Intro to Simple Bookboards: Making Your First Art Folio

If you’ve ever finished a stack of drawings, prints, or paper projects and thought, “These deserve better than a rubber band and a prayer,” welcome. Today we’re dipping a toe into the wonderfully satisfying world of bookboards — specifically, a simple art folio you can make with chipboard, decorative paper, and a little patience.

This isn’t traditional bookbinding (though we’ll be getting to that soon!). No sewing frames. No intimidating jargon. Just sturdy boards, beautiful paper, and a structure that protects your work while showing it off like the important art it is.

What Is a Bookboard Folio, Anyway?

At its simplest, a bookboard folio is two rigid boards joined together to create a protective cover for loose artwork. Think of it as a folder’s smarter, sturdier, more art-school cousin. Inside, you can slip drawings, prints, collages, or folded pieces and because it’s not bound, you can rearrange or swap work as your collection grows.

Bookboards are commonly made from chipboard, a dense, archival-friendly material that’s strong without being bulky. Cover those boards in decorative paper, and suddenly you’ve got something that feels intentional, personal, and very “I made this on purpose.”

Why We Love This Project, Especially for Beginners

This is one of those projects that teaches a lot without feeling hard. You’ll get comfortable working with rigid materials, cutting accurately (multiple scores when cutting thicker materials!), gluing cleanly, and thinking about structure, all skills that show up again and again in book arts, collage, and paper projects.

It’s also forgiving. A slightly crooked edge? A design choice. A visible seam? Texture. Bookboard projects reward curiosity more than perfection, which makes them perfect for first-timers.

The Simple Materials You’ll Need

You don’t need much to get started, and you can absolutely make this with what you already have. At its most basic, you’ll need chipboard for the covers, decorative paper for the outside, a strong paper-friendly adhesive, and a ruler with a cutting blade or knife. A bone folder or similar burnishing tool helps, but even a spoon will do in a pinch.

This is a great place to use papers you already love: handmade sheets, patterned origami paper, leftover envelope scraps, or even paper from past projects. If you’ve enjoyed making DIY Envelopes, Origami & Folding, or Paper Flowers, you already have the perfect materials on hand.

The Basic Idea

You’ll cut two boards to the same size, which are slightly larger than the artwork you want to store. These become your front and back covers. Then you’ll cut decorative paper large enough to wrap around each board, folding and gluing the edges neatly to the inside, just like wrapping a present with much better paper.

Once both boards are covered, you’ll connect them. This can be as simple as leaving a narrow gap between them and attaching a strip of strong paper or cloth along the spine area. Congratulations, you’ve just made a folio.

From here, you can keep it minimal or go wild. Add inner pockets. Include folded sections. Make it a waterfall. Tie it closed with ribbon. Visit our Washi Tape wall. Let it evolve.

Make It Yours (This Is Where the Fun Starts)

Once you’ve made one folio, ideas multiply fast. Try contrasting papers inside and out. Use leftover collage materials for the cover. Create a seasonal folio. Make a tiny one for mini work. Make a big one for oversized prints. This structure scales beautifully, which is why artists keep coming back to it.

And yes, once you make one, you’ll probably make three more. This is normal.

Why Bookboards Are a Gateway Craft

Bookboard projects sit at a magical crossroads of art, craft, and function. They teach you how materials behave, how structure matters, and how presentation changes how we value our own work. Suddenly, loose sketches feel important. Experiments feel intentional. Your art feels finished, even when it’s still in progress.

Ready to give your artwork a proper home? Stop by Art Supply Center and let us help you pick papers, boards, and adhesives for your first (or fifth) folio. We’re always happy to nerd out about structure. Want to share the folio (and what’s inside) with us? Tag us on Instagram!