How to Make Your Own Riso Sketchbook - Step by Step Guide
- Ellis Tolsma
- 28 aug
- 4 minuten om te lezen
In this blog, I’ll show you how to make your very own riso sketchbook. From choosing the right paper to binding the book: I’ll guide you through the process step by step.
Why make a sketchbook yourself? Personally, I always find it a bit tricky to work in a store-bought sketchbook. It often feels too neat, which makes me extra critical of my drawings. By making my own sketchbook, with paper I picked out myself and with my own riso (mis)prints, collages, or recycled paper inside, I hope to let go of that feeling. Plus, it’s just really fun to end up with a unique sketchbook that truly feels like yours.
The great thing is: this isn’t hard to do at all. With a stack of paper, a few simple tools, and a bit of patience, you can create your own sketchbook in one afternoon. Let’s get started!
Choosing your paper
I begin by selecting the paper I want to use. Alongside plain white paper, I also like to add colored sheets and colorful riso (mis)prints to the sketchbook. Sometimes a different background can spark new ideas or simply make the page feel more playful and inviting.
Today I’m making two different sizes of sketchbooks: one in A5 format and one square format. Sometimes a drawing just works better on a different shape or size. Personally, I prefer not to work too large, so A5 is perfect for me!
Cutting the paper
Once I’ve chosen the paper, it’s time to cut it to size. Since I’m binding the book, the paper should start as A4 sheets. When folded in half, the pages become A5. For the square book, it works a little differently, and it takes some measuring to get it just right.
I use a paper cutter for this (you can get a small one online), but if you don’t have one, you can also trim the sheets with a craft knife and ruler.
Don’t worry about perfect edges yet, at the end we’ll trim everything neatly. For now, it’s just important that the pages are roughly the same size while binding.
Organizing the paper
Next comes the fun part: organizing the paper. I like to place the colored sheets and riso prints randomly between the white pages. Most of the book will still be plain white paper, but mixing in different backgrounds creates a nice balance.
Once you’ve decided on a sequence, fold each sheet in half. If you have a bone folder, that makes a nice sharp crease (but your fingers work too). After folding, stack the sheets inside one another so you can see what your sketchbook will look like.
Binding Your Sketchbook
There are many ways to bind a book, but for this sketchbook I’m using a simple pamphlet stitch with three holes. It’s sturdy enough and perfect for beginners.
Stap 1: making holes
Start by punching three holes along the fold of your pages. You can do this with an awl or even a thick needle.
Place the middle hole right in the center.
Then, add the other two holes at equal distances above and below.
The distance depends a bit on the size of your book. For my A5 book, the distance was about 6.5 cm; for the square book, 4 cm.
Step 2: sewing the binding
Now it’s time to sew the binding. Grab a needle and some strong thread (bookbinding thread works great, but thick sewing thread is fine too). Follow these steps:
Start from the middle hole, sewing from the inside to the outside.
Go up to the top hole and stitch back inside.
From the inside, go all the way down to the bottom hole and stitch outside.
Finally, return to the middle hole and go back inside.
Pull the thread tight after each step (but not so hard that the paper tears). Leave a little extra thread in the middle, this is where you’ll tie a knot at the end.
Stap 3: final trimming
Once your sketchbook is bound, you can give it a clean finish by trimming the edges with a paper cutter. If you don’t have one, you can also leave the uneven edges as they are, it gives the book a bit of character.
Results
And here they are: my finished riso sketchbooks! 🎉 I ended up with an A5 and a square version, each with their own mix of paper and colors. I’m really happy with the result, and it was honestly such a fun project to do.
If you want to see more of the process, I also made a short video you can watch here. And if you try making one yourself, let me know, I’d love to see it. Have fun!
Tips for the future
A few extra ideas to get the most out of your sketchbook:
Be creative: mix different papers, techniques, and materials. This will make your sketchbook truly one-of-a-kind.
Keep experimenting: try new drawing styles or compositions, it’s a great way to grow artistically.
Use riso prints: misprints or recycled sheets add energy and make the book feel less intimidating.
Share your work: show your sketchbook to others! Feedback can be valuable and inspiring.
Enjoy the process: remember, it’s not about perfection. It’s about play, discovery, and creativity.
Would you like to learn more about risoprinting and experiment with paper, binding, and color here in Utrecht? I regularly host riso workshops in my studio (including a notebook workshop where we make books just like this one!). During the workshops you’ll learn how to work with the risoprinter and leave with your own unique prints.