One of my favorite parts of creating miniatures is crafting tiny books, especially if I can flip through the pages and read them! Here’s how I make them, step by step.
Defining the Size
I started by using a miniature book from a Cutebee book nook I own as my reference. It’s just a convenient way to get the dimensions right for a 1:24 scale or similar. If you don’t have a reference, you can always measure the space where the book will go, but keep in mind that it should feel proportionate to the other objects around it.
Designing the Cover in Canva
I use Canva.com for creating the book design. Here’s how I do it:
Create a rectangle (20 mm x 15 mm) for the front cover.
Duplicate the rectangle for the back cover.
Add a thinner rectangle in the middle (3 mm of width) for the book spine.
Arrange these three shapes side by side so they align perfectly. This will become your book’s flat cover design, ready for printing.
Making the Inside Pages
For the inside pages, I duplicate the cover rectangle by the number of pages I want in the book. Between 16 and 20 pages is an adequate number, but take into account that if you are going to use a heavier paper, you should put fewer pages inside.
After adding the book's content, you want to create a single long strip with all the pages perfectly lined up next to each other since they'll will later be folded together accordion style.
Choosing Fonts and Line Spacing
The font size and line spacing are crucial for readability in such a small book format. I'm always experimenting with different fonts, but usually, a serif font like Times New Roman or Georgia works well. I use font sizes between 3.8 pt and 4 pt, with tight line spacing (like 0.9 pt) to ensure the text fits but is still legible.
Using Public Domain Texts
For the content of the books, I like using Project Gutenberg, which offers public domain books for free. You can copy and paste sections of a chosen book directly into the pages of the miniature book on Canva. The original book will probably be too long, so just use a short excerpt or a single chapter.
You can also create a fake book with your own text or by using an online text generator. I like to give these wacky names for the titles and authors, in some obscure or imaginary subjects.
Adding Illustrations and Covers
Canva’s library of elements is perfect for adding illustrations to the inside pages or designing a cover for the books. I like to search for vintage illustrations or simple patterns to fit the style of each book.
However, my Canva account is paid, so I have access to premium elements and images, unlike the free version, which has a more limited (but still super usable) collection.
Printing and Cutting
To maximize paper usage, I like to fit at least six miniature books per A4 page. If I want a glossy finish, I print on photo paper; otherwise, regular printer paper works just fine.
Once printed, I carefully cut out each book cover and set of pages using a metal ruler and a precision knife (you can also use a craft knife). This gives much cleaner edges compared to using scissors (especially if your hand shakes easily, like mine).
Assembling the Book
Fold the inside pages accordion style along the lines.
Glue the folded pages together using a stick glue (I prefer to use stick glue so that the paper doesn't get wrinkled because of excess liquid glue).
Wrap the cover around the pages, ensuring everything aligns nicely.
Dab glue to attach the cover to the first and last page.
And that’s it! You now have a (somewhat) readable miniature book!
Download Free Printables
I hope this guide inspires you to create your own miniature books! Whether you're building a dollhouse library, decorating a book nook, or just crafting for fun, these books add something special to your miniature projects. Click the banner below to download a free PDF with 12 books I've made and start crafting your own miniature books!
The PDF is hosted on Google Drive for easy access. There, you can either download it to your device or print it straight away—whatever works best for you.
If you try making your own tiny books, I’d love to see how they turn out! Please, share your creations with me on Instagram using the hashtag #whatcarolmakes, and I'll see you next time!