Build this book press before you start bookbinding

Want to start bookbinding without investing in an expensive press right away? In this video, I’ll show you how I made a simple DIY wooden book press using kitchen boards, bolts, and a few affordable hardware store supplies. It’s a sturdy and beginner-friendly solution that works really well for pressing book covers, signatures, and handmade books at home. I really like projects like this because they show that you don’t need professional equipment to start making books — simple materials and a bit of creativity are completely enough. Measurements and materials - 2 wooden or bamboo boards: mine are each 20x30 cm large and 2 cm thick, but you can of course use other sizes - 2 long bolts, mine are size 6 (diameter) and 8 cm long each - the bolts have to be at least 2-3 cm longer than the combined thickness of both boards plus the thickness of the nut - 2 regular nuts to fit on the bolts (here size 6) - 2 wing nuts to fit on the bolts (here size 6) With a press in this size and with these bolts, your maximum thickness of a book which can be pressed is about 3 cm, and you can press something of a minimum thickness of 0,5 cm (that's how thick the nuts are). If you need to press thicker books, you'll have to use longer bolts, so for example 10 cm bolts. The size of the press inside the four bolts is about 23x14 cm, so this is the maximum size of the book covers that you can press with this one. My other easy (brick) book press: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM14I-K1Rig&list=ULxiVu34rtURk Watch my bookbinding essentials playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_mNX1eQb4y4VxwffnAR7xiVu34rtURk- -------------------- Find some of the products that I use for bookbinding & paper crafts here: https://amzn.to/3NewXdA - This is an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy through this links, I earn a little commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you! -------------------- Connect with me here: Blog (DIY and travel, in German): https://missredfox.de Shop (handmade notebooks, stationery & paper gifts): https://missredfox.etsy.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_missredfox_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missredfox Pinterest: https://pinterest.de/missredfox -------------------- Chapters: 0:00 intro 00:12 welcome & what you'll learn (making a wooden book press) 00:31 finished DIY wooden book presses 01:11 tools & materials needed 01:39 about kitchen boards 02:19 clamping the boards together 02:56 marking the corners 03:07 drilling the holes 04:26 assembling the press 06:45 how to use the book press 07:26 brick press alternative 07:36 thank you / outro -------------------- About this channel: Welcome to missredfox Paper Art, a channel dedicated to bookbinding for beginners, DIY notebook making, and creative paper crafts. Here you’ll find step-by-step bookbinding tutorials including Japanese stab binding, coptic binding, and easy bookbinding techniques you can do at home. Learn how to start bookbinding, discover the best bookbinding tools and materials, and follow beginner-friendly guides to create your own handmade notebooks, journals, and sketchbooks. I also share DIY stationery ideas, aesthetic paper crafts like origami and papercuts, and easy paper craft tutorials for beginners. From handmade notebooks and journals to creative paper projects, each video is designed to be simple, practical, and accessible - even if you have no experience. If you’re interested in bookbinding at home, paper crafts for beginners, and aesthetic DIY projects, this channel will help you learn new skills and create beautiful, handmade pieces. Do you love cozy, aesthetic, and hands-on creativity? Then this channel will help you slow down and enjoy the process of making something by hand. ✨ Subscribe and start your journey into paper art with my bookbinding tutorials, DIY notebook ideas, journal making, and paper craft inspiration - no experience needed! -------------------- Music: "This little happy royalty free music is all about having some fun!" by frequentlyaskedmusic (Luca Tomassini), licence from depositphotos by vistaprint, file ID 412257164 #missredfoxpaperart #bookbinding #beginnerbookbinding #bookbindingforbeginners #diybookbinding #papercrafts #howtomakeanotebook #howtobindabook #diybookpress