How to Bind Small Books

A small book can be bound easily and cheaply, saving you money.

Book binding is a great way to make your own unique book. Though some methods can be costly, there are cheap (and much easier) methods to book binding. Whether your book is handwritten or typed, do-it-yourself book binding is a nice way to add a finishing touch to a book you have written. Book binding is a nice way to touch up the presentation of your book for sales or just for collection purposes.

Things You'll Need

• Staples
• Hole punch
• Yarn
• Binder clips
• Cotton swabs
• Glue

Instructions

Option One: Staples

1. Organize the pages in numerical order.

2. Add the front and back covers.

3. Use two or three staples on the left side of the book to hold the pages together. If the book is made of pages folded in half, open the book to the middle and staple with the bends of the staple on the inside of the book.

Option Two: Yarn

1. Use a hole punch to make two or three holes on the left side of the book.

2. String a 3- to 4-inch piece of yarn through every hole.

3. Tie the yarn tight enough to keep the pages together, but not too tight. Tying the yarn too tight may bend or even rip the paper.

4. Fashion the remaining yarn into a bow for decoration or trim it off.

Option Three: Glue

1. Hold the pages together with binder clips on the left side of the book.

2. Spread glue with a cotton swab on the side of the book with binder clips.

3. Allow the glue to dry.

4. Apply more glue if the pages are loose.

5. Remove the binder clips when the glue is dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a cover to your book using stock paper. Simply fold the stock paper to fit your book and glue it to the spine.

References

• DIY Bookbinding: Why Print and Bind Your Own Books...