Print the pages of your book onto the paper. In the United States and Canada, the standard is 8 ½ x 11"Letter" size. The international standard is A4, which is 8 ¼ x 11 ¾. Traditional book size is closer to A5, which is 5 7/8 x 8 ¼.
Create the front and back covers. Using the scissors cut one sheet of card stock so that it covers the front of the book and overlaps the spine, onto the back of the book. Cut another sheet of card stock so that it covers the back of the book and folds over onto the spine.
Place the pages into the bookbinding press without the covers. Tap the pages down so they are as even and smooth as possible.
Insert the front and back covers into the press. Line everything up together and screw the pressing bar of the press down to hold everything in place.
Set the press on its edge so that the spine of the book is facing up. Apply contact cement to the exposed spine. Don't apply the cement at the edges of the spine.
Allow the glue to dry for 10 to 15 minutes. Apply a thin layer of tissue on top of the cement before it has completely dried. This increases the strength of the spine and adds thickness.
Allow the cement to continue drying with the tissue on top of it.
Fold the back cover over onto spine. Fold the front cover over the spine and onto the back of the book.
Loosen the pressing bar a bit. Slide the book down slightly and apply cement to the part of the front cover that overlaps the back cover.
Fold the front cover over the back cover. Set the book fully in the press again and tighten the pressing bar.
Allow the cement to dry. Leave the book in the press for as long as the instructions on the cement recommend for it to completely dry.