How to Make a Binder

Binders can be used to hold scrapbook pages, children's artwork or magazine pages for future projects. It can be expensive to run to the office supply store every time you need a new binder. Store-bought binders are unattractive and not especially suited for use in craft projects. You can make a simple binder from materials you most likely already have or that you can purchase at little cost.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Card stock
• Scissors
• Metal brads
• Three-hole punch
• Embellishments
• Glue

1. Cut two pieces of card stock or other heavy paper so that it is 1/4 inch wider than your insert pages on all sides. For example, if you have 8 1/2-by-11 inch insert papers, your card stock needs to be 9-by-11 1/2 inches in size.

2. Punch through the two covers on the side where the spine will be with the three-hole punch. Ensure that the holes on both covers line up exactly when stacked.

3. Punch three holes in each of your insert pages. Most three-hole punches can punch through up to five sheets at one time. Make sure that the holes are in the exact same spot on each page.

4. Embellish the outside of the front cover with stickers, scrapbook embellishments or ribbons. Consider the contents of the binder, and decorate it so that it complements them.

5. Sandwich the insert pages between the two covers and line up the holes on the spine. Place a metal brad through each hole and pull the shaft open on the back side to secure it.

Tips & Warnings

• A sturdier binder can be made of chip board, available at book-binding supply stores. Cover your covers in fabric.
• Make sure your holes line up on all the sheets of paper or your pages will be uneven.

Resources

• Another Method for Making Binders