Making a book out of paper is a fun and easy project. You can use this book as a journal, sketchbook, or gift to someone. Making handmade books can also be a fun activity for children. This paper journal is definitely much cheaper than buying a ready-made one. In addition, you can also customize the cover and paper size.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Creating a Booklet
Step 1. Fold a sheet of paper into eight sections
Take the time to fold properly because the quality of the fold will determine the quality of the book later.
- Make sure the folds are even and neat. Run your fingernail or a hard object like the tip of a pencil over the crease.
- Start by folding the paper to form a long, narrow plane (fold the long side to the long side as well).
- Then fold the paper in half, short side to short side.
- Fold once again in half, short side to short side.
Step 2. Unfold the paper
You will see eight separate fields. This will be the page of the book.
Step 3. Fold the short side of the paper to the short side as well
You must fold the paper in the opposite direction to the first fold.
Step 4. Cut the paper
Place the paper with the folded side facing you. Then, cut along the vertical crease line in the middle of the paper until it splits the horizontal crease line.
Stop cutting exactly at the horizontal crease line. You just made a slit in the paper, didn't cut it completely
Step 5. Unfold
At this stage the paper will form eight planes, but there is a split in the middle, between the four planes.
Step 6. Fold the paper in half, long side to long side
Repeat the folds as in the first step. The cut part should be in the middle of the fold.
Step 7. Fold the paper into a book
Turn the paper so that the cut side is on top. After that, push both ends towards the center. Separate the two center planes from each other.
- You must reverse the direction of the fold in one of the planes.
- Push the two ends of the paper toward each other until they form 4 “wings” that open outward, forming a plus sign (+) or the letter X.
Step 8. Flatten the book
Select two adjacent "wings" of paper and push them toward each other, covering another sheet in the book.
Step 9. Strengthen the book
If you want the book to stay in shape, hold the book together with staples or string (see the “Binding Books” section below).
Method 2 of 3: Creating a Medium Size Book
Step 1. Decide how many pages you want to create
The number of pages you want will determine how much paper you need. Six to 12 sheets of paper will make 12 to 24 book pages (including cover pages).
- Knowing what the book will be for will help you determine the number of pages needed.
- Also consider adding a sheet of special or colored paper for the cover.
- You can use more than 12 pages, but binding them will be more difficult.
Step 2. Select the paper to make the book
Plain white printer paper is a good choice. However, you may want to choose a different type of paper, depending on the purpose of the book.
- This guide uses standard letter-size paper (22x28 cm), but you can use other sizes.
- Heavier (thick) paper will be stronger than regular printer paper.
- Special or colored paper will make a great visual effect if you plan to give this book as a gift.
- If possible, don't use paper from a lined notebook. The lines will be vertical and the book won't look as pretty as those made with other types of paper.
Step 3. Fold the paper in half
Fold each paper, short side to short side.
- Folding each sheet separately will result in a neater, more even crease line than folding the entire paper together.
- Make sure the edges of the paper are aligned neatly before folding.
- Refine the crease line by running your fingernail over it or a hard object such as a pen or pencil along the crease.
Step 4. Tie the books together
Place the backs of the paper inside each other. If there are more than 6 sheets, make sets of no more than six each.
- If you create a set of more than 6 sheets, the innermost pages will start to stick out and the book won't look as neat.
- If the number of pages is the same, make the same number of sets of sections of the book (for example, 2 sets of 6, 3 sets of 4, or 4 sets of 3 pages).
Step 5. Stapler parts of the book
For a stronger result, staple each section of the book at this stage. Use at least two staples and staple them as close as possible to the edges of each section of the book.
- Place the staples in different places to prevent lumps from forming from the staples piling up in one place when all the parts of the book are held together.
- This step may not be necessary, depending on the technique you used to bind the book. If the book is tied by gluing, this step must be done.
Step 6. Stack the book sections
Stack the book sections neatly and parallel. Place the folded parts on top of each other.
Check all paper edges for neatness & uniformity. If one of the pieces of paper sticks out, it's probably not folded properly. Just replace it with a more neatly folded
Method 3 of 3: Binding Books
Step 1. Give a cover
Choose a sheet of paper for the cover. Consider using colored or thicker paper. Or you can also decorate the cover paper with stamps, stickers, or other personal touches.
- Prepare a book cover by folding it in half, short side to short side, then highlighting the crease line.
- Wrap the cover around the book's pages, depending on the type of binder you choose.
Step 2. Glue the entire book together with duct tape
This method is especially useful if the book has several sections that have been stapled.
- Cut a piece of strong duct tape-like black duct tape-slightly longer than the size of a book.
- Carefully place the duct tape on the front of the spine and wrap it along the back until half the width of the duct tape is on the front side and the other half on the back side.
- Cut the remaining duct tape from the top and bottom of the book.
Step 3. Glue the cover to the book
If you want to attach the cover to the parts of the book that are already glued together, start by gluing the folded cover over the parts of the book that have been glued together.
- Cut two strips of duct tape that are the same length as the book.
- Fold the long side of the duct tape in half, with the adhesive side facing out.
- Open the back of the book and place the folded duct tape down the middle, along the inside of the cover. One side of the tape will be on the inside of the back cover and the other side will be on the outside of the last page of the book.
- Open the front cover of the book. Place a second, folded piece of duct tape on the long side. The adhesive part must face outward. Glue duct tape along the creases on the inside of the cover and the outside of the first page.
- Close the book and press and run your hand along the fold to hold the tape more firmly.
Step 4. Use yarn or ribbon to tie the book
This way, you don't have to staple or tape separate book sections.
- If you are using a cover, place the folded cover over the sections of the book that have been stacked together.
- Use a hole punch to make a hole where the paper will be tied. The holes should be made near the edge of the folds of the book, but not so close to the creases of the back.
- Make at least two holes. You can make more than that if you want, but make sure the holes are evenly spaced for an aesthetically pleasing bond.
- If you are making a book with more than six sheets of paper, punch holes in each section separately. However, make sure to measure the location of each hole so that it is level and neat when all of them are combined.
- For shorter journals, apply decorative pins to all holes.
- Tie a string or ribbon through the hole and make a neat knot. Ropes can be threaded in and out of holes along the entire spine, then tied together. Or you can also tie a knot in a small ribbon through each hole separately, by threading the string through the hole and looping it around the spine.
- For a longer journal, consider tying the entire book together with strong string. The trick, make a hole in each section and sew the needle and thread in and out of the hole until all the parts are tied together.
