Introduction: Paper Roll Frame
Inspired by literacy and charity, I created this frame using pages from an old book I had been planning to give away. While I used book pages, this frame can be made using any paper material (magazines, colored paper, newspapers). It can also be tailored to different sizes based on the piece of artwork you would like to display. This frame is great for showing off a favorite quote, an illustration related to your favorite book, or anything else you want to highlight! Enjoy!
Materials Needed:
Chapter Book (or other paper source, such as a magazine or colored paper)
Duct Tape or Glue (I used Gorilla Glue)
Scissors
Cardboard
Clear tape
Step 1: Unbinding the Book
If using a book to make the paper rolls:
1) Begin removing the pages from the book by cutting the paper glued to the book cover along the edge where it connects the hard cover to the rest of the book pages.
2) After cutting, some books have woven material to further secure the books. Separate this weaving that holds the cover and the pages together either by cutting or tearing.
3) Repeat this process on the other side of the binding.
4) At this point, the pages should only be attached along the spine of the book cover. Rip along this spine to remove the pages from the cover completely.
5) The pages will still be connected together with glue. To separate individual pages, tear along the end where the pages are connected and separate the pages into sections. Then, continue ripping until individual pages result.
Step 2: (Optional) Using the Hard Cover of the Book As a Canvas
1) Flip the book sleeve (paper covering) inside out to show white interior.
2) Wrap the book sleeve over the hard cover of book, so that the two book sleeve flaps reach around to the back of the hard cover.
3) Tape or glue the flaps of the sleeve to the hard cover of the book. (I used gorilla glue for this particular project)
4) To further secure the sleeve, put glue along the top and bottom edge of the hard cover. Press the sleeve in place and let dry (if using glue).
5) The hardcover with the sleeve may be used to create artwork on: using the side with the white interior of the sleeve exposed, the hardcover acts as a canvas. The hardcover can also act as backing for the frame (explained later).
Step 3: Page Rolling
1) Use the individual pages from the deconstructed book. Begin by rolling these pages. The pages can be oriented sideways or up/down to create rolls with different lengths.
2) To create the desired width of the roll, use a pencil (or other round object) and roll the pages of the book around whatever round object you chose.
3) Depending on your preference, you can vary the widths and lengths of the page rolls by using different objects and page orientations.
4) After the page is rolled completely, glue or tape the end of the page to the rest of the roll. If using glue, make sure to hold the end in place until the glue dries.
Step 4: Framework
1) Use the artwork you would like to display as a measurement for the cardboard you are going to pick out.
2) Make sure to choose a piece of cardboard that is bigger than your piece of artwork. Depending on your frame width preference, allow for at least 2 to 3 inches of visible cardboard surrounding the piece of artwork. Also, ensure that the piece you choose is flat. If using the bottom of a box, remove any sides or excess cardboard.
3) Once the piece of cardboard is chosen, lay it on a flat surface.
4) Lay your piece of artwork on top of the cardboard frame piece. Place the piece in the position you would like (based on your preference) and trace around the artwork with a pencil.
5) Upon removal of the artwork, you should see an outline of its shape reflected on the cardboard surface.
6) Now, take a scissors and cut inside the outline. Don’t cut all the way to the pencil line; leave 1 inch to 1/2 an inch of cardboard between the outline and the cutting line on the inside.
7) You should now have a hole in your cardboard in the shape of your piece of artwork; however, the hole should be 1 to .5 inches smaller than the penciled outline.
Step 5: Attaching the Rolls of Paper
1) Using your rolls of the pages of the books you created in Step 3, arrange them on the cardboard framework you just created. Orient them in any way you choose, just make sure they cover any exposed cardboard.
2) Use glue or tape (I used gorilla glue) to attach the rolls to the frame. Either place glue/tape on the cardboard or put glue/tape on the pages and stick them to the cardboard. If using glue, hold rolls to the cardboard for about twenty seconds or until the glue holds.
Step 6: Backing to Frame
1) For this step, either use excess cardboard from the sides of the box or gather cardboard from another source.
2) Cut strips of cardboard to match the frame. Measure two strips to match the long sides of the frame and two to match the shorter sides. The strips should have the same width and length of their corresponding sides. In the corners, the strips of cardboard will overlap.
3) Place the piece of artwork on the back side of the frame. The artwork should show through to the front of the frame with the rolls of paper. If using the book cover as a backing, place the book cover over the back of the artwork.
4) Making sure the frame is flipped over (back of frame, exposed cardboard showing), secure the cardboard pieces around the artwork. Put glue/tape on the edge of the strips; attach them to their corresponding sides by aligning the glued/taped side to the outside edge of the frame.
5) The strips of cardboard should not have any tape or glue near the inside edge of the frame. This should allow for easy removal of the piece of artwork, if desired.
6) To further secure the strips, tape/glue the overlapping cardboard strips in the corners to one another and to the frame.
7) If desired, cut the strips so that they don’t overlap in the corners. The strips will fit side by side. They can be secured in the same way as if they were overlapping (with glue or tape). Still allow for the inside edge to remain free of any securing material (glue or tape).
8) To cover the cardboard, paint the back the of the frame with whatever color you desire. I would recommend using acrylic paint. For my project, I used duct tape to cover the cardboard. If you would like, you may leave cardboard exposed as well.
Step 7: Odds and Ends
1) If cardboard is exposed around the edges of the frame, you can add additional rolls of pages to hide it.
2) Use glue or tape to secure the rolls to the side of the frame.