How to Use a Bookplate

Bookplates are a great and creative way to put your mark on your personal book collection. The process of designing a bookplate can be fun, too. Commission graphic designers and professional printers to create and print the bookplates that announce to bibliophiles that you own the book they're perusing.

Instructions

1. Determine the size of bookplate you need to use on your book. Large book plates are reserved for larger hardback books with many illustrations and lengthy poetry collections. Medium bookplates are designed to use with the books that have few pictures such as the average paperback and hardback novel. Small bookplates should only be used with thin, small books with no illustrations or pictures.

2. Browse the Internet for bookplate design ideas. When looking at other bookplates, it's best to get an idea of what you don't want. The goal, when searching for bookplate ideas, is to come up an original idea.

3. Find professionals that design and print bookplates.

4. Customize a bookplate. Give the professional a general idea of how you'd like your bookplate to look. Allow him the creative freedom to come up with some interpretations of your idea. Choose the best one and have it printed.

5. Apply methyl cellulose to the back of the bookplate. Use a small foam roller or an acrylic brush for even distribution.

6. Center and affix the bookplate on the inner cover of the book. Bookplates should be easily visible and parallel to ends of the book. Use a finger to smooth out any air bubbles. Clean around the edges of the bookplate and make sure that no excess adhesive remains. Excess adhesive may cause the pages of the book to stick to the book's cover.

7. Speed up the adhesive drying process by applying an item that can absorb extra moisture on top of the bookplate. Reemay or blotter paper will suffice. Place a piece of wax paper over the Reemay or blotter paper, close the book and stack other books on top of it so that the bookplate will set.

8. Examine the book the next day to make sure the bookplate has adhered.

9. Shelve the book.

Tips & Warnings

• You should only use book plates on books that you don't plan to sell. Putting bookplates on books decreases their value.