The art of book binding is an ancient craft, but actually it is not very difficult to do and with almost no practice you can get really awesome results. If you are on the look out for fun craft projects or quick ways of making nice presents and gifts, then this could be the project for you.
I know that there are other instructables on the art of book binding but this project is meant to be a simple quick project that will give a very acceptable finish and a book that looks like it has been professional made, yet without the need for any special equipment.
All you will need is:
Some paper
minimum really is about 32 A4 or US Letter sized sheets, to make a half A4 (half US Letter sized book), although small books can be made as can ones with more pages. You can use tracing paper, thick or thin paper and of course colored or even preprinted or written on paper.
Some glue
You will need PVA (Elmer's White glue) or a rubber fabric adhesive (in the UK that is called Copydex, perhaps someone could tell me what it's called in the US), (a glue gun if you have it, would help with one of the stages, but is not mandatory)
Some stiff cardboard or corrugated (fluted) cardboard
Some fabric or leather
Any old stuff will do for the cover. I have used the fabric from some old pairs of trousers that were being thrown out (actually nothing gets thrown out in my house, just put to one side for later use). But you could use a bit of leather, some old curtains, cushion covers...etc etc, I'm sure you get the idea.
I know that there are other instructables on the art of book binding but this project is meant to be a simple quick project that will give a very acceptable finish and a book that looks like it has been professional made, yet without the need for any special equipment.
All you will need is:
Some paper
minimum really is about 32 A4 or US Letter sized sheets, to make a half A4 (half US Letter sized book), although small books can be made as can ones with more pages. You can use tracing paper, thick or thin paper and of course colored or even preprinted or written on paper.
Some glue
You will need PVA (Elmer's White glue) or a rubber fabric adhesive (in the UK that is called Copydex, perhaps someone could tell me what it's called in the US), (a glue gun if you have it, would help with one of the stages, but is not mandatory)
Some stiff cardboard or corrugated (fluted) cardboard
Some fabric or leather
Any old stuff will do for the cover. I have used the fabric from some old pairs of trousers that were being thrown out (actually nothing gets thrown out in my house, just put to one side for later use). But you could use a bit of leather, some old curtains, cushion covers...etc etc, I'm sure you get the idea.
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Signing UpStep 1: Stack your paper neatly in (at least 4) piles of 8 sheets
You are going to be binding your paper in 8 sheet folios. Of course you could do more or less. I have found 8 sheets to be a good number. because you are folding it in half each sheet is going to make 4 pages of your book, so this 8 sheet stack is going to make 32 pages.
Your book should have at least 4 or these 8 sheet folios which will therefore make 128 pages. (apologies to all the maths wizards out there).
You can use just plain paper or paper upon which you have already printed a header and footer (remember to get this the right way round and remember that there will be 4 headers and four footers per sheet of paper.
If you want to mix in different papers then remember that they will appear further into the book as well. (don't worry, this all becomes obvious as we go through the project).
Your book should have at least 4 or these 8 sheet folios which will therefore make 128 pages. (apologies to all the maths wizards out there).
You can use just plain paper or paper upon which you have already printed a header and footer (remember to get this the right way round and remember that there will be 4 headers and four footers per sheet of paper.
If you want to mix in different papers then remember that they will appear further into the book as well. (don't worry, this all becomes obvious as we go through the project).
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Great 'ible by the way, I'll share some photos when I'm done
I went off your guide a little bit to give the insides of the covers a decorative twist. As you can see, I added a bookmark and I am so pleased with the results!
Anyway, here's the album with five pictures of what my book looks like! Thank you, again!
-Ilsa
http://s1200.beta.photobucket.com/user/Ilsa7/library/Handmade%20Book
I designated each of the 8 pages A-H and number each side before folding 1-4 in the upper corner of the page (1&2 on first side, 3&4 on backside). Then folded, the order came out as predicted so I think this works:
A2, A3, B2, B3, C2, C3, D2, D3, E2, E3, F2, F3, G2, G3, H2, H3, H4, H1, G4, G1, F4, F1, E4, E1, D4, D1, C4, C1, B4, B1, A4, A1
I've been unsuccessful locating any templates out there so far, so my plan is to set things up in landscape (2 columns) with margins enough to accomodate the spine and trimming and save the blank file as a template. Write the book (I'm writing down childhood memories for my sister for christmas) and make sure I don't go over the allotted pages including a title page and forward. Then copy the pages individually in the above order leaving a blank spot at the bottom for page numbers (remember even letters the page number should be on the right and odd numbered letters on the left).
Then print it all out front and back. It's a lot of work, so if anyone has an easier method, please let me know!!
I was wondering if there was a way to create my own ruled paper, as it would be very useful for me. Many websites DO in fact, offer templates, but none of them fit my need, and I was wondering if it was possible to do so with MS Word or Excel.
Oh, and I forgot to thank you for this wonderful instructable. Thanks a million!
A little tiny one. It came out GREAT, used foe leather as the cover.
A tip for anyone who wants to make one. If you clamp the pages very close to the edge then run it on a belt sander "with the grain" it makes a very nice smooth edge. You have to run it across the grain very quickly on each side to get rid of any little paper shreds.
I have bought it cheaply in large sizes from a local paper supplier's office warehouse.
It's not difficult, but it does take time.
I don't think you could use tacky paper, but you could try perfect binding if you don't want to fold the pages. Perfect binding is when you get all the paper together in a neat stack and then glue one edge of it. This is how nearly all novels are bound when they are in paperback form.
Minor edit: Step 6, "Befroe" -> "Before"
I have a soft, very pliable piece of leather. Is it advisable to use cardboard, also, as shown above, to make it stronger? Or would it be okay to repair the cover, glue the binding and then glue the inside sheets to front and back.
I also am very impressed with this explanation! I've looked at several that were very confusing.
will this be able to be used for 600-1000 page books? :D
also, instead of fabric can i use paper for a custom cover?
Thank You
Elephantswind.wordpress.com
Might be thick here- but l dont understand the Folio bit what is the folio bit and do you stick a folio to each page ?? confused