As everyone knows, paper and water don’t make for good companions. Whether exposed directly to water (e.g., spills, floods, etc.) or indirectly (e.g, humidity, dampness, etc.), paper can be irretrievably damaged along with any text/images printed on such. Hence, maintaining and preserving books is predicated on keeping them away from moisture. But is there any way to truly waterproof a book?
The Short Answer is “Yes”
A book can be waterproofed using a couple of currently available methods and technologies that we’ll discuss below. Generally, while these methods will produce a waterproof book, they are more expensive to implement and are not conducive for books with significantly high page counts or that need to be printed in mass quantities.
What kinds of Books Need to be Waterproofed?
While it would not be practical or necessary to waterproof a standard novel or non-fiction book, some types of books can benefit from being waterproofed. In particular, any book that will be used in environments where exposure to water and/or high levels or moisture is a constant are good candidates for waterproofing. For instance, instruction or operation manuals for boats/ships, water treatment plants, factories, industrial kitchens or food processing plants should be waterproofed for a longer shelf life and durability. Books intended to be used in outdoor environments (e.g., field guides, survival guides, first aid manuals, etc.) can be waterproofed. And, while technically not a book, a multipage restaurant menu makes a good match for waterproofing methods.
How to Waterproof a Book
Here are three popular methods used to create a waterproofed book:
- Sealed-Edge Laminate – Encasing the cover and interior pages in laminate film (plastic) will prevent water/moisture (or other liquids and contaminants) from damaging the printed paper. Sealed-edge laminate does require the laminate to extend beyond the edge of the paper (1/8” – 1/2”) and creates thicker, bulkier books.
- Synthetic Paper – As synthetic papers are manufactured using a plastic or polymer resin, they are naturally water-resistant. Synthetic paper is a good choice for books with a somewhat higher page count where the thickness of a laminated sheet would create too much bulk. However, synthetic paper is more costly than regular paper.
- Laminated Synthetic Paper – In essence, this method combines the first two options although with the twist that, since synthetic paper is naturally water resistant, the sealed-edge laminate is not a necessity.
What About Binding?
For the best waterproofing binding method, plastic coil binding is the way to go. Plastic, is of course, impervious to damage from water and allows for books to open a full 360°.
If you have any questions about Waterproofing Books give us a call at 330-597-8560. We’re happy to help you get the most out of your printing project.
