How to make tiny books?

August 7, 2006 10:30 AM

I'd like to self-publish some really short stories similar to the ones on my site. I like this paper trick and am wondering if anyone knows of any others. My printer does double sided so it would be neat to exploit that, but it's not mandatory. Got any links? Also, I don't want to limit to one-page tricks so any suggestions for self-publishing that aren't full-on books (like Lulu or NMK) are appreciated.

(Nothing against Lulu or No Media Kings, of course--just not looking to publish anything longer than a few pages at most).

posted by dobbs to media & arts (3 comments total)

For a specific guide, there's tutorial on making your own faux moleskine, which you could adapt for preprinted pages with a little planning.

On a more general note, the process of printing multiple pages on a single sheet and then folding them is called imposition--this is how pretty much all offset books are created (though they start with very large sheets). These can be nerve-racking to create manually, since you have to print the pages out of sequence to get the folding to work out. Some DTP programs can help with the process: I know that PageMaker 7 has a booklet builder plugin included and the Imposer plugin for Quark and InDesign will help as well.
posted by camcgee at 11:57 AM on August 7, 2006

Are you familiar with zines? If so, do you have in mind something similar or different? If not, would you like some info about them?

The options are limitless and a lot depends on how much time you want to spend on each book. Do you mind cutting 8.5x11 paper to a new size? Are you trying to avoid staples or are they okay with you? Any interest in handbinding with thread? Do you want something more than folding pages in half and stapling them in the middle to create a booklet?

In terms of paper tricks for tiny books, this origami box can be collapsed into a tiny book by bringing the center bottom of the box in, folding 3 of the sides in, and wrapping the 4th side around to create a cover. I wish I could find a diagram of that, but "origami book" isn't the most helpful search term. I do make a zine I make that way (sold thru my web site if you want to look).
posted by nevers at 3:03 PM on August 7, 2006

Thanks for your answers camcgee and nevers!
posted by dobbs at 8:04 PM on August 7, 2006