Make a Duct Tape Book Cover

Forget covering your books with boring brown paper bags or contact paper. You can create a duct tape cover for your own books in your own unique style! Duct tape covers are much sturdier, and you can decorate them however you'd like. If the books are standard size, you can even reuse your homemade covers again and again.

Steps

Using Duct Tape

  1. Measure your book. Use a ruler to measure the height of your book. Next, measure the width of your book, from cover to cover—this includes the spine as well. Add 6½ inches (16.51 centimeters) to the width and ¼ inch (0.64 centimeter) to the height. Write these numbers down and save them for later.[1]
    • This method works great for soft cover books. It can also be used for hardcover books and text books.
    • Another optional, easy way to determine your cover size is to trace your book onto paper, and add the flaps along the outside of your tracing.
  2. Cut your duct tape according to the width that you wrote down. It would be a good idea to cut them a little bit longer than you need to. This way, you can cut down any unevenness at the end and get the exact size you need.[1]
  3. Make a duct tape fabric sheet.[1] Lay down the duct tape strips side by side with the long edges touching. Overlap each strip by about ½ inch (1.27 centimeters). Keep laying down overlapping strips until the fabric is the height of your book (plus the extra ¼ inch (0.64 centimeter).
    • It would be easiest to work on top of a cutting mat. This way, you can peel the sheet off when you are done.
    • If you don't have a cutting mat, you can work on top of a large sheet of wax paper--just be sure to tape down the edges so that it doesn't slide around!
  4. Flip the duct tape fabric over. Carefully peel the duct tape fabric off of the cutting mat. Flip it over so that the sticky side is showing.
  5. Apply more duct tape to the back, staggering the pieces. Lay down your first strip about ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) above the top edge. Continue laying down strips of duct tape, overlapping them by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters). Extend the last strip ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) past the bottom edge. The seams between the pieces will be offset, thus reducing bulk.[1]
  6. Fold the excess tape over the edges. Flip your duct tape fabric over once more. Fold the excess tape at the bottom and top edges down onto the front of the duct tape fabric.[1]
  7. Trim the side edges of your fabric. Use a metal ruler and a craft blade to cut down the side edges until your cover is the right width. This includes the entire width of your book plus the additional 6½ inches (16.51 centimeters). If you don't have a metal ruler and craft blade, use a ruler and marker to draw a cutting line, then cut the fabric with scissors.
  8. Fold the duct tape fabric around the book. Wrap the duct tape fabric around the front cover, spine, and back cover. There will be about 3¼ inches (8.26 centimeters) of excess duct tape fabric on each edge. Fold this excess duct tape fabric over the edges of the cover and onto the inside.[1]
  9. Crease the flaps. Slide the book out, but keep the excess duct tape folded inside. Run your fingernail along the folds to make a crease. This will give you a nice, crisp finish and make your cover look neater.
  10. Cut strips of duct tape in half. Measure the height and width of your book cover. Cut two strips of duct tape according to those measurements. Cut each strip in half lengthwise. This will make the bindings for the edges.
    • You can use the same tape as before or a coordinating color/pattern.
  11. Bind the top and bottom edges. Lay down the long strips of tape along the top and bottom edges—keep the flaps folded down. Make sure that half of each strip extends over the top and bottom edges. Flip the cover over, and fold the excess tape down onto the inside.[1]
  12. Cut slits into the tape binding the flaps. Your top and bottom bindings are covering the edges of the side flaps, preventing them from opening them all the way. Cut through the tape in these areas so that you can open the flaps all the way. Do not cut through the actual cover, however.[1]
  13. Bind the inside edges of the flaps. Take one of your short strips of duct tape and turn it so that the sticky side is facing you. Slide it under one of the flaps so that half of it is visible. Run your finger along the inside edge of the flap, then fold the excess tape down onto the front. Repeat for the other flap.[1]
  14. Reinforce the corners. Cut two short strips of duct tape, then cut each one in half. Fold the tape over the corners. You can match them up with the top and bottom bindings, or you can set them down at an angle.[1]
  15. Slip the cover onto the book. Your book is now ready to use!

Using Paper and Duct Tape

  1. Cut open a paper bag. Get a paper grocery bag and cut down one of the corners to the bottom. Cut out the bottom panel and discard it. Pull off the handles and discard them as well. When you are done, you should have a long rectangle.
    • This method works best for text books.
    • If this is for a smaller book, you can use a paper lunch bag or even a sheet of brown craft paper. Make sure that it is wider than your opened book.
  2. Fold the bag until it is the same height as your text book.[2] Place the bag on the table and turn it so that one of the long edges is facing you. Set your text book down next to the bag. Fold the top and bottom edges of the bag until it is the same height as your book.
    • You can tape these flaps down or cut them off.
    • You will be covering the bag with duct tape. It does not matter which side is facing up.
  3. Open the book and set it down on the bag. The bag will be much wider than the book, which is good. Make sure that there are equal amounts of paper bag to either side of the book.
  4. Fold the sides of the bag over the front and back covers.[2] Turn all of the pages of your book to the left so that the back cover is showing. Fold the paper bag over the back cover. Make a crease, then turn all of the pages to the right. Fold the paper bag over the front cover and make another crease.
    • If the paper bag flaps get in the way of the binding, trim them back a little. It's okay if they touch the binding, but they shouldn't squash against it.
    • Keep your book open with the inside of the front cover visible.
  5. Tear off a few strips of duct tape that are taller than your book. Aim to make them 2 to 4 inches (5.08 to 10.16 centimeters) taller than your book. You will be wrapping them around the top and bottom edges of your book cover.
    • You can use solid-colored duct tape or patterned duct tape.
  6. Place the first strip vertically across the left flap. Align the edge of the duct tape with the inside edge of the flap. Make sure that there are equal amounts of duct tape sticking over the top and bottom edge of the book cover.
  7. Fold over the excess duct tape. Simply push the top and bottom duct tape flaps down onto the front of the text book. Do not trim them off. They are what holds the flaps in place!
  8. Continue laying down strips of duct tape onto the flap. Overlap each strip slightly and fold the excess tape over the top and bottom edges.[2]
  9. Bind the side edge. If your last strip extends past the edge of the cover, fold it over onto the front cover, then trim off the excess tape at the top and bottom. If your last strip is even with the edge of the cover, lay down another strip of tape so that it extends past the side edge of the cover. Fold the excess back onto the front of the cover. Trim off any extra at the top and bottom. This will make your cover stronger and prevent wear and tear.
  10. Repeat the previous steps for the right flap. Turn all of the pages to the left so that the inside back cover is visible. Tear off more strips of duct tape. Lay them down across the back flap, overlapping each one slightly. Fold the excess tape over the top and bottom edges of the cover. Remember to bind the side edge!
  11. Remove the cover from the book. You may have to bend the covers back slightly in order to pull the cover off. Set the book aside when you are done.
  12. Begin covering the front of the book cover. Lay down a strip of duct tape along the left and right edges first. Make sure that they are aligned and don't extend past the edge. Fold the excess tape over the top and bottom edges of the cover.
  13. Continue covering the front of the book cover. Use the same method as you did for the side flaps. Remember to overlap each piece of tape slightly.[2] For a more professional touch, work your way inward from the left and right side. Finish by laying down a strip of duct tape along the center, right where the spine is.
  14. Cut slits into the flaps, if needed. There is a chance that the duct tape at the front covered the inside edges of the flaps. This will prevent them from opening all the way. Flip the cover so that the inside is visible. Look at the left and right flaps. If the tape is right over the inside edge, cut a slit into it so that you can open the flap all the way.
  15. Slip the cover back onto the book. Your text book is now ready to use!



Tips

  • Practice with an old book first, in case you mess up.
  • It can help to weigh the book down overnight with some heavier books to help the cover mold to the book so that it stays shut.
  • Make sure you clean the edges of your scissors when you are finished to remove bits of glue that may have stuck on to them from the tape.
  • Use letter stickers to write the subject on the front cover.
  • Cut a strip of duct tape in half, then use the strips to bind the edges.
  • Add a pocket. Cut some paper down to the size you want. Cover it with duct tape. Tape it to one of the inside flaps. Use the back cover for larger pockets.
  • Lay down a short strip of tape across the front cover. Write the subject of the class on the strip.
  • Cut fun shapes out of strips of duct tape, then decorate your cover with them.

Things You'll Need

Using Duct Tape

  • Book to cover
  • Ruler or measuring tape
  • Scissors
  • Cutting mat

Using Paper and Duct Tape

  • Book to cover
  • Ruler or measuring tape
  • Scissors
  • Paper bag

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 http://www2.fiskars.com/Ideas-and-How-Tos/Crafting-and-Sewing/Creations-for-Kids/BTS-notebook-covers
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy8Hdhw-7eE
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