Introduction: Custom Embossed Notebooks Using 3D Prints

By SeanHodgins on YouTube
About: I'm a content creator. I make open source projects and videos for said projects. My goal is to create free and open knowledge for everyone.
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This is a very simple, yet very effective process of embossing using 3D prints. You can put a logo, or a name, picture, anything you want. These custom embossed notebooks make great gifts!

Step 1: Watch the Video!

Step 2: Gather Your Tools.

For this Instructables you will need:

  • 3D printer
  • Some type of CAD software (123D, Fusion 360, TinkerCAD...)
  • A large vise or press
  • Small scrap wood
  • Glue gun
  • Notebook or Sketchbook you want to emboss the design onto.

Step 3: Create Your Design

You will want to create your design in the CAD software. I'm only doing the word LEGIT. You will need to mirror the word (as if you're looking through it) to make sure its the right way on the book. My design is only 4mm thick total. 2mm for the word LEGIT, and 2mm for the flat back.

Step 4: 3D Print Your Design

Its a good idea to have a lot of infill so that it is strong. I went with 80%. Its pretty small so the print should only take a few minutes. Also layer height doesn't really matter here. So you can max out your extruder layer height.

Step 5: Hot Glue

At this point you will want to get your small pieces of wood ready. These are going to be used to clamp each side of the book so the metal of the vise doesn't damage anything. I first hot glued the 3D print to one of the pieces of wood. I also hot glued the other piece of wood to the vise to avoid having to hold 3 pieces together while trying to align the print.

Step 6: Install in the Vise

You want to open the notebook to the cover you want to emboss. Carefully align the pieces of wood in the vise with the notebook and position the 3D print so it is in the correct location. Its probably not going to be perfectly aligned, but thats okay it will still look cool! Especially since you're making it yourself.

Step 7: Clamp!

Once its all aligned, tighten the vise as hard as you can. Let it sit for a few minutes.

Step 8: Done!

Remove from the vise and check out your work. The first one might not be great(mine wasn't) but the second will always be better. If you take your time aligning everything, you should have a now custom embossed notebook.

These make great gifts for the holidays!

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