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How to Wrap Leather Binding

Leather binding is the outer cover of a book made of leather. It is there to protect the pages and make the book last longer. Leather binding has been used for centuries, and it does protect the book well. However, some leather bound books that have been improperly treated or stored may need help. If the leather binding is flaking at all, it needs to be stored a certain way, using specific materials. Most of these materials you probably already have lying around the house.

Things You'll Need

Acid-free paper or polyester jacket
Satin ribbon
Archival box
Soft paintbrush, if needed

Instructions

- 1
  Brush off any dirt or debris from the leather binding using a soft paintbrush. A brush made from natural bristles is usually the softest.
- 2
  Place the paper or polyester cover flat on a table and gently place the book on top. Wrap the cover around the binding.
- 3
  Secure the cover using a soft ribbon like silk or satin. Do not tie the ribbon too tight, or you may cause an indentation on the spine or edges of the binding, causing further damage.
- 4
  Place the wrapped book in an archival box. An archival box has no acids to erode or further wear on the book or the cover surrounding it. Using a regular box could damage the binding over time.
- 5
  Place the box in a cool, dry area for storage. The area should be cool because heat only breaks down the leather binding even more. The area should be dry because water or even humidity will also break down the leather binding.

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