Altered Books: How to Turn Old Books into Creative Art
Have you ever looked at an old book and thought, this could be something more? Welcome to the world of altered books—where art, storytelling, and recycling beautifully collide.
If you are a mixed media artist like me, then this is the perfect way to spend your creative time!
In this post, I’m diving into what altered books are, how to choose the right book, and the basic tools you’ll need to get started.
What Is an Altered Book?
An altered book is exactly what it sounds like: a book that’s been transformed into a piece of art. Artists and crafters use techniques like collage, painting, cutting, folding, and layering to turn outdated, discarded books into one-of-a-kind visual creations.
Whether you want to make a journal, a sculptural piece, or a mixed-media showcase, altered books give you the perfect foundation.
Choosing the Right Book
Start with a hardcover book you won’t mind altering. Old encyclopedias, novels, dictionaries, or vintage textbooks work great. Make sure:
The spine is intact
The pages aren’t too brittle (even this “problem” can be fixed, though!”
You like the size and feel of it
I love to go into my local used book store and peruse for books that I am “drawn to!”
Basic Supplies You’ll Need
You don’t need a lot to begin, but here are the essentials:
Gesso or acrylic paint (to prep pages)
Glue stick or Mod Podge
Scissors/X-Acto knife
Collage materials (magazines, photos, stamps, etc.)
Pens, markers, or paint
Brushes or sponges
Optional: stencils, fabric, washi tape, stickers, embossing tools—anything goes!
Your First Steps
Prep the book – Remove some pages to give yourself room for added materials.
Prime pages – Add a light layer of gesso or paint to create a workable surface. Sometimes I will glue pages together with matte medium to make the pages “stonger.”
Start small – Try a simple collage, paint over text, or cut windows into pages.
This is all about experimentation, not perfection. Let yourself play.
In the next post, I’ll go deeper with techniques and prompts to help you develop your style.