Hello friends! Today let’s learn how to fold a paper into a book! This is called a “Zine” and this mini book or booklet can be made by making one cut and then simply folding a single sheet of paper.
A zine can be made in any size, but the most popular way how to make a zine booklet with A4 paper. You do not staple, paste or sew anything- you simply fold and cut a basic printer paper and voila you have a book!
How to Fold a Paper into a Book Video
This is a super simple craft and you can craft along with me in this How to fold a Paper into a Book Youtube Video. We will make 8 page zines by folding, creasing, and cutting a regular 8.5 by 11 inch letter paper.
How to fold a paper into a book step by step
A step by step tutorial explaining how to fold a paper into a book step by step. There might be 12 steps, but they are all easy!
- Hold a piece of 8.5 by 11 inch printer paper vertically, with the longer sides between your hands as seen in image below.
- Fold in half horizontally and create a crease. Use your finger nail or a bone folder to create a nice sharp crease.
- Fold each of edges inwards again to create quarter folds.
- When you open the folds, your page should have 4 equal portions.
- Now turn the paper 90 degrees and fold the paper in half, this time folding it vertically.
- You will now have 8 equal portions visible with the creases.
- Fold the paper in half horizontally again (as in step 2) and using a sharp pair of scissors, cut a slit quarter over the fold.
- Open the fold to reveal the cut.
- Fold the paper back in half vertically (as in step 5) and insert your finger into the cut out area.
- Gently pull out the paper creases of by the paper cut.
- Fold and press the creases and you will have automatically created the crease of your book/ zine!
- Enjoy filling the pages of your zine with fun photos or art!
The finished booklet measures by 4.25 by 2.25 inches and is often referred as a Mini Zine. Enjoy filling in your zine with doodles, ideas or words. The choice is yours!
Here is how to fold a paper into a book with landscape pages. It is similar to the above tutorial, you fold your A4 paper vertically first instead of horizontal and then follow the same steps till step 5. In step 5 fold vertically instead of horizontally. Similarly your cut will be along the landscape edge and longer in this case.
Creative Zine Ideas:
Here is another creative zine idea using a thicker watercolor paper! For the thicker paper you will need to score your folds heavily and turn the folds to make a book gently so as to not damage the surface of the paper. I added more details onto each page like positive quotes, floral doodles, some white paint designs onto each page.
how to fold a paper into a book
Folding a paper into a book couldn’t be more fun! There is such a aha moment when you figure out the proper zine folding method and make your first book! My kids and I enjoyed learning how to fold a paper into a book and I hope you find this tutorial helpful too. If you are looking for more DIY book making ideas, you can learn how to make a book at home or make an envelope book easily!
