How to Make a Durable Plastic Book Cover

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Libraries protect their books with plastic slip covers, but how can you get a few covers when they are available only in bulk? You make one! A good durable book cover is easy enough to make, and with a sheet or two of plastic, you’ll have a protector on your book in no time. We’ll walk you through the steps you to need to make a solid and durable plastic book cover.

Steps

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  1. 1
    Obtain a heavy duty plastic sheet protector or an 8-10 mil sheet of clear plastic. [1]
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    2
    Trim two edges of the sheet protector so that it opens up into a single layer.
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  3. 3
    Lay your book on the plastic and trace its covers and spine. It should make a large rectangle. [2]
  4. 4
    Measure the top, bottom, and both side edges of the book. [3]
  5. 5
    Add two inches to the top and bottom measurement, and three to each side. [4]
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    6
    Crease the top and bottom one inch wide flaps toward the center of the book. Press firmly to create a sharp crease. [5]
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    7
    Fold and crease the 3 inch sections on each side of the book cover in toward the spine. Press firmly to create a sharp crease. [6]
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    8
    Slide your book cover(s) into the pockets formed by the creases. [7]
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    9
    Close the book to check for fit. [8]
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    10
    Tape the inside and outside layers of plastic together along the book's top and bottom edges, taking care not to stick tape to the book.
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    11
    Repeat the process for the other cover with the other end of the plastic.
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    12
    Read your newly protected book!
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      Tips

      • You can use almost any type of clear tape to secure the edges of the flaps to your book.
        Thanks
      • An inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters.
        Thanks
      • 3 mil plastic is too thin and will tear easily. 5 mil is the minimum necessary, and 8 or 10 mil is better. The thicker plastic drop cloths will not be perfectly clear; they will be somewhat cloudy, but you can still read a book's title through them.
        Thanks
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      Warnings

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      Things You'll Need

      • Heavy duty sheet protectors (available in 10 and 25 count packages at most office supply stores or ask at school supplies)
      • Tape, preferably clear
      • Sharp scissors for cutting plastic

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCvD4zDzkJc
      2. ↑ https://www.designmom.com/living-well-4-secrets-to-a-carefully-covered-book/
      3. ↑ https://www.designmom.com/living-well-4-secrets-to-a-carefully-covered-book/
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vcXf3uyfh0
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vcXf3uyfh0
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vcXf3uyfh0
      7. ↑ https://www.dreamalittlebigger.com/post/plastic-canvas-stitched-book-cover.html
      8. ↑ https://www.dreamalittlebigger.com/post/plastic-canvas-stitched-book-cover.html

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Elio Gonella

        Sep 24, 2017

        "Very informative. It helped starting me to take care of certain books that I love."
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