Harry Potter Book/Paper Prop Tutorials, Photos + Complete Advanced Potion Making
- Thread starter ecl
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ecl
Sr Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
@Luke, that's a good question; unfortunately I'm not really sure about the answer as I've been trying to figure that out too. I initially wanted to get it printed through blurb.com, and emailed them about how many pages it might take to make a book about 1 inch thick. They responded by saying that it would take at least 300 pages with the paper they use. The blank journal paper I used for my book has 144 pages, probably because the pages are thicker, even though they don't seem that thick! I am leaving my book blank for now, but have been wanting to try out the Inkaid transfer film method, that just transfers a digital print on special film to another surface, but that's not practical. I still haven't been able to order the stuff and I can't seem to get a response from them either.
@paulpotts, I'm not sure where the spine and back for that book can be found, but the Harry Potter paper props thread might have it
@Luke, that's a good question; unfortunately I'm not really sure about the answer as I've been trying to figure that out too. I initially wanted to get it printed through blurb.com, and emailed them about how many pages it might take to make a book about 1 inch thick. They responded by saying that it would take at least 300 pages with the paper they use. The blank journal paper I used for my book has 144 pages, probably because the pages are thicker, even though they don't seem that thick! I am leaving my book blank for now, but have been wanting to try out the Inkaid transfer film method, that just transfers a digital print on special film to another surface, but that's not practical. I still haven't been able to order the stuff and I can't seem to get a response from them either.
@paulpotts, I'm not sure where the spine and back for that book can be found, but the Harry Potter paper props thread might have it
lukeforester1
Well-Known Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
Thanks very much, I my mom has been using the same press for almost 30 years for her business and so they are pretty good friends, I'll ask him, and I'll let you know how it works out. I don't know if you've seen my thread, but I'm doing an independent study in props and prop making at school, and this potions book is my first project. I'm using and old year book just to try some aging stuff, but then I'm doing your project. The only real problem is that I don't have ANYTHING I need to make this, so it's going to be expensive to buy everything; $131 + 1 copy of the cover + whatever it costs to print and bind the interior, which is a LOT to a sixteen year old, which is why I'm looking for project that I can work into my ind. study that I can do a run of and sell in the JY, so if you think of anything, that would be super helpful! Not gonna lie, I would love to make money off my ind study, but I'd be perfectly happy if I covered even a little piece of my costs.
Thanks very much, I my mom has been using the same press for almost 30 years for her business and so they are pretty good friends, I'll ask him, and I'll let you know how it works out. I don't know if you've seen my thread, but I'm doing an independent study in props and prop making at school, and this potions book is my first project. I'm using and old year book just to try some aging stuff, but then I'm doing your project. The only real problem is that I don't have ANYTHING I need to make this, so it's going to be expensive to buy everything; $131 + 1 copy of the cover + whatever it costs to print and bind the interior, which is a LOT to a sixteen year old, which is why I'm looking for project that I can work into my ind. study that I can do a run of and sell in the JY, so if you think of anything, that would be super helpful! Not gonna lie, I would love to make money off my ind study, but I'd be perfectly happy if I covered even a little piece of my costs.
ecl
Sr Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
Hi Luke I just found your thread, that's a good idea incorporating the project into the class! I've subscribed to the thread so I can see updates.
You're right about it potentially costing a lot if you have don't have any of the supplies readily available. Do you have an art class there that you might be able to drop in maybe after school and use? But for sure getting things printed like the interior pages would cost a bit of money, especially for one book. If you're into experimenting with aging, you can get most of that stuff at michael's with their online 40% off coupons. They sell small bottles of "golden" (brand name) liquid acrylic that work really well, and also have acrylic matte medium too. All I use for my covers are tiny amounts of acrylic paint, medium, sandpaper, as mentioned before. The 40% and sometimes 50% off coupons would help.
Hi Luke I just found your thread, that's a good idea incorporating the project into the class! I've subscribed to the thread so I can see updates.
You're right about it potentially costing a lot if you have don't have any of the supplies readily available. Do you have an art class there that you might be able to drop in maybe after school and use? But for sure getting things printed like the interior pages would cost a bit of money, especially for one book. If you're into experimenting with aging, you can get most of that stuff at michael's with their online 40% off coupons. They sell small bottles of "golden" (brand name) liquid acrylic that work really well, and also have acrylic matte medium too. All I use for my covers are tiny amounts of acrylic paint, medium, sandpaper, as mentioned before. The 40% and sometimes 50% off coupons would help.
lukeforester1
Well-Known Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
Where did you get your journal? It's like the perfect proportions!
Where did you get your journal? It's like the perfect proportions!
ecl
Sr Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
Here is a link to the journal I used: Basic Black Lined Journal (5"x 8"), Barnes & Noble - Barnes & Noble
The inside pages are lined, and really white, so on mine I actually removed the interior pages and replaced it with a text block from this site: Journal Blank Large
The pages from here are a more of a cream color, but I had to ask them to custom cut it down to 5"x8" so that it would fit inside the journal cover. Unfortunately their shipping is pricey.
You could however find other ways to get pages into it and rebinding isn't that hard. If you want text inside the book, I imagine it is possible to get it printed somewhere (like blurb.com) and then transplanting the text block from there into the journal cover as well, as long as the size is close.
Here is a link to the journal I used: Basic Black Lined Journal (5"x 8"), Barnes & Noble - Barnes & Noble
The inside pages are lined, and really white, so on mine I actually removed the interior pages and replaced it with a text block from this site: Journal Blank Large
The pages from here are a more of a cream color, but I had to ask them to custom cut it down to 5"x8" so that it would fit inside the journal cover. Unfortunately their shipping is pricey.
You could however find other ways to get pages into it and rebinding isn't that hard. If you want text inside the book, I imagine it is possible to get it printed somewhere (like blurb.com) and then transplanting the text block from there into the journal cover as well, as long as the size is close.
lukeforester1
Well-Known Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
Where did you get your end pages?
Where did you get your end pages?
ecl
Sr Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
I actually printed mine out on the rives paper, front and back. Or really you could use any paper. If you look around on google images under large images, you'll find some patterns you can use. I had bought some actual marbled end paper, but they were only one sided and printed on crappy paper.
I actually printed mine out on the rives paper, front and back. Or really you could use any paper. If you look around on google images under large images, you'll find some patterns you can use. I had bought some actual marbled end paper, but they were only one sided and printed on crappy paper.
lukeforester1
Well-Known Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
Ok, I found a nice marble pattern on google, and made the gold parts silver to match the rest of the book in photoshop, and this whole thing is gonna look AMAZING tomorrow. Just one more question about the end pages, why do you need to print them on the front AND back?
Ok, I found a nice marble pattern on google, and made the gold parts silver to match the rest of the book in photoshop, and this whole thing is gonna look AMAZING tomorrow. Just one more question about the end pages, why do you need to print them on the front AND back?
ecl
Sr Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
When you print the endpage it'll be about 10"x8" because it's double the width of the block size. You'll fold the endpage in half, one side will be glued to the inside of the cover, and the other will basically become a "first" page in the book, so when you turn it you might want the marble to be on the other side as well. It's not necessary though, just a preference. I hope that makes sense. If you have a hardcover book handy you can see how that is done; the side of the endpage on the text block side (first page) is glued on the edge toward the spine on top of the block. So in a way the endpages when finished are glued to both the inside covers and partially on the text block.
What I did was attach the folded endpages to the text block first, and have that all ready to go. Also, the reinforced spine part is important because it'll wrap around the spine, making everything more solid. (I tried to illustrate that in the sketch I did in your thread) It'll then be easy to get things lined up when you begin to glue it back onto the covers.
Note: I've posted another diagram on your thread in an attempt to illustrate this.
When you print the endpage it'll be about 10"x8" because it's double the width of the block size. You'll fold the endpage in half, one side will be glued to the inside of the cover, and the other will basically become a "first" page in the book, so when you turn it you might want the marble to be on the other side as well. It's not necessary though, just a preference. I hope that makes sense. If you have a hardcover book handy you can see how that is done; the side of the endpage on the text block side (first page) is glued on the edge toward the spine on top of the block. So in a way the endpages when finished are glued to both the inside covers and partially on the text block.
What I did was attach the folded endpages to the text block first, and have that all ready to go. Also, the reinforced spine part is important because it'll wrap around the spine, making everything more solid. (I tried to illustrate that in the sketch I did in your thread) It'll then be easy to get things lined up when you begin to glue it back onto the covers.
Note: I've posted another diagram on your thread in an attempt to illustrate this.
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Manwithoutfear
New Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
Ecl,
Great work on the book! I am pretty inspired by what I have seen and read in this thread so I am going to throw my hat into the ring and give this a shot myself. Thanks for showing your process and for updating this thread.
One quick question, do you have to use the fluid acrylic paint or do you think that the more paste-like acrylic paint will do if you thin it out enough?
Wish me luck!
Ecl,
Great work on the book! I am pretty inspired by what I have seen and read in this thread so I am going to throw my hat into the ring and give this a shot myself. Thanks for showing your process and for updating this thread.
One quick question, do you have to use the fluid acrylic paint or do you think that the more paste-like acrylic paint will do if you thin it out enough?
Wish me luck!
Manwithoutfear
New Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
Ecl,
Thanks for the info. I am just waiting on the heat transfer foil and the journal pages block. Then I will have everything to start this project. I am a little worried about lining up everything since I will have to do the printing at a copy store. My printer can not handle paper with 11x17 dimensions. Any additional tips for lining it up and working in that environment?
Ecl,
Thanks for the info. I am just waiting on the heat transfer foil and the journal pages block. Then I will have everything to start this project. I am a little worried about lining up everything since I will have to do the printing at a copy store. My printer can not handle paper with 11x17 dimensions. Any additional tips for lining it up and working in that environment?
Crimsoncat110
New Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
Thats really cool!!! THAnks!!
Thats really cool!!! THAnks!!
Crimsoncat110
New Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
Im now going to go to Michaels!!!
Im now going to go to Michaels!!!
ecl
Sr Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
@Manwithoutfear, Yea that's really the hardest part with the foil. The thing is you would have to get the parts to be foiled printed first, with b/w toner and then iron the foil on it, then get the rest of the cover printed over that. At least that's what I did. I imagine that would be more difficult if you're doing all of the printing at a print shop.
However, it may be possible for you to print the cover and spine separate, like on regular letter size, and then just glue them onto the cover separately. In fact that's what I ended up doing because I had to change the paper I was using to get the foil to work, and glued that on top of what I had done. You can hide the edges really well by wearing them with sandpaper and working it with the acrylic medium/paint technique. I was able to get to blend almost seamlessly that way
@Manwithoutfear, Yea that's really the hardest part with the foil. The thing is you would have to get the parts to be foiled printed first, with b/w toner and then iron the foil on it, then get the rest of the cover printed over that. At least that's what I did. I imagine that would be more difficult if you're doing all of the printing at a print shop.
However, it may be possible for you to print the cover and spine separate, like on regular letter size, and then just glue them onto the cover separately. In fact that's what I ended up doing because I had to change the paper I was using to get the foil to work, and glued that on top of what I had done. You can hide the edges really well by wearing them with sandpaper and working it with the acrylic medium/paint technique. I was able to get to blend almost seamlessly that way
Manwithoutfear
New Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
Ecl, any chance you have those files with the front, back, and spine on normal sized paper laying around? I am having a dickens of a time trying to get the covers printed up. I would generate them myself except I have no experience with any part if the Adobe suite.
Ecl, any chance you have those files with the front, back, and spine on normal sized paper laying around? I am having a dickens of a time trying to get the covers printed up. I would generate them myself except I have no experience with any part if the Adobe suite.
HermioneJean
New Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
Wery well done! I sound like a teacher! XD
Wery well done! I sound like a teacher! XD
ecl
Sr Member
Re: Harry Potter Book Prop Tutorials!
I got my inside pages for my potions book in the mail today! I had put together pages with random alchemy drawings I found online as well as text, and got the book printed at blurb.com.....I'm happy that the size of the book fits perfectly!! I"ll be putting it all together soon. Blurb.com is pretty awesome, I recommend them. I'm going to cut out the text block and put it into my potion book cover, and then fill the insides with handwritten notes kind of like the one in the movie.
sorry about the crappy pics...it's just to give an idea of what the insides generally look like.
I'll post a completed book soon here
I got my inside pages for my potions book in the mail today! I had put together pages with random alchemy drawings I found online as well as text, and got the book printed at blurb.com.....I'm happy that the size of the book fits perfectly!! I"ll be putting it all together soon. Blurb.com is pretty awesome, I recommend them. I'm going to cut out the text block and put it into my potion book cover, and then fill the insides with handwritten notes kind of like the one in the movie.
sorry about the crappy pics...it's just to give an idea of what the insides generally look like.
I'll post a completed book soon here
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