08/18 DIY / Printables

DIY Grid Notebook Covers- Free Printable

diy-black-and-white-grid-notebook-cover-free-printable

In light of back-to-school, and for anyone who understands the joy of a pretty notebook (all of us, I assume), we’re going back to the nostalgic art of making paper book covers.  I still remember learning how to do this from my teacher in junior high with kraft paper and it’s why I know how to do this, so the tutorial in this post is really an updated version of that.  I’ve also partnered with my friends at Canon to give you this free printable grid paper to use in either black or white (downloads are at the end of the post!)  

Canon iP8700I used my Canon PIXMA iP8720 Crafting Printer to print on a lager size 13×19″ matte photo paper.  This paper is somewhere in between regular paper and card stock, which makes it nice and sturdy for the purpose of becoming a notebook cover.  I also printed it borderless so every inch of the paper can be used.

grid paper

trace

Lay the notebook flat open on the back side of the grid paper and trace around the edges.

pencil

Extend the lines at each corner of the rectangular tracing at least an inch out.

template

Cut at least an inch around the rectangular tracing and cut out the boxes at each corner, and you should end up with a template like this.

For the next steps, you can either use Mod Podge or Washi tape.  Mod Podge has more longevity, but the temporary state of Washi is what I like about it.  It’s also less messy, more forgiving, and doesn’t require you to hold it in place to dry for a bit like Mod Podge does.

washi tape

Fold the paper over the edge on the side and tape it down with Washi tape.

extend

Before doing the same on the top and bottom, mark the total thickness of the notebook pages on the grid paper and extend the lines straight out, then cut down these lines.

corner cutCut off each corner of the paper before folding it over.

fold

This creates a clean overlap at the corners like seen above.

cut

You’ll have this remaining sliver of grid paper left over at the top and bottom of the notebook, which if there’s space between the paper and the spine of the notebook you can slip this into there, but if there isn’t then just cut it off.

Grid notebooks DIY- free printables

DIY white grid notebook cover- free printable

DIY black grid notebook cover- free printable

DIY grid notebook cover- free printable 2

Free printable DIY grid notebook cover

If not for notebooks, this can work for books around the home if you’re looking to unify or use them as decor, or these would absolutely work for wrapping paper as well.  Really there are a lot of things you can do with this printable actually, it’s paper after all!  Get the 13×19″ white grid here or the black grid here.

 

 

 

CSI_MasterLogo_Black_CMYKThis post is in partnership with Canon.  All ideas, content, and opinions are always my own.  Thank you for supporting brands that help bring fun ideas for you to discover and try!

 

8 comments on “DIY Grid Notebook Covers- Free Printable”

  1. This DIY is amazing! All your DIY Ideas are just gorgeous. Sometimes I wish I could be this good at DIYs like you, too.

    Best wishes!

  2. Hi! I love this print, thanks for sharing it with everyone! Just wondering where you got your cute little paper clips from…I’m in a minimalistic phase! ;)

    1. You’re welcome, Ella! You can find the paper clips here. Quick note- I somehow got these for $1 each at a store in San Diego and had no idea these retailed for so much… I lucked out!

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