Question 1

How much will my repair cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of book repair varies widely depending on a large number of factors so unfortunately we won't know until we see it!  The average cost of the most common fixes comes in between $200 and $350.

We offer a free consultation with our lead bookbinder to assess condition and estimate pricing. Please call the shop to make an appointment to bring your book in.  414-482-3630.

Factors that may affect pricing include what exactly you need done, the overall condition of the book, the materials involved (such as leather or specialty papers), the book's size, foil stamping or tooling needs, and simply the amount of labor/time we think it will take to do well.

Question 2

Can you fix my _____________ ?

Accepted Answer

Yes. (Well, probably...) Our Lead Bookbinder, Daniel, has a decade of experience fixing, rebinding, and restoring all sorts of books. We've seen just about everything come through the shop from cookbooks to bibles; children's books to car manuals... etc!

We accept hardcovers, softcovers, books missing their covers entirely, and any kind of binding imaginable. Age doesn't matter: it can be from yesterday or 1843--we're happy to help.

What we do not help with:

Chemical-based materials conservation.  Some books are in such rough shape that they require extensive intervention such as deep cleaning, neutralization, alkalization, bleaching, and other "wet" procedures just to get them stabilized for further structural repair.

It's very unlikely that you need the above: please give us a call if you're not sure and we're happy to help assess. 414-482-3630.

Mold.  Per above, mold remediation requires specialty processes that a paper conservation expert should assist with. Live mold is potentially hazardous to human health and the health of other books!  Live spores can get onto nearby items so we ask that you don't even bring moldy items into the building!

Reproducing copyrighted material.  Occasionally we get requests to reprint or make another whole copy of a book... and we cannot oblige. Our shop adheres to US copyright law so unless the work is in the public domain, or you own the intellectual rights to it, we cannot fully reproduce it.

That said, if your book is missing some pages or parts-there-of, we're happy to take a look to assess whether reproducing said sections falls within "fair use" of the copyrighted material. (Repair typically does: please reach out to discuss with our team.)

Question 3

What is the turnaround time for repair work?

Accepted Answer

Our shop can typically get your book back to you within two months, if not sooner. Turnaround time has less to do with your specific project, and more to do with how many other clients are in the queue ahead of you so this fluctuates throughout the year.

During busy seasons (such as the run-up to the holidays) this time often lengthens. Please be sure to reach out well in advance of any deadline.

We make every attempt to get clients' books back to them as soon as possible. Please let us know your needs when you come in--we are are able to perform a limited number of rush jobs annually when necessary. (Rush jobs incur a fee commensurate with the need at hand.)

Question 4

What is my book worth? Will repairing it help increase its value?

Accepted Answer

The Bindery is not a book appraisal business so we cannot advise on the value of your book.

We are a block away from our friends and colleagues at Voyageur Book Shop, who deal in used, vintage, and rare books. They may be able to give you a sense of value and/or send you in some good directions to learn more about your volume.

Repairing a book may either increase or decrease its monetary value, depending on the book itself.  Please be sure to speak to an appraisal expert first if this is important to you!

Question 5

I'm not local: can I mail my book to you for repair work?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work with books that come in from all over the world!

That said, please do not mail us books without first calling or emailing us at the shop to make sure that your book is something we can fix. We will send you some digital paperwork in advance to confirm acceptance of your book for a quote once it arrives. 414-482-3630 or info@binderymke.com

We cannot guarantee that we'll work on any books that arrive without this paperwork.

Shipping and handling is covered by the client and The Bindery is not responsible for mishaps in the mail. We ship via USPS and always track and insure packages appropriately--we recommend that you do as well when sending your book our way!

Question 6

What happens if I'm not satisfied with the repair?

Accepted Answer

We strive to provide extremely high quality and expert repair using the finest professional-grade materials available. Please inspect your book upon pick up to make sure you are satisfied with the work done and ask any followup questions you may have.

If you are not satisfied with the repair please let us know at the time of pick up so that we can assess the issue and work to make it right. The Bindery keeps detailed notes of client requests during book intake as well as photographs throughout the process. We use this documentation to inform any potential issues at the end. It is up to The Bindery's sole discretion whether additional work on your item will incur additional cost.

Repair work is done to standards that should last a long time, assuming appropriate use and care of your book. If you run into further issues with your book down the line please be in touch and our team will assess the situation on a case-by-case basis.

Question 7

I want to fix my book myself: can you offer any advice or training?

Accepted Answer

Sure! We love to assist people interested in learning more about binding, and curious to try it themselves. We can help in two main ways:

A consultation meeting ($75/hr). You're welcome to schedule a meeting with our Lead Bookbinder Daniel to discuss anything you like about your project. These meetings might involve asking questions about technique, going over some suggested materials, or talking through a specific hurdle you've run into.  Please call the shop at 414-482-3630 to schedule.

*Hands-on tutoring ($75/hr + materials). If you'd like more than just a consult, private lessons are available with our Lead Bookbinder, Daniel. These trainings are designed to address specific projects that we feel involve roughly 2 to 8 hours of tutoring time. Sessions involve coming in to work on your project with Daniel's guidance along with our professional-grade materials.
* We offer private tutorials on a limited basis throughout the year and accept projects based on a number of factors. Please contact us for details.

Question 8

I have many books I need repaired: can you take them all at once?

Accepted Answer

We typically only intake two books at a time, per customer.*  This is due to our small team, and large demand for repair services!

If you have more than two items you would like worked on, feel free to bring them all at once for an assessment with our Lead Bookbinder, Daniel. He can examine the group and create a repair plan that is best for your needs over time.

When your first two items are done, you can then pick them up and drop off the next two.

*Note that occasionally we are able to make exceptions if a set of books needs repair together, on the same timeline. Please reach out to discuss.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS