Binding Your Own Book at Home

Glue Pages Together

1). Use a bone folder to fold sheets in half. Gather the sheets of paper you’re binding into a book. Fold each one in half. You want the text or picture on the papers on the inside of the fold.
2). Secure the pages of the book. Place double-sided adhesive on your first page. Smooth out the adhesive using your bone folder. Remove the protective backing the adhesive. Line the second page, then secure it to the first page. Repeat the process until you’ve glued all the pages together.
3). Cover the spine with glue. Position the folded pages on a flat surface. Allow the spine of the pages to hang off the surface approximately 1/4-inch. Put several heavy books on top of the folded pages. Use Jade glue to coat the spine. Wait approximately 15 minutes to allow time to dry. Repeat the gluing process five times. Place headband tape on both sides of the spine.

1). Make the book cover's interior. Set the open pages onto the binder’s board. Trace around the pages using a pencil; add approximately 1/4 inch to the outline. You need the extra height. Remove the open pages. Use a craft knife to cut the two rectangles from the binder’s board. Cut the book’s spine from the binder’s board. Make the spine the same height as the cover, and with enough room for the pages and two covers.
2). Attach the book cover’s exterior. Place the canvas on a flat surface, then position the binder’s board covers and spine on top. Use a pencil to trace around the cover and spine; add about 1 inch around the entire outline. Cut the canvas according to the outline you traced and an ellipse, or curve, out from each corner. With a paintbrush, spread glue onto one binder’s board, then attach to the canvas. Repeat the process for the spine and second cover.
3). Affix scrap paper to the inside cover. Brush a layer of glue along the extra inch of canvas — on all sides — then fold it onto the board. Use the bone folder to secure the edges and corners. Spread glue on the scrap paper, then affix to the back end page, or the one facing up when all the pages are closed. Repeat for the other side.
4). Let dry for about two hours. Place heavy books on top of your book.