Good idea, Mary -- and good work too! As a former bookbinder, I can add that besides the obvious protection this adds, it will marginally help keep the back of a book from breaking. Could slightly impair the openability of thin books, but that's maybe a trade worth making. Also, if anyone wants to really nerd out, there's a traditional tool called a bone folder used for -- you guessed it, folding paper and such -- and ironing out air bubbles, pressing glued surfaces, etc. It does take a fair bit of practice to use properly though, which is odd considering it's such a simple tool.
You can do this to dust jackets as well. You'll just need more material. And instead peeling back the plastic part and folding it, it is easier to peel back the paper side, place your book and slowly remove the paper sheet as you smooth out the plastic side. Using a tissue or cloth helps ensure it is smooth, even and without any air bubbles.
I just wanted to say thank you for making this tutorial. I haven't attempted to cover any of my trade paperbacks yet but will do so after I order the contact paper. I'm definitely more of a hardcover guy but some books either just don't get a hardcover treatment or are out of print and cost far too much to buy in that format secondhand, so I'm quite grateful that I stumbled across your guide! Now I don't have to worry about my poor, weak books being all banged up on my commute. :)
Yeah I have tons of beloved Stephen King paperbacks (can’t afford hardbacks) that I was trying to figure out how to protect them as I do go back and reread after awhile. Thanks for sharing this. I’m gonna slowly do this one by one of my SK books 😅
Thank you so much! I'd recently noticed some fraying on the edges of my older books and had bought some contact paper from Staples. When it arrived, I'd had no idea what to do with it. This tutorial was very helpful for me :^)
This is exactly what I was looking for. I haven't done this since my school days but wanted to protect some of my books and wondered what the easiest way is. Will definitely do it like this, thanks a lot!
Great video! Wrapped my first paperback today. One suggestion if I may, is to cut a diagonal line that is perpendicular to the corners of the covers. This reduces your cuts by 2 and makes the fold over a little easier. Hope this helps!
Very good my friend. There is now a company called BCW that makes bags (baggies) for paperbacks. Also... some Dollar Stores sell clear poly bags that will fit smaller mass paperback books.
My favourite book has a hard cover, but I read it so many times the cover is starting to show years of travelling with me just everywhere. I want to protect it and I want it to look good. But I never knew how to start. Thank for this video, it helped me a lot! 👍
Thanks for this tutorial. It's been a few years since you made this video. I am curious to see what these books look like now, and how this contact paper holds up. Thank you.
thank you so much for this video! i had ordered the twilight series in the deluxe white covers and they are an absolute magnet for grime. this will help me preserve and protect them!
Hello i just want to know how was your book that is covered with contact paper it is still okay? Any problems with yellowing, becoming brittle, or color leaching over the years because i know some contact paper are not acid free.
I checked my oldest covered books and while there was some yellowing (but no more than the actual book pages), the covers weren't brittle and were still very flexible. I did notice that the thinnest (and most shiny) contact paper I used had no discoloring.
Wow I may have been lost somewhere! I never knew of that peel & stick paper...now I know how to fix a old timer booklet I have. I will make a hardcover of a papercover and finish it with that peel & stick paper!...thank you! Back in the day we used to cover our books with cellophane wrap with scotch tape lol!
How many books would you say the Duck Peel & Stick 12 In. x 36 Ft could cover? I just bought 5 new books and I'm looking into doing this, cover with contact paper. :)
I used to do this with paperbacks but then it tends to bubble up on the edges where there is a fold and near the spine. So i stick with usual plastic cover. And do this with my dust jackets for hb books.
The biggest different between the two is the length they come in. The gridded contact paper comes in 18in (which I cut in half) so is good for mass market paperbacks and the dotted contact paper is 12in which is perfect for the 9in books. However if you have a lot of graphic novels, you might want to use the 18in without cutting it in half because the 12in can be a tight fit.
I honestly haven't tried. It would probably depend on how long the contact paper stayed on for. If you wanted something to travel with/use between multiple books, you might want to look into book sleeves.
Thank you, this is super help full and exactly what I was searching for! I'm wondering if anyone from Europe knows where they might find these type of plastics or what their names are because I can't seem to find them. Thank you!
thanks, I was thinking about just taping my books but then thought about how I couldn't untape it without riping the cover. No matter how careful I am all my collection books end up dead... (can't afford hard cover cuz their all to expensive)
As a technical processing librarian I'm silently screaming! Where's your cutting mat, cutting knife and bone folder for pressing out the bubbles. Arrrghhh!
@@digitaldiaries6594 I just search contact paper clear on Amazon. That's how I found it. Here is the link www.amazon.com/Tact-Brand-Covering-Self-Adhesive-Semi-Transparent/dp/B00R8AWBJI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=contact+paper+clear&qid=1576162614&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFPWEFZMEwzVERZRjUmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA0NTcxNzUzRFFPRjQ0MThIVkM0JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2MzIzODNTRk5LVktRWk5MREwmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
Hi Mary! I have an question. While reading the book, the spine bends sometimes. Doesn’t the plastic layer come off very easily when it bends? The instructions were very helpful! Thanks:)
Welcome!! I don't off the top if my head, but I can check when I get home. I have tried a thinner, glossy version of contact paper that I did not like nearly as much. It ripped really easily and wasnt as easy to peel off if you made a mistake or wanted to get rid of a bubble. It was just as likely to RIP the cover if you tried fixing it.
Ypu mean one you own or one that will be returned to the library? I am honestly not sure but wouldn't recommend it. Often times they have something they use and it could maybe be considered "damaging" the book even though it isn't doing that.
appreciate it and seriously check your good wills and thrift stores i find great novels raybradburry,john marco,agatha christie,ect hard and paper back books SUPER cheap like $1.80 for hardback darn close to mint
@@Flat_Earth_Sophia i don't like bent edge or bent bookcover, since personally it feels harder to read. plus it save some time for the library if cover it for them lol
Good idea, Mary -- and good work too! As a former bookbinder, I can add that besides the obvious protection this adds, it will marginally help keep the back of a book from breaking. Could slightly impair the openability of thin books, but that's maybe a trade worth making. Also, if anyone wants to really nerd out, there's a traditional tool called a bone folder used for -- you guessed it, folding paper and such -- and ironing out air bubbles, pressing glued surfaces, etc. It does take a fair bit of practice to use properly though, which is odd considering it's such a simple tool.
The bone folder sounds like it would be really helpful!! I used to use the dull side of my scissors.
Horrible idea!
@@Flat_Earth_Sophiawhy? 🤔
@@drizzt8965 This will destroy your books.
Perfect! Just what i was looking for!
Thanks for the upload, tips & explanation
:-) Welcome
we used to do this with all my textbooks! the result is always so satisfying
You can do this to dust jackets as well. You'll just need more material. And instead peeling back the plastic part and folding it, it is easier to peel back the paper side, place your book and slowly remove the paper sheet as you smooth out the plastic side. Using a tissue or cloth helps ensure it is smooth, even and without any air bubbles.
I just wanted to say thank you for making this tutorial. I haven't attempted to cover any of my trade paperbacks yet but will do so after I order the contact paper. I'm definitely more of a hardcover guy but some books either just don't get a hardcover treatment or are out of print and cost far too much to buy in that format secondhand, so I'm quite grateful that I stumbled across your guide! Now I don't have to worry about my poor, weak books being all banged up on my commute. :)
:-) glad you found this helpful!!
Yeah I have tons of beloved Stephen King paperbacks (can’t afford hardbacks) that I was trying to figure out how to protect them as I do go back and reread after awhile. Thanks for sharing this. I’m gonna slowly do this one by one of my SK books 😅
Welcome!! So glad you find it useful. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me!
Can you recommend me some of his best books u like other than "it"
Arctic Gaming 11/22/63 is currently my top fave and highly recommended, others such as Salems’ Lot, The Long Walk, etc...
@@arcticgaming5806 it is a great book though
@@arcticgaming5806 I like the Shining and Insomnia, those are my favorites
Thank you so much! I'd recently noticed some fraying on the edges of my older books and had bought some contact paper from Staples. When it arrived, I'd had no idea what to do with it. This tutorial was very helpful for me :^)
You are welcome!! That is mainly why I started. I also own a lot of used books and wanted them to last. I am so glad!!
This is exactly what I was looking for. I haven't done this since my school days but wanted to protect some of my books and wondered what the easiest way is. Will definitely do it like this, thanks a lot!
Great video! Wrapped my first paperback today. One suggestion if I may, is to cut a diagonal line that is perpendicular to the corners of the covers. This reduces your cuts by 2 and makes the fold over a little easier. Hope this helps!
Very good my friend. There is now a company called BCW that makes bags (baggies) for paperbacks. Also... some Dollar Stores sell clear poly bags that will fit smaller mass paperback books.
My favourite book has a hard cover, but I read it so many times the cover is starting to show years of travelling with me just everywhere. I want to protect it and I want it to look good. But I never knew how to start. Thank for this video, it helped me a lot! 👍
Welcome!
Way to go! Ive been doing it this way since I was a teen. Did my own similar tutorial on my channel a few months ago.
Thank you! I didn't really know other people did this!
Oh my gosh I have the same exact plastic bowl with Meeko on it!!
Thanks for the tutorial :)
XD that is awesome!! Welcome!!
Thanks for this tutorial. It's been a few years since you made this video. I am curious to see what these books look like now, and how this contact paper holds up. Thank you.
Your a genius for cutting that paper in half, less waste that way amazing video new subby ❤❤❤
I am trying this. I have King and Diana Gabaldon books so super big and I love paperbacks. Tape doesn't always work. Thanks 😊
Mary - thanks so much for your step by step... I have seen the contact paper in Wal-mart - but never thought to use it for.. Have a great day!!
Welcome and thank you!
Thank you this is perfect and inexpensive.
Welcome!!
I love my books, and now I love this video. Excellent information.
Thank you!
I personally use Kapco Easy Cover II and Easy Bind for my paperbacks. I use Mylar jackets for hardcover jacketed books.
thank you so much for this video! i had ordered the twilight series in the deluxe white covers and they are an absolute magnet for grime. this will help me preserve and protect them!
Thank you, this helped so much. I just got into reading and hardcovers cost to much
You are welcome!
❤❤❤ dude thus was the most helpful video on this. I kept looking till I landed to this thank you so much girl❤❤❤❤
@@icast002 Glad it is helpful! Welcome!!
Ahh yeeaahh. Nothing like a nice covered book. Watching this really made me eant to do some.
Very cool. I use clear packing tape and just do the edges, but need to try this out.
Now, THIS is practical advice. Loved it.
Thank you!
Hello i just want to know how was your book that is covered with contact paper it is still okay? Any problems with yellowing, becoming brittle, or color leaching over the years because i know some contact paper are not acid free.
I checked my oldest covered books and while there was some yellowing (but no more than the actual book pages), the covers weren't brittle and were still very flexible. I did notice that the thinnest (and most shiny) contact paper I used had no discoloring.
Wow I may have been lost somewhere! I never knew of that peel & stick paper...now I know how to fix a old timer booklet I have. I will make a hardcover of a papercover and finish it with that peel & stick paper!...thank you!
Back in the day we used to cover our books with cellophane wrap with scotch tape lol!
Welcome!! And this is technically a cabinet liner so it makes sense you didn't know about it
In India, a while ago kids were supposed to cover all their notebooks and text books this way 😂😂 it’s very “usual” for us🤗😌
Thank you so much for this great video!! It's exactly what I was looking for, I'm so glad someone like you made this video!
^_^ You are welcome!!
How many books would you say the Duck Peel & Stick 12 In. x 36 Ft could cover? I just bought 5 new books and I'm looking into doing this, cover with contact paper. :)
Ty! I just got the compediums for invincible and I want to preserve the covers as much as I can
Welcome!
We always had to cover ourbooks in school so the habit of doing so stuck with me lol
started working at a library and this helps a lot, thanks
Welcome!
I used to do this with paperbacks but then it tends to bubble up on the edges where there is a fold and near the spine. So i stick with usual plastic cover. And do this with my dust jackets for hb books.
Good video. What's the difference between the paper with the grid, and the paper with the dots?
The biggest different between the two is the length they come in. The gridded contact paper comes in 18in (which I cut in half) so is good for mass market paperbacks and the dotted contact paper is 12in which is perfect for the 9in books. However if you have a lot of graphic novels, you might want to use the 18in without cutting it in half because the 12in can be a tight fit.
@@PSYCHOreader624 thanks!
Thank you. I watched while I worked on some paperbacks her at work. Good job!
Thank you!
Does this protect books from the creases that form in the spine of the book?
Thank you Mary! Exactly what I was looking for for a very old book I have!👍
Welcome!!
I watched this to protect my comic trade paperbacks lol can you remove it with a hairdryer? Or is it like permanently stuck
It isn't permanently stuck but I also don't know if the hairdryer would work. I have never really tried. Once it was on how I wanted, I just left it.
I learnt something new! Awesome thanks 😊
:-) so glad to hear!!!
How long does the book remain preserved? Please reply. Would be a great help.
I can't say specifically but some of these books I covered 10+ years ago and they are still fine.
@@PSYCHOreader624 thanks for reply. That was quick. I really appreciate that. Thank you.
@@tanishmehta9072 Welcome!
Excellent info. Good job Mary.
:-) Thank you!
I see the one you used for the bigger book it says adhesive.. will it ruin it if you remove it?. Cause for the small one it says non adhesive
I am not sure since I have never removed it. It might cause it does have adhesive.
Fantastic information !! Thank you :)) You save me sooo much frustration ... best M
😊 really glad I could help!!
Just got back from Wally's and I will try this out. Thank you.
Thank you for uploading this. Really helpful.
Is it easy to remove the contact paper and move to another book and reuse multiple times? I want to swap it while I travel
I honestly haven't tried. It would probably depend on how long the contact paper stayed on for. If you wanted something to travel with/use between multiple books, you might want to look into book sleeves.
Have you tried to remove this paper after a year to replace it? I'm just curious how well it comes off over time.
I have not so I couldn't say.
Great lil video. I hadn’t thought of it. Ordered some contact paper to try it out.
It worked very well.
You fool!
Which one did you use?
@@joselineya Don't. Unless you want to ruin your books!
@@Flat_Earth_Sophia I only used on very damaged books that just needed to be held together ultimately.
Thank you, this is super help full and exactly what I was searching for!
I'm wondering if anyone from Europe knows where they might find these type of plastics or what their names are because I can't seem to find them. Thank you!
Welcome!
It is NOT helpful!
thanks, I was thinking about just taping my books but then thought about how I couldn't untape it without riping the cover. No matter how careful I am all my collection books end up dead... (can't afford hard cover cuz their all to expensive)
Could I use self laminating sheets? I have a whole box of those and no contact paper. One sheet can cover my book.
I don't see why not! I haven't even used those but it might work. Maybe try it first on a book you aren't as attached to?
@@PSYCHOreader624 I did it with laminating sheets. Turned out great. Thank you.
@@tdslovey Welcome and glad it turned well!
Thank you for this!
Welcome!
As a technical processing librarian I'm silently screaming! Where's your cutting mat, cutting knife and bone folder for pressing out the bubbles. Arrrghhh!
thanks for the help - u people are a godsend!!
Thank you... good job making this video!
Thank you!
Mam please tell me what is the name of this thing that you used to cover the book
It is called contact paper and I have linked the specific ones I use in the description box. Hope that helps!
@@PSYCHOreader624 please tell me where I bought it . I am not able to find it in to amazon or at filpkart
@@digitaldiaries6594 I just search contact paper clear on Amazon. That's how I found it. Here is the link
www.amazon.com/Tact-Brand-Covering-Self-Adhesive-Semi-Transparent/dp/B00R8AWBJI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=contact+paper+clear&qid=1576162614&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFPWEFZMEwzVERZRjUmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA0NTcxNzUzRFFPRjQ0MThIVkM0JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2MzIzODNTRk5LVktRWk5MREwmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
Hi Mary! I have an question. While reading the book, the spine bends sometimes. Doesn’t the plastic layer come off very easily when it bends?
The instructions were very helpful! Thanks:)
that protects the cover.. what about inside pages?
Good job! That will come in handy. Thanks for the tip.
Welcome!
Thank you for sharing! Do you know the thickness of the contact paper?
Or, have you tried different thicknesses?
Welcome!! I don't off the top if my head, but I can check when I get home. I have tried a thinner, glossy version of contact paper that I did not like nearly as much. It ripped really easily and wasnt as easy to peel off if you made a mistake or wanted to get rid of a bubble. It was just as likely to RIP the cover if you tried fixing it.
@@PSYCHOreader624 many thanks :) I hope to find a good product because I will have to order for delivery. I do not have the retail stores near me.
hey pls answer this if you can!! my book is a little less than 9 inches, do you think the 12 in x 36 in is good enough to cover it ?
It should be fine! The top and bottom pieces may be a little long so they could stick together but they should unstuck fine.
It was Really Helpful!
Thanks for Sharing!
❤️🙌
Welcome!!
Yay! This helped me so much! Thank you!
Glad I could be of service!!!
From India and watching this after 2 years
Thank you so much for sharing your tutorial!
Welcome!!
Why?
Thanks, this was a helpful demonstration!
Welcome!
Is it easier to get finger prints off of the contact paper?
I think it is, especially since you can wipe it down without worrying about ruining the cover.
IDK why but mass market is my favorite type of paperback
Same!!! It saddens me that the industry seems to be moving away from it.
Is there any rule as not to cover library book with any plastic or polythene
Ypu mean one you own or one that will be returned to the library?
I am honestly not sure but wouldn't recommend it. Often times they have something they use and it could maybe be considered "damaging" the book even though it isn't doing that.
Thank you for this video Mary
Welcome!
In India, the lamination sheet comes very gluey. One mistake results in permanent bubbles.
😬 yikes.
Same here in Germany... Super sticky
welp that’s one reason to leave India quickly then m8
What is the name of this plastic cover?
I used the semi clear and I hated it. I resurrected it with packing tape and now I have the gloss back.
Packing tape? No!
Thanks for the tip, i tried it and it went awsome !
So glad to hear!
what kind of cover it that? I can't find it in my town
the name of the cover?
The product used is listed in the description box
@@PSYCHOreader624 ahh thank you, I didn't see the desc before 😂
Why do american (or english) books always have this newspaper-kind-of paper. It's brownish. In the Netherlands our paperbacks have pure white paper.
Would this work for the sleeves of hardback books
I don't see why it shouldn't work
Great video, very helpful. Thanks a lot👍. Subscribed.
Thank you so much for this tutorial.
Welcome!
Why?
Anyone else curious and looking up that Karen Rose book on Amazon?
Thanks Mary 😊
What is the name of this bover cover??? Plz reply🙏
Both versions are listed in the description box. :-)
😍 neat!
Thank you for your video!
😊 Welcome!
Do you flaten the contact paper first
I do not
Excellent....thank you!
Welcome!
Thank you I've been wanting to do this
Welcome!
Thankyou - much appreciated. 😁👍
Welcome!
What do u call the one that u use to cover the books?
It is listed in the description box for the video
appreciate it and seriously check your good wills and thrift stores i find great novels raybradburry,john marco,agatha christie,ect hard and paper back books SUPER cheap like $1.80 for hardback darn close to mint
Good idea
Awesome!
😊 thank you!!
What is that thing called?
@@abhijittripathy4277 Info for the product is in the description box
dollarama/dollar store is way much cheaper than Walmart, in dollarama (canada), they're like $1.25 for each roll and in walmart, it roughly at $14-27
But WHY would you ruin your books like this?
@@Flat_Earth_Sophia i don't like bent edge or bent bookcover, since personally it feels harder to read. plus it save some time for the library if cover it for them lol
@@Masterjedic So you just destroy the books?
does the paper have glue?
There is an adhesive on it that causes it to stick to the book
What cover did u use to cover can you name them please
They are listed in the description box
@@PSYCHOreader624 thank u
You are great 😃😃👍 great methodology
Thank you!
@@PSYCHOreader624 welcome
@@PSYCHOreader624 thanks for great method
Thankssss for the video