FAQ

Where do you source the books?

I source my books in several ways, but the main place I get them is through Awesomebooks. I asked them if I could buy bulk books from them and they started sending me overstock books from the authors that I requested. Sometimes I source books from second-hand shops, whenever I see one I have to take a look, and from online marketplaces like Subito in Italy for Italian books. Another great project that I have recently received books from is Aktion Bücherrettung, a project run through Science Fiction Club Deutschland, with the aim of saving as many old SF books as possible. Plus visiting as many science fiction events as possible has also resulted in some donations by kind people wanting a good home for their surplus. I especially love taking old mass market paperbacks with damaged covers or loose pages, knowing that I’m saving something that would otherwise not find a new home.

What materials and techniques do you use?

I use book cloth, grey board, marbled papers, PVA glue, decorative headbands, mesh and HTV. That is the entire list of what is needed to rebind a book, other than the book itself.

I design my background patterns myself, using several digital techniques (never AI). I usually start with a motif that I like. My most recent design is based on a marbled paper that I made myself, then scanned, and then digitally prepared for screen printing.

I then screen print the pattern onto the book cloth, using many different colours of ink and many different colours of book cloth. This way, I end up with many different colour combinations.

For the titles, I use Illustrator to make the design, and Cricut to cut it out of Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV), which gets applied to the cover using a special type of iron.

Is it legal to rebind a book and sell it?

I get this question a lot, because obviously, you can’t just print somebody’s book, bind a copy and sell it. That would be infringing on copyright. But what I do falls under upcycling. I make unique objects out of materials that already exist.

What do you do with the covers?

In the rebinding process, I have to remove the original cover of the book. Often, these books have beautifully designed covers already, so rather than letting these go to waste, I turn them into blank notebooks. For these, I also use book cloth cut-offs to reduce waste even further.

How long does it take to rebind a book?

It depends on how badly damaged it is. If the book is completely ready, it takes about 3 to 4 hours of active work time, but about 3 days in real time because every step of the process requires drying time.

Sometimes a book is quite warped or the spine is cracked, in which case it takes a bit longer. I always try to correct these issues, but sometimes a spine is too damaged to fix in a way that will look good. If that is the case, I usually still reinforce it and finish rebinding the book, but rather than selling it, I just keep the book in my own bookcase, or gift it to somebody. That is the beauty of working with books I actually love myself.

How much is shipping, and how long does it take?

Shipping is calculated in the cart as soon as you choose your country: it's the carrier's price for your parcel plus €1.50 for packing materials, from €6.10 within Italy and usually around €9 to €12 elsewhere in the EU. I post orders within 3 working days, and you get an e-mail with the tracking number as soon as your parcel is on its way. If you buy several books, they travel together and you pay shipping once.

Which countries do you ship to?

From this website I ship to every country in the European Union. If you live in the United Kingdom, you can buy the same books in my Etsy shop.

Can I return a book?

Yes. You can withdraw from your purchase within 14 days of receiving it, without giving a reason, using the withdrawal form. You pay for sending the book back, and I refund everything you paid, including the original shipping. Custom orders can't be returned, because they're made especially for you. All the details are on the shipping & returns page.

How can I pay?

Payment is handled securely by Stripe. Depending on your country you can pay by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, iDEAL, Bancontact or Klarna. I never see your card details.

How do I take care of a rebound book?

Treat it like any good hardcover: keep it upright on a shelf, out of direct sunlight and away from damp, so the colours stay bright and the boards stay flat. The titles are made of heat transfer vinyl, so keep the book away from radiators and other heat. If the cloth gets dusty, wipe it gently with a dry, soft cloth.

Can I order a custom rebind?

Yes! On the custom order page you design your own rebound book: choose the book (one from my collection, one I find for you, or your own copy that you send me), then the bookcloth, the pattern and its ink colour, and the lettering. You see a preview and the price as you go, and if you'd rather not design the lettering yourself, I can design it for you. You can order a custom notebook there too. Any questions? Send me a message.