DIY No-Sew Perfect Binding Journal

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Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.

Today I am excited to show y'all how to do a really cool book binding technique called "Perfect Binding".  Perfect Binding is actually a term for a type of binding, I promise that I'm not bragging that this journal is PERFECT, although it is a really easy no-sew technique.

Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, so I'm using Tombow's MONO Multi Liquid Glue.

Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.
Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.


How to create a perfect bound journal:


Supplies for the journal:



Supplies to embellish the cover:



1. First you'll want to make your signatures (the paper inside your journal)! Cut mixed media paper into *9x6" pieces, and fold them in half.

*You can change this measurement to change the size of your journal.
Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.

2. Stack your paper signatures and make sure they're all lined up. Next place it inbetween a stack of books, to weigh it down. This will ensure it stays flat and doesn't move while we bind it.

Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.

3. Use a craft knife to score shallow lines into the edges of the signature stack, crossing them like X's.

This gives the glue a bit more texture to hold onto so your journal is stronger once completed.

Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.

4. Use the broad tip of the MONO Multi Glue and apply a thin coat of adhesive to the edge of the signatures.

Let the adhesive dry and then give it a second coat. Let dry completely, but note that the glue will still be slightly tacky once dry.

Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.

5. Remove your signature from the stack of books. You should have something like this:

Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.

6. Cut patterned paper or cardstock to 9x6" and fold them in half. These are your cover pages. Adhere one to each side of your signature stack with Tombow Xtreme Adhesive.

Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.
Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.

7. Cut a 6" piece of fabric tape (or fabric) and wrap it around the spine of your book, using Tombow Xtreme Adhesive to secure it to the cover pages.

Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.
8. It's time to make the covers!

Cut 2 4.5x6" pieces of chipboard and 2 5.5x7" pieces of mixed media paper. Adhere the chipboard pieces to the mixed media paper, notch the corners with scissors and fold the edges around the chipboard, securing them with Tombow Xtreme Adhesive.

Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.

9. Use the Tombow Xtreme Adhesive to adhere the covers onto each side of your book, adhering them onto the cover pages.

10. All that's left is to embellish your cover! I drew on this floral girl with the MONO Twin Permanent Marker.

Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.

11. Color around your drawing with a Dual Brush Pen, brush the ink with a wet paint brush and then sprinkle on a bit of salt. I LOVE how the ink reacts to the water and salt. This is my favorite effect.

I used Dual Brush Pen 636.

Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.
Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.
And that's it! You've made a Perfect Bound journal! It's completely no-sew thanks to the MONO Multi Glue!

You can customize this to fit your style- try a patterned paper cover, or add the fabric tape on last so that it shows over top of your covers, you could even make it a junk journal by creating the paper signatures out of painted papers, book pages, etc.

Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.
Perfect Binding is a form of book binding where the paper signatures are glued rather than sewn, Learn how to use @tombowusa MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create this journal.

Have you done the Perfect Binding technique before? I'd love to know!


This post is a part of my final application process for the Tombow 2018 Design Team. Wish me luck!