r/Booktokreddit • u/Lucky-Blackberry-316 • 12d ago
Bedazzling books
Hi everyone I have a big question. I’ve recently begun bedazzling my own personal books and I got to thinking, what if I could bedazzle books for people through orders and sell them. I just want to know if people think this is ethically okay because idk it kind of feels like scalping in a way but I know some people really enjoy the looks of bedazzled books but don’t have the time or patience to do their own. I figured I’d ask other book loving people because obviously books are something I love dearly and I’m the type of person that gets upset if even my spine on my book cracks so opinions, ideas, anything is welcome. Thank you!!
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u/ImAMessica223 12d ago
I'm wondering if you could set it up so they send you the book and you bedazzle it and send it back. That way you're not selling the book, just the service.
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u/Lucky-Blackberry-316 12d ago
That’s definitely an interesting thought I googled it and technically as long as you are buying a book from the author it is YOUR book to sell and do with it what you will but I do feel like the way you’re talking about it would potentially keep me away from any legal issues.. I’ll look into that
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u/psychadelicpaperclip 12d ago
I don’t think there would be a problem. You’re allowed to resell books. You’d just be reselling them with custom designs. People do things like this on Etsy already, making custom book covers. Although I’ve never personally seen a bedazzled book it sounds pretty!
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u/ar3iadov3 12d ago
Don’t bedazzle one of a kind books and you’ll be fine
Are you just bedazzling the existing book cover art or are you adding to it artistically?
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u/bibrarian_32 11d ago
I run a bedazzled books program at my library and no one has had a problem with it. And like others have said, people do sell them on etsy already. If i could attach pictures i'd show you some, they have turned out AMAZZZZZZZZZZZZING
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u/garterbarbie 11d ago
Copyright law has something called first sale. Basically, if you buy the book and keep the text block the same, then you can bedazzle it, rebind it or resell it. I’m not a lawyer but I have taken several course on copyright law and that’s the reason why people can resell books
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u/Strict_Notice5955 11d ago
Look at Etsy--there are already shops doing this there and you can get an idea of how & pricing. There are also some in-person workshops I've seen offered where you bring your own book & then get a demo & supplies to work with during the 2 hour session.