Someone from our SCBWI forum asked that I try to illustrate what I was trying to explain when I outlined my process for putting together a dummy book. This is an attempt, and you may have to read between the lines, but perhaps the process I use will enable someone out there to create a dummy without too much stress.
The hard part is not the putting together, there are so many variations. The HARD part is thinking through the illustrations, creating a storyboard and actually getting all the sketches done.
So, assuming all that is done and you have the requisite 32 pages with front and back cover, you need your pages and your tools and a space to work.
But it need not be an exact 32 page book as long as you stick to multiples of 8.
So, assuming all that is done and you have the requisite 32 pages with front and back cover, you need your pages and your tools and a space to work.
But it need not be an exact 32 page book as long as you stick to multiples of 8.
I use my upstairs desk for this.
I never use staples. I know it would be so much easier, but they are sharp, can rust over time, and even if you tape over the binding of staples, they can sometimes tear through.
These are the tools... simple. A ruler... just in case I need to measure something.
Artist’s tape. Tombow adhesive applicator, and a white out applicator in case I
see an error in the text or need to cover something I don’t want showing.
Artist’s tape. Tombow adhesive applicator, and a white out applicator in case I
see an error in the text or need to cover something I don’t want showing.
These are finished dummies . There are two kinds that I will do. Either the stitched up kind, or the taped kind.
Taping is much easier, but the stitched version has a wonderful book like quality and I like to keep at least one of those for myself.
Taping is much easier, but the stitched version has a wonderful book like quality and I like to keep at least one of those for myself.
I drew a little line over here ......>
to show where the tape is applied over either the stitched up version or the taped up version.
Each page has already been printed separately and then adhered back to back with the corresponding facing side. That means I “glue” page one to page two to form one page. The tombow adhesive applicator is what I use . I run the “glue” around all four sides of page one and attach it back to back to page two. I do the same with pages 3-4 and then tape those two units along the spine with the artist’s tape.
I start by taping each page to the next and keep on going until I have the first 16 taped together along the spine.
I start by taping each page to the next and keep on going until I have the first 16 taped together along the spine.
When the two units are fully taped I tape them together and add the cover.
The cover is taped on the front and back of the pages after all the pages have been
taped together into two 16 page units or signatures. For the cover I will use a heavy cardboard or bristol board and glue the full color cover image onto that and then just tape the front cover over the spine that has been formed by all the other pages and do the same for the back cover.
So, here is the finished dummy once again.
This is the center point of the book... I will run a line of tape down the center to help keep the two signatures together.
taped together into two 16 page units or signatures. For the cover I will use a heavy cardboard or bristol board and glue the full color cover image onto that and then just tape the front cover over the spine that has been formed by all the other pages and do the same for the back cover.
So, here is the finished dummy once again.
This is the center point of the book... I will run a line of tape down the center to help keep the two signatures together.
If I have stitched the pages the center point will look like this, and I will also tape over that just for a more finished look.
Below are examples of BOOK type dummies, with hard covers and stitched insides.
I like to keep one of these for each book I work on, it is kind of like a scrapbook of memories that reminds me of the journey I took from beginning to end, and the little drops of blood where I missed stitch and hit my pinky are just as precious to me as the images within the pages. Also since they are the “dummy” and not the finished book there may be an illustration or two that never made it into the book or had to be changed. It is just part of the wonderful journey an illustrator takes every day.
I like to keep one of these for each book I work on, it is kind of like a scrapbook of memories that reminds me of the journey I took from beginning to end, and the little drops of blood where I missed stitch and hit my pinky are just as precious to me as the images within the pages. Also since they are the “dummy” and not the finished book there may be an illustration or two that never made it into the book or had to be changed. It is just part of the wonderful journey an illustrator takes every day.
There are going to be so many good variations for making a dummy book to present to a publisher. I like to think that taking the time to create a really professional and finished looking piece is worth the effort and down the road it will reap rewards.
Each set of pages is taped to the next until I have one signature unit of 16 pages.....
this one is taped
this one is stitched
What is a dummy book anyway?
How is is made?
Is there a RIGHT way?