As a professional board book printing manufacturer, I’m always looking for ways to create my own custom books and bookbinding projects. Recently, I’ve gotten really into DIY book boards – blank book covers that you can print and customize however you want.
But when starting out, one of the most confusing things was figuring out what type of printing to use to create my own professional-looking book boards and covers. Can you use a standard desktop inkjet? What about laser printing? And what type of paper or cardstock works best?
After lots of trial and error, I’ve dialed in a printing process that results in gorgeous custom book boards every time. In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through everything I’ve learned.
Should You Use Inkjet or Laser Printing For A DIY Book Board?
The first big decision is whether to use a standard inkjet printer or a laser printer.
Here are the main differences:
- Inkjet printers work by spraying tiny droplets of ink onto the paper. The ink usually contains a water-based solvent that allows it to soak into porous papers.
- Laser printers use static electricity and heat to fuse toner powder onto the paper surface. The toner doesn’t penetrate the paper like liquid ink.
For printing book covers and boards, laser printers have some big advantages:
- Toner is waterproof. This means your prints won’t smear or bleed if they get damp. Some bookbinding glues contain water that can make inkjet prints run.
- Finishes are more durable. Fused toner sits on top of the paper, rather than soaking in. This makes laser prints more scratch and scuff resistant.
- No cockling or warping. Inkjet inks are often absorbed unevenly by paper fibers, leading to slight buckling and waviness known as cockling. Laser printing avoids this.
The only downside is that laser printers can’t print on every type of paper or cardstock. The material needs to be able to withstand the heat of the fuser to avoid scorching. Printers also have limits on the thickness they can accept.
So for book boards, laser printing is my top choice if your printer and cardstock are compatible. But inkjet will work fine too with the right paper and protective finishes.
Choosing The Right Paper And Cardstock For Your DIY Book Board
Now that you’ve decided on a printing method, the next question is:
What paper or cardstock should you use for DIY book boards?
You need a material thick and sturdy enough to function as a book cover, but that’s still printable on your device. Here are my top recommendations:
65-80 lb Cardstock
Cardstock is paper-based media thicker than normal 20-24 lb copy paper. Good light- to medium-weight options for book boards include:
- 65 lb cardstock
- 70 lb cardstock
- 80 lb cover stock
At these weights, the cardstock is thick enough to mimic a book cover, but still thin enough to feed through standard printers. White cardstock also serves as a blank canvas for any artwork or customization.
I like to use 80 lb cover stock in particular – it has just the right balance of durability and printability.
90-110 lb Cardstock
Once you move up to the 90-100 lb range, cardstocks start to push the limits of many consumer printers. But they make incredibly sturdy boards if your printer can handle them.
Options to look for:
- 90 lb cardstock
- 100 lb cardstock
- 110 lb cover stock
For best results, always do test prints with small off-cuts before attempting large projects at these weights.
Alternative Substrates
If even the heaviest cardstocks are too flimsy for your application, consider alternative substrates like:
- Chipboard – Paperboard around 0.01″ to 0.02″ thick. Requires a higher-end printer but makes very durable boards.
- Wood veneer – Ultra thin sheets of real wood. Use adhesive-backed sheets designed for printing.
- Acrylic sheets – Crystal clear synthetic plastic in various thicknesses. Must use specially formulated acrylic inks.
Thicker substrates like these need large format commercial printers. But they let you create truly one-of-a-kind book covers!
Optimizing Print Quality
Once you’ve dialed in compatible paper and printing methods, a few small tweaks can take your print quality from good to gorgeous:
Adjust Printer Settings
Most printers have menu options to optimize for various paper types. Setting your printer profile to match the cardstock loaded usually improves ink/toner adhesion.
You can also enable thicker stock settings to slow print speed – helpful for very heavy cardstocks.
Allow Inks To Fully Dry
Inkjet prints in particular need time to cure and set. Allow your cardstock prints a few minutes rest time before handling to prevent smudging. For best scratch and water resistance, I recommend at least overnight drying before using inkjet prints for book covers.
Seal Prints With Fixatives (Inkjet Only)
Because ink sits on top of the paper surface with inkjets, I like to brush on fixative sprays once prints are completely dry. This prevents ink wear, bleeding, and abrasion down the track.
Always apply fixatives in a ventilated area per safety instructions.
Laminate For Ultimate Durability
For the most durable custom book covers and boards, applying a layer of self-adhesive laminate protects your prints from wear while also enhancing visual pop.
Glossy laminates WORK well, but consider satin or even matte finishes for book covers to avoid overly “plasticy” aesthetics.
Summing Up
Following the tips in this guide will help you achieve stunning results printing your own custom book covers, boards, and jackets – all from the comfort of your home or office.
Whether you prefer the rich saturation of inkjet printing or the durability of laser toner, choosing cards stocks in the 65 lb – 110 lb range gives you printable substrates thick enough for professional bookbinding.
And don’t forget to adjust printer profiles, seal prints, and consider protective laminates or fixatives where appropriate.
With a little trial and experimentation, I know you’ll be pumping out gallery-worthy book covers in no time!
So grab your favorite cardstock, fire up those printers, and let your inner book artist shine! Just be warned – creative DIY bookbinding can get highly addictive.