Book Assembly
Hi, this is a photo-journal of the book assembly of my most recent book. The bulk of it is pretty much step-by-step binding instructions for using a particular method of making a square bound book. I hope you find it useful and have fun making your own.
In a previous journal entry I posted a bunch of stuff about scanning my pages. After I scanned everything for the first two parts of my book (96 pages) I set about fixing any really nasty problems in photoshop, but I made a conscious effort this time to just ignore stray pencil marks or places where I painted outside the lines. I wanted the final printed copy to reflect more of the look of the actual page than a perfect looking page.
When I had final high-resolution artwork I set about shrinking them and moving panels around for my final book. The web formated pages are around 10" x 7", but my book format is around 6" x 7". More of a square. I usually planned my drawings in tiers. Each page has two tiers. So to fit the rectangular piece into the more square book I just take one page and add to it half of the next page, creating a three tier final artwork. (What was two rows on the web, is now three in print. I hope that makes sense).
So I've got a square page, reduced down to 300 dpi, and then converted to CMYK mode for printing. I take each page and place them in my book design software (sometimes Quark, but in this case I used InDesign at work). My layout was created to print on a sheet of legal sized paper, two pages on each side with the fold in the middle. I ran a few tests to make sure my software and my networked color copier/printer were talking to each-other properly. Eventually I got my InDesign color settings to be as accurate as possible for the printer I was using.
I broke my book into two parts. The 96 original pages had been broken down and reconfigured into 64 print pages. I then cut that in half and basically created two 32 page comics (8 folded sheets). I could have gone even further down to four 16 page comics or eight 8 page comics. These "comics" will actually become what is known as a "signature", (a connected set of pages within a book). The more signatures I had the more binding I would need to do later, but the pages would be bound tighter and look cleaner. *The plan to bind the two books into one didn't come up until after printing. I was initially planning to send two 32 page books to a Print-On-Demand place and just get some standard saddle-stitched books back, but I didn't have time. Luckily I think the book turned out even better than if I had sent it off to a POD. So yay.
Now I've got my printed and folded signatures and it's time to start binding. This is a variation of "Sewing Multiple Signatures on Tapes" that is used for making hardcover books. While making some hardcovers a while back I simplified my method and created an odd little way to make soft-cover versions. I'm going to literally tie my two comics together with thread then glue my cover to the spine.
First I'm going to need some holes, so I need to measure and mark where I'm going to punch those holes.
Next I spread out the signature and pierce it with a needle at each pencil mark (For this I got one of these nice paper punches I found at a craft store).
Now I need to get some thread ready. I've got a five foot work bench that I work on. For every two signatures I usually stretch out my thread from one end to the other and cut that. This will give me just enough thread to get it done and some extra to play with. I take the thread and put it through my needle. You want a needle that is big enough to maneuver in your hands, but not bigger than the holes you made, or so big as to be unwieldy. After threading it, bend it in half and tie the two loose ends together with a fat knot (depending on your thread weight you might need to tie two knots on top of each-other. You don't want the knot pulling through the holes in the paper while you're working.)
Now I've got my punched paper and threaded needle. I put on some comfortable shoes, some background noise (20+ hours of Northern Exposure on my DVR), and have a gallon of water standing by to quench my thirst.
About Toby Craig
Toby is the creator of engine!, monster engine!, death swamp, and punish the dead. His work can be found at www.ithinkican.com.
We hope you enjoy the first featured article on the STAPLE web site. We will regularly run how-to articles and essays to highlight the work and process of independent creators. Our first is a detailed look at how Toby Craig assembled his latest book. It is republished by permission from the original post on his journal.