How to Create a Paper Bag Book Cover

Co-authored by Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: March 24, 2022 Tested

Covering a book with paper protects the hardcover from wear and tear. If you just don't like to use plastic wrap or fabric covers to cover your books, then a paper bag is a great alternative, and is also environmentally friendly. Using a brown paper bag also allows you to personalize the cover with your own designs and decorations. With just scissors, tape, and some creative folding, you can cover any book.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Preparing the Paper

1
Choose a paper bag to cover your book with. It will need to be at least double the width of your book, so that it can cover both the front and back. It also needs to be 3 in (7.6 cm) taller than the height of your book in order to fit properly.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Cut open your brown paper shopping bag along one seam. Choose either side, rather than the bottom. Be sure you don’t cut both sides, only one. Remove the handles if it has any.

Advertisement
3
Cut off the flaps formed by the bottom of the bag. Don’t cut more than 1 to 2 in (2 to 5 cm). You want one large sheet of paper.
4
Place the book in the center of the paper. Make sure the paper is large enough to cover the book in its entirety. Check that the paper will wrap around the book, covering the front and back.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Covering the Book

1
Wrap the paper up across the bottom of the book. Make a crease along the bottom cover. You can use double-sided tape to secure the fold, if you wish. This will help secure the cover.^{[3]
X
Research source}
2
Place the book on top of the bottom fold so the edges are even. Wrap the paper up across the top of the book. Make a crease along the top cover. Again, feel free to use tape to hold the fold in place. Then, remove the book from the paper.
- Measure the folds. They should be at least 1.6 in (4 cm) in length.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
3
Fold the paper up at the bottom crease and down at the top crease. You should have a strip of paper big enough to cover the book from top to bottom.
- Try not to create new folds on top of preexisting folds in the paper. This will cause your book cover to tear more easily.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
4
Place the book back in the center of the paper. Wrap the paper across the front of the book from left to right and adjust the book position until the two ends of the paper are even.^{[6]
X
Research source}
5
Fold the overlap around the front cover of the book. Make a crease. Then insert the front cover of the book into the slot created by the paper folded over at the top and the bottom. Slide the paper over the book until you hit the crease.
6
Fold the overlap around the back cover of the book. Make a crease. Then insert the back cover of the book into the slot created by the paper folded over at the top and the bottom. Slide the paper over the book until you hit the crease.^{[7]
X
Research source}
7
Stop if the cover fits snugly. If it seems a little loose or the top and bottom folds are not lying flat, you can use small pieces of tape to pull the front and the inside flap together a little more securely.
- Do not tape the paper cover to the actual cover of the book; the paper cover will move a little when the book opens, and you could damage the book cover.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
8
Decorate your book cover, if you like. Remove the book and add stickers, drawings, or designs to the paper. You can add a name tag, or use fancy fonts or scripts to write the title of the book. You can make designs out of paper and attach them with rubber cement or double-sided tape. When you are finished, put the cover back on the book.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I paint it or put decorative paper/fabric on it?

Community Answer

Yes, you can! Just make sure that your paint or glue is very dry before you cover your book so it doesn't become stuck and ruined.
Question

Can I draw on it or will it mess the book up?

Community Answer

You should be able to draw on it, but use a pencil or a pen with that won't bleed through. Don't use Sharpies or other markers. If you want to make sure, put the paper bag down on top of a blank piece of paper and draw something, then check to see if it bled through to the paper.
Question

Can I decorate it with the book inside?

Community Answer

If you do that, you might damage the book that is inside. It's best to decorate before the book goes inside.

Things You'll Need

A book
Paper bag or roll of paper
Scissors
Tape (optional)
Things to decorate your book cover (optional)
Cardboard or clear adhesive covering to put inside to make it durable (optional)