges together. You can use a soft cloth to wipe up glue that oozes out if you want.
  5. More Waxed Paper! Place your second sheet of waxed paper on top of the glued torn page.
  6. Close the Book and Apply Weight. I use other books to apply the needed pressure to hold the repair in place long enough for the glue to dry.

Part of a video titled Repairing Cut or Torn Pages with Adhesive - YouTube
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Carefully fit the two edges of the tear together and blot off any excess adhesive with theMoreCarefully fit the two edges of the tear together and blot off any excess adhesive with the cheesecloth. Place a second sheet of waxed paper on top of the page. And smooth.

How do you repair torn paper?

Paper repair is an elusively simple repair. Using wheat starch paste and Japanese paper we repair tears in paper in a manner that is flexible and reversible. The trick to a good paper repair is select the proper color and weigh of repair tissue.

How do conservators repair paper tears?

In order to repair a paper tear using Japanese tissue, a conservator will start by tracing the shape and length of the tear onto a piece of transparent polyester Mylar film. Using a light box, (I sometimes use a bright window) the tissue is placed onto the Mylar and a repair piece is then cut out using either a water pen or a sharp needle.

What is the best way to repair a tear?

If the tear is long then multiple strips are used. Specially constructed boards covered in blotter paper and Hollytex are placed on both sides of the repair and a weight is placed on top until the repair is dry. A 14cm paper tear before treatment. Since the tear extends over text the decision was made to use a thin paper on both sides of the tear.

How do you restore damaged or damaged documents?

If important documents are exposed to water, BELFOR’s document restoration specialists use desiccant drying, vacuum-freeze dryers, thermal vacuum-freeze dryers and molecular sieves specifically designed to restore books, documents and paper materials. Often, after drying is completed, no further restoration is required.

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How do you fix a paper document?

Use acid-free glue and a bone folder for a quick fix. Then, place another piece of wax paper over the tear and press the bone folder, which is a dull-edged hand tool used to fold and crease material, over the tear. Allow the glue to dry and then remove the wax paper and bone folder.

Can torn paper be repaired?

The best way to reattach a page that has been completely torn out of a book and has a ragged edge is to “rebuild” that edge using a transparent tissue, such as Book Repair Tissue, and Norbond® Liquid Plastic Adhesive.

How do you reattach perforated paper?

0:120:57Reattaching a Torn-Out Page - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAlign the two sides of the tear. And be sure the paper is lapped. Correctly. Place another sheet ofMoreAlign the two sides of the tear. And be sure the paper is lapped. Correctly. Place another sheet of waxed paper on top of the page and smooth it with a bone folder.

How do you connect ripped paper?

Ideally, you should hold the tape on the carrier side to prevent fingerprints on the adhesive, you can position the tape holding the little extra length that will be trimmed off. Position the tape over the tear and burnish gently with a bone folder. This works the adhesive into the tear and makes for a stronger repair.

What glue is best for repairing books?

Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) Glue For bookbinding or repairing books, the best glue for bookbinding is good PVA glue, not only is it very effective, but it can also be found in any craft or art supply store.

How do you fix a book that has pages falling out?

How to Fix Book Binding: Loose Pages EditionGet the Right Products. For the best results with any type of DIY book repair, you need book or binding glue. ... Set the Loose Pages Aside. ... Apply Your Glue. ... Stick Your Pages Back on the Spine. ... Add Some Heavy Stuff and Let the Book Dry.

How do you reattach notebook paper?

Make sure that the kind of tape you use bonds with the cardboard card cover. Use a hole punch to open the holes covered with the tape. Align the cover with the paper block and clamp the assembly so it remains firm. Twist the spiral back into the paper block holes to hold the notebook together.

How do you fix a small tear in a book?

0:432:51Training Video #1: Repairing a torn page - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMeet stick. The two torn edges together place another sheet of silicone release paper on top of theMoreMeet stick. The two torn edges together place another sheet of silicone release paper on top of the torn page and smooth along the tear with a bone folder to help it stick.

How do you use book repair tape?

Place the tape face down (sticky side up) on a flat surface, then carefully lay the closed book on the tape so that there is an overhang at both top of and bottom. If the book spine is very wide it may be easier to apply the tape directly to the spine, again keeping the overhang at top and bottom and at both sides.

How do you fix a ripped poster?

0:162:50Poster Rehab Clinic: Document Repair Tape - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnes to repair these tears. I'm going to use document repair tape also available from bags unlimitedMoreOnes to repair these tears. I'm going to use document repair tape also available from bags unlimited document repair tape is super fine tape it's self adhesive.

How do I restore pages in a book?

How to Fix Book Binding: Loose Pages EditionGet the Right Products. For the best results with any type of DIY book repair, you need book or binding glue. ... Set the Loose Pages Aside. ... Apply Your Glue. ... Stick Your Pages Back on the Spine. ... Add Some Heavy Stuff and Let the Book Dry.

What is paper repair?

Paper repair is an elusively simple repair. Using wheat starch paste and Japanese paper we repair tears in paper in a manner that is flexible and reversible. The trick to a good paper repair is select the proper color and weigh of repair tissue. The majority of Japanese papers are made from Kozo (Mulberry) fibers but Gampi and Mitsumata are also popular chocices. The weight of the paper ranges from the ultra thin (and virtually see-through) Tosa Tengujo at 9 grams per square meter to Okawara paper at 60 grams per square meter.

What is the weight of Japanese paper?

The weight of the paper ranges from the ultra thin (and virtually see-through) Tosa Tengujo at 9 grams per square meter to Okawara paper at 60 grams per square meter.

What is used to repair a tear in a plywood board?

A thin layer of wheat starch paste is brushed onto a piece of Mylar and the Japanese paper is placed on top of it and rubbed down to ensure an even application of paste. Tweezers are used to carefully lift the paper and place it along the tear. If the tear is long then multiple strips are used. Specially constructed boards covered in blotter paper and Hollytex are placed on both sides of the repair and a weight is placed on top until the repair is dry.

Is the repair visible after treatment?

After treatment the repair is virtually invisible and the text is legible.

What causes foxing on paper?

Foxing stains are reddish-brown stains that appear on old paper. They’re caused by either mold or iron contaminants and they can be treated by specialized procedures such as gas bleaching with chlorine dioxide gas, laser treatments, and chemical treatments.

How to fix a tear in a bone folder?

Use acid-free glue and a bone folder for a quick fix. Choose an acid-free glue that dries clear, such as craft glue. Place a piece of wax paper beneath the ripped paper and paint a tiny amount of glue over the tear with a fine brush.

What is a chemical sponge?

A chemical sponge, also known as a smoke sponge, is made from vulcanized rubber and is able to trap dirt in the surface of the sponge. If you have dirty paper prints, rub away the dirt with the dry chemical sponge. When the sponge gets dirty, use scissors or a knife to cut off the dirty surface to expose clean sponge.

How to get yellow paper out of a sandpaper?

1. Soak the paper in a bleach solution for 10 minutes. Combine 1 part bleach and about 15 parts water in a bowl and place your yellowed paper in the solution. Push it down slightly so the entire surface area of the paper is wet. Allow the paper to soak for a full 10 minutes.

How to clean old maps?

Use a soft-bristle hair brush and a spatula to clean up old maps. Lay your map flat on a table and anchor the corners with books. Take a soft-bristle hair brush and gently brush away grime, dust, and debris from the surface. If there’s any glue, adhesive residue, or gunk on the surface, use a spatula to gently scrape it off.

How to remove dents from a drawing paper?

Press drawing paper between 2 boards overnight to remove dents. If your sheet of drawing paper has dents or other minor surface imperfections, take the paper and place it between 2 clean, rigid supports that are bigger than the piece of paper such as mat boards or large books. Then, place a weight on top of the boards such as a book to help press the paper. Leave the pressed paper overnight or even up to 24 hours, then remove it.

How to get ink out of a faded document?

1. Take a photo or scan the document and adjust the contrast. While you may not be able to restore the ink on the faded document itself, you can try taking a high-quality photograph of it. You could also scan the document to turn it into a digital file.

Why is paper so fragile?

Paper is its own worst enemy. Most paper and card contains lignin, a natural source of acid from the wood used in the pulp. Acid will eventually cause the structure of the paper to break-down, becoming brittle and yellow. If the paper is already torn, this will be a weak point as that treasured item becomes older. It’s important to fix tears to prevent further damage and prevent the page from breaking into fragments. We advise taking the advice of a qualified conservator for repairs on any particularly valuable items.

What side of the page do you repeat a repair on?

Repeat on the other side of the page if a stronger repair is required.

Why use Arcare archival quality tape?

Arcare archival tapes use a neutral pH acrylic adhesive that will not turn yellow or seep into the paper, it can also be removed (known as being ‘reversible’) by a conservator. You must never use normal sticky tape to fix a tear. Non-archival self-adhesive tape will dry out, leaving a nasty yellow residue on the paper that can’t be removed and will totally obscure and destroy any covered text or image.

How to use tape on a box?

Push the tape through the bottom of the box. Once through, peel the release paper from the tape and pass back through the dispenser tab on the bottom of the box, this will make using the tape easier.

Why do we keep books, letters, newspapers, postcards and greeting cards?

How to Guide. Many of us keep books, letters, newspapers, postcards and greetings cards for sentimental reasons, their significance growing with age. Often these pieces of memorabilia are not treated as well as they could have been in their early life and the battle scars do not disappear as they get older.

Can you use sticky tape to fix a tear?

You must never use normal sticky tape to fix a tear. Non-archival self-adhesive tape will dry out, leaving a nasty yellow residue on the paper that can’t be removed and will totally obscure and destroy any covered text or image.

How to restore paper?

The easiest way to restore paper items is to prevent damage to them in the first place. This means storing items away from water sources, in a cool low humidity environments, and away from light if possible.

How Can Paper be Destroyed?

Paper, while an affordable and convenient medium to use for many purposes, is not a very permanent medium for preserving items. A variety of forces – environmental conditions, insects, improper handling, natural disasters, and even the content of the paper itself – can damage paper items or destroy them entirely.

What is Paper Restoration?

After a photograph, important document, or other piece of paper has succumbed to damage, there are a variety of options for what can be done to try to reverse some, if not all of the issues. Some damage to paper is irreversible, unfortunately, but other damage may be repaired or halted using paper restoration techniques.

What Items May Need Restoration?

A surprising number of paper items that many of us have in our homes need to be conserved, or protected from forces that will cause them to eventually degrade. Some of these items we protect instinctively – such as by not putting our boxes of photos in the hot and humid attic. But others we neglect every day without thinking twice about them (like putting those family birth and marriage records folded in acidic envelopes in a drawer somewhere). Let’s look at some of the important paper items that may be hiding around your home in need of restoration or conservation.

How to get rid of mold and mildew on paper?

The first step to eradicating mold and mildew is to remove the condition that created them: water. Documents can be laid out to dry with good ventilation, but books with wet pages will need to have something absorbent, such as paper towels, placed between the pages (replaced frequently with dry ones as they soak up water). Using fans or laying items in the sun to dry can speed up the process, but use those techniques sparingly as they may do damage of their own to paper materials.

What color is mold on paper?

Molds. Mold can appear on paper in a surprising array of colors, including green, black, and red – or it can even be invisible to the naked eye completely, only visible under the help of an ultraviolet light. A mold colony on paper may be a living, active growth, but it can also be dormant and appear as spores.

Why do flies leave dark spots on paper?

These tiny spots left from flies materialize as small shiny or dark spots on paper, and are caused by the acidic feces of the fly. Insect Incrustations. This is the accumulation of mashed insect parts onto the surface of paper, often mushed spider legs or smashed flies. Foxings.

How to repair a damaged page?

With a soft brush a thin layer of high grade wheat starch adhesive is applied to the repair tissue and it is carefully placed onto the repair site and rubbed with bone-folder. Finally, the repaired page is placed between absorbent blotters and weight so that it will dry without warping.

How to trace a tear?

Tracing the shape of a tear. Using a light box, (I sometimes use a bright window) the tissue is placed onto the Mylar and a repair piece is then cut out using either a water pen or a sharp needle. Using a water pen to cut out repair piece. Fuzzy long fibers are trimmed just a bit.

What Types of Documents and Media Can Be Restored?

As the world leader in property restoration and disaster recovery, our BELFOR specialists are also trained and experienced in document recovery and paper document restoration. Thanks to advances in technology and equipment, our expert team can recover and restore almost any type of document, from standard paper document restoration to restoring damaged photographs and recovering documents on other media. This includes (but is not limited to):

What is Belfor paper restoration?

If there has been a fire or there is leftover damage from smoke, BELFOR’s paper document recovery and restoration process includes state-of-the-art cleaning methods such as particulate removal sponges, ionized air washing, and a variety of deodorization techniques .

How to contact a document restoration company?

In the event of an incident or emergency, contact our 24-hour hotline at 800-856-3333 and let our team help you.

What are the most valuable items in a fire?

In the aftermath of a fire or flood, some of the most treasured and irreplaceable contents include important documents, books, and photos . Buildings can be rebuilt and furniture replaced, but will paper documents or precious photographs ever be the same? Thanks to years of paper recovery experience and expert development of proprietary paper document restoration processes, BELFOR’s National Technical Services Division can help you save those sensitive and treasured documents.

Does Belfor freeze dry?

BELFOR has the largest inventory of both fixed and mobile freeze-dry chambers in the industry. While we have the equipment to freeze most documents on-site, the majority of document projects are frozen, inventoried, packed, and shipped to a BELFOR Document Lab for further recovery. We have proven procedures and methodologies for quickly and safely packing valuable materials, ensuring that an accurate and meaningful inventory is created and that materials are moved to a safe location without further damage.

Is Belfor document restoration secure?

All BELFOR document restoration facilities have security measures in place—including secure access and video monitoring. The buildings are fenced, and a passcode is required to enter the facility. Because we perform a large amount of government work, special security measures can be added if required.

Can Belfor remove asbestos?

Individual pieces of paper or an entire library can be saved from further contamination and decay. BELFOR is also one of the few restoration companies that can perform asbestos and lead removal on documents. Other document recovery services offered by BELFOR include:

Why is my mat burn yellow?

Mat burn is often mistaken for foxing by the discoloration and embrittlement of the paper which is caused by prolonged contact with an acidic mat or other framing or storage materials . Mat burn usually appears as darkening or yellowing of the paper along the bevel edge of the mat.

What is foxing in fabric?

Foxing is frequently mistaken for tide lines or tide marks which are dark lines left by liquid that has migrated through paper or fabric and then evaporated. Tide lines are most pronounced at the farthest point of migration, and can usually be reduced or removed by professional washing.

What is acidic paper?

Prints, maps, paintings and documents on paper that have a pH lower than 7.0 are considered acidic, and are not suitable for conservation framing or storage without professional de-acidification. (a generic term for a chemical treatment that neutralizes acid in paper or similar materials, often leaving an alkaline residue in the paper as a buffer against further acid contamination).

Why is my paper foxing?

Foxing is the result of the activity of microorganisms, and is most likely to occur when paper is subjected to damp, stale air.

Why is paper acidic?

Paper may be acidic because of methods and materials that were used to manufacture it or it may become acidic due to exposure to acidic materials such as wood, cardboard, or pollutants in the atmosphere. Acidic paper is inherently unstable, and will deteriorate over time.

Why is my fine art paper wavy?

Cockled paper is usually wavy or rippled. This often occurs from exposure to moisture, but is also common in fine art prints as a result of the printing process . In the latter case, no attempt should be made to flatten (the process by which creases and wrinkles are reduced or removed.

Can you use markers to label paper?

Never use ink pens and markers to label paper. Self-adhesive tapes should not be used to mend tears, as they cause problems as they deteriorate and yellow. Do not store important papers and old documents in the basement or attic. Have acidic paper professionally de-acidified.

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