How to Create Page Protectors For Art Journals

Mixed media artists who use art journals frequently for personal use, experimenting or other projects know the struggles associated with working with wet media on pages. This is a basic idea covering how to protect the pages on either side of the page spread being worked on.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Art journal
• Waxed paper
• Scotch or painters tape
• Scissors

1. The journal pictured here is 9 inches by 12 inches. Open the art journal out flat, to the center of the book. This will provide a guideline necessary for cutting out the waxed paper.
2. This waxed paper will hold up to frequent page turning and use. Roll out the waxed paper as though it were going to be used as a book cover for the journal and tear the piece off. Cut the waxed paper in half.
3. An example. Cut the waxed paper so it’s the same height as the book. Attach one piece to the front cover and one piece the back cover. There should be a page width’s worth of extra waxed paper hanging off the edge of each cover.
4. An example of a page being worked. The waxed paper is slightly pulled out only for the sake of this example. Fold the waxed paper into the book so it’s flush with the cover. Each time the book is opened to a page spread, sandwich the waxed paper between the pages underneath the spread to protect them from being damaged when wet media is applied.

Tips & Warnings

• Using painter’s tape will provide better results when the waxed paper is removed after the journal is filled.
• The waxed paper’s edges don’t have to be cut perfectly clean, so don’t stress over this detail.
• Issues with other adhesive tapes have caused slight markings around the edge of the journal’s cover.
• Allowing pages to dry before turning to another is still necessary so the work doesn’t bleed into facing pages.