Tips and tricks for book protection and repair with Neschen
Books are sources of information but also valuable possessions that often accompany us throughout our lives. To keep them in good condition, it is important to protect them properly and repair them when needed. Here are some valuable tips and tricks to help you care for and preserve your books.
1. Protection from environmental influences
Temperature and humidity fluctuations can significantly damage books. To optimally protect your books, follow this tip:
Tip: Store books in a cool, dry place, ideally at a constant temperature between 18-22°C and a relative humidity of 40-50%. Avoid direct sunlight as UV rays can cause colors to fade and make the paper brittle.
Trick: Use hygrometers and thermometers to monitor conditions. Do not store books in basements or attics as these areas often have high humidity fluctuations.
2. Repairing book pages and covers
Books that are frequently read will eventually show signs of wear. Tears in the pages or loose covers do not have to be a cause for concern.
Tip: Use self-adhesive repair tapes like the filmoplast® series from Neschen. These tapes are available in various types:
- filmoplast® P: A transparent paper tape ideal for repairing tears in pages
- filmoplast® P 90: A white paper tape that is excellent for repairing loose sections and gluing torn-out pages
- filmoplast® P 90 plus: An especially strong adhesive tape for heavy books and the connection between the cover and book block
3. Tools for book repair
The right tools can greatly facilitate book repair.
Tip: Invest in high-quality tools such as:
- Teflon bone folder: Ideal for folding, smoothing, and applying repair tapes
- Bone folder: A classic tool for folding, smoothing, and applying repair tapes
- Felt squeegee: The white wool felt squeegee is a soft and sturdy tool for clean and bubble-free application of filmolux® book protection films
- Book squeegee: This squeegee is 16 cm wide and consists of a sturdy foiling board with a soft felt edge, making it ideal for processing filmolux® book protection films
Trick: Keep your tools clean and free of adhesive residues. Regular cleaning extends the life of your tools and ensures better results in repair.
4. Sustainability in book care
Sustainability is an important aspect of book care and repair. Proper care and repair extend the life of your books and contribute to resource conservation.
Tip: Use environmentally friendly materials and pay attention to product certifications. Many of Neschen’s products, such as filmoplast® and filmolux®, are aging-resistant and tested by independent testing institutes.
Trick: Store your books in a cool, dry place and avoid direct sunlight. Good storage significantly contributes to the preservation of books.
5. More sustainable procurement and reducing the environmental footprint
Tip: A key step in reducing the environmental footprint is more sustainable procurement.
Trick: Neschen offers a range of PVC-free products that are more environmentally friendly and still perform well, or even better. The filmoplast® P products are paper-based and thus completely PVC-free. This product line is ideal for repairing book pages and strengthening the inner book joint without harmful environmental impacts.
PVC-free options also include filmolux® soft organic and filmolux® libre organic, which are made from Bio-PE. Bio-PE is derived from renewable resources such as sugarcane, which binds CO₂ from the atmosphere during its growth phase, thereby contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Our sustainable products like filmoplast® P, filmolux® soft organic, and filmolux® soft PP are environmentally friendly and also highly functional. With Bio-PE based protective films and PVC-free alternatives, we make an important contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while promoting sustainable book care. At Neschen, we focus on innovation and sustainability to offer solutions that are both environmentally friendly and efficient. – Anja Zäsar, Product Manager
In addition, filmolux® soft PP is a PVC-free alternative made from polypropylene. Polypropylene is an environmentally friendly plastic that does not release harmful substances when burned. It offers high resistance to acids and requires no plasticizers, making it an ideal choice for sustainable book protection solutions.
These environmentally friendly products help reduce the environmental footprint and promote sustainable practices in book care and repair. By using these products, libraries and individuals can make an important contribution to environmental conservation without compromising on quality and durability.
Neschen products for book protection and repair
In addition to the tips and tricks mentioned above, Neschen’s high-quality products can make a significant contribution to the protection and repair of your books. These include the self-adhesive repair tapes filmoplast® P for tears in book pages, filmoplast® P 90 for reinforcing the inner book joint, and filmoplast® P 90 Plus for larger, heavy books. These products are available in practical dispensers that make working easier.
Additionally, filmolux® protective films provide comprehensive protection for your books. These include:
- filmolux® 900 (highly transparent protective film),
- filmolux® soft (matte, scratch-resistant protective film)
- filmolux® soft organic (environmentally friendly matte protective film)
- filmolux® soft PP (matte polypropylene film)
- filmolux® 609 (protective film with high adhesive strength),
- filmolux® 610 (flexible protective film with high adhesion).
For more information, see the Neschen catalog and the Neschen website.