16Mar2017

School Book Cover System from Colibri: Your Complete Guide

In today’s digital world, sometimes its nice to read a physical book and be at one with the text.  With school books making a comeback , now could be a good time to protect your purchases with a strong school book cover.  This is where the Colibri book covering system comes in.

What type of school books can be covered?

CoLibrì System can be used to cover books of all types and sizes, both hardbacks and paperbacks, as big as giant coffee table books to as small as pocket size paperbacks.  The range of options are endless.

How long does a Colibri school book cover last?

CoLibrì covers are extremely durable. They can last up to two years on frequently used books in libraries and school environments. For books used less frequently, the covers can protect text for up to five years and longer.

Can I use the Colibri machine at home?

Yes. Anyone can use a CoLibrì System – small offices, fundraising organizations and personal home use. The CoLibrì System was designed to offer a higher quality, simpler and more efficient means of covering books than traditional DIY solutions.

What else can be done with the Colibri book covering system?

The CoLibrì System is perfect for protecting and storing children’s creations, photos, artwork, drawings, certificates, prototypes, CDs and DVDs. Our archival pouches are acid free, archive quality and PAT certified, providing an inexpensive, effective way to preserve and protect.

What if I want to cover a really huge school book?

Begin with two of the largest format covers. The same way you do with other books, cut both to the height needed. Next cut the left side pocket off both covers. Now you will have two single pieces of covers with the pockets on the right side.  You should still see the CoLibrì logo on the lower right corner of both covers that were cut. Slide one cover on the front of your book and the other on the back. Place the book on the machine with the spine facing the welding bar. Press the button to weld the two single pieces of plastic together.

How should I apply a paperback school book cover?

Select the cover that fits the book best (Mini, Standard, or Big cover) and ensure the cover is at least 1” bigger than the book in height and width.

1. Place the school book cover on the machine with the Pocket side up and the CoLibrì logo on the right side of the table.
2. Insert the back cover into the right-hand side of the cover until the back cover of the book is halfway way in the cover
3. Slide the book all the way down into the cover so it is snug to the bottom of the cover.
4. Slide the school book cover under the welding bar using the two arrows for positioning until the book hits the welding bar.
5. Once the book is all the way forward against the welding bar, use the lines on the table to align the bottom of the book to ensure it is straight and a square cut is made. Remember — not all books are square.
6. Hit the button to weld and trim the top portion of the cover.
7. When the welding bar lifts up, slide your two index fingers from the center of the book top to the side and slide the cover away from the bar.
8. With both hands, open the front of the book and gently bring the front flap down to meet the left side pocket. If the cover was cut square the book should slide into the cover with no resistance. You shouldn’t have to pull or manipulate the cover to slide it over the book. If having difficulty getting front school book cover into cover, try sliding the book’s back cover to the right.
9. Once the front cover is in, close the book. With the book closed, put your fingers on the excess bottom cover. With your other hand push the book to the left while applying pressure on the excess. The book front cover should slide in tight so whatever excess cover is showing on the bottom.
10. Slide the excess back cover under the welding bar to weld and trim the bottom of the cover.
11. If the school book is too small and you can’t cover a book in 2 cuts, you will then have to cut the excess on both the front and back cover. If this is the case, fit the book evenly in the front and back portion of the cover. Weld and trim the top first so you can pull the book tight into the top cover before welding and trimming the bottom.
12. If the cover was cut to tight or not square, place it aside and use it on a smaller book (note – the smaller book must leave at least 1” of excess in used cover in order for the machine to weld and trim the cover).

How do I cover a Hardback school Book?

1. Select the school book cover that fits the book best (Mini, Standard, or Big cover) and ensure the cover is at least 1” bigger than the book in height and width.
2. Place the school book cover on the machine with the Pocket side up and the CoLibrì logo on the right side of the table.
3. Turn school book over, and lay on cover. Bring book down to the bottom of the cover leave about an 1/8 of an inch of the cover showing
4. With both hands slide the cover, not the book to the top of the table. When looking down from the top, the book should almost be touching the welding bar.
5. Align the book squarely on the table using the lines to the left of the table, and the lines running parallel with the welding bar. Not all books are square so this is your way of checking for a square cut.
6. Hit the button to weld and trim the top portion of the cover.
7. Once the bar has come back up, from the middle run your fingers from center out to push the cover down from the welding bar.
8. When the welding bar lifts up, slide your two index fingers from the center of the book top to the side and slide the cover away from the bar.
9. Take the book and lift it off the cover. You should still see the back of the book.
10. Place the book down on the front of the table with the spine facing the welding bar.
11. Open the back cover of the book.
12. Take the CoLibrì school book cover and while holding the back of the book use two hands to gently slide the cover onto the book about an inch and then stop.  As you look down, the part you slid onto the book you should see the CoLibrì logo.
13. With the book still open. Flip the book over, and lay it flat page side down facing you, like your making a copy. The front cover should be facing you with all the pages under it, and facing the welding bar. You should only see the back cover and the CoLibrì cover.
14. Open up the front cover of the book using both hands as you open it toward the welding, and begin to slide the CoLibrì cover on. If the cover was cut correctly it should slide right on with no hesitation.
15. Keep sliding the cover on, at this point if using both hands you might want to try and extend you pinky fingers to the back and slide the back on at the same time.  We want to have enough of the CoLibrì cover on the book to close it without straining the spine.
16. With the book now closed you should have some excess cover on the front and the back.  You can even the reveal on the inside jacket if you desire.
17. If the book is big enough you might be able to pull the CoLibrì cover all the way down on the front cover of the book and make one cut and weld on the back.
18. If not, flip the book over front facing down.  Open the back cover and slide the book to the welding bar get it as close as you can.  You should see just about 1/16 of an inch between the book cover and the welding bar.   Push the button to weld and trim the cover.
19. Slide book away from bar, hold the excess CoLibrì cover and push on the pages of the book to tighten the cover.
20. Now with all the excess cover on the back cover, slide the book back to the welding bar and open the front cover to see the space between the bottom cover and the welding bar. When you are comfortable with the space, push the button to weld and trim the cover.

 

The Colibri book covering system is a fantastic tool to protect not only your text books from wear and tear but other solutions as well. It is an ideal tool for those working in the craft industry or looking to protect their prized text possesions.

If you would like to try the Colibri book covering System for yourself, you can register your details today and a member of our team will be in touch with you.  You can do so at by clicking here.