How to Make Your Own Legal Pad

[mateo44]

Excellent instructions. I'm tempted to make one of these now, just because I can (I think).

 

Here's a thought/question: What if you put chipboard on the top and bottom, and bound it on the left (long) edge. Wouldn't you then have a notebook instead of a legal pad? I wonder if the binding technique described here is durable/flexible enough to handle all the opening/closing?

 

Again, great instructions!

[txinsk]

Excellent instructions. I'm tempted to make one of these now, just because I can (I think).

 

Here's a thought/question: What if you put chipboard on the top and bottom, and bound it on the left (long) edge. Wouldn't you then have a notebook instead of a legal pad? I wonder if the binding technique described here is durable/flexible enough to handle all the opening/closing?

 

Again, great instructions!

 

Generally that is called perfect binding, which I think is ironic, unless it is perfectly simple. That is the binding style of paperbacks. One key thing to consider: too much strain will cause the binding to break. First, the chipboard covers might be too stiff, consider going with a cardstock cover for both sides. Second, from what I have read the binding is not really durable (maybe a high end adhesive might fix some of this), for a legal pad that is fine as it is not meant to last long, just long enough. The technique seems to involve cutting thin notches into the paper and gluing a twine into it as youglue the binding to give it support. I find sewing a good, easy and aesthetically pleasing way of making notebooks, but if you want to do this go for it.

 

Rick

[mateo44]

Excellent instructions. I'm tempted to make one of these now, just because I can (I think).

 

Here's a thought/question: What if you put chipboard on the top and bottom, and bound it on the left (long) edge. Wouldn't you then have a notebook instead of a legal pad? I wonder if the binding technique described here is durable/flexible enough to handle all the opening/closing?

 

Again, great instructions!

 

Generally that is called perfect binding, which I think is ironic, unless it is perfectly simple. That is the binding style of paperbacks. One key thing to consider: too much strain will cause the binding to break. First, the chipboard covers might be too stiff, consider going with a cardstock cover for both sides. Second, from what I have read the binding is not really durable (maybe a high end adhesive might fix some of this), for a legal pad that is fine as it is not meant to last long, just long enough. The technique seems to involve cutting thin notches into the paper and gluing a twine into it as youglue the binding to give it support. I find sewing a good, easy and aesthetically pleasing way of making notebooks, but if you want to do this go for it.

 

Rick

 

Thanks, Rick. I may be out of my depth here. I'll cut my teeth with the legal pads, and maybe I'll move on from there someday.

[txinsk]

Excellent instructions. I'm tempted to make one of these now, just because I can (I think).

 

Here's a thought/question: What if you put chipboard on the top and bottom, and bound it on the left (long) edge. Wouldn't you then have a notebook instead of a legal pad? I wonder if the binding technique described here is durable/flexible enough to handle all the opening/closing?

 

Again, great instructions!

 

Generally that is called perfect binding, which I think is ironic, unless it is perfectly simple. That is the binding style of paperbacks. One key thing to consider: too much strain will cause the binding to break. First, the chipboard covers might be too stiff, consider going with a cardstock cover for both sides. Second, from what I have read the binding is not really durable (maybe a high end adhesive might fix some of this), for a legal pad that is fine as it is not meant to last long, just long enough. The technique seems to involve cutting thin notches into the paper and gluing a twine into it as youglue the binding to give it support. I find sewing a good, easy and aesthetically pleasing way of making notebooks, but if you want to do this go for it.

 

Rick

 

Thanks, Rick. I may be out of my depth here. I'll cut my teeth with the legal pads, and maybe I'll move on from there someday.

 

It always sounds harder and seems more daunting than it really is. The first notebook I made had some issues and, as I was doing it alone, I was never sure how it would turn out. But having some good instructions and a little planning helps. First making a legal pad is a good step and moving on to something bigger next or refining skill is a choice you can make afterwards. Most importantly, have fun doing it!

 

Rick

[mateo44]

Excellent instructions. I'm tempted to make one of these now, just because I can (I think).

 

Here's a thought/question: What if you put chipboard on the top and bottom, and bound it on the left (long) edge. Wouldn't you then have a notebook instead of a legal pad? I wonder if the binding technique described here is durable/flexible enough to handle all the opening/closing?

 

Again, great instructions!

 

Generally that is called perfect binding, which I think is ironic, unless it is perfectly simple. That is the binding style of paperbacks. One key thing to consider: too much strain will cause the binding to break. First, the chipboard covers might be too stiff, consider going with a cardstock cover for both sides. Second, from what I have read the binding is not really durable (maybe a high end adhesive might fix some of this), for a legal pad that is fine as it is not meant to last long, just long enough. The technique seems to involve cutting thin notches into the paper and gluing a twine into it as youglue the binding to give it support. I find sewing a good, easy and aesthetically pleasing way of making notebooks, but if you want to do this go for it.

 

Rick

 

Thanks, Rick. I may be out of my depth here. I'll cut my teeth with the legal pads, and maybe I'll move on from there someday.

 

It always sounds harder and seems more daunting than it really is. The first notebook I made had some issues and, as I was doing it alone, I was never sure how it would turn out. But having some good instructions and a little planning helps. First making a legal pad is a good step and moving on to something bigger next or refining skill is a choice you can make afterwards. Most importantly, have fun doing it!

 

Rick

 

Silicone adhesive purchased. I have the wood and c-clamps. Paper will be purchased tomorrow along with the card/paper board backing (since I'm going to the trouble, I'd like to use something more substantial and rigid than the flimsy stuff found on the back of most cheap pads).

 

Thanks for the encouragement!

[mateo44]

My first pad is currently drying. HP laserjet paper (24#), simple lines (graph pattern next).

 

The spit-on-the-finger method works like a charm -- nice, even coat of silicone along the binding edge. However, I can't escape the feeling that I didn't get enough on there though, even though I applied a second bead along the entire edge.

 

 

My "jogging" skills could use some refinement, too. The binding edge is nice and flat (and square), but the sides aren't perfect. As long as it's functional, I don't care.

 

UPDATE, the following day:: Everything worked great, in the end. One small hitch: consistent with my intuition, I don't think I applied enough adhesive originally. After a few hours, the paper didn't feel firmly enough attached to the chipboard. So, I gobbed more on, leaving a much thicker coat, but smoothing it out with a wet finger. I then let it dry overnight. It's perfect now. So, my advice would be to apply plenty of adhesive and let it set for a good 8 hours.

Edited March 1, 2010 by mateo44

[scribere]

This is a great idea! I do a lot of writing (fiction and poetry) and pads of paper are my best friends when I'm in one of my writing moods.

 

I'll definitely be trying this when I have time - thanks!

[Kellit26]

Awesome ideas! I must try this some time!

[mooshi]

I made a bunch to put into goodie bags for a party I'd had last week. I used Aleene's Tacky Glue and bulldog clips to keep 'em together. Worked wonders. I only let them cure for about 15 minutes. 1 thin coating worker perfectly fine.

[jbb]

I made a bunch to put into goodie bags for a party I'd had last week. I used Aleene's Tacky Glue and bulldog clips to keep 'em together. Worked wonders. I only let them cure for about 15 minutes. 1 thin coating worker perfectly fine.

I made some a quick way too and mine have worked fine as well.

[WanderingAuthor]

Just a totally neurotic niggly "correction" to your instructable (which btw, is totally ace. I haven't tried it yet, but I've seen several other tutorials on a similar process and yours looks easiest. And cheapest, since the others were done by bookbinders using expensive bookbinding materials)

 

that "jog" you're talking about has a name, it's called "blocking". One "blocks" a stack of paper before doing, well, anything to it.

 

Uh, actually, as a former printer... it was called jogging. You could actually get a "jogging machine", which vibrates a stack of paper in a tilted tray in order to level it all up. Yes, I've heard it called blocking as well, but I've never heard anyone in the printing industry call it anything but jogging.

 

I never did get into hand bookbinding (I did make up my share of pads, of course; I even still have padding compound in the basement, if it hasn't gone moldy, which it will do sometimes), so it may be that bookbinders call it blocking and not jogging. So we could both be right. But I just did want to stress that 'jog' is a perfectly respectable term.

[padams2359]

Great post. I little run through a color printer, and will look totally professional.

[USMCMom]

I just found this article ... behind, aren't! LOL Anyway ... I used a full ream of 11x17 inch paper, used Elmer's glue (that's what I had on hand), painted the glue on one long edge, then ran my finger over the glue to make sure it was evenly distributed and let it dry. When the Elmer's was dry, I painted on another layer of glue and allowed it to dry. When finished, I had a huge pad of 11x17 inch paper and I tear sheets off as needed. Works great for me, at least.

Edited February 8, 2012 by USMCMom

[jbb]

I just found this article ... behind, aren't! LOL Anyway ... I used a full ream of 11x17 inch paper, used Elmer's glue (that's what I had on hand), painted the glue on one long edge, then ran my finger over the glue to make sure it was evenly distributed and let it dry. When the Elmer's was dry, I painted on another layer of glue and allowed it to dry. When finished, I had a huge pad of 11x17 inch paper and I tear sheets off as needed. Works great for me, at least.

I think any of the white glues like Elmer's work. I use homemade pads all the time now.

[USMCMom]

I just found this article ... behind, aren't! LOL Anyway ... I used a full ream of 11x17 inch paper, used Elmer's glue (that's what I had on hand), painted the glue on one long edge, then ran my finger over the glue to make sure it was evenly distributed and let it dry. When the Elmer's was dry, I painted on another layer of glue and allowed it to dry. When finished, I had a huge pad of 11x17 inch paper and I tear sheets off as needed. Works great for me, at least.

I think any of the white glues like Elmer's work. I use homemade pads all the time now.

 

Yes, you're right and Elmer's is, needless to say, very inexpensive!

[OleOle]

Very interesting and helpful thread, thanks.

 

[Guest Ray Cornett]

Another thread to revive

I have seen similar instructions and actually saw these instructions a while back through Google before I found FPN. I saw one lady who did it the same way but used Gorilla glue and I believe she said it even holds up to folding the pages over. But with Gorilla glue you wet the end of the paper you will be adding glue to first then apply the glue. I will have to give both methods a shot.