Make Backwoodsman Magazine Issues (Fallout Crafts)

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Make Backwoodsman Magazine Issues (Fallout Crafts)

There’s something wildly satisfying about recreating fictional props in real life—especially when they look this authentic.

These notebooks mimic the look of the latest issue of a rugged outdoors publication, complete with that slightly tongue-in-cheek survival vibe...you can make notebooks just like this with any theme!

IF YOU LOVE FALLOUT CRAFTS, FOLLOW ME @FALLOUTCRAFTS ON INSTAGRAM!

Think: practical advice, bold vintage-style graphics, and that iconic “survive at all costs” aesthetic.

Whether you’re making one or a whole stack of back issues, this tutorial will walk you through everything step by step.

Why You’ll Love This Project

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here’s why this craft is a must-try:

It’s beginner-friendly (no fancy tools required)
Perfect for Fallout fans or cosplay props
Great for Fallout themed party favors
Makes amazing gifts or journal notebooks
Totally customizable (you can create your own current issue designs!)
Great for using up paper scraps

Also… let’s be honest. There’s just something hilarious about flipping through your own handmade survival magazine and imagining what kind of chaotic advice Charlie Jr. would be giving in the wasteland.

Let's get started!

Think: practical advice, bold vintage-style graphics, and that iconic “survive at all costs” aesthetic. Whether you’re making one or a whole stack of back issues, this tutorial will walk you through everything step by step. Why You’ll Love This Project Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here’s why this craft is a must-try: It’s beginner-friendly (no fancy tools required) Perfect for Fallout fans or cosplay props Great for Fallout themed party favors Makes amazing gifts or journal notebooks Totally customizable (you can create your own current issue designs!) Great for using up paper scraps Also… let’s be honest. There’s just something hilarious about flipping through your own handmade survival magazine and imagining what kind of chaotic advice Charlie Jr. would be giving in the wasteland.

Supplies You’ll Need for Magazine Notebook DIY:

affiliate links

Here’s everything I used to make my notebooks:

Printed Backwoodsman magazine cover (on glossy or brochure paper)
Standard printer paper (for inside pages)
Score board (for crisp folds)
Guillotine Paper Cutter (or Stack Cutter)
Stapler (I used the We R Makers stapler)
Ruler
Pencil
Bone folder (optional but helpful)

⬇️⬇️FREE Backwoodsmans Magazine Printout available at the end of this post!⬇️⬇️

Supplies You’ll Need for Magazine Notebook DIY: affiliate links Here’s everything I used to make my notebooks: Printed Backwoodsman magazine cover (on glossy or brochure paper) Standard printer paper (for inside pages) Score board (for crisp folds) Guillotine Paper Cutter (or Stack Cutter) Stapler (I used the We R Makers stapler) Ruler Pencil Bone folder (optional but helpful)

Step 1: Print Your Magazine Cover

Start by printing your Backwoodsman magazine cover.

For the best results:

Use glossy or semi-gloss paper for that authentic magazine look
Set your printer to high-quality print settings
Make sure the image is sized correctly (around half-fold booklet size)

If you want to go the extra mile, you can:

Slightly desaturate colors for a vintage feel
Add faux wear marks or distressing
Create multiple designs to mimic different back issues

This is where your creativity can really shine—especially if you want to design your own latest issue headlines with ridiculous survival tips.

Step 1: Print Your Magazine Cover Start by printing your Backwoodsman magazine cover. For the best results: Use glossy or semi-gloss paper for that authentic magazine look Set your printer to high-quality print settings Make sure the image is sized correctly (around half-fold booklet size) If you want to go the extra mile, you can: Slightly desaturate colors for a vintage feel Add faux wear marks or distressing Create multiple designs to mimic different back issues This is where your creativity can really shine—especially if you want to design your own latest issue headlines with ridiculous survival tips.

Note: This magazine is sized to fit on a standard sheet of paper, but there is some trimming that needs to happen.

Just cut the filler paper the size of the magazine page and you can trim the edges after it's all stapled together.

Step 2: Score the Cover

This step makes a HUGE difference.

Place your printed cover, printed side UP, onto your score board and line it up at the center. Use the scoring tool to create a clean crease right down the middle.

Why score instead of just folding?

Because glossy paper tends to crack or wrinkle when folded without scoring. This step gives you that crisp, professional magazine fold.

Once scored, gently fold along the crease and press it flat.

Step 2: Score the Cover This step makes a HUGE difference. Place your printed cover, printed side UP, onto your score board and line it up at the center. Use the scoring tool to create a clean crease right down the middle. Why score instead of just folding? Because glossy paper tends to crack or wrinkle when folded without scoring. This step gives you that crisp, professional magazine fold. Once scored, gently fold along the crease and press it flat.

Glossy paper looks amazing, but it has one major weakness.

It cracks when you fold it.

That is where the scoreboard becomes your best friend.

Scoring creates a compressed line in the paper that lets it fold cleanly without breaking the surface.

Step 3: Prepare the Interior Pages

Take your standard printer paper and:

Stack several sheets together (5–10 sheets depending on how thick you want your notebook)
Fold them in half
Press the fold firmly using your fingers or a bone folder

Next, trim the edges if needed so they fit neatly inside your cover.

Pro tip: Make the inner pages just slightly smaller than the cover so everything lines up cleanly.

Step 3: Prepare the Interior Pages Take your standard printer paper and: Stack several sheets together (5–10 sheets depending on how thick you want your notebook) Fold them in half Press the fold firmly using your fingers or a bone folder Next, trim the edges if needed so they fit neatly inside your cover. Pro tip: Make the inner pages just slightly smaller than the cover so everything lines up cleanly.

Step 4: Assemble Your Notebook

Now for the fun part—putting it all together.

Place your folded paper stack inside the folded cover
Align all edges carefully
Tap the stack on a flat surface to even everything out

At this point, it should already look like a mini magazine. And honestly, it’s kind of magical seeing it come together.

Step 4: Assemble Your Notebook Now for the fun part—putting it all together. Place your folded paper stack inside the folded cover Align all edges carefully Tap the stack on a flat surface to even everything out At this point, it should already look like a mini magazine. And honestly, it’s kind of magical seeing it come together.

Step 5: Mark Your Staple Placement

To get those perfectly placed staples along the spine, use your ruler to measure and mark where the staples should go.

Typically:
One staple near the top
One staple near the bottom

Keep them evenly spaced for that authentic magazine look.

This is where the We R Makers stapler really shines—it’s designed for precise placement, which makes a big difference.

Step 5: Mark Your Staple Placement To get those perfectly placed staples along the spine, use your ruler to measure and mark where the staples should go. Typically: One staple near the top One staple near the bottom Keep them evenly spaced for that authentic magazine look. This is where the We R Makers stapler really shines—it’s designed for precise placement, which makes a big difference.

Step 6: Staple Your Notebook Using the We R Makers Stapler

This is where the magic happens. The We R Makers Evolution Advanced stapler is designed specifically for binding projects like this, and once you figure out how it works, you will wonder how you ever lived without it.

Take the base piece of the We R Makers stapler and slide it underneath your closed notebook, positioning it directly under your first pencil mark. The base has a channel that supports the paper while the staple punches through.

Step 6: Staple Your Notebook Using the We R Makers Stapler This is where the magic happens. The We R Makers Evolution Advanced stapler is designed specifically for binding projects like this, and once you figure out how it works, you will wonder how you ever lived without it. Take the base piece of the We R Makers stapler and slide it underneath your closed notebook, positioning it directly under your first pencil mark. The base has a channel that supports the paper while the staple punches through.

Place the stapler head on top of your notebook, directly over the first pencil mark and aligned with the base below.

Press down gently first to make sure the stapler is positioned correctly and the paper is not shifting. You should feel the stapler teeth start to grip the paper.

Once you are confident everything is lined up, press down firmly and smoothly. The stapler will punch the staple through all the layers, and the base below will clinch it closed.

Reposition the base under your second pencil mark.
Place the stapler head on top of the second mark.
Press down firmly and smoothly to set the second staple.

You have just bound a notebook with perfectly placed staples that look like they were done by a professional bindery. If this is your first time using this stapler, practice on a scrap notebook first. The technique is simple, but it takes one or two tries to get a feel for how much pressure you need and how to position everything.

Place the stapler head on top of your notebook, directly over the first pencil mark and aligned with the base below. Press down gently first to make sure the stapler is positioned correctly and the paper is not shifting. You should feel the stapler teeth start to grip the paper. Once you are confident everything is lined up, press down firmly and smoothly. The stapler will punch the staple through all the layers, and the base below will clinch it closed. Reposition the base under your second pencil mark. Place the stapler head on top of the second mark. Press down firmly and smoothly to set the second staple. You have just bound a notebook with perfectly placed staples that look like they were done by a professional bindery. If this is your first time using this stapler, practice on a scrap notebook first. The technique is simple, but it takes one or two tries to get a feel for how much pressure you need and how to position everything.

Using the We R Makers stapler, repeat for the second staple:

Line up the base under your marked spot
Position the stapler on top
Press gently first to make sure everything is aligned
Then press firmly to insert the staple through the entire stack

And just like that… you’ve got a perfectly bound notebook!

Using the We R Makers stapler, repeat for the second staple: Line up the base under your marked spot Position the stapler on top Press gently first to make sure everything is aligned Then press firmly to insert the staple through the entire stack And just like that… you’ve got a perfectly bound notebook!

This stapler makes those center fold...or any location staples possible!

Step 7: Final Touches

Once stapled, flip through your notebook and check:

Are all pages aligned?
Is the fold crisp?
Do the staples sit flat?

If needed, press the spine again to sharpen the fold.
Optional extras:

Lightly distress the edges with sandpaper
Ink the edges for a vintage effect
Add handwritten notes inside for that “found journal” vibe
Creative Variations

Step 7: Final Touches Once stapled, flip through your notebook and check: Are all pages aligned? Is the fold crisp? Do the staples sit flat? If needed, press the spine again to sharpen the fold. Optional extras: Lightly distress the edges with sandpaper Ink the edges for a vintage effect Add handwritten notes inside for that “found journal” vibe Creative Variations

Once you’ve made one, it’s hard to stop. Here are some fun ways to take this project further:

Create a Full Series of Back Issues

Design multiple covers with different themes:

Survival tips
Hunting guides
Wild food foraging
Ridiculous wasteland advice

Stack them together and suddenly you’ve got a whole collection of back issues that look straight out of the Fallout universe.

Make theme specific magazines for party favors or non-treat gifts!

Once you’ve made one, it’s hard to stop. Here are some fun ways to take this project further: Create a Full Series of Back Issues Design multiple covers with different themes: Survival tips Hunting guides Wild food foraging Ridiculous wasteland advice Stack them together and suddenly you’ve got a whole collection of back issues that look straight out of the Fallout universe. Make theme specific magazines for party favors or non-treat gifts!

Make a “Current Issue” With Your Own Spin

Design your own current issue with funny headlines like:

“How to Cook Radroach Without Regret”
“Top 10 Places to Avoid Mutants”
“Why Duct Tape Fixes Everything”

Lean into humor—it’s part of the charm.

Add Real Content Inside

Instead of blank pages, try:

Printing journal prompts
Adding sketches or diagrams
Writing your own “practical advice” articles

Imagine flipping through and seeing notes from Charlie Jr. about surviving the wilderness… it just makes the whole thing feel alive.

Use as a Gift or Prop

These notebooks are PERFECT for:

Fallout-themed gifts
Cosplay accessories
Party favors
Journaling

They look especially cool stacked together or tossed into a themed display.

Make a “Current Issue” With Your Own Spin Design your own current issue with funny headlines like: “How to Cook Radroach Without Regret” “Top 10 Places to Avoid Mutants” “Why Duct Tape Fixes Everything” Lean into humor—it’s part of the charm. Add Real Content Inside Instead of blank pages, try: Printing journal prompts Adding sketches or diagrams Writing your own “practical advice” articles Imagine flipping through and seeing notes from Charlie Jr. about surviving the wilderness… it just makes the whole thing feel alive. Use as a Gift or Prop These notebooks are PERFECT for: Fallout-themed gifts Cosplay accessories Party favors Journaling They look especially cool stacked together or tossed into a themed display.

Tips for the Best Results

A few things I learned while making mine:

Glossy paper = more realistic magazine feel
Scoring is non-negotiable for clean folds
Don’t overstuff the notebook—too many pages make stapling harder
Measure twice before stapling (crooked staples are heartbreak)
Keep everything aligned before pressing down

Why This Project Works So Well

There’s a reason this craft is so satisfying.

It hits that perfect combination of:

Easy + impressive

Functional + decorative

Nostalgic + creative

Plus, it taps into that love of storytelling. You’re not just making a notebook—you’re creating a little piece of a world.

For outdoor enthusiasts (real or fictional), a rugged, advice-filled magazine just feels right. Even if the advice is slightly… questionable.

Make Backwoodsman magazine notebooks, scattered on table with dusty mole miner pail, bobblehead and purified emergency drinking water, plus a few caps

That's it!

This DIY Backwoodsman magazine notebook project is one of those crafts that checks all the boxes: simple, fun, customizable, and incredibly cool when finished.

Whether you’re making a single notebook or building out an entire stack of back issues, you’ll end up with something that feels straight out of the wasteland.

And honestly? There’s something pretty great about jotting down your grocery list or daily thoughts inside something that looks like it might also contain tips on surviving a nuclear apocalypse.

If you make one (or ten!), I’d love to hear what kind of latest issue headlines you come up with!

Happy crafting!

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⬇️⬇️FREE Backwoodsmans Magazine Printables, plus a treasure trove of other Fallout freebies!⬇️⬇️

This DIY Backwoodsman magazine notebook project is one of those crafts that checks all the boxes: simple, fun, customizable, and incredibly cool when finished. Whether you’re making a single notebook or building out an entire stack of back issues, you’ll end up with something that feels straight out of the wasteland. And honestly? There’s something pretty great about jotting down your grocery list or daily thoughts inside something that looks like it might also contain tips on surviving a nuclear apocalypse.

CHECK OUT THESE FUN FALLOUT CRAFTS TOO!

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There’s just something wildly fun about turning everyday objects into post-apocalyptic treasures.

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