How to Make a Cover for a Book Using Origami

Plastic or paper covers on books are called dust jackets.

Many schools require students to cover their books to protect them from wear. Make origami book covers out of paper that will last the whole semester. Cover school books, novels, journals or even magazines. While origami does not use tape or scissors, it is safer to use a little tape for the book covers so they do not slip off, and you could tear the paper by hand. Decorate the book covers using markers, decorations, paint or anything you choose.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Clear tape
• Ruler
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Lay the paper out on the work surface so any designs are face-down. Place the open book on the paper so it is in the middle.

2. Trace around the entire book with the pencil. You are making an outline of the book on the paper. Remove the book when finished.

3. Measure 2 inches out from the top line. Make a horizontal line across the paper and cut any remaining paper above that line. Repeat with the bottom line on the paper, and cut any remaining paper below the line. The top and bottom of the paper will be now be 2 inches longer than the book.

4. Measure 3 inches out from the side lines on the paper. Make a vertical line down the paper and cut any remaining paper past the line. The sides will now be 3 inches longer than the book.

5. Fold the paper down and along the top line. Make a crease along the edge. Fold the paper up along the bottom line, and make a crease. You are folding the extra 2 inches you measured.

6. Fold along the lines on the sides and make a crease. You are folding the extra 3 inches on the sides. The entire rectangle should now be the correct size of the book. You can test this by placing the open book in the middle of the paper. It should match the size of the paper.

7. Tape the sides and edges of the book cover together using small pieces of clear tape. Place a small piece of tape at the very end of the extra 3 inches on the sides that you folded. Wrap the tape around to the front of the book cover. Do this on the other three ends.

Tips & Warnings

• Slip the covers of the book into the pockets made by folding the sides. The pockets hold the book cover in place.

• Use maps, paper bags, rice paper, wrapping paper, newspaper, pages of books, magazines pages and much more. Decorate the book cover using flat origami designs such as stars, flowers or animals.

• Be careful when choosing the paper for the book cover. A paper that is too thin might tear easily. Sometimes the corners of the book covers will tear because the book corners are pointed. Prevent this by putting tape on the corners once the book cover is finished.

References

• Paper Source: How To Make Paper Book Covers
• Bag It Forward With Elmer's: Recycled Book Cover Tutorial