Making a Book, Literally

This is just neat: this man on Reddit made his own book, in a very literal sense. He has good reason for not buying it: it is originally in a different language, without an official English translation. But he procured the English version and wanted to keep it on his shelf. Ta-da, build-your-own-book!

The process is both complicated and relatively simple. It looks time-consuming, but that shouldn’t be a barrier to anyone who is really passionate about the idea.

The steps essentially are:

1. Acquire text for book. Print it out on good paper.
2. Fold printed pages into “signatures” (folded-in-half sections).
3. Measure where the stitches for the binding should go.
4. Poke holes into each signature. Looks time-consuming.
5. Sew the signatures to each other. (Careful about keeping those suckers in order.)
6. Put glue on the outside edge of the stitched pages. Let dry.
7. Trim and sand down rough edges on the pages.
8. Acquire old hardcover book you don’t want; remove the cover (you could also make your own. See Pinterest).
9. Add cover pages and any other details to your text.
10. Recover your new book cover.
11. Glue in the pages.
12. Enjoy!