DIY Paper Binders

Build your own binders for home organization.

Binders hold pages of homework, written reports for work and important information for keeping an organized home. They often have tabs inside that allow you to add new pages between old pages, keeping things up-to-date and convenient.

Sturdy commercial binders may be expensive, but you don't have to go that route. Instead, create your own paper binders with household items.

Things You'll Need

• Card stock
• Sturdy brown paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Spray adhesive
• Colorful paper pieces
• Glue stick
• Brass fasteners
• Hot glue

Instructions

1. Lay a piece of thick card stock out on a flat piece of sturdy brown paper. Brown paper sacks work well for this project, as does brown butcher paper. The thicker your paper, the sturdier the binder.

2. Trace around your card stock with a pencil. Remove the card stock and draw a second outline around the first, leaving a 1 inch space between the two. Cut out the brown paper along your second outline.

3. Spray the card stock with spray adhesive. Center the stock inside the lines of your first outline and press. Smooth the stock with your hands to eliminate bubbles and promote sticking.

4. Snip a diagonal line into each corner of your brown paper. Spray the edges of the paper with adhesive and fold the edges of the brown paper snugly over the edges of the stock. Hold each brown paper edge in place for several seconds to ensure adhesion. Allow the binder to dry overnight.

5. Fold the binder in half, creasing it sharply. Decorate the front of the binder with paper scraps and a glue stick. For a school binder, anything from paper family photos to abstract designs work well. For a more professional look, add a border and cut clean letters out for a binder title. Let all of your work cure overnight.

6. Open the binder. Add three dots of hot glue to the right side of the crease about 1 inch from the top, 2 inches from the first dot and 2 inches from the second dot. Press the round head of a brass fastener into each hot glue dot. These provide the fasteners for your pages.

Tips & Warnings

• Go crazy with your decorating. Use puff paints, glitter, fabric scraps, ribbon and even wax imprints to decorate your binder.

• Create binders for different purposes. Bind self-written stories, handmade photo albums, diaries and recipe books this way.

References

• DLTK Kids: Homemade Binders and Journals
• Michael Shannon: Make a Moleskin Like Notebook
• The Domestic Diva: Create Your Own Kitchen Binder