A Simple Guide to Making an Autograph Book

[revwog1974]

That is just awful! I completely understand why you are so upset - I know how long it takes to put one of these together! I would march into that FedEx store and have a little chat with the manager. They need to make it right! Are these all cards that you printed out yourself on cardstock? You might want to have them printed as photographs (it's quick and won't use up all of your ink) and then have them bound while repeating over and over to the employees that it is to be bound at the TOP! Good luck, and let us know how it works out.

I'm so sorry to hear what happened. I completely understand why you are upset. I would be devastated! But I do agree with MusicMouse about pushing them to fix it. They need to make it right - it was their mistake as far as I can see, not yours!

This worked well for me and was much cheaper than using my own ink to print. I made photobooks this year so I didn't print any but when we have done cards, I have always had them printed as photos purely for cost effective reasons. A sharpie marker worked just fine - we had them done in matt finish and none of the signatures were ruined in any way by smudging.

Thank you. My husband did come around, saying he knew how much time I put in and that after looking at them more he agreed they looked pretty bad. But I knew you all would understand more than he did! I would go back, but the person I dealt with today was the manager, so I'm not sure that going back again will make any difference. But I could I try, if I think I want to trust them again will all that effort!

That is a total bummer! I was afraid the books for my son and nephew would get messed up, so I'm making my own using this. I know that doesn't help you now, but maybe you could try it in the future. Is there any way you can trim the blank space off the top of the cards?

When I first started this project I intended to print them as photos but lots of people on this thread said to print them on my own printer. I tested out printing some as photos, and I like the way they look a lot better. But there is one thing I can't figure. How do you bind them so that the binding doesn't cut off part of the image? That's one of the things I hate about the way FedEx messed up this project. The binding cuts 1/4 inch into the image on the left side and it just looks ugly. I could cut off the top, I think, but it wouldn't solve the problem at the top.

The other problem I have is with the laminating of the covers. I glued the printed images to chipboard, which is I think what others have done and when I dropped them off they thought it would be ok. But they couldn't seal them all around so the laminating is bubbly and already pealing. Any ideas what I did wrong? I'm not generally good at this kind of thing, but I thought I had this one figured.

Thank you all so much.

 

[mamathompson]

With all of these character meals, it sounds like you guys are going to have a great time! Here are your covers :

Thank you so much, they are wonderful!

 

[MusicMouse]

The other problem I have is with the laminating of the covers. I glued the printed images to chipboard, which is I think what others have done and when I dropped them off they thought it would be ok. But they couldn't seal them all around so the laminating is bubbly and already pealing. Any ideas what I did wrong? I'm not generally good at this kind of thing, but I thought I had this one figured.

Thank you all so much.

I laminated my own using clear contact paper that I bought at Walmart. You can find it with the shelf-lining paper. It works very well with the chipboard covers. If laminating is done correctly, it should never bubble or peel. It sounds like your FedEx store is pretty inept. Perhaps a letter to corporate HQ is in order?!

 

[MusicMouse]

That is a total bummer! I was afraid the books for my son and nephew would get messed up, so I'm making my own using this. I know that doesn't help you now, but maybe you could try it in the future. Is there any way you can trim the blank space off the top of the cards?

I love this - I had no idea that they made these! Does it come with the coils or do you buy them separately? Are they expensive? This is why I love running this thread - I keep learning about new things and new techniques!

 

[baamshaw]

I just googled "spiral binding machines" and there are a lot of websites for them. It looks like they range from about $35 up. This may be a good investment!!!

 

[chaoscent]

I just googled "spiral binding machines" and there are a lot of websites for them. It looks like they range from about $35 up. This may be a good investment!!!

I agree, I had offered to make a cook book for a Give Kids The World fundraiser and I figured the coils would be the way to go. I have my DH looking for a good one on Craig's List since I don't plan on starting this till the spring.

 

[revwog1974]

Wen you print the cards as photos, how do you modify them so that the coils don't go through the image?

 

[jdcthree]

When I first started this project I intended to print them as photos but lots of people on this thread said to print them on my own printer. I tested out printing some as photos, and I like the way they look a lot better. But there is one thing I can't figure. How do you bind them so that the binding doesn't cut off part of the image? That's one of the things I hate about the way FedEx messed up this project. The binding cuts 1/4 inch into the image on the left side and it just looks ugly. I could cut off the top, I think, but it wouldn't solve the problem at the top.

The other problem I have is with the laminating of the covers. I glued the printed images to chipboard, which is I think what others have done and when I dropped them off they thought it would be ok. But they couldn't seal them all around so the laminating is bubbly and already pealing. Any ideas what I did wrong? I'm not generally good at this kind of thing, but I thought I had this one figured.

Thank you all so much.

You could leave a little blank space on the side/top if you want, but honestly the binding shouldn't ruin your image. For instance, if you are using a spiral ring, you can still see the image everywhere except where the small holes were punched. What kind of binding did you have done? Do you have a photo?

As for the laminating, I took my covers to get laminated at Office Depot today. I used glossy photo paper, and the girl warned me before she started that glossy images sometimes bubble. I had her start with the back cover as a test run, and the back of the image bubbled, but the front didn't. As she did the others, the same thing happend with a few small bubbles on the front. She ran it through the machine several times and that helped. Overall they turned out well, but they aren't perfect. FedEx should have worked with you more - I'm so sorry!

 

[jdcthree]

I love this - I had no idea that they made these! Does it come with the coils or do you buy them separately? Are they expensive? This is why I love running this thread - I keep learning about new things and new techniques!

You have to buy the coils separately. I got the binding system on sale for $14.99, and 3 plastic coils on sale for $2.99 (I think), plus I had a coupon for free shipping and another $5 off my total! I plan to buy some coils in bulk to save money. You can buy plastic or steel, and they are 12" long. One coil can be used for two books. I LOVE how my books are turning out!

 

[heathies2]

You have to buy the coils separately. I got the binding system on sale for $14.99, and 3 plastic coils on sale for $2.99 (I think), plus I had a coupon for free shipping and another $5 off my total! I plan to buy some coils in bulk to save money. You can buy plastic or steel, and they are 12" long. One coil can be used for two books. I LOVE how my books are turning out!

Where did you get the binding system and coils from?

 

[jdcthree]

Where did you get the binding system and coils from?

I ordered them from Jo-Ann Fabrics. There is a link in one of my posts above. It's really easy to use!

 

[susankle]

Hi! I am looking for some help! I am trying to make a photobook on Shutterfly. I have chosen some autograph cards, uploaded them to Shutterfly and get a message that the resolution is to low. Can someone help me with this?
Suggestions?

Thanks for any help!

Susan

 

[Minnie Mommy Mouse]

Music Mouse,
Will you be doing invitations to Be Our Guest? Do you have an invitation disign for Le Cellier? We will be in WDW celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary (11/21/92) at Le Cellier & I would love to have an invitation marking the occasion to scrapbook.

Also, will you be disigning autograph pages for MVMCP & new Sideshow characters? The customized Halloween disigns you did for MNSSHP are amazing!

TIA,
Julie

 

[KrystalSeamon]

thank you so much! They will love them! Yes there are seven kids & two mothers! They have us outnumbered!

 

[mamathompson]

Hi there! Can I please get Character Meal Covers with the year 2012 for:
Ava in Pink
Jenaya in Pink
Jack in Blue
Henry in Red
Evelyn in Purple

we will be dining at
Chef Mickeys
Akershus
Ohana Breakfast
Garden Grill
1900 Park Fare dinner
and Crystal Palace

Thank you so much!

I've decided to put together one more book. Can I please get a yellow one with the name Rylie, and the same meals? Thanks again!!

 

[Nicole82]

Hi! I love your castle autograph book covers! Can you make me one that says "Gabe's Autograph Book" in blue font? Thanks so much!

 

[goldnvalli]

I was just checking out your photo bucket and I love your covers for the autograph books. I tried for an hour to edit the text and write in my own. Unfortunately I didn't do so well. I would appreciate it if you could make me two covers (the one with all the characters in front of the castle)

Arianna ( Purple disney font)

Marc ( Blue Disney Font)

I am so impressed by your dedication and work.

Thank you,
Anna

 

[DisneyGuess]

MusicMouse, do you know if anyone has a Gaston in DoNatalie's vol 2 style?

Also, I never got to see the Beast last trip, I'm assuming that with his hands, he doesn't sign. Right? I know way back when the movie first came out & I saw Belle & him at DHS, forever ago, lol, that Belle signed for him.

 

[MusicMouse]

First, I can't tell you how much I LOVE your work! I can't imagine how many hours you have put into creating and personalizing all of these designs, but thank you! I am currently making an autograph book and a character meal autograph book for each of my kids, DD(6) and DS(8). It's our first trip and a surprise for the kiddos, and I plan to use these as part of the big reveal! Usually this would stress me out to no end, but you have made this such a fun, doable project for the artistically challenged like myself.

For the covers of the general autograph books could I get:

• One of all the princesses in front of the castle that says "Ella's Autographs 2012" with pink lettering &
  
• One with all of the characters in front of the castle that says "Ethan's Autographs 2012" with blue lettering.

Also, for the covers of the character meal book, could I get:

• A pink one that says "Ella's Character Meals 2012" and
  
• A blue one that says "Ethan's Character Meals 2012

We are eating at CRT, Garden Grill, O'hana, and Chef Mickey.

I am in no hurry. Thank you in advance!

Here are your covers :

Hi we are going to Disney in November.

Can you please make us 2 covers my boys.

Jackson's

Jameson's

Thank you!!

Here you go :

I was wondering if you could help me. I am looking to get this cover personalized for our upcoming trip in December.(its the dark background with the castle and the characters)

http://s1019.photobucket.com/albums/af313/MusicMouse7/Autograph Books/?action=view&current=130.jpg

I would like it to say:
Shayla's Autographs
I saw the other posts on here where posters requested other covers, but I never saw a request for this one, so I was not sure if you could do it.
Thanks for your help!

I'm sorry, but this is not my design, and the person who made it for me is no longer designing. I do have this one, or can personalize another in my photobucket for you.

Hi! I am looking for some help! I am trying to make a photobook on Shutterfly. I have chosen some autograph cards, uploaded them to Shutterfly and get a message that the resolution is to low. Can someone help me with this?
Suggestions?

Thanks for any help!

Susan

The resolution should be fine. Shutterfly's resolution requirements are for actual photos, but the DISigns here are simpler and do not need as many pixels for clarity.

Music Mouse,
Will you be doing invitations to Be Our Guest? Do you have an invitation disign for Le Cellier? We will be in WDW celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary (11/21/92) at Le Cellier & I would love to have an invitation marking the occasion to scrapbook.

Also, will you be disigning autograph pages for MVMCP & new Sideshow characters? The customized Halloween disigns you did for MNSSHP are amazing!

TIA,
Julie

Thank you! I don't make invitations, but yes, I will eventually be making MVMCP cards and designs for the new sideshow characters. (Just let me get caught up with requests and make the rest of my Halloween cards first.)

 

[MusicMouse]

I've decided to put together one more book. Can I please get a yellow one with the name Rylie, and the same meals? Thanks again!!

Here you go :

Hi! I love your castle autograph book covers! Can you make me one that says "Gabe's Autograph Book" in blue font? Thanks so much!

Here is your cover :

I was just checking out your photo bucket and I love your covers for the autograph books. I tried for an hour to edit the text and write in my own. Unfortunately I didn't do so well. I would appreciate it if you could make me two covers (the one with all the characters in front of the castle)

Arianna ( Purple disney font)

Marc ( Blue Disney Font)

I am so impressed by your dedication and work.

Thank you,
Anna

Thank you for your kind words. Don't feel bad - it's not easy to change someone else's design (which, I guess, is just as well or I'd be out of a job ). Here are your covers :

MusicMouse, do you know if anyone has a Gaston in DoNatalie's vol 2 style?

Also, I never got to see the Beast last trip, I'm assuming that with his hands, he doesn't sign. Right? I know way back when the movie first came out & I saw Belle & him at DHS, forever ago, lol, that Belle signed for him.

As far as I know, Belle still signs for Beast, and according to rumor, Beast will be pulled from France in Epcot and start appearing without her at the Be Our Guest Restaurant (but not signing autographs). Here is a Gaston.