DIY Stained Edges

For this example, I will stain the edges of Foundryside metallic green and The Host metallic black.

Materials needed:

Paintbrushes (your choice)

Painters tape

Acrylic paint

Scissors

Cling wrap (optional)

Step 1: Remove the dust jacket from your book. Take a napkin and clear off any dust on the pages.

Step 2:

Option 1: Wrap the cling wrap around the edges of the book and tape the clean wrap down. Making sure to secure all the edges

Option 2: only use the tape to secure the edges and don’t use the cling wrap

option 2

option 1

Step 3: once the edges of the book are completely covered and protected, put weight on the book. This is very important, the more weight the better. It will flatten the pages together and make sure the paint doesn’t get anywhere but on the edges of the page.

I personally just use a bunch of books stacked on top of the book I will be painting, pictured on the left.

Step 4: paint the edges

Step 5: let the paint dry, takes about 20 minutes. Once dry remove the edge protection. (or paint on a second layer/design on top of your base paint)

Step 6: Once you have the edge protection off you will probably notice some trouble areas or places where the paint didn’t reach (pictured left). That is okay. Take your paintbrush, I like to use a smaller one, and carefully dip paint over the trouble area to your liking.

Step 7: Once the trouble spots you touched up are dry begin to separate the pages. This step takes the longest.

Step 8: put the dust jacket back on your book and enjoy!

TIP for cling wrap method: make sure the cling wrap is as tight as possible on the cover of the book, cut the cling wrap that will be around the corners of the book and just use tape there to make it easier.

TIP for corner taping: press the tape to the corners and then cut lines where the corner bends to be able to bend the edges down well

TIP for separating pages: you don’t need to separate the pages right away, you can leave them painted together but then you won’t be able to read the book. The fastest way to separate the edges is to bend the pages until the paint gives way and begins to part, use those parts as sections and separate each page individually. I like to watch a show or listen to an audiobook while I do this.

TIP on bible pages: I find that bible-thin paper doesn't always hold the paint well and can result in a flaky look to the edges of your book. The best fix for this I have found is to not put on a heavy coat of paint and use cheaper acrylic paint. Take extra care when separating the pages on these types of books.


Have fun giving your books a new look and as always, happy reading!