Turn scratch paper into notepads HOWTO
This page is what inspired this whole website. I have been making notepads out of scratch papers since I was a kid when I got my first bottle of padding glue. At every office I have worked in, I have made these notepads and people love them. They can't have enough of them. A friend once coined the term “melpads” after my name.
People think I use a high tech device to make them, but actually, it's a simple activity to turn the pile of scratch paper next to the printer or copy machine into something useful. The secret is the padding glue you can buy from an office or art store or from Amazon.com.
Materials (available at Packratcentral store)
Paper with writing on one side (most common is letter size)
A piece of cardboard (like ones backing legal yellow pads)
Staple remover
Cutting materials (cutting mat, metal ruler, and box cutter)
Rubber spatula
Padding glue
Larger pieces of paper such as newspapers or store ads
Any heavy book
Straight edge of a table
Prepare the Paper
You can do this part throughout a period of time, collecting paper and board from different sources.
Arrange the paper so that the written side is facing the same direction. Remove staples
Cut the paper according to the size you want the notepads to be. You can cut it using any tool from scissors to paper cutters. At home, I use a box cutter with a metal ruler on a cutting mat – but please be careful. I’ve cut myself a couple of times doing this. Also, cut the cardboard to have the same size as the paper
Prepare the paper stack “sandwich”
The process tends to be messy so I like having newspapers or store ads handy.
On the straight edge of a table, place a piece of paper (like a newspaper).
Lay the cardboard on top of the newspaper
Lay a stack of cut scratch paper facing down on top of the board, making sure they are all aligned. I usually put a stack of scratch paper around 1-2 inches thick.
Put another piece of newspaper on top of the stack to keep it stable and keep everything clean.
Apply the Glue
Place a heavy book on top of the paper “sandwich.” The pressure of the book will keep the paper stack stable as the glue pads them together.
Using a rubber spatula, apply a small amount of padding glue on the side of the stack and spread it evenly.
Let the stack sit and dry for at least 2 hours, the color of the glue tends to darken when dry.
Peeling and slicing.
You can do several pads at a time by alternating pieces of cardboard and stacks of paper in one big “sandwich” and one heavy book on top. You just have to slice them into layers when you’re done.
Once dry, peel off the top and the bottom news paper, You may also want to peel the first couple of layers on the notepad since they tend to be show “bleeding” of the padding glue.
Finished product
Now you have a nice notepad to use or give away. Joy!
Things to watch out for:
- Be careful of paper cuts!
- Check paper for sensitive information because these notepads tend to be popular and can get redistributed around the office building.
- Applying the glue gets messy so don’t make the pads on nicely finished furniture. (Tip: the glue is easier to clean/peel off when it’s dry)