Hello fellow Disers! There have been so many questions about making your own autograph books that I thought I would write up a simple guide. Please feel free to ask questions!
How to make a 5x7 Autograph Book (Spiral Bound):
Step 1: Browse the DISign threads to find autograph card styles that you like (see list below). Enlarge each image by clicking on it, then right click, choose save picture as, and save it to a folder on your computer.
Step 2: Open a new Word document. Set the margins to 1 on the top and bottom. Copy and paste each autograph card into the document, leaving one space between each card. You will be able to fit two cards per page if you invert the bottom image on each page (rotate 180 degrees). Right click on each picture after it is pasted and size it to 4x6.
Step 3: Print pages onto cardstock. 65 lb cardstock will do, but you can use 110 lb for sturdier pages.
Step 4: Cut each card out, leaving a 1 margin on the top of each card, and ½ margin on each side.
Step 5: Arrange your cards in alphabetical order (trust me, it will be easier to find the character you want when you are in a hurry), and place the covers over the front and back. Take them to have them bound at an office supply store (I took mine to FedEx/Kinkos). Be sure to tell them you want it bound at the top and not on the side. If you do not want to spiral bind your cards, you can always slip them into a photo album that you have decorated Disney style with stickers, etc. It makes a great way to carry them, and then you can scrapbook with them or have the ones that you had signed bound when you get back!
[Alternative method: If you dont want to use up all of that printer ink/toner, you can upload these images and have them printed out as photographs. I would recommend matte finish if it is available. Pick up your photos and then go on to Step 5. Photos can be spiral bound or placed in a photo album.]
How to make the Covers for your Autograph Book:
Step 1: Choose your design and have it personalized. Enlarge the image by clicking on it, then right click, choose save picture as, and save it to a folder on your computer. Copy and paste the image into a Word document. Right click on each picture after it is pasted and size it to 4x6. Print the image onto card stock.
Step 2: Cut each cover image out, leaving a 1 margin on the top of each card, and ½ margin on each side. For sturdier covers, glue onto a 5x7 piece of chipboard. If you are using chipboard, cover the underside with blank cardstock (add stickers or stamps to make it pretty) or a piece of Disney scrapbooking paper.
Step 3: Laminate your cover (with chipboard or without). I used clear Contact Paper (available at
Walmart, etc.), but you could also have it laminated at any office supply store.
How to Make an Autograph Photobook:
Step 1: Browse the DISign threads to find autograph card styles that you like (see list below). Enlarge each image by clicking on it, then right click, choose save picture as, and save it to a folder on your computer.
Step 2: Upload your images to the digital photobook company of your choice. We have had good reports from people who have used Shutterfly, Artscow, Snapfish, and Walgreens.
Step 3: Design your photobook following the sites directions. There are always many options for page colors, fonts, and styles. Go ahead, unleash your creative side! Be sure to arrange your characters in alphabetical order in order to find them more easily when you spot a character.
A Few Final Thoughts:
1: Be sure to include a few generic pages at the end of your book in case you encounter any characters that are not included in your book.
2: I recommend using regular-sized retractable Sharpies. They come in many different colors, they will write on cardstock, photographs, and photobooks without smearing, and they can be easily handled by all of the characters (even the ones that wear gloves).
3: When you first go into the park pick up a park map that has the character greeting locations marked with an icon of a Mickey hand. This will tell you where and when the characters will be available so you can arrive early and be near the front of the line to avoid wait times. You can also ask where characters will be at Guest Relations at a Disney World park or resort (sometimes they can tell you where a character is meeting people that day).
4: Remember that these books are for
PERSONAL USE ONLY. Making them and selling them on ebay, or even to friends and relatives, is a violation of Disney's copyright and trademark rights!
FOR AN UPDATED LIST OF CHARACTERS CURRENTLY IN THE PARKS - SEE POST #2
Feel free to post any questions at the end of the thread, and I'll be happy to help you!
.... feel free to check it out here - share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZuWTJw4btWT3w This one is for my daughter and then I did one for my son pretty much the same just changed the covers and I did tweak a few of the inside pages so they weren't quite as girly on the princess pages for him!
), Otterpop, Chaoscent, Tina, k fawver, Ohana90, Joephila, elizablake and I am sure someone I forgot if so sorry but THANK YOU!! You all have an amazing talent
as will be part of there "Grand homemade Welcome"!!
Great job, and thanks for sharing it with us! 
). I'm in the process of getting the final edits on my doctoral dissertation finished and out to my committee. Try putting a request for these out on the main DISign Forum page and see if you can get someone else to DISign these for you. 
