Ecoprinted Paper Towel Book Covers

One of my techniques in my Ecoprint Naturally on Silk and Wool involves using paper towels. It is a bit like a "two-for-one" technique, and students love it, especially when they see what can be done with the ecoprinted paper towels.

Miniature book from ecoprinted paper towels

Some students collect their pieces and choose to create a collage from them on a surface such as stretch canvas.

Some choose to pick the best images, and after they dry, insert them into photo cards to use as notecards.

But by far the possibility of strengthening the paper towels using glue and water to make book covers and to embellish with additional art is what intrigues most of the students!

I share how to do that with the classes, but I have learned that 90% of people forget the details simply because there is so much else to learn in the workshop! So I created a quick video on a rainy day that describes my process. It doesn't matter if the paper towels are not your prettiest or are of a monotone design. What matters is that you practice with your least favorite and finish with your favorite! You can make tiny booklets. I like to keep the book covers size no larger than a half sheet of paper towel, folded in half. For size reference, we are using a full sheet of paper towel with the serrated separation in the middle.

2 halves, folded for strength, to be used for a front and back cover for a thicker book.

Below is how I use the ecoprinted leftover paper towels. You will be using two full halves, glued together, so select the designs you prefer and lay best side face down as you will cover it with the second piece, face side up!

Gather your supplies.

Supplies:

1. Your ecoprinted paper towel sections

2. All-purpose glue (not water-soluble school glue) I use Elmers glue.

3. 1" foam brush

4. parchment paper ot a glue mat

Directions:

1. Let your ecoprinted paper towels dry completely

2. If they wrinkle, iron them flat

3. Mix 50% glue with 50% water and stir thoroughly

4. Lay half of the full sheet on the parchment paper (best design facing down) and coat with the glue mixture using the foam brush

5. Lay the second half down (best design facing you and coat another layer on top with glue mixture.

6. Let dry thoroughly on a clean sheet of parchment. I often use my porch railing!

   -usually a few hours depending on conditions

7. Paper towels will harden and feel almost like plastic!

Note: I have added a blank sheet of paper towel between the two ecoprinted pieces if I choose to make the cover rock hard!

All-purpose glue, water, and foam brush

Here is a clip to help:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fL1yaz6qhzw

The Paper towel technique for book covers

Miniature book with elastic closure

You can also use the thin, surplus papers from any of my Ecoprint on Paper workshops for a very different look! The techniques are the same.

So save those papers from class! They are a great way to create additional gifts. After your pieces have dried completely, come back and embellish them with micro-sharpies or a watercolor tint. Enjoy!

Until next time!

Theresa

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