you will
need:
paperback or hardback books
*(see 'tip' below)
*(see 'tip' below)
digital camera
mounting card (I used black)
measuring tape
scalpel and steel rule
cutting mat
spray mount
matt varnish and brush or small
roller
staple gun (or Gripfix)
1
Cut your mounting board to the
measurement of your stair risers
(the vertical faces of your steps).
(the vertical faces of your steps).
2
Take several photographs of book
spines with a digital camera. To get a good, sharp image, use a tripod or rest
your camera on or against a solid surface when taking your photographs. You need
to use some mathematics here to work out how much you need to enlarge your images
by – your local print shop should be able to help you with this. I had my book
spines enlarged to within 1cm – 4cm of my risers’ width.
3
Ask your print shop for A3 or A2
laser prints from your digital photos giving them your required measurements.
If you get A3 prints, make sure you ask for an overlap where the two halves of
the images meet. A3 prints can be pieced together when mounted on the card by
overlapping the two halves and cutting through both layers with the scalpel
against a steel rule, then removing the two excess scraps carefully.
4
Using spray mount, (in a well
ventilated space and with care) stick the book spines in ones, twos and threes
to your mounting board depending on the books’ thickness. Trim any over-hanging
edges of photocopy paper with the scalpel and steel rule.
5
Give your panels two coats of matt
varnish making sure they dry fully in between coats.
6
Take a bit of time to arrange your
mounting board panels up your staircase. When you are happy with the order
they’re in, attach them with a staple gun (for a temporary arrangement) or
Gripfix (for a more permanent one). Once in position, give them a couple more
coats of matt varnish to minimise scuffing.
Tip
Play around with your choice of book
titles:
The Big Sleep
Quite Ugly One
Morning
The Long Goodbye
Farewell my Lovely...
