Questions about making book props

[LeMarchand]

So, i am currently working on making a set of replica propbooks. they consist of several paperbacks and one hardcover with a sleeve.

I have been reading about how to make paperbacks and am convinced i can do it. One question i still have regarding the covers is what kind of laminating i could use to protect the graphic (inkjet). Normal paperbackcovers have a thin foil-like layer and i was wondering what i can use to achieve the same result. Preferably a non heat solution as heat laminating tends to cause bubbles on inkjet printed graphics.

I have a laminator (a cold laminating one and a heat laminator), but the foild available for those are too thick.

 

[madrobot]

Making a book is not all that hard. I made my first one yesterday believe it or not, and it is a leather bound book.

To protect your graphics, all you need to do is get that sticky clear laminating material from your local office supply store. It's cheap, and will do the job nicely.

 

[LeMarchand]

making paperbacks indeed looks easy enough, but the foil used on them seems quite thin, about 10 microns, any idea where i can get that?

 

[madrobot]

I would use silver or gold leaf, and if it's colored, get some tamaiya clear and paint the art before attaching it.

 

[Supa troop]

A judge Dredd Book of Law would definately be on my list should you wish to errrmmm consider one

 

[Ramiel]

I think he said THIN foil not TIN foil... He's probably referring to the plastic-like surface you'll find over the surface of a printed cover
Is that right Marc?

 

[LeMarchand]

Ramiel, you are correct

I am making a series of replica paperbacks from a movie and one hardcover one. On real storebought paperbacks, the graphics on the cover are protected with a real thin layer of laminating plastic. Since i will be printing the covers on an inkjetprinter, i want to cover them with a similar layer. The laminating plastics i know and have used in my heat laminator and cold laminator appear to be too thick and therefore to 'stiff' to pass of as paperback covers.

I also have to look into the type of paper and printing possibilities for the sleeve for the hardcover, so suggestions on that one are welcome as well.

Thanks,

Marc

 

[moviebuff5]

You are likely referring to the Overcoating layer from a CMYO dye sub printer. You may want to see if you can get a Dye Sub cartridge and use the overcoating layer. Alternately, you could just have the hole cover printed using dye sub. It should work for the dust jacket of a hardcover as well.

 

[madrobot]

AH... When people say foil, I assumed that you were talking about a foil embossed cover.

There are clear adhesive laminate sheets, that are super thin you can get from Office Max, and Office depot. They're adhesive so all you have to do is peel and stick. If you take a soft burnisher, like a Q-tip, you can get a really professional look. Otherwise, you can always spray a clear coat of lacquer through an airbrush.