How to Make a Book Press | Sea Lemon

Note from the future: Apologies for the annoying music. This was in my early days, when I wasn't so skilled in editing video... my newer videos are much better, I promise!

Supplies:
• 2 - 9" x 12" Eco Smart bamboo cutting boards
• 2 - 1/4" x 5" carriage screws
• 2 - washers
• 2 - 1/4" wing nuts
• 4 - bumpers

❋ TIP: If you have larger boards you can add two more screws to your press and place them at the four corners. This will help make the pressure more even.

Music credits:
"Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void

Disclaimers: Links above marked with (*) are affiliate links, which means I may earn revenue or credits (at no extra cost to you) via those affiliated sites.

[fabiogenduso]

I made my book press just following this tutorial with the main difference that I preferred to use 4 screws instead of two to guarrantee a more uniform and strong pressure.

[YalaHernandez]

This was TEN years ago!!! You go girl!!!! Thanks for nerding with stationary, and book binding videos!!! Your videos make my day!!!!

[Destothedaa]

I just started bookbinding and have been watching your tutorials like little girls watch Frozen. I just got the materials today for my book press and it works like a wonder. Thank you so much for your cute tutorials! <3 <3

[NikkyKicks]

I've been trying to figure out how to afford a book press and where I'd store one and thank gods I found this. I really like this because I have a very small space I'm working with and, if need be, this looks super easy to disassemble and reassemble for storage.

[ionianc]

Hi, thank you so much for this tutorial. I have just finished making the book press and it seems to work really well. I couldn't find the self-stick bumpers, so I used an old wine cork and cut it into 4 pieces using a Stanley Knife. I stuck them on using super glue. They seem to be working well!

[lawrencediggs]

I have unilaterally designated you as one of my favorite people. Your videos are some of the best instructional videos I have ever seen...and I watch a lot of them. Everything about them, including you, are top notch.

I am working with prison inmates who are writing poetry and making art. Some of them are studying ways to normalize compassion in the prison. We have been looking for ways to make books to help organize our materials. While they are not allowed to have knives and other sharp objects, your videos will be quite helpful in finding what can work. These guys can be quite inventive once they have the concepts down.

Thanks.

[phoenix]

This is the best tutorial. I made a press this weekend, because you made it so easy! I've wanted a press for paper making for a long time but all the directions I see make it seem much more complicated. I never thought to use a cutting board. I got mine on Amazon for $9 each, they're perfect.

[Ceares]

I've been perfect binding sketchbooks and kept looking at your bookpress, like nah, that's way too complicated to make for once in while. Turns out it's super simple, easy and fairly cheep. Will definitely be making one, thanks!

[SeaLemonDIY]

Thanks! If your boards are larger, it might help to use four.

[SarahJaneBrooker]

Thank you for sharing this great tutorial! My husband followed your tutorial but used some thick MDF we had left over from another project. It works great for bookbinding but also for anything you need to glue and hold until it's dry (of course using paper towel to absorb any moisture). Now my junk journals, mini albums, and notebooks look really professional and wrinkle free. Thanks again! 😃

[tylerhale]

Fun fact, you can find something similar used for pressing flowers. So this thing actually has multiple uses! I really like these videos and have a few books waiting for use (because I really just can’t help myself, I made more than I could use) and one use I thought of was pressing flowers and putting them in the book, labeling them if possible and making it like a little herb book. So while looking at ways to press flowers I found a similar thing to this. So you could make one and use it to press your books and then your flowers! I’ll definitely be making one, I probably won’t use cutting boards but I will make one. Thank you so much for the video and tutorial!

[CashflowisContagious]

Excellent video.  Practical and inexpensive.  Exactly what I was looking for,   thank you.

[DavidJoyce]

I just made this today for about USD $25 total in materials. Fantastic tutorial, as all of your tutorial videos are. Thanks!!

[michaelasanford]

I used all of the same supplies. Mine turned out great! Thanks for the tutorial!
Cutting Boards $40. Hardware $5.90. Total cost: $45.90

[JerseyTjej]

I started with the coptic stitch, and kept following the trail backwards! These are excellent and easy tutorials and I thank you for making them so!

[SharitCreations]

I got all my supplies for my book press. My husband is drilling my holes tomorrow. I can't wait to use it. Fortunately he likes book binding.

[mjpete]

It is so nice to find exactly what is needed and still so applicable too! Thanks Jen!

[Nicolette.H]

My husband made me a book press this weekend for under $10 using your tutorial. He used 1/2" MDF and 4 screws, washers and wingnuts. Thank you for sharing.

[OhioWolf]

I can't believe how easy that is! I figured making a book press would be difficult and hard to find the materials. Thanks for uploading this video :)

[eleanorberg]

Thank you for the possibility of an affordable small book press. In this way and with the help of your excellent videos I can begin the projects I have in mind. Just can’t wait and your clear videos, explanations, are making it possible for me. Much appreciated and my thanks for your generous sharing.