No tape book cover

Here's an easy, durable book cover you can make that requires nothing but a paper bag and scissors.

Step 1: Materials

This is easy, you only need a couple things:

1) Paper bag
2) Scissors
3) A book

Comments

[bytenix]

Cheers! This is great--I used it last year for my classes and went to it again for this year. Thanks!

[quengilar]

This is pretty awesome!

[Harkle]

Cheers dude. I make my own journals using cereal boxes and printer paper normally covering the spine with masking tape but this makes a great alternative (looks better too).

Your instructions were really clear and precise. Only took me about half an hour to do (was using a really big paper bag!).

=)

[shreeyachawan]

good one I will try it ok

[15zhangfra]

did this on my enviromental science cover. my teacher says that the stretchy store bought ones break the binding (you have to bend the book all the way back to put it on- ruined spine, and the pressure ruins the binding) so she made us do this type of stuff. of course i had instructables : P

[AwajiMan]

I had that textbook! :D

[bruno13069]

This is how we did it back in the 70's and 80's Make sure you take the cover off the book before your use magic marker! It might bleed through and stain the book. Great I-ble!

[iglesia777]

Maybe I should have titled this a "retro cover" then ;) That would have sounded cooler.

[bruno13069]

I think your title works just fine, mate. :-)

[Grathio]

Ah, ya snooze ya lose. I've had an Instructable sitting around for a month on just this topic. Well done!

^{(Whew, now I don't have to finish it!)}

If you don't feel like decorating it yourself you can always buy interesting paper from your local art store or craft center. Here's one I did recently from an old map.

[iglesia777]

Ah yes, I love the map cover. I work along with the GIS department here, so I'm kinda biased towards maps. I've also done this with cereal boxes to great effect.

[firefighter1333]

TY MAN only find a PAPER bag now.....

[iglesia777]

I had to specifically request them from the grocery store. Most still carry them, even Meijer/Walmart. They just hide em under the counter.

[bilham]

Some department store bags are a glossy colored paper. They would serve well and look classy.

[piratequeenfaber]

This type of cover works well on paper backs. Unlike stretch covers this isn't too loose or cause the cover to curl. It also means no tape getting accidently stuck to the cover.

[uberinsane]

I have been doing this for years, except with packing tape, which can make it last 5x as long if applied along the seems.

[codongolev]

I did this, but I added tape anyway... and you can doodle on your book without ruining it.

[Yerboogieman]

This is great, my old science teacher wasn't good at explaining how to do this.

[Your Average Guy]

ROCK ON!!! YEAH!!! WHOO!!! GO FOR IT!!! CAPS LOCK!!! YEAH!!!

[Groxx]

I made this style of cover for my school books for years. Lots better than the taped ones, and they tend to last longer too, as the edges / corners are effectively reenforced. Highly recommended for anyone who needs to return their books :)