Chipboard provides a versatile palette for crafters' creativity, especially for scrapbook, photo album or journal covers. Covered or painted, using chipboard means you have the chance to indulge your personal style when designing your book's chipboard covers.
Trace the shape you want for your chipboard covers onto the blank chipboard sheet with transfer paper[paper?:paper sample maker cutting machine]. Cut out the shapes with a craft knife.
Apply varnish on both sides of the cover with a paintbrush. This will keep the paint from soaking into the cover too quickly.
Paint the cover on both sides with the background color for your design. Allow it to dry and then apply a second coat, if needed. A 1 inch flat brush or a sponge brush may be the easiest for this step, but use a brush that is comfortable to you.
Transfer your design onto the painted chipboard covers. If you aren't comfortable with drawing your own picture, use commercial tole-painting patterns, embroidery designs, coloring book pictures or even greeting cards designs, as well as clipart you find online.
Paint the design with acrylic paints. The brushes you need will depend on the intricacy of your design's details. Allow the paint to dry and add a second coat if it is needed.
Embellish the design as you wish, using rubber stamps, stickers, beads, brads, other chipboard shapes or any other materials you like.
Punch evenly spaced holes along one edge to add thechipboard covers to the pages in your book. Use binder rings, ribbons, leather thongs, lacing cord or other fibers to tie the sections together.
