How to Design Original Book Covers: DIY Bookbinding Tutorial

This video follows the basic process I use to design original cover art for the books I re-bind. I understand that not everyone will have access to some of the exact tools I use, like Adobe Illustrator or Cricut Design Space, so I have tried to keep my comments general enough to apply to whatever technology you have access to. If you do have Illustrator, here are some links to more detailed tutorials by other YouTubers that will help you execute some of the things you see me do in the video:

If you are interested in any of the supplies I feature, click the link below for a one-stop shop on my Amazon storefront. Buying there doesn't cost any extra and it helps to support the channel!

0:00 Introduction
0:49 Beginning With the End in Mind
3:31 Basic Cover Layout
4:37 Designing Cover Art
7:18 What About Series?
8:00 Technical Considerations
10:12 Conclusion

[lucyricardo]

I wish this video was like 10 hours long. It's wonderful to see everything come to life

[Cdiddy]

You have got to be the coolest dork I have ever seen and I love it. Your videos are incredibly valuable and you are a remarkably unselfish person and skilled communicator. Thank you.

[AnnaDumbledore]

Thanks, now I have to go rebind every book in my house, so they'll match.

[Darbuinsito]

Please do a video showcasign all of your re-binded books! And talk a bit about them kind of like you did in this video. I'm truly delighted.

[cheyenneb]

i don't actually have the resources to do this but i am going through a hard time and for some reason this tutorial is very soothing. i like the way you explain stuff.

[hugh_dancy]

ok wow, so like i just started getting into bookbinding and this is highkey such an educational and also inspirational video. really informative and frankly your end products look STUNNING. this gives me so much hope as a beginner bookbinder, i cannot WAIT to absorb the rest of your videos. thank you !!

[AloysiaTea]

Your book binding is amazing and your video editing style is so fun and charming I find myself giggling a bit a fair number of times each video, thank you!

[alwayscensored]

I have 200 boxes of mostly paperbacks, I think I have found a new lifetime hobby.

[chelseashepard_]

Okay so this is just an absolutely AMAZING video. You should be a teacher or something. It was executed with perfection, even down to the video editing and humor. You need an award for this. Wonderful job.

[sac]

Man this is impressive!
I love the design for your Star Wars collection! It just shows much love for the craft you have

[MadwomanGaming]

This video was incredible, I love hardcover books and am in the process of converting all my cheap softcover amazon books to have their own unique hardcover. Your designs are so pretty!!

[natecus]

This video has started a new fun hobby for my wife and I, thank you!

[smorrebrodpunk]

I stumbled over your videos a few days ago and am obsessed! As someone just starting out on their book binding journey, I really feel like you have a good sense of what is possible even without all the fancy tools (apart from the plotter maybe) and how to "cheat the system" a bit with vinyl and all that. And I love all the results! Especially the Star Wars and Narnia books!

Have you ever considered uploading or selling your book-cover and -spine designs for all the people who have absolutely no talent for designing?

[coachsmith]

Great video!! One of the most helpful and concise tutorials I’ve seen yet while falling down this diy bookbinding rabbit hole. Love the clear and direct info, the simple animations to illustrate your points, and all of the helpful design ideas from all of your covers that you’ve done. Thank you for taking the time to make this one. New sub here and I’ll be watching your other vids as well. Thank you!

[Bluepheonix]

Most detailed tutorial on vynil cut book cover designs!! Thanks!!

[dancefully]

Dude, you are amazing!! Your design skills are just wow!

[TheFrostwind]

Wow! Not only is the art of this hobby incredible, but the videos you make are so informative and masterfully edited. Idk if I will ever actually perform this art myself, but just watching these videos is a delight. I just had to say awesome job!

[jenglish]

7:12 oh wow. When you put the Lionhead right in the center and it fit perfect oh yes right there fits so perfect! You are awesome at binding!

[reinaldoalencar]

Your videos are amazing and I am simple obsessed with this channel! Can´t stop watching!

[daneryta]

You did an amazing job!!! Again, I'm always impressed of your skills and how you can explain so easy and simple to understand. Thank you for your hard work, for showing others your talents!
I'm so proud of you, as always 😘❤