Creative Ways to Use Kraft-tex

15 Creative Ways to Use Kraft-tex in Handmade Books

Looking for new ways to use Kraft-tex in your handmade books? Kraft-tex is one of those magical materials that seems to do it all—it’s sturdy yet flexible, easy to stitch, and takes paint, print, and texture beautifully.

We asked members of the Handmade Book Club to share their favorite Kraft-tex bookbinding ideas, and their responses are filled with creative techniques and inspiring results. Read on for 15 unique ways to decorate and use Kraft-tex in your next handmade book project.

Painted Kraft-tex Book Covers

Several members have brought Kraft-tex to life with bold color and playful marks:

• Gayle Burdick decorates her Kraft-tex book covers using acrylic paint—freehand, with stencils, and even foam stamps for added dimension.
• Donna Roy combines acrylics, inks, and stamps for a vibrant, mixed-media surface that makes each cover one-of-a-kind.

• Rose James creates layered effects with an acrylic wash background and adds details using acrylic paint markers. She also runs Kraft-tex through embossing folders with a Sizzix machine for texture before coloring.
• Karen Page Ridens uses Ken Oliver’s Colorburst powders for bold, expressive color, paired with hand stitching for a handmade touch.

Eco Printing and Cyanotype on Kraft-tex

Nature-based printing techniques like eco printing and cyanotype look stunning on Kraft-tex:

• Tony Lemos loves both eco printing and cyanotype on Kraft-tex, especially because cyanotypes can be double-sided on this material.
• Teresa Smith creates blue-toned cyanotypes and enhances them with a touch of watercolor for extra detail and softness.

• Debby Henning uses eco printing with real leaves and flowers to dye Kraft-tex naturally.

Drawing, Stitching, and Embroidery Techniques

Because of its leather-like strength and flexibility, Kraft-tex is perfect for hand or machine stitching, embroidery, and detailed drawing:

• Kim Mendenhall Stevens draws directly on Kraft-tex with waterproof pen, then finishes with a watercolor wash.

• Debi Kuennen-Baker machine-embroiders Kraft-tex, masks off the borders, and highlights her stitched designs with metallic acrylic paint for an elegant shimmer.
• Lori Elliott-Bartle adds hand-stitching (often intentionally imperfect) along with her original watercolor woodcut artwork for a beautifully organic look.

Printing on Kraft-tex: Inkjet, Letterpress, and Transfers

If you’re wondering how to print on Kraft-tex, here are two brilliant examples:

• Christine Medley uses a traditional letterpress setup with wood and metal type to print directly onto Kraft-tex—combining vintage style with modern material.
• Jennifer Henley coats Kraft-tex with InkAid, prints using an inkjet printer, and seals it with Dorland’s wax. One featured cover showcases a scan of a painted paper scrap—proof that Kraft-tex takes printing beautifully.

Collage and Layering on Kraft-tex Book Covers

Layering other materials onto Kraft-tex is a great way to create texture and depth:

• Deb Ingebretsen glues lightweight mulberry paper and decorative napkins onto Kraft-tex covers, adding tactile dimension both inside and out.

• Debbie Bankston uses an embossing folder to texture the Kraft-tex for a mini book cover, then applies a faux antique finish for a vintage-inspired look.

Mixed Media & Alchemy

Some artists love Kraft-tex simply because it supports their creative experiments:

• Michelle Thompson calls Kraft-tex “a dream” to work with, using it as the foundation for her Paper Bag Alchemy book—proving this material is both practical and magical.

Why Bookbinders Love Kraft-tex

From painting and eco printing to machine embroidery and embossing, Kraft-tex offers a world of creative possibilities for handmade books. It stitches like fabric, dyes like paper, and prints like leather—all without tearing, fraying, or warping. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned bookmaker, it’s the perfect surface to experiment with.

Try These Kraft-tex Ideas in Your Next Handmade Book

Feeling inspired? Try one of these ideas in your next project—or mix and match a few techniques to make something uniquely your own.

Want more bookbinding inspiration and step-by-step tutorials? Join us inside the Handmade Book Club, where we explore materials like Kraft-tex every month through guided projects, live workshops, and a vibrant creative community.

If you’re looking for a reliable source to purchase Kraft-tex, we recommend checking out Paper & Ink Arts—they carry it by the yard, roll, or bolt, and offer excellent service. We’re not affiliated with them, but we’re happy to support their small business and encourage you to do the same!

---