# Is there a flexible non-acid tape to repair paper book cover?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-flexible-non-acid-tape-to-repair-paper-book-cover/823989
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 5, 2018, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-flexible-non-acid-tape-to-repair-paper-book-cover/823989 "2018-11-05T04:20:12Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2018, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-flexible-non-acid-tape-to-repair-paper-book-cover/823989/1 "2018-11-05T04:20:12Z")
I have an old book from the 60s with a paper slip cover that’s a bit torn. I’d like to repair it do the tears don’t get worse.
Is there a special tape I could get? I know Scotch tape yellows and cracks and can mark paper.
Is there a flexible, non-acidic tape for this type of repair?
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### Author:  [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2018, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-flexible-non-acid-tape-to-repair-paper-book-cover/823989/2 "2018-11-05T04:23:01Z")
Not an expert (though I did work in a library when I was in high school and did repair books there - though I wasn’t the one to buy the tape), but I would assume that these are good options:
> **[Book Tape | The Library Store](https://www.thelibrarystore.com/category/book-tape)**
>
> Book Tape was specifically designed to aid in repairing, reinforcing, protecting, hinging and laminating. Keep your books and materials in pristine condition with these excellent and affordable tapes.
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### Author:  [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2018, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-flexible-non-acid-tape-to-repair-paper-book-cover/823989/3 "2018-11-05T04:37:29Z")
If you want something that’s archive-quality, I’d recommend calling your local library, or someone who does antique restorations. Otherwise, the suggested made in the last post are probably adequate.
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### Author:  [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2018, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-flexible-non-acid-tape-to-repair-paper-book-cover/823989/4 "2018-11-05T04:40:39Z")
The Scotch Book Tape should work fine. Besides the 2" tape there is also 3" and 4" wide:
> **[Scotch Book Tape, 2 in x 540 in, Excellent for Repairing, Reinforcing...](https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-845-Inches-Yards-Crystal/dp/B00006IF5R)**
>
> Buy Scotch Book Tape, 2 in x 540 in, Excellent for Repairing, Reinforcing Protecting, and Covering (845) at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision!
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### Author:  [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2018, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-flexible-non-acid-tape-to-repair-paper-book-cover/823989/5 "2018-11-05T04:42:02Z")
Archival tapes:
> **[Archival Tapes | The Library Store](https://www.thelibrarystore.com/category/archival-tape)**
>
> Whether you need to fix an entire book or a single page, our selection of Archival Quality, Acid-free Tapes will keep your archived items in pristine condition or restore them to their former glory. TLS™ is proud to offer a multitude of Book Repair...
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### Author:  [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2018, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-flexible-non-acid-tape-to-repair-paper-book-cover/823989/6 "2018-11-05T07:01:47Z")
Lineco makes a wide array of book-specific tapes, just pick out the right one for you. They’re really nice products.
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### Author:  [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2018, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-flexible-non-acid-tape-to-repair-paper-book-cover/823989/7 "2018-11-05T14:11:49Z")
I’m not an archivist nor any form of professional. I’ve been using Scotch 845 Book Tape since 1992 for certain pages and volumes of material I maintain for reference purposes. None show any sign of failure or discoloration.
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### Author:  [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2018, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-flexible-non-acid-tape-to-repair-paper-book-cover/823989/8 "2018-11-06T05:47:24Z")
Strangely, Scotch Heavy Duty Shipping Tape is acid free, but 845 Book Tape is not.
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### Author:  [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2018, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-flexible-non-acid-tape-to-repair-paper-book-cover/823989/9 "2018-11-08T01:32:22Z")
A follow up comment. I use 845 tape as a permanent reinforcement to page edges that will be comb bound into books. Thus in my application it not usually applied to a printed part of paper. I’ll stand by it’s durability and lack of discoloration but **gotpasswords** comment made me realize my application does not care about your acid-free preference.
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### Author:  [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2018, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-flexible-non-acid-tape-to-repair-paper-book-cover/823989/10 "2018-11-08T02:26:13Z")
Thanks for all the replies, everyone. Sorry for not checking in; that pesky real-life thing!
Thanks for all the suggestions. Will start doing some on-line hunting.
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