LIBRARY BINDING

Library bookbinding by Blissetts

For over 100 years Blissetts has provided professional library bookbinding services to local authorities, academic libraries and specialist collections across the UK. Family-founded and based in London, we combine traditional hand-bookbinding skills with modern conservation and production techniques to protect and preserve your collections.

Why choose Blissetts

  • Conservation-led binding that extends the life of books while maintaining usability.

  • Expertise across a wide range of formats: reference works, journals, rare books, maps and serials.

  • Consistent quality and reliable turnaround from our experienced London bookbinding team.

  • Bespoke options: repair, rebinding, box-making, cloth or leather finishes and archival materials.

  • Trusted by public and institutional clients for careful handling and long-term preservation of books.

Our service helps libraries keep books accessible, protected and long-lasting. Contact Blissetts for a tailored binding and preservation plan for your collection.

PERIODICAL & JOURNAL BINDING

Your collections are checked and bound as per the binding records we hold or we can match previously bound volumes for colour and lettering position. We have the most up to date equipment for this work and our team ensures a finished volume which is durable and will be used for many years. There are definite standards required for this work from boards used to covering material and we use traditional binding methods to sections sew where possible, hand sew if necessary or oversew where required. Please ask for our price list and where you have on going work, large collections to bind etc, then we will ensure our service and pricing offers you the best value for money.

Ask for a fact file by emailing - GARY.BLISSETT@BLISSETTS.COM

LOCAL STUDIES AND REFERENCE BINDING

Local studies collections are fast becoming libraries most used material and the heavy demand can takes its toll on the condition of the book. Our team knows the importance of this material and is trained to look out for the “unexpected”!

Much of the material is old and out of print and the importance of looking after the content is paramount. We can normally take care of the wear and tear and rebind the books in a manner which is both cost effective and ensures a durable binding. We also advise on paper quality and where paper is unsuitable for binding, then we are able to scan, digitize and make facsimile copies of books, posters, photos and manuscripts. There can be potential for income generation from some of your collections and we can help here too. Other services including de-acidification are offered and a full program of works and budgeting supplied.

Ask for a fact file by emailing - GARY.BLISSETT@BLISSETTS.COM

NEWSPAPER BINDING

It is always wise to store newspapers flat prior to binding because the fold will never come out in the bound volume. We bind for libraries and newspaper companies, archives and publishers and the binding is either sewn through the fold by hand or Singer sewn for durability. Heavy weight boards are constructed and the bound copy preserves the paper for many years to come.

MAPS & DOCUMENTS

Repairs to maps and documents take a number of routes including paper repair and replacement; de-acidification and other preparation work prior to the final storage solution which includes encapsulation, storage within Solander boxes or within specially designed portfolios.

We can also digitize for your records or for new prints to be made using our high quality ink jet printers.

MUSIC BINDING

For many years we have been the UK’s leading music binder. The rebinding of old music, conversion of the paperback to a hardback  and the inclusion of pockets for parts and attention to lay flat and durability being of the greatest importance. This expensive material can be heavily used and the rebinding or binding from new pays dividends and ensures you make the most of limited budgets.

GENERAL FICTION & NON-FICTION PAPERBACKS

Beyond doubt this remains an economically a very sound way to keep books in good condition on your shelves so they last longer and keep the shelves looking bright to attract library readers. The cost of rebinding is around a third the cost (or better)of buying new and the rebound book is often stronger than the original. A stock maintenance policy will provide for careful selection of the stock for rebinding so the right decisions are made and there is no doubt of the monetary savings to be made.