Introduction to Artist’s Books, Michelle Ray

Accordion Book Instructions

Materials 1 sheet printmaking paper such as Rives BFK

1 sheet decorative cover paper

prepared images and text for cover and content

book board

ribbon or thread that coordinates with the decorative paper

* always make sure your cutting mat and tools are clean!

The Text Block

Cut two strips of printmaking paper approximately 5” or 6" tall (align the grain parallel to the folds will be in

the book). Trim the deckle (the irregular, fuzzy edge at the edge of the paper) from the end of one sheet. Use a

triangle or lines on your cutting mat to ensure the edges are square. Draw a light guide line parallel to the edge

of one of the trimmed edges (approximately 1/4" - 1/2" from the edge).

Using a paper mask, glue up this narrow strip. Use this glue strip to attach the two sheets together. If the paper

has a noticeable front and back, be sure to align both sheets so they match. Now the two sheets are connected

and create one large long sheet.

Fold the sheets in half, using the glued joint as the halfway mark. Crease the folds with your bone folder. Trim

the ends of the folded sheets (using a triangle or cutting mat grid) to make them even. Begin by folding the

sections in half, then half again, to create even accordion pleating. Crease the folds with your bone folder.

The Covers

Measure the cover boards by holding the book block flush to the edges of the board and leaving a space for one

board width on the head and fore edge. Make sure the grain of the board runs parallel to the folds in the text

block. Trace a faint line around the edges of the book block (leaving one board with on two of the four sides)

and use a triangle to square up the edges. Cut the boards using a straight edge and an X-acto blade or sturdy

craft knife. Lightly sand the edges of the board after you have cut them out.

Trace an outline of each of the boards onto the back of a sheet of decorative paper. Make sure the grain of the

decorative paper runs parallel to the folds of the book and matches the grain direction of the boards. Cover the

boards with decorative paper. Apply glue to the area of the decorative paper that will adhere to the board

(always apply glue to the paper, not the board!). Stick the board to the paper, lay a sheet of scrap paper over the

decorative paper and rub with a bone folder to create a smooth bond. Use a straight edge to trim a 1/2" to 1"

border around the board.

Use two scrap pieces of board as a jig to draw a guide for the beveled corners. Cut the bevels with scissors.

Using your bone folder, crease up the cover paper around the edges of the board. Glue up the flaps on the head

and tail and crease the corners with a bone folder. Then glue up the cover paper on the fore edge and spine. Use

bone folder over a sheet of scrap paper to smooth the glue joints. Tap bone folder around corners of book to

soften corners. Attach image to front cover.

Casing in the Book

Glue the front cover one to the text block by applying glue to the end sheet of the text block with a paper mask

(be aware of the orientation of how the book opens).

For the back cover, draw a line running midway across the inside of the cover, parallel to the head and tail, dab

a little glue on this line and attach ribbon. Glue text block in the same as with the front cover. Lay in a press

overnight to let glue set and folds relax