Your First Book Fold: A Complete Guide

Step 1: Choosing Your Book

Not all books are created equal for folding. For your first project, look for a hardback book with:

• At least 400 numbered pages (200 sheets).
• A glued spine (not stitched) which allows pages to lay flatter.
• Good quality, opaque paper that won't tear easily.

Step 2: Understanding Paper Grain

The direction of the paper grain affects how the fold sits. Most modern books have grain running parallel to the spine, which is ideal for crisp folds.

Step 3: Marking the Pages

Using your Foldbook Studio pattern, start at the specified page. Every page in your pattern will have two measurements: a top mark and a bottom mark.

Step 4: The 45-Degree Fold

The most common technique is the "Measure and Fold" method. You simply fold the corners of the page to meet your marks, creating a sharp 45-degree angle.