Making Book Covers Out of Glossy Brochures

Recycle old career fair brochures or other thick paper by making them into bookcovers. Some of the engineering companies at a career fair that I recently attended gave out company brochures printed on thick, glossy paper, making them very well suited for paperback book covers. In addition, many of the company brochures were nicely decorated.

Step 1: Gather Materials

You will need:
- book to be covered
- thick, glossy brochures or any other durable paper
- ruler (optional)
- pen or pencil for making marks (optional)
- tool for scoring paper (optional)

Step 2: Disassemble Brochure and Mark Paper

Remove the staples from the booklet and isolate the thick brochure cover. Lay the brochure cover flat on a desk with the cover that you want facing outwards and then align the book spine against the crease inside the brochure cover. Using a pen or fingernail, mark the brochure cover along the top and bottom of the book.

Step 3: Fold Paper

Using a ruler and pocketknife, gently score along the line that you drew so that you can fold the paper more easily. Then, fold along the scored lines. Notice that I am using the flat screwdriver to score the paper and not the knife so that I do not damage the paper too much.

Step 4: Fold the Spine

With the spine of the book pressed against the preexisting crease in the paper, fold over the top of the book and gently press along the edge of the book in order to score it.

Step 5: Fold the Top Flap

Keep wrapping the top cover of the brochure along the book, making a second fold along the right edge of the book by gently pressing on the paper.

Step 6: Slide in the Top Cover

Gently slide the top cover of the book into the bookcover.

Step 7: Make the Bottom Flap

Wrap the bottom flap of the bookcover around the bottom edge of the book, turn it over, and score it gently as with the top cover of the book.

Step 8: Insert Bottom Flap

Insert the bottom cover of the book into the bottom flap of the bookcover.

Step 9: Finish/Troubleshooting

Every crease should be a little bit (+1 mm) bigger than the dimensions of the book itself in order for the book to fit well. If you have trouble sliding the covers of the book into the book cover, unfold the bookcover and refold the flaps, allowing a little bit more room.