Wondering how to make a flipbook is a great question to ask, despite the advancement of digital books. Today, flipbooks are available as both physical books and digital ones.
Understanding what a flipbook is, how to make a flipbook, and various ways you can do so will help you stay on top of trends. In addition, the large audience base for this type of book broadens your writing horizons.
Flipbooks target audiences from young readers to successful professionals. No matter which audience you write for, you can’t go wrong in learning how to make a flipbook.
How To Make A Flipbook: What’s Covered
- What Is A Flipbook?
- How Do You Make A Simple Flipbook? Print Versus Digital
- Can You Create A Flipbook In Canva?
What Is A Flipbook?
The classic flipbook was a compilation of pages with images that slowly changed. When flipped in quick succession, the flipbook looked like a moving picture. The flipbook is one of many allusion examples, this one being quite literal.
Around 1860, Pierre-Hubert Desvignes is said to have created the flipbook, while John Barnes Linnett is said to be the individual who patented it. People called Linnett’s 1868 flipbook a kineograph.
Enter the digital age.
Today, there are various types of flipbooks and each serves a unique purpose. Print flipbooks are tangible and therefore, readers can keep them. With the rise of books going digital, print flipbooks are speical. However, digital flipbooks have become extremely popular.
Digital flipbooks allow creators to easily distribute their work and therefore reach larger audiences.
In addition, the digital aspect of this type of book allows creators to capture their audience with elements print flipbooks cannot access as easily. For instance, a digital flipbook can include full-color images and even videos.
How Do You Make A Simple Flipbook? Print Versus Digital
If you’re writing a book for the first time, it’s important to differentiate which type of flipbook you want to create. Let’s dive into how to make a flipbook that is either print or digital. No matter your audience, children who desire something tangible or adults who prefer digital, I have you covered.
How To Make A FlipBook: Print Version
You can make a simple flipbook, or kineograph, with a small stack of pages and a concise idea. Follow these few steps to guide you through the process.
First, brainstorm your ideas. Choose a simple idea to start, such as a person catching a ball. Second, simply sketch your image out and vary it slightly page by page.
One tip you may want to follow is to use a heavier paperweight, such as cardstock, so your pages are simple to flip. Wondering how to make a flipbook that grabs attention? Move on to step three.
Once you finish your sketches, third, add a color with pens or markers. Finally, bind your pages together with glue or twine, and you’re set to go.
How To Make A FlipBook: Digital Version
If you’d like to make a digital flipbook, you can choose a more detailed idea. For instance, you may want to share a magazine or lookbook with your audience, but don’t want to pay printing costs.
Have you ever wondered how to publish a book for free? Writing a flipbook is your answer. Choose your favorite online software (such as Canva or Publuu), sign up for a free trial, and get to work.
Digital flipbooks often resemble catalogs, brochures, or other short form copy. How to make a flipbook that looks professional largely relies on your design.
Follow these tips to learn how to make a flipbook look amazing:
- Use easy-to-read fonts
- Choose colors that support the theme of your book (a flipbook on how to write historical romance that uses neon colors will feel off-brand)
- Use free stock images to enhance your pages
Once you settle on the above, create your draft. At this time, refuse the urge to make every page perfect and instead, focus on getting the content down.
After you complete your draft and make the necessary edits, view your flipbook as the masterpiece it is: a digital book with pages to turn. Ensure each page flows into the next.
Finally, publish your book!
Bonus tip: Follow these 7 book writing strategies to help you actually finish writing your flipbook.
Can You Create A Flipbook In Canva?
You can most definitely learn how to make a flipbook in Canva. Work your way through these six steps to create a gorgeous flipbook today.
1. Create Your Account
Canva offers many options with its free version. All you need to do is fill out your information and you’re in.
2. Search The Dimensions You Want
After you create your account, you land on the Home page. This page offers designs such as Social Media, Docs, Whiteboard, and even Custom Sizing. Choose the design or input the exact dimension you want to get started on your flipbook.
3. Choose A Template Or Build Your Own
Now that you have chosen your dimensions, it’s time to either choose a template or build your own design from scratch. Canva’s free version offers a plethora of aesthetically pleasing designs you can personalize to your own needs.
Even if you want to start from scratch, you may want to browse their templates for inspiration.
If you choose to use a template, note that you can change almost any color palette or font you want to. Canva even includes a “switch all” option to make personalizing your template that much easier.
4. Collect Elements To Add To Your Copy
A big aspect of learning how to make a flipbook lies in choosing which types of elements to add to your book. The fun of a digital flipbook is that your options are nearly limitless.
In Canva’s Design bar, you can access many elements to add to your flipbook:
- Elements
- Text
- Brand
- Uploads
- Draw
- Projects
- Apps
Choosing various elements or uploading images prior to drafting will help your work flow more smoothly later on.
5. Draft Your Flipbook
Equipped with the template and tools you need, you can now start drafting. As you learn how to make a flipbook, you may design a page you particularly love and would like to use as a template for the rest of your flipbook.
Canva offers a “duplicate page” feature in the upper right corner. You can duplicate your page and make the specific changes you want.
6. Edit Your Project
Once you complete your draft, don’t forget to edit each and every page. You may want to include an about the author section at the end so readers can learn more about you and know where to find you. Tip: include your website and social media handles.
Remember that much of learning how to make a flipbook comes down to two aspects:
- Building a digitally engaging project
- Creating a digital book that feels like it could be printed
When you feel you have met the above objectives, consider asking for a beta reader’s opinion on your book. Beta readers often provide invaluable insights for writers!
Enhance Your Writing With This Next Step
Creating a standout book cover design for your flipbook can drastically increase sales. Use our free resource below to help you do so!
