Blissett Bookbinder

Where is your location?
Please see our Contact page for details of how to contact us. Our e-mail address is admin@blissetts.com. Our registered name and address is F.J. Blissett & Co. Ltd. Palmerston Works, Roslin Road, London W3 8DH.

Is there any parking near to the bindery in South Acton?
Yes there is usually some on-street parking just outside the bindery. For a map and directions please go to the Contact Us page or download the Contacts Directory from the download centre.

Do you have advice on preparing my thesis for binding?
Yes please see our Theses & Dissertation binding page site and download the Thesis Binding Fact File. You'll also find help on our new thesis online website.

Do I have to bring my thesis in to you for binding or can I send you my thesis by another method?
No, we're happy to receive thesis electronically for printing and binding. Just go to our new thesis online website and upload the PDF file to our website - also see the Theses & Dissertations Binding page, You can also bring us or post us the files on a disc or memory stick.

Are you open on Saturdays to receive or to collect theses and private individuals work?
No I'm sorry we are not but we do open from 07.30 each morning Monday-Friday excluding bank holidays of course. See our opening hours in the Contact page.

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I am trying to work out how many pages you can bind in one volume (thesis ). I have around 400 pages but about 50 of them are photopaper which is quite thick. Also I have chosen a 90g/m2 paper for the rest. Is there any way I can work this out?
Generally there isn't a limit if the thesis is to be bound in hard or soft covers although few go over about 500 pages or 90 mm (3.5") in thickness. However there is a maximum limit if you require wiro binding - this is 220 pages.

I will need my thesis bound in April (around the 10th). Should I/could I reserve a date to bring it in to guarantee that it could be done in 24 hours?
No, you do not have to worry about reserving a date or making an appointment with us in advance - just allow yourself enough time for us to provide you with the service level you opt for in accordance with the latest hand-in times as detailed in our Students Thesis Binding Fact File.

I would like to include two page finder fabric strips in my thesis when I come to bind it. Can you do this?
Yes, no problem and no extra charges would apply to such a request.

In April I will be required to print and bind copies of my thesis. I have one question that I can't seem to find on your website (which is very helpful, by the way) - whether you are able to print double-sided (incl. in colour)?
Yes, while the norm is to usually print single-sided we can print in mono or full colour double-sided. The usual per page print cost would apply per side though.

How can I work out my own binding costs?
If it is for printing and binding thesis, dissertations, reports or books go to www.thesisonline.co.uk and use our online calculator. Alternatively we are always happy to provide estimates for your work.

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Do you bind for private individuals as well as institutions, libraries and the publishing trade?
Yes we do. We bind journals and magazines for subscribers and collectors, theses for students, reports, limited edition books and bespoke photograph albums. We can also supply book boxes and slip cases and take great pride in repairing and restoring old books, bibles, prayer books or hymnals.

Do you have any advice how best to safegard and look after my book collection?
Yes please refer to the advice contained in our Guide to Good Book Care which you can download or just speak with one of our knowledgeable bookbinders.

Following a small fire my books are suffering from smoke damage - is there anything you can do?
Yes we can successfully remove the odour of smoke and also clean the edges and covers to remove the harmful impurities often contained in soot deposits. Don't delay though, it is best to tackle smoke damage as soon as possible. If you want we can liaise with your insurers.

My books have become water damaged - can you help?
It depends how long ago the books and paper first came into contact with the water. If recent, there is more chance of salvaging and successfully drying out the books without too much lasting effects. However, please individually place the books in sealed plastic bags excluding as much air as possible around each one and get in touch with us for more help.

Can you remove fox marks and mould from paper?
It depends - generally fox marks (usually the result of impurities in the paper or inks) can not be totally removed although their appearance might be lessened by certain treatment processes. Mould should be killed off and the spores removed and we have the expertise to do this.

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How do I prepare a consignment of binding?
Please see our 5-Step Guide to Distribution in Fact Files for useful advice about packing work for collection. You should though contact us for more detailed information if preparing to send a consignment to us for the very first time or after a long break.

Can a book be rebound for a 2nd time?
Yes usually this is not a problem but a lot depends on the condition of the paper and the available margins surrounding the text both in the gutter and for all the other 3 open edges

Do you always trim the edges of pages when binding?
No, by exception or if the book is antiquarian and/or rare or has very narrow margins surrounding the text the pages will be left untrimmed or uncut. Trimming the edges cleans up any discolouration and cleans off any dirt and little tears to leave a smart clean edge preventing the penetration of dirt and dust to the pages.

What is the thickest spine you can bind?
For binding journals, magazines, newspapers or rebinding books the thickest spine is about 10 cm or just under 4". We recommend that volumes are split and bound in two separate volumes if thicker than this as they liable to be very heavy and unwieldy anyway if very thick.

Do you have a representative who I could discuss my binding requirements with?
Yes we have several people in the bindery with knowledge about all aspects of binding and ancilliary services. .

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Do you have a minimum order size?
No but we do have a minimum order value of £30 for private individuals and may make a charge to institutions and libraries for collections and deliveries if the order value is less than £100 before Vat.

Do you supply packing cases and pre-addressed carton labels?
Yes we do - just fill in your details on the Contact Us page Enquiry Form and we'll send you a supply.

What cloth types and colours do you offer?
We have 38 colours of standard Buckram shades and have shade cards we can send to you if you need one. Many other materials are also available.

What turnaround time do you have for orders?
How long is a piece of string? We can not tell you exactly as it varies according to the type of work you want to send, how busy we are and to an extent the time of year. However, if you 'ring us and let us know what sort of work you are planning to send we'll give you the honest answer. If you have a particular deadline to have work finished by let us know and we'll always try to return your work within this time scale if at all possible.

How can I request for a collection of binding work to be made?
You can e-mail us at admin@blissetts.com, fax us on 020 8993 1815, 'phone us on 020 8992 3965 or write to us.

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Do you produce pro-forma invoices?
Yes we can issue an invoice before the work is ready to return if you ask us to.

Can you process orders placed from outside the UK?
Yes and we do frequently. Just contact us or post your work to us. For large library orders we will arrange freight. Please contact Gary Blissett first.

How should I use your Binding Instruction slip sets when sending journals for binding or reference books for rebinding?
Please refer to the Instructions for filling out Binding Instruction slip sets by downloading a copy from the Fact File.

Can you insert replacement pages into bound volumes?
Yes up to a limit of 8-10 pages can usually be inserted before we have to completely strip the binding down and rebind the volume incorporating the replacement pages.

My journal volume is incomplete - can you obtain replacement pages/parts?
Again it depends on the availability as certain publishers do not keep backfiles of individual issues but we'll certainly try for you. The more recent the date of publication the more chance there is of being successful. Costs will vary of course depending on the publisher involved but if successful the charges can be added to your invoice. Please send us a list of your missing pages/parts to sales@blissetts.com

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Do you charge for producing estimates?
No - we'll be pleased to produce an estimate for library, trade or personal work free of charge. If you need a sample or prototype binding to be produced we will need to make a charge for this. Please ask us for costs of samples in advance as this will vary depending on the work involved and delivery etc.

With certain binding it is possible to assess and estimate from digital photos. In the event you need to send your work to us, then a charge may be made to cover the initial estimate and carriage back to you should you not accept the estimate.

What is the largest run for case binding or paperback binding that you can handle?
The maximum is usually around 500 copies at any one time for case binding but more if staggered deliveries is acceptible. However, we may not be as competitively priced for orders above 500. For paperback binding our normal maximum run is about 1,000 copies

Do you offer a drawn on cover paperback binding service to the publishing and print trades?Yes we do. We specialise in unsewn perfect bound limited edition short run paperback production for the publishing industry and print trade as well as a variety of finishes for case binding short runs of up to 500-1,000 copies.

How do I pay for mail order work?
Our new thesis online site has a secure encrypted payments page for credit or debit card payments when ordering thesis printing and binding. For other mail order work we accept payment by personal cheque (sterling), credit or debit card (details taken over the 'phone), postal order or sterling bankers' draft. Oh and we do accept cash of course for personal callers.

Do you guys ship to the United States?
Yes we can ship to the U.S. and indeed anywhere worldwide and charge packaging, fees and shipping costs

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Hi, cool website I have to admit! - I own quite a few rare modern first editions but a few of my favourites have stickers, stamps, stains, etc (ex-library - damaged copies) 1) can you remove those stamps, stickers, etc? 2) do you repair damaged dustjackets? I'd really appreciate your assistance.
We can indeed usually remove stickers and labels fairly cleanly and successfully from ex-library stock - being library bookbinders and restorers - we do this sort of thing all of the time. However, whilst miracles we can do, the impossible is beyond us i.e. ink stamps and writing - no sorry we can't eradicate these from the paper as they are permanent. With regards to dust jackets - yes we do repair these, no problems.

Hi there, I am working on behalf of a client who is currently compiling an in house library of journals and is very interested in seeking your services. Would we be able to get colour and material samples of the binding covers used?
No problem. We will send you a colour / material chart

I have a hard back book, and would like it to be bound in a soft flexible leather like a leather bound bible, can this be done and roughly how much?
Yes, we can rebind the book in a soft leather mounted over thin boards or card with flap edges. As to cost, this will very much depend on the size of the book and how much leather needs to be used but likely to be in the region of £100-£150 plus Vat.

I would like to know if you would be able to rebind a snap front pocket Bible in genuine grain cow leather? The Bible is 6 1/2" by 4 1/2". If you are able to do so, how much would it cost and how long would it take?
Yes more than likely but for individual jobs like this we would want our craftsmen to see the bible first to assess the work involved and materials needed before we can provide an estimate of costs. Timescales for these jobs vary according to the work content and how busy we are.

Do you bind American comics?
Yes we do -in fact we have a growing number of comic fans sending us their sets of Marvel comics, DC, trade paperbacks etc for binding from both the UK and overseas - just e-mail us your requirements and we'll get back to you about our sewn bindings.

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I have a family Bible, original entry 1792 which has cracked in half and needs rebinding could you tell me if it is possible to repair it and would it be very expensive.
We can repair and rebind in cloth or leather finish and we would restore and retain as much of the original binding if this was appropriate and possible. Indicative range of costs would be in the region of not less than £150 + vat and possibly as much as £225 + vat if a full leather antiquarian family bible in need of extensive remedial treatment.

I would like to have my bible re-bound. Are you able to do this at what cost?
We do repair and rebind a lot of bibles for both individuals and churches as well as hymnals and prayer books however without knowing a lot more about your own bible and its current condition, size, type of binding, materials etc it would be impossible to give you any indication of price for repairing it. If you can get the bible easily to us either in person or by post then we’ll be able to assess it for you and give you an estimate for the repair without obligation. We are based in Acton in West London – see our Contact Us page of the website. Indicative range of costs would be in the region of not less than £45 + vat (if a small bible) and possibly as much as £220+ vat if a full leather antiquarian family bible. We can repair and rebind in cloth or leather finish and we would restore and retain as much of the original binding if this was appropriate and possible.

Is it all right to use tape to repair dustjackets?
Yes, you are right to assume that torn paper dust jackets can be safely repaired using a proprietary book repair tape such as 3M’s magic tape or butterfly tape. Do not use a pressure sensitive adhesive backed tape though such as ™Sellotape or the like as these dry out over time and also the adhesive causes an indelible yellow/brown coloured stain on the paper after a while as well as a sticky mess!

I am about to produce a limited edition book (exact number of pages and dimensions yet to be determined) and would like to know how you would need pages supplied (to be trimmed, printers pairs etc) or if indeed you are able to print from my digital files. The content will be mainly image based and I can supply pages as PDFs. As I am at the early stages of this project I can tailor my designs to the requirements of the binding process if necessary.
If you want us to do your digital printing in mono or full colour we just need the PDF file from you either on disc, stick or sent via e-mail or uploaded to our FTP site. If you are supplying finished print this can be as collated book blocks of untrimmed single sheets, or folded and collated untrimmed sections. You may like to download our 'Author's little helper' file from our Fact Files page for more information.

I have volumes of old books that has had paper maskingtape on the binding for many years, is there a household product that I can use that wouldnt damage it more!
It will greatly depend on the type of binding and the sort of materials used but there are specialist agents that can be acquired to help safe removal of pressure sensitive tapes although there is likely to be a stain to the material of the binding caused by the adhesive on the masking tape reacting with the covers.

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