Binding The Whole Ream Cardboard Covered Sketchbook

I wanted a large format sketchbook, so I gathered my materials, got organized and went to work.

Step 1: Materials List

Cardboard for the cover. Acrylic paints, one ream (500 sheets of paper), one book spine made of wood (see step 5), a specialty glue called padding adhesive, needle and thread, polyurethane varnish.

Comments

[AdamVanMeter]

I like it. I can't recall ever seeing a binding style quite like this! A bit out of reach for me, without a drill press, though.

So, how has the book held up, after a few years?

[bruno13069]

Get some tractor feed, zig-zag fold printer paper. Tear off the perforated strip on one edge, separate the zig-zag into individual sheets, and then stitch it together using the holes on the other side. This would make a book that you could easily remove pages as needed. Nice I-ble!

[Creativeman]

That's a great idea bruno! thanks. Cman

[bruno13069]

I have about 2,000 pages of the stuff in a box in my home office from an Apple Dot Matrix Printer. I might make myself a scrapbook sometime. ;-)

[bruno13069]

I'm working on a sketchbook made from that Apple D.M.P. paper. The tractor feed strip has 22 holes. I don't want to stitch through every single hole, but I want it evenly spaced with both end holes stitched. I subtracted 1 to get 21, which gives me a spacing of 3 - stitch one and skip 2. Both end holes are stitched. And it keeps the box of paper from going into straight into the garbage. :-D Thanks for the inspiration, Cman!

[realgenius65]

So, when and how do drill the edge holes in the paper?

[Creativeman]

Anytime after the glue dries....drill press my man. Cman

[realgenius65]

Very nice finish!!!

[realgenius65]

Perhaps step 6 should have been added to step 3. Alot of folks maybe confused with the process otherwise.

[stephNY]

Fantastic Instructable! I'm going to remove the pages from an old book that was headed for the trash and turn it into a sketchbook, and this is the best instruction on basic binding for a thick book. I would suggest using something other than corrugated cardboard for the cover, though. I carry my sketchbooks in a backpack, and stuff I've made from corrugated always winds up flattening up and fraying. Gift Box cardboard or premade pad cardboard would be a good choice. Heck, a trip to the dollar store will provide a lot of cardboard choices and some great cheap glues, too! Many Thanks!

[Creativeman]

Thank you. Cman

[stephNY]

BTW, I finished my new sketchbook, inspired by your 'ible. I have no idea what "Padding Adhesive" is, so I used "Liquid Nails", and it seems a very sturdy bind! Without a drill press, my drill holes were a bit off, too, but everything hides under thick end papers and a little glue. Many thanks, I wouldn't have done it without your inspiration, and I've done like, a dozen drawings in the 2 or 3 days since I made "MY OWN" sketchbook!

[Creativeman]

Way to go steph! Would love to see a picture....got any? you can post them right here if you do. Cman

[j-orr]

Alternatively you can use two strips of Davey board from the back of a legal pad or notebook. There is no drilling into the side for the spine. The Davey board is a little lighter and just as sturdy as the pine. I'm going to try this project as I can always use a new blank book.

[Creativeman]

j-orr: what is D-board? Cman

[j-orr]

Davey board is a solid, or non-corrugated, piece of cardboard that is used in modern bookbinding. Consider the back of a spiral notebook; that is Davey board. It is used because it's a sturdy material for bookbinding.

Here is an example of Davey board: http://www.johnnealbooks.com/prod_detail_list/69

[Scammah]

Stupid question but how do you vote on stuff or am I too late?

[Creativeman]

Actually, you're too early....voting hasn't opened yet. See rules of contest for answers. Cman. Thanks.

[JohnMac]

You sir are very talented.

[Scammah]

Just amazing I love it.

[aaronscottaugustinhotmail.com]

Awesome!!!! Im voting for you and +5.0!

[Ninzerbean]

It's hard to believe the lettering is not 3D - really well done!

[Creativeman]

Thanks NB...Cman

[wenpherd]

cardboard rocks and book binding does to.

[DebH57]

HOO! HOO! Congrats on the feature!

[DaveNJ]

C'man - These are so great you have to slow down. I will never be able to try them all! Only kidding. Your ideas and procedures are top notch. It is a pleasure to read through them. I really like this idea, but I probably will make a 100 page sketchbook rather than a whole ream.

[Creativeman]

Thanks Dave: I probably will slow down....sometimes it seems the well runs dry which means I have to do something else! take care. Cman

[DebH57]

Oh I like this one CMan. I have been looking for a way of putting together my recipes to hand out little cookbooks to family and friends. 5.

[Creativeman]

Thank you Deb! It would work on a smaller scale. Cman