I finally learned why you NEVER buy cheap bookbinding tape off eBay

Last month I needed some new linen tape for my spines so I grabbed a 3-pack of some off-brand stuff for $12 shipped. First book I used it on, the adhesive started oozing out the sides after about a week and the tape just peeled right off like a sticker. I wasted almost 15 dollars on that garbage and ruined a whole leather cover with sticky residue. Has anyone else fallen for cheap mystery tape from shady online sellers?

3 comments

3 Comments

fionamurphy5d ago

$12 for a 3-pack of anything bookbinding related should've been the first red flag, lol. At least now you've got a great excuse to buy a new leather cover and some quality tape from a real supplier.

the_robin5d ago

My $8 mystery box of "archival quality" tape from Amazon ended up being just repackaged packing tape that turned yellow after two weeks. It took me three hours to peel that sticky mess off the first book I tried to repair. Now I just order directly from Talas or Hollander's and pay the extra $10 for shipping because at least the stuff actually works.

owens.laura5d ago

$8 for archival tape is basically asking for trouble, but what I'm really curious about is did the Amazon listing say it was pH neutral? Because packing tape definitely isn't, and I'm wondering how many people don't even know to look for that. Also, did you try using a hair dryer or heat gun to get the residue off? I've heard that works for that kind of mess.