Amigos Book Repair Workshop Supplies List

This is a list of supplies used in the Amigos Preservation Services' Basic Book and Paper Repair and Advanced Book repair Issues workshops. These supplies are listed to help you to identify major and local suppliers of the tools and materials used in this workshop.

Local = Local art or office supply stores, drug stores, hardware, and large discount stores. G = Gaylord Brothers "Archival Quality" catalog UP = University Products "Archival Quality Materials" catalog T = Talas L = LBS division & Archival Products

General Supplies, Tools and Equipment
  • Metal edged ruler (local, G, UP, T)
  • Scalpel:No. 4 or 5 and blades No. 11 or 25 or OLFA cutter snap-off blade (G, UP, T)
  • Self-healing mat with grid (local, G, UP, T)
  • Tweezers ( local, G, UP, T)
  • Heavy-duty shears or Wiss sewing scissors, 4"-5" (local, G, UP, T)
  • Small embroidery scissors or Fiscars (local, G, T)
  • Bone folder (G, UP, T)
  • Microspatula (G, UP, T)
  • Pencil (local)
  • Bristle glue brushes [round and flat, various sizes] (local, G, UP, T)
  • Press [bricks, boards, and kneading needles or nipping press] (local, G, UP, T)
  • Small weights (local, G, UP, T)
  • Polyvinyl Acetate [PVA] also called pH neutral adhesive (G, UP, T)
  • Methyl Cellulose (G, UP, T)
  • Wheat starch paste (G, UP, T)
  • Spun polyester sheeting [Reemay] (local, G, UP, T)
  • Blotter paper (G, UP, T)
  • Wax paper (local)
  • Polyester film [Mylar Type D or Melinex 516: 4 mil] (G, UP, T)
Cleaning
  • Erasers: white vinyl [Magic Rub], kneadable (local, G, UP, T)
  • Document cleaning pad (G, UP, T)
  • Natural bristle dusting brush or Flat Hake brush (G, UP, T)
  • Cotton gloves (G, UP, T)
    • Adhesive Tape Mends (Reversible)

    Tissue backing with acid-free adhesive

    • Archival document repair tape (G, UP)
    • Filmoplast P & P90 (G, UP)

    Polyester backing with acid-free adhesive

    • Kapco EZ Bind Tape (Kapco)
    Japanese Tissue Mends (Reversible)
    • Japanese paper [Kizukishi: lightweight]or acid-free lens tissue paper (local, G, UP, T)
    • Wheat starch paste [pre-cooked or un-cooked] (local, G, UP, T)
    • Skewer and cotton ball (local)
    • Glass, plexiglass, or lithostone bar (local)
    Heat-Set Mends (Non-Reversible)
    • Heat-set tissue (G, UP)
    • Silicon release paper or Reemay (G, UP, T)
    • Tacking iron (G, UP, T)
    Paperback Reinforcement (Non-Reversible)

    Board Reinforcement

    • Barrier board, buffered, 60-point [outer covers] (G, UP)
    • Folder stock, 10-point [inner covers] (G, UP)
    • Tyvek tape (with pressure-sensitive adhesive), 1-1/2" width (G, UP)

    Plastic Reinforcement

    • Clear, acid-free, self-adhesive tape with polypropylene, polyester, or polyethylene base [Kapco, 3M, and J LAR] (T, G, Kapco)
    Hinge Tightening
    • Knitting needles or plexiglass rods (local, G)
    • Polyvinyl acetate [PVA] also called pH neutral adhesive (G, UP, T)
    Endsheet Replacement
    • Endpapers [70-80lb weight acid-free/alkaline text paper] (G, UP, L)
    • Sandpaper (local)

    Hinge-on endsheet

    • Japanese paper [Kizukishi: lightweight] or acid-free lens tissue paper (local, G, UP, T)
    • Wheat starch paste [pre-cooked or un-cooked] (local, G, UP, T)
    • Cotton Q-tips [wood] or skewer and cotton ball (local)
    • Glass, plexiglass, or lithostone bar (local)

    Sewn-on endsheet

    • Linen thread, size 18-3 (local, G, UP, T)
    • Sewing needles, size 20 (local, G, UP, T)
    • Awl (local, G, UP)
    Spine Replacement (Re-back)
    • Inlay [bristol, 70-80lb weight acid-free/alkaline text paper or c cloth] (G, T, UP, L)
    • Book cloth [LBS Conservation Cloth 3 or 4 in. wide roll] (L)
    Re-Case En Original Cover
    • Inlay [bristol, 70-80lb weight acid-free/alkaline text paper or c cloth] (G, T, UP, L)

    Spine Listings

    • Japanese paper [Kizukishi: lightweight] or acid-free lens tissue paper: (local, G, UP, T)
    • Super or crash [white cambric] (G, T, L)
    • Paper lining [70-80lb weight acid-free/alkaline text paper] (G, UP, T)
    Encapsulation
    • Polyester film [Mylar Type D or Melinex 516: 3, 4 or 5 mil: sheets] (G, UP, T)
    • Double-sided tape, 3M #415 polyester (G, UP, T)
    • Squeegee or brayer (local, G, UP)
    • Anti-static film wipes, lint-free (local)
    • Alkaline buffered paper, 70 -80 lb text weight [Permalife] (G, UP, T)
    • L-sleeves, L-velopes (G, UP, Light Impressions)