Ethan Clarke
Covering a notebook with plastic is a great way to protect it from wear and tear. It is a simple process that can be done with a roll of plastic, scissors, and tape. This is especially useful for textbooks or notebooks that you want to keep in good condition. You can purchase plastic covers from bookstores, or you can make your own by measuring and cutting the plastic to fit your notebook, before folding and taping it into place. This guide will teach you how to cover your notebook with plastic, ensuring it stays protected and looks great.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic height | 9 inches (23 cm) to 16 inches (41 cm) |
| Plastic width | 3 inches (7.6 cm) border of extra plastic on each side |
| Notebook dimensions | A standard textbook is 8.5 inches (22 cm) by 11 inches (28 cm) |
| Plastic cover dimensions | 14.5 inches (37 cm) by 17 inches (43 cm) |
| Steps | Cut, fold, tuck, and tape the plastic around the notebook |
| Customization | Decorate the notebook cover before applying the plastic cover |
| Protection | Cover notebooks to protect them during travel |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right plastic roll
When choosing the right plastic roll to cover a notebook, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, the size of the notebook is crucial. Rolls of plastic typically come in heights ranging from 9 inches (23 cm) to 16 inches (41 cm). Therefore, selecting a roll that accommodates the height of your notebook is essential. Measure the width and height of your notebook and choose a plastic roll that is slightly larger to ensure full coverage.
Secondly, the thickness of the notebook matters. The number of pages in your notebook determines its thickness, which is a key aspect when choosing the right plastic roll. A thicker notebook will require more plastic to cover, so opt for a roll with sufficient length to accommodate the thickness.
Additionally, consider the type of plastic roll. There are various options available, such as transparent, coloured, or printed plastic rolls. Transparent plastic rolls are ideal if you want to showcase the notebook's design or your own artwork. Coloured or printed plastic rolls can add a personal touch or style to your notebook.
Furthermore, the quality of the plastic roll is important. Look for premium quality plastic rolls that offer better protection for your notebook. These rolls are more durable and robust, shielding the notebook from everyday wear and tear, bumps, and moisture. Opting for a higher-quality plastic roll will ensure your notebook stays protected and organised.
Lastly, consider the price and availability of the plastic roll. Compare prices from different suppliers to find the best value for your budget. Some suppliers offer a range of plastic rolls at various price points to meet different requirements and budgets. By considering these factors, you can choose the right plastic roll to cover your notebook effectively and aesthetically.
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Measuring and cutting the plastic
To measure and cut the plastic for covering your notebook, start by selecting a roll of plastic that is tall enough to fit your notebook. Rolls of plastic typically come in heights ranging from 9 inches (23 cm) to 16 inches (41 cm). A standard textbook, for example, is generally 8.5 inches (22 cm) by 11 inches (28 cm), so you would need to cut your plastic to be 14.5 inches (37 cm) by 17 inches (43 cm).
Once you have selected the appropriate height for your plastic, lay out the plastic on a hard, flat surface and place your notebook in the centre. Using a ruler, measure 3 inches (7.6 cm) above the top of the notebook and trim the plastic horizontally along that line. Repeat this process for the bottom edge of the notebook, measuring 3 inches (7.6 cm) and then cutting off the excess plastic.
Next, you will need to measure and cut the plastic for the sides of the notebook. Mark and cut 3 inches (7.6 cm) of additional plastic on either side of the book. To do this, lay the notebook right-side up and mark the right edge with a washable marker. Then, flip the notebook onto its spine and mark the left edge.
After you have marked the sides, cut two spinal tabs into the plastic cover. Make a vertical cut about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from where the plastic folds around the spine. Cut right up to the edge of the notebook, being careful not to cut the cover.
Finally, you will need to snip off each corner of the plastic cover at an angle. Bring your scissors up to the corner of the notebook and cut upwards and inwards to remove a triangular piece of plastic. Do this for all four corners of the notebook, discarding the excess plastic triangles.
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Folding the plastic around the notebook
To begin, lay the notebook in the centre of the plastic sheet. You should now have 2 equally-sized flaps of plastic hanging off the top, bottom, and right side of the notebook. Take the front flap and fold it under the front cover of the notebook. Pull it tight and tape it in place. This will prevent the plastic from moving as you work.
Now, take the bottom flap and fold it under the back cover, but do not tape this side yet. Flip the book over and fold the back flap of plastic around the back cover. Again, do not tape this flap. Press down firmly across the creases to ensure the plastic is securely folded around the notebook.
At this point, you can cut two spinal tabs into the plastic cover. Make a vertical cut about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from where the plastic folds around the spine. You can now slide the plastic off the back cover, fold in the spinal tabs, and then slide the cover back on. Finally, fold in the remaining flaps and tape them in place. Try to tape from plastic to plastic, rather than onto the notebook itself, to avoid damaging the cover when you remove the tape.
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Cutting the spinal tabs
To cut the spinal tabs, start by making a vertical cut about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from where the plastic folds around the spine. This will create two spinal tabs. Next, cut right up to the edge of the book's spine, being careful not to cut into the cover. Long, sharp scissors will make this task easier. You want the tabs to be slightly wider than the spine of your notebook. Repeat this process on the other side of the spine, so you have two tabs on each side. Now, you need to cut the inner flaps of plastic. Starting at the top corner of the cover, cut at a slight downward angle to slice off the inner flap. Do the same for the bottom corner, cutting at a slight upward angle. Repeat this process for the front cover.
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Taping the flaps
Preparing the Flaps
Before you begin taping, you should have already cut the plastic to size, with a border of approximately 3 inches (7.6 cm) of extra plastic extending beyond the notebook on all sides. Fold the plastic around your notebook, creating two equally sized flaps on the top, bottom, and right side. The left side, or spine, will have two flaps that will be folded and secured later.
Taping the Front Flap
Take the front flap and fold it under the front cover of the notebook. Pull the plastic tight to ensure a smooth and snug fit. Secure this flap by taping it in place with a piece of tape. Scotch tape is recommended for this purpose. Avoid taping directly onto the notebook, as the adhesive can be difficult to remove later and may rip the paper. Instead, try to tape from plastic to plastic.
Taping the Back Flap
Now, move to the back flap. Tuck the bottom flap under the back cover, but do not tape this side yet. First, flip the notebook over and fold the back flap of plastic around the back cover. Again, ensure the plastic is pulled tight. Do not tape this flap like you did the front. Instead, press down firmly across the crease to create a defined fold.
Securing the Spinal Tabs
The left side, or spine, of the notebook will have two flaps that need to be secured differently. Make a vertical cut in the plastic, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from where the plastic folds around the spine. This will create two spinal tabs. Slide the plastic fold off the back cover, lay the notebook flat, and lift the book slightly to access the spinal tabs. Fold these tabs inwards and press down firmly on the crease.
Taping the Remaining Flaps
Finally, put the cover back on and tuck in any remaining flaps. Fold the plastic back over the back cover and secure the top and bottom flaps with tape. Repeat this process for the front cover, ensuring all four flaps are securely taped in place. Your notebook should now be securely enclosed in plastic, offering protection and durability.
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Frequently asked questions
Rolls of plastic typically come in heights ranging from 9 inches (23 cm) to 16 inches (41 cm). First, select a height that will fit the notebook you plan to cover. A standard notebook is generally 8.5 inches (22 cm) by 11 inches (28 cm), meaning you should cut your plastic to be 14.5 inches (37 cm) by 17 inches (43 cm). Then, measure and cut the plastic 3 inches (7.6 cm) above and below the book.
First, lay out a piece of plastic on a hard, flat surface and place the notebook in the centre. Using a ruler, measure 3 inches (7.6 cm) above the top and trim horizontally along that line. Repeat with the bottom edge of the notebook, measuring 3 inches (7.6 cm) and then cutting off the excess plastic.
Fold the plastic around your notebook so that 2 equally-sized flaps are hanging off the top, bottom, and right side. Fold the front plastic flap under the front cover, pull tight, and tape it in place with a piece of Scotch tape. Tuck the bottom flap under the back cover but do not tape. Flip the notebook over and fold in the back flap of plastic around the back cover.
