The ancient Japanese technique of stab binding is a simple way to make an art book. It involves tying single sheets of paper together into a soft-cover book. Stack up the uniformly sized sheets and square the edges. Place two single-sheet covers with turned in end-flaps, or double folded covers on the top and bottom of the page stack, or use a single-sheet wrap-around cover. Punch four or more holes along the edges with a hammer and hole punch. Lace the pages together with yarn, cord or string.
Make an accordion or concertina art book using a single, long, narrow sheet of paper with artwork on both sides. Fold the paper in half, flip back the top layer, align it with the edge and crease it. Repeat the process until the pages are folded into a compact stack. Glue the first and last pages to the covers. Pull out and unfold the pages for viewing. Use origami methods for more intricate folds.
Comic books, or graphic novels, are a fun type of art book that incorporates drawing and writing. Hand draw the comic book in pencil, then ink it with traditional pen and ink techniques before coloring with ink or watercolor. One of a kind comics can be spiral bound, stapled or hand sewn together. For multiple copies, digitize the pages with a scanner or camera and print with an inkjet printer. Alternatively, compose the book digitally using a digital pen with art or publishing software.
Make a scroll art book by winding a continuous sheet of decorated paper around a wooden dowel or spool with large endcaps. Wind the paper tightly and tie it with a decorative ribbon or string for storage or secure the wound-up scroll with buttons, snaps or fasteners. Attach an upper crosspiece to the top of the scroll to hang it up for viewing. Calligraphy and ink landscape paintings are common subjects of scroll art books.