Check for Ink Fastness

Before repairing a book using any water-based material, such as rice paste, you should check to be sure the inks used in the book are not water soluble. If they are, the moisture in the paste may cause inks and colors to run or bleed.

You can check for water solubility of inks by lightly moistening a cotton swab with distilled water and carefully touching the different inks or colors. Using a fresh swab for each, examine the cotton for any color transfer and spot check for running or bleeding.