If you’ve ever wanted to somehow merge your Kindle with the familiar world of traditional books, or you just want to house it in something really unique, you should know about ReBindIt, a small online business that launched in April and makes one-of-a-kind Kindle 2 cases out of old hardcovers. Pop your Kindle 2 into a $22 ReBindIt case ($27 with shipping) and suddenly you’ve got an old-fashioned, well worn hardcover that belies the high-tech portable library hidden inside.
The idea for ReBindIt started when designer Greg Stratford decided to convert his old physics textbook into a case for his Kindle 2. His business partner and sister Stephanie Stratford says, “He cut it by hand and almost cut himself a few times. After that we knew we had to get a die cut, which made for a more efficient and safe method.”
The raw materials for the cases are unwanted used books that would otherwise be discarded. Most of them come from a book distributor the Stratfords know.
“In our initial stages, we tried several different approaches,” says Stephanie, “And right now we think the simple die cut and gluing process provides the best case. The Kindle stays down very well in the case, which allows for reading [as well as] easy removal from the case when appropriate.”
Most of the cases come in one of two categories. The first consists of “photographic” books, usually with full color casewraps, which is industry lingo for when the book cover design is printed directly onto the cover instead of a dustjacket.
The second category consists of traditional hardcover novels minus their dustjackets, so that the binding and covers of the bare book are visible, along with whatever title is still printed on the spine.
If you’re lucky, you might find a favorite author’s name on the spine of one of the available cases. Some of the names I saw in the current batch include John Grisham, Michael Crichton, Henry Roth, and Seymour M. Hersh. The company also keeps a batch of ten or so alternative cases available on its Etsy store.
“In the end, finding the balance between sterile cases and home made do-it-yourself was where we wanted to be,” says Stephanie Stratford.
For now, ReBindIt’s cases are for the Kindle 2 only, although the company says it plans to introduce Kindle DX versions in the future. (I can’t quite imagine how large those books will have to be.) As for other devices, Stephanie says, “We think the most natural market is for the Kindle, so we’re starting there and as our business grows we will expand to other devices.
ReBindIt.com [Official online store]
Etsy store