Table of Contents
Required Tools
Book
You will need a hardcover book that is at least 21 cm in height. It’s essential that the book has a hard cover as a paperback book won’t have the strength to hold up your design. Make sure the book’s spine is securely attached as it may cause the pages to fall out or your image to be distorted. When looking at your book pages, make sure they are all flush and even together. Flip through the pages of the book to make sure there are no pictures or graphics that may cause inconsistencies in the look of your folded book. It’s best to choose a book that has only text and no other design elements (such as a banner for the first page in each chapter). The length of your book will depend on the pattern you are using. Each pattern will tell you how many pages the book needs to be.
- Height: 21 or 23 cm
- Type: Hardcover
- Page Length: Varies with each pattern
Ruler
- Size: 30 cm (12 inch)
- Style (optional): T-ruler
- The guide on top will help you align the ruler with the page to make your marks more accurate.
Creasing Tool
You may want a tool to help crease the pages as you are folding. It will help your folds stay tight which will help to reduce any image distortion. Many people use a bone folder, but my preferred tool is a thumb pick. You can also use your thumb nail, but that may not work well for everyone (ex. if you have really long/short nails, sensitive fingers, nail polish that may rub off on the book, etc.).
- Bone Folder:
- Pros: works well and easy to find/purchase
- Cons: can slow down your folding as you will be picking up and setting down the tool between each page
- Finger Nail:
- Pros: free and always have it with you
- Cons: wears down your finger nail, long nails may break, and nail polish can rub off on pages
- Thumb Pick:
- Pros: works well and you don’t have to pick up and set down the tool between pages as you do with a bone folder
- Cons: there is a learning curve for using the tool properly, but I think it is well worth it if you’re going to be folding many books
Pencil
You will need a pencil with a fine tip. I find that mechanical pencils work best as they give the most accurate marks possible. I use a .5mm pencil, but other sizes will work fine.
- Size: 0.5 or 0.7 (mm)
- Style: Mechanical
Page Tie
You will need something to tie back your pages as you fold. A paper weight or a very large rubber/elastic band works well. The pages tend to want to fold back on you and get in the way of your work. If you’re going to be folding several books, you may want to invest in a book folding stand.
- Paper Weight:
- Pros: easy to find something around the house
- Cons: doesn’t always stay put. Especially as you get further along in your book. You will have to use both hands, one to pick up the weight and the other to slide the page under
- Elastic Band:
- Pros: holds pages back well
- Cons: can be hard to find a band that is large enough. You will have to use both hands, one to hold the band and the other to slide the page under
- Book Folding Stand:
- Pros: holds pages back well. Quick and easy to slide the pages under the rod with one hand
- Cons: they can be costly
Finding Your Book
Book Spine
Open your book, holding it by both sides of the cover, and look at the spine. The pages should all be attached to the binding. Hold your book towards you as if you were reading. There shouldn’t be any drooping of the pages.
Book Pages
Close your book, look at the edge of the pages. They should be mostly even and smooth when you run your finger over them. It’s okay if they are a little bumpy, but the smoother the better.
Book Contents
Flip through your book to make sure that it is mostly text only. Any image or design element (such as a banner for the first page in each chapter) will create inconsistencies in your folded book.
Finding Your Starting Page
Calculating Your Starting Page
Since your book is not likely to have the exact number of pages you need for your pattern, you will need to calculate your starting page. This will center the design in your book. I have a starting page calculator if you don’t want to do the calculation manually.
- Last Numbered Page: Flip to the end of the book and find the last numbered page and write that number down.
- Extra Pages at End: If there are any pages after that, add them to the total making sure to count each sheet of paper as 2 pages (because each sheet has a paged number on both the front and back of the sheet).
- Extra Pages at Beginning: Flip to the beginning of the book and count any additional pages that are before page 1. These would be any pages that are un-numbered or have roman numerals. Again, counting each sheet as 2 pages.
- Total Pages: Add Last Numbered Page, Extra Pages at End, and Extra Pages at Beginning.
- Total Pages Required for Pattern: The number of pages in your pattern. Many patterns will give you the number of folds, so you will need to multiply the number of folds by 2.
- Number of Unnecessary Pages: Subtract the number of Pages Required for Pattern by the Total Pages.
- Starting Page: Divide the Number of Unnecessary Pages by 2.
| Example: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Last Numbered Page | 356 | |
| Extra Pages at End | + | 4 |
| Extra Pages at Beginning | + | 10 |
| Total Pages | = | 370 |
| Total Pages Required for Pattern | – | 340 |
| Number of Unnecessary Pages | = | 30 |
| divide by 2 | / | 2 |
| Starting Page* | = | 15 |
* this is not the numbered page 15, but rather 15 pages from the beginning of the book. This is to account for the un-numbered pages in the beginning. If you want to calculate the numbered page you should start on, take the Starting Page from above (15) and substract the Extra Pages at Beginning (10) which equals 5. So, in this example, you would start on the page that has 5 printed on the corner of the page.
Marking Your Book
Ruler Alignment
Start by aligning your ruler to the top and far right side of your page. This is where a T-ruler comes in handy as it allows you to make sure the ruler is perfectly parallel with your page. If you have a standard ruler, just try to make the top of the ruler as flush with the top of the page as best you can.
- Alignment: Align ruler to the top right hand corner of your right page.
Mark the Measurements
Place a mark by each measurement for that page. Once you’ve marked the page, flip to the next page and be sure to put a checkmark next to the page if using a printed PDF. Continue marking each page until you have marked the entire pattern.
Folding Your Book
Book Orientation
Open to the page that has the first mark. Face the book so that the marks are closest to you.
Make Your Folds
Place the ruler to the left of the right-most mark and fold the page back until it is flush with the ruler. Use your left index finger to pinch the page down while you crease the page with your fingernail or bone folder. Then, place the ruler to the right of the left-most mark and repeat the process.
Tie Back the Page
Tuck that folded page under your paper weight, elastic band, or stand, and repeat the process until you have folded every page that has marks on it.
Enjoy Your Book!
