Altered books are a unique way to blend your artistic creativity with your love of literature. Wondering how to make altered books? In fact, the best way to learn altered books is through books. In this article, I’ll guide you with the best books about making altered books.
So what are altered books?
At its core, altered book making is transforming books into works of art.
For example, you might have seen people making blackout poetry with books before. This is one popular form of altered books creation.
Not to fear—in this post, we’ll set you up with the best books for learning how to make altered books. This list about books for altered books for beginners also include essential guides for intermediate and advanced book alteration artists as well.
Let’s get started!
This article contains affiliate links
Altered Books 101: Everything You Need to Know by Beth Cote and Cindy Petska
Start with the best basic book on learning altered books, Beth Cote and Cindy Petska’s Altered Books 101: Everything You Need to Know. Though this 2002 book is quite a few years old by now, it still holds up as a key book essential to your journey to learn altered books. Timeless techniques abound in this easily approachable book about altered books that any beginner should check out.
How to read it: Purchase Altered Books 101: Everything You Need to Know on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
Altered Book: Special Effects by Laurie Goodson and Betsy McLoughlin
Take your altered book hobby up a notch with Altered Books: Special Effects by Laurie Goodson and Betsy McLoughlin. In this altered books guide, you’ll find endless inspiration for new ideas about how to alter books. Short and sweet, Altered Books: Special Effects nonetheless is a must-read for anyone hoping to learn altered books.
How to read it: Purchase Altered Books: Special Effects on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
The Art of Fabric Books by Jan Bode Smiley
Improve your altered books game with The Art of Fabric Books by Jan Bode Smiley. This book will help guide you on how to incorporate fabric in your projects. Perfect for beginners and advanced altered book crafters, The Art of Fabric Books should be in the library of every altered book hobbiest.
How to read it: Purchase The Art of Fabric Books on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
The Complete Guide to Altered Imagery by Karen Michel
Everyone looking to learn altered book techniques would do well to pick up Karen Michel’s The Complete Guide to Altered Imagery. You’ll discover how to alter imagery through photography, your computer, found sources, and, to top it off, altered imagery using printmaking techniques. This comprehensive book offers fresh prompts and projects for the altered books beginner and intermediate artists alike.
How to read it: Buy The Complete Guide to Altered Imagery on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Altered Art Illustrated by Allyson Bright Meyer
Another great introduction to altered art is Allyson Bright Meyer’s The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Altered Art Illustrated. This book is perfect for beginners who want to learn altered books but are unsure where to start. With easy to grasp tutorials that are generously illustrated, you’ll be in good hands as you start building your altered books skills one after the other.
How to read it: Purchase The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Altered Art Illustrated on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
Teach Yourself Visually Collage and Altered Art by Roni Johnson
If you’re a visual learner—and I’m guessing if you found this article of the best books about altered books, you are visually oriented—you’ll definitely want to get a copy of Teach Yourself Collage and Altered Art. Those seeking altered books for beginners will want to add this book to their home library. With lavish full-color illustrations, Teach Yourself Collage and Altered Art is a visual feast that helps you learn the basics of collage and altered art, including altered books. You’ll gain new altered book skills by learning techniques to incorporate stamps, image transfer, tip-in pages, fold outs, and more.
How to read it: Purchase Teach Yourself Collage and Altered Art on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
Altered Books, Collaborative Journals, and Other Adventures in Bookmaking by Holly Harrison
Take your altered books hobby to new heights with Holly Harrison’s Altered Books, Collaborative Journals, and Other Adventures in Bookmaking. This book covers the cross-section of altered books, collaborative journals, and other bookmaking techniques. Harrison highlights techniques every altered book artist needs to know, like incorporating digital art, photo transfers, and even gelatin prints. Bursting with illustrations of altered book projects, Altered Books, Collaborative Journals, and Other Adventures in Bookmaking belongs on the shelves of everyone hoping to learn altered books.
How to read it: Purchase Altered Books, Collaborative Journals, and Other Adventures in Bookmaking on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
Folded Book Art Made Easy by Marta Decker
One key skill that altered book enthusiasts need to know how to do is folded book art. In other words, manipulating a book to make three-dimensional folded art. Learn altered book art with Marta Decker’s how-to, Folded Book Art Made Easy, which guides you through the process of folded book artistry. This book also includes patterns that are easy to follow and get you up to speed on folded book art.
How to read it: Purchase Folded Art Made Easy on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
Extraordinary Things to Cut Out and Collage by Maria Rivens
Although not a how-to book for learning book alteration, Maria Rivens’ Extraordinary Things to Cut Out and Collage is a nice companion for anyone creating altered books. This book of 1,500+ images has something for every altered book artist, including a plethora of vintage photos, illustrations, artwork, and ephemera. If you’re looking to incorporate more images in your altered book projects, you’ll definitely have a bevy of pictures to choose from with this mixed-media collage book.
How to read it: Purchase Extraordinary Things to Cut Out and Collage on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
Altered Books 102: Beyond the Basics by Beth Cote
Altered Books 102: Beyond the Basics is the follow-up to Altered Books 101, the first book in this list of the best books to learn altered books. Take your book alteration to a new level with Beth Cote’s Altered Books 102. One of the best books about making altered books, Cote’s guide covers intermediate-to-advanced altered book techniques, like transferring, suspensions, secret windows, peek-a-doors, found objects, and even more skills you’ll will want to know to skill up your book alteration. At only 52 pages, Cote packs a ton of ideas, projects, and techniques for altered book artists.
How to read it: Purchase Altered Books 102: Beyond the Basics on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
Art Made from Books: Altered, Sculpted, Carved, Transformed by Laura Heyenga
Now that we’ve reviewed great books for how to learn altered books, try Art Made from Books: Altered, Sculpted, Carved, Transformed by Laura Heyenga for extra inspiration. This beautiful book profiles artists from around the world and showcases their best works of book art. With gorgeous photography, Art Made from Books: Altered, Sculpted, Carved, Transformed demonstrates the endless possibilities for altered books artists.
