Turn Scraps into a Tiny Book with Tape
A simple mixed media collage you can fold into a mini art journal
It starts with a strip of packaging tape and a handful of scraps.
No measuring, no plan. Just placing pieces and letting them overlap.
At first, it feels random. But as you keep going, something begins to take shape. In this case, it becomes a small booklet you can flip through, draw in, or build on.
Curious how it comes together? You’ll find the full process below.
Materials Needed
Packaging tape
Paper scraps (magazines, old collages, book pages, etc.)
Optional: glue stick or matte medium
Scissors
Optional: markers, pens, or paint
Use whatever you already have, that’s part of the fun.
Instructions:
Prepare your tape
Pull a strip of packaging tape and place it sticky side up on your surface. Use a bit of tape on the edges to hold it in place.Start adding scraps
Place your paper scraps directly onto the sticky surface. Let them overlap, stick out, and create new shapes.Fill the entire surface
Keep going until the whole sticky area is covered. Use smaller pieces to fill gaps and add variation.Secure loose edges (optional)
If needed, use a glue stick or matte medium to fix small edges that don’t fully stick.Seal the surface (optional)
Add a thin layer of matte medium or glue on top for a more durable finish.Let it dry (or speed it up)
Let it dry naturally or use a hairdryer if you don’t feel like waiting.Trim the edges
Cut off uneven edges to create a clean strip (or keep it rough if you like that look).Fold into a booklet
Fold the strip into halves or create a zigzag (accordion) fold to form a small book.Optional: glue pages together
If you want thicker pages, glue parts back-to-back.Add a spine (optional)
Use tape to create a simple spine for a more finished look.Make it your own
Draw, paint, or write in your booklet, or leave it as it is.
Final Thoughts
It’s interesting how something that starts this simple can turn into something you actually want to keep.
Just a strip of tape. A few scraps. And then suddenly, you’re flipping through a tiny book that didn’t exist before.
If you notice yourself wanting to control how it looks, try letting that go a little next time. Let the scraps decide more. Let things overlap in unexpected ways.
You might end up somewhere you wouldn’t have planned, and that’s usually where it gets interesting.
What’s next?
Explore further
If you enjoyed this process, you might also like other blog posts where I explore similar techniques, materials, and ways of working. Always focused on play, process, and creative freedom. For example, Doodle zine, if you like making booklets
Try a variation
Repeat this with a different color palette, only neutral tones, or even transparent materials. Small shifts can completely change the feel of your booklet.
Reflect & continue
What part did you enjoy most? And where did you hesitate? That’s often a nice place to start your next experiment.
You’ll find more tutorials and process-based ideas throughout this blog and on my YouTube channel.
