Cut 5"x5" boards from pressed cardboard. I used Bienfang illustration board
but any pressed (not corrugated) cardboard that's about 1/16" thick will do.
You'll need enough for the interior pages, plus the front and back cover. Round
two of the corners.
2. Print interior pages
Print 10 1/2" x 5 1/2" images on adhesive paper, one for each pair of facing pages.
The first image will be the inside of the front cover and the first page; the next
is the second and third page, etc. I used Avery full sheet labels for this. The outside
1/4" of the image will be trimmed off, so keep any content away from the edge. Cut
down each sheet to roughly the size of the image.
3. Mount interior pages
Peel of the backing from the first sheet and lay it face down. Place two boards on top,
lining them up with the center of the sheet.
Trim off the excess adhesive paper using a sharp knife.
Continue mounting all interior pages, using the back of the previous page for the
front of the next.
4. Print cover
Measure the thickness of the book so far. It should be about 1/16" x the number of
pages. The size of the image for the front cover will be 10", plus the thickness
of the book, plus any border. The image should be, from left to right, the back
cover, the spine and the front cover. Print the image on adhesive paper.
Crease the paper along the edges of the spine.
5. Mount cover
Peel the backing off the cover sheet and lay it face down. Cut two strips of
heavy paper (card stock), each the width of the spine. Press them onto
the adhesive paper, one along the spine, one next to it on the back cover.
Set the book on the cover, lining up the spine. Wrap the front and back
cover around the book. Trim off any excess paper. When the book is opened,
the cover should pull away from the book along the spine and a narrow strip
of the back cover.
To protect the pages from smudging, cover them with clear adhesive sheets. I used
JM laminating sheets.
