RPG Book Care Myths That Could Be Damaging Your Collection

Quick Answer

Most RPG book damage comes from a handful of habits people believe are helpful. Cracking a new hardcover spine, storing books upright without support, and leaving them in direct sunlight are the biggest culprits. A few simple changes to how you open, store, and handle your books will prevent the wear that ruins collectible RPG volumes.

Your RPG rulebooks are built to survive years of table use, but some of the most common advice about caring for them can actually shorten their lifespan. The problem isn't that people don't care about their books. It's that well-meaning habits get passed around without anyone checking whether they hold up.

This article separates the myths from the facts. Each section states a common belief, gives a clear verdict, and explains what's really going on so you can decide what to change. No lab coats required, just practical guidance you can apply to the shelf in front of you.

Myth: You Should Crack the Spine of a New Hardcover

Some players crack the spine of a new hardcover RPG book wide open to 'loosen it up' for easier reading at the table. That habit is the fastest way to break the glue binding that holds the pages together. A hardcover's spine is designed to flex slightly during normal reading, not to be forced flat. Once the glue cracks, pages can loosen and fall out over time.

The better approach is to open a new book gently. Lay it on a flat surface and let the covers fall open naturally, then press down lightly along the inner margin a few pages at a time. This trains the binding to open without stress. If you need a book to stay open during play, use a book stand or a low-profile clip rather than forcing the spine flat.

• Never force a new hardcover flat to 'break it in'.
• Open a few pages at a time, pressing gently along the inner margin.
• Use a book stand or clip to keep a rulebook open during play.

Myth: Storing Books Upright Always Keeps Them in Best Shape

Upright storage is often treated as the gold standard, but it only works when books are packed snugly enough to support each other. A lone hardcover leaning at an angle puts constant stress on the spine and can warp the boards over time. If the shelf is too deep and the book slides back, the top edge can also bend.

The practical fix is to fill gaps with bookends or foam blocks so each volume stands straight and slightly supported. For oversized or unusually heavy RPG books, laying them flat on a shelf is a safer option. The goal is to avoid any position where gravity pulls the text block away from the cover.

• Use bookends to keep upright books from leaning.
• Lay oversized or heavy books flat if the shelf allows.
• Leave a little breathing room between books to avoid scuffing.

Myth: Sunlight Is Fine as Long as the Book Stays Dry

Direct sunlight fades covers, yellows pages, and makes paper brittle over time. Even indirect sunlight through a window can cause gradual damage, especially to dust jackets and spine lettering. The damage is cumulative, so a book that looks fine after a month may show noticeable fading after a year on a sunny shelf.

Keep your RPG collection on a shelf away from windows, or use a bookcase with doors or a curtain to block UV light. If you display a favorite volume, rotate it periodically so no single book takes the brunt. A cool, dry spot with stable temperature is the simplest protection.

• Avoid shelves that receive direct or bright indirect sunlight.
• Rotate display books so fading is spread out.
• Use a cabinet with doors if your only shelf space is near a window.

Myth: A Tightly Packed Shelf Protects Books from Dust and Damage

Packing books tightly might keep dust off the top edges, but it also makes them hard to remove without pulling on the spine. Repeatedly dragging a book out by its top edge weakens the binding and scuffs the cover. Tight packing also traps moisture between covers, which can encourage mold in humid climates.

Leave a small gap between each book so you can grip the spine when pulling it out. If dust is a concern, a shelf with a glass door or a simple fabric dust cover does more good than cramming. The goal is easy access without stress on the binding.

• Leave a finger-width gap between books.
• Pull books out by the spine, not the top edge.
• Use a cabinet or dust cover if dust is a problem.

Myth: You Should Never Write in or Sticky-Note an RPG Book

Many collectors treat any mark in a book as damage, but for a working RPG rulebook, light pencil notes and removable sticky flags are practical and reversible. The real damage comes from ink that bleeds through pages or adhesive that leaves residue. Pencil can be erased, and quality sticky flags peel off cleanly if removed within a reasonable time.

If you want to keep a book pristine for resale, use a separate notebook or a digital reference instead. But if the book is a tool for play, making it easier to find rules is not a sin. Just avoid permanent markers and cheap tape that leaves gunk behind.

• Use pencil for margin notes you might want to erase later.
• Choose removable sticky flags over tape or permanent markers.
• Keep a separate notebook if you want to preserve resale condition.

Myth: A Little Moisture Won't Hurt If You Dry the Book Quickly

Even a small spill can wick into the paper and cause pages to wrinkle, stick together, or grow mold if not addressed immediately. Drying a book quickly with a hair dryer or direct heat can warp the boards and crack the glue. The safest response is to blot the moisture with a clean cloth, stand the book upright with pages fanned open, and let it air-dry at room temperature.

Humidity in the room matters too. A damp basement or a shelf near a bathroom will slowly damage books even without a spill. A simple hygrometer can tell you if your storage area stays in a reasonable range, and a dehumidifier can help if it doesn't.

• Blot spills immediately and air-dry with pages fanned open.
• Avoid direct heat or hair dryers, which can warp covers.
• Keep shelves away from damp rooms and monitor humidity.

Myth Verdicts at a Glance

• Cracking the spine of a new hardcover: Forcing a new book flat can break the glue binding and loosen pages. Open it gently a few pages at a time instead. Myth
• Storing books upright without support: Leaning books put stress on the spine and can warp covers. Use bookends or lay heavy books flat. Partly true, but only with support
• Sunlight is harmless if the book is dry: UV light fades covers and makes paper brittle over time, even without moisture. Myth
• Tightly packing books protects them: Tight packing makes books hard to remove without damage and can trap moisture. Myth
• Never write in or sticky-note a rulebook: Pencil and removable flags are reversible and useful for play. Permanent ink and cheap tape are the real problems. Myth for working copies
• A little moisture is fine if you dry it fast: Quick heat drying can warp covers. Blot and air-dry slowly with pages fanned open. Myth

Product Facts That Support Better Book Care

• Vast Grimm Cataclysmic Condemnation Card Deck: This foil card deck includes 20 Cataclysmic Condemnations from the core Vast Grimm rules, printed on super-shiny holographic cards. Keeping small game accessories like this deck in their own box or sleeve prevents them from pressing against book spines on a crowded shelf, which is one of the storage myths this article addresses.
• Healing Heart 10d4 Set + Dice Bag: This set includes 10d4 dice featuring the 8-Bit Healing Heart and a velvet dice bag. Storing dice in a bag rather than loose on a shelf keeps them from rolling into books and scuffing covers, supporting the practical storage advice in this article.

Your RPG books are meant to be used, not sealed away. The real trick is knowing which habits help and which ones quietly cause damage. Apply the verdicts above and your collection will stay in good shape through years of game nights.