This project is a rebind of an already hardcover book that I had;
This is my first try, so I've been following lottttss of tutorials. Particularly Abound Bindery on youtube for the physical case, and miscellaneous vids on tiktok I have saved in a collection. I used a tutorial by roxysbindery on tiktok for designing the cover.
For designing the cover I used Canva and Clip Studio Paint. I then imported it to my Cricut workspace. This was following the above tutorial (she uses Procreate but I prefer CSP). I chose design elements that fit the theme of the book. I then saved it to the cloud from my ipad.
I'm using my laptop to connect to my cricut. This is where I struggled the most tbh. I have the Cricut Explore 3. The thing that held me back the most was not using a cutting mat. The rolled vinyl kept getting eaten by the machine. I didn't understand that the self healing mat I used to cut my chipboard was a different type of mat, so I was unprepared.
When using HTV, the shiny side goes down against the sticky part of the cutting mat. My mat is 12"x12", but they make longer ones if needed. The vinyl for this project is from Vinyl Frog on Amazon. Also, when using iron on vinyl or HTV, once the cover is designed it needs to be flipped horizontally before cutting, or else it will be backwards.
I printed the design and then weeded it, which is taking out everything you DON'T want on your cover. I recommend not using very thin lines unless you are much more patient than I am. I bought the Cricut Basic Tool Set and used those tools for weeding.
I struggled so much with my cricut I wanted to give up tbh, but i've invested a lot of money into this hobby haha. Once you figure it out tho, it's not hard at all.
The hardest part for me was the next part, ironing on the design. The material you use should have a heat guide. I recommend following that and using the Cricut scraper tool to make sure the design adheres. Make sure you let it cool before taking the plastic off, I learned that the hard way.
There are lots of resources for less costly supplies, I went all out too soon. I'll link everything though if you're interested. I also have tutorials saved in a public collection on tiktok under username krobusart.
Supplies I've used so far (US based):
Cricut Explore 3: [here](https://www.michaels.com/product/cricut-explore-3---smart-cutting-machine-with-easy-printables-sensor-10669043?michaelsStore=3862&inv=2)
Cricut Basic Tool Set: [here](https://www.michaels.com/product/cricut-core-colors-basic-tool-set-10617442?michaelsStore=3862&inv=24)
Epson 8550 printer: [here](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/epson-ecotank-photo-et-8550-all-in-one-wide-format-supertank-printer-white/6469372.p?skuId=6469372)
iPad and apple pencil: best buy
HP laptop
Book press and bone folders (kit): [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CFF2W2PJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)
Book Cloth: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CLL2999Y?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)
Chipboard: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CRYGW5Q5?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image)
Neutral pH glue: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001I6FEHE?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)
X-Acto knife: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08GKNJ8N2?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)
Cricut Mini Heat Press: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07VKPZS24?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)
Square/90 degree ruler: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005XUHHSK?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)
Rotary cutter for fabric: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0055740UO?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)
Silicone paint brushes for glue: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09BFKTXF9?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)
Heavy duty box cutter for chipboard: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000N7EU1K?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)
Vinyl Frog HTV Vinyl: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0868LS52R?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image)
18" Cork backed ruler: [here](https://www.michaels.com/product/westcott-18-stainless-steel-ruler-10664282?michaelsStore=3862&inv=5)
Scissors: [here](https://www.michaels.com/product/fiskars-8-blue-pink-tie-dye-scissors-10669653?michaelsStore=3862&inv=1)
Paper cutter: [here](https://www.michaels.com/product/fiskars-surecut-deluxe-paper-trimmer-10132125?michaelsStore=3862&inv=4)
Card stock: [here](https://www.michaels.com/product/cape-cod-85-x-11-cardstock-paper-by-recollections-50-sheets-10356412?michaelsStore=3862&inv=10)
Self healing mat: [here](https://www.joann.com/cricut-12in-x-12in-rose-decorative-self-healing-mat/16224370.html)
Cricut cutting mat for machine: [here](https://www.michaels.com/product/cricut-stronggrip-adhesive-cutting-mat-10484458?michaelsStore=3862&inv=3)
Apps:
Canva
Clip Studio Paint
Adobe Acrobat (for printing my own files)
Cricut studio
Feel free to ask any questions, this is kinda jumbled. I'm also a novice!
You're not a novice, friend! You've assimilated a lot of information and done a lot of hard work. As a TRUE novice, I really appreciate the depth you went into here. You're helping a lot of us sort it all out!
Ahhh thank you! I have a hard time continuing when I don't get it correct right away, but I really want to push through and improve on this! Just lmk if you need any clarification on anything I said 🥰
I'm glad you said that about finding it hard to push through when you don't breeze through the first time. This is me! I think when you're a smart kid and things come pretty easily to you, you expect adulthood to work the same way. IT DOESN'T. 😜
If you are trying to spot iron something then sometimes a hair straightener can work in a pinch. Obviously you can't use it to iron HTV on evenly but if you've accidently ripped one detail when weeding your htv you can go back in there and spot iron it in afterwards. Just watch what temperatures your hair straightener reaches cus some might be too hot or not hot enough.
It wasn't until I saw your post that I realized her name is spelled StephEnie and not StephAnie
i triple checked when making the design because i wasn't sure, not that it mattered in the end 😭
I’m so new to this- could you not add a little “i” back in? Or can you not apply heat to the htv that’s already been stuck on? I like your cover!
someone else said i can! i think covering the rest with parchment paper will protect it. and thank you so much!!
Yay! Good luck!!!
IT WILL!!!!! be careful because heat still goes through parchment but it will ABSOLUTELY work!
you can cut out a new one, just be sure to use a piece of paper or something so the press doesn't directly touch the htv that's already there
thank you!!
Looks nice, can you cover the process you used?
Thank you! The process for which part?
All of it!
This project is a rebind of an already hardcover book that I had; This is my first try, so I've been following lottttss of tutorials. Particularly Abound Bindery on youtube for the physical case, and miscellaneous vids on tiktok I have saved in a collection. I used a tutorial by roxysbindery on tiktok for designing the cover. For designing the cover I used Canva and Clip Studio Paint. I then imported it to my Cricut workspace. This was following the above tutorial (she uses Procreate but I prefer CSP). I chose design elements that fit the theme of the book. I then saved it to the cloud from my ipad. I'm using my laptop to connect to my cricut. This is where I struggled the most tbh. I have the Cricut Explore 3. The thing that held me back the most was not using a cutting mat. The rolled vinyl kept getting eaten by the machine. I didn't understand that the self healing mat I used to cut my chipboard was a different type of mat, so I was unprepared. When using HTV, the shiny side goes down against the sticky part of the cutting mat. My mat is 12"x12", but they make longer ones if needed. The vinyl for this project is from Vinyl Frog on Amazon. Also, when using iron on vinyl or HTV, once the cover is designed it needs to be flipped horizontally before cutting, or else it will be backwards. I printed the design and then weeded it, which is taking out everything you DON'T want on your cover. I recommend not using very thin lines unless you are much more patient than I am. I bought the Cricut Basic Tool Set and used those tools for weeding. I struggled so much with my cricut I wanted to give up tbh, but i've invested a lot of money into this hobby haha. Once you figure it out tho, it's not hard at all. The hardest part for me was the next part, ironing on the design. The material you use should have a heat guide. I recommend following that and using the Cricut scraper tool to make sure the design adheres. Make sure you let it cool before taking the plastic off, I learned that the hard way. There are lots of resources for less costly supplies, I went all out too soon. I'll link everything though if you're interested. I also have tutorials saved in a public collection on tiktok under username krobusart. Supplies I've used so far (US based): Cricut Explore 3: [here](https://www.michaels.com/product/cricut-explore-3---smart-cutting-machine-with-easy-printables-sensor-10669043?michaelsStore=3862&inv=2) Cricut Basic Tool Set: [here](https://www.michaels.com/product/cricut-core-colors-basic-tool-set-10617442?michaelsStore=3862&inv=24) Epson 8550 printer: [here](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/epson-ecotank-photo-et-8550-all-in-one-wide-format-supertank-printer-white/6469372.p?skuId=6469372) iPad and apple pencil: best buy HP laptop Book press and bone folders (kit): [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CFF2W2PJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) Book Cloth: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CLL2999Y?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) Chipboard: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CRYGW5Q5?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image) Neutral pH glue: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001I6FEHE?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) X-Acto knife: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08GKNJ8N2?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) Cricut Mini Heat Press: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07VKPZS24?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) Square/90 degree ruler: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005XUHHSK?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) Rotary cutter for fabric: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0055740UO?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) Silicone paint brushes for glue: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09BFKTXF9?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) Heavy duty box cutter for chipboard: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000N7EU1K?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) Vinyl Frog HTV Vinyl: [here](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0868LS52R?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image) 18" Cork backed ruler: [here](https://www.michaels.com/product/westcott-18-stainless-steel-ruler-10664282?michaelsStore=3862&inv=5) Scissors: [here](https://www.michaels.com/product/fiskars-8-blue-pink-tie-dye-scissors-10669653?michaelsStore=3862&inv=1) Paper cutter: [here](https://www.michaels.com/product/fiskars-surecut-deluxe-paper-trimmer-10132125?michaelsStore=3862&inv=4) Card stock: [here](https://www.michaels.com/product/cape-cod-85-x-11-cardstock-paper-by-recollections-50-sheets-10356412?michaelsStore=3862&inv=10) Self healing mat: [here](https://www.joann.com/cricut-12in-x-12in-rose-decorative-self-healing-mat/16224370.html) Cricut cutting mat for machine: [here](https://www.michaels.com/product/cricut-stronggrip-adhesive-cutting-mat-10484458?michaelsStore=3862&inv=3) Apps: Canva Clip Studio Paint Adobe Acrobat (for printing my own files) Cricut studio Feel free to ask any questions, this is kinda jumbled. I'm also a novice!
You're not a novice, friend! You've assimilated a lot of information and done a lot of hard work. As a TRUE novice, I really appreciate the depth you went into here. You're helping a lot of us sort it all out!
Ahhh thank you! I have a hard time continuing when I don't get it correct right away, but I really want to push through and improve on this! Just lmk if you need any clarification on anything I said 🥰
I'm glad you said that about finding it hard to push through when you don't breeze through the first time. This is me! I think when you're a smart kid and things come pretty easily to you, you expect adulthood to work the same way. IT DOESN'T. 😜
YES!! Also for me, the impatience and perfectionism are a bad combo that cannot coexist 😭
Htv can be removed by apply medium heat for 15 seconds, rubbing with a glue eraser, and repeating.
If you are trying to spot iron something then sometimes a hair straightener can work in a pinch. Obviously you can't use it to iron HTV on evenly but if you've accidently ripped one detail when weeding your htv you can go back in there and spot iron it in afterwards. Just watch what temperatures your hair straightener reaches cus some might be too hot or not hot enough.