I want to create and have printed to hardback a book about my parkrun journey this year, but I’m not sure what the correct tools to use are.
I’ll effectively be distilling the blog into book format with the words and photos.
I have Blog posts on Wordpress, I have photos (on Wordpress and in Photos), and I have software on my Mac, the obvious tool for this is pages, and to print to PDF before sending it to print. Does anyone have tips on anything which could make the job easier, any software I should take a look at that would make it sufficiently easier than Pages. And finally or anyone in the UK, any recommendations on printers? On Software, I’m happy to spend a small amount, but this is a once off project.
I know that you can get photo books printed pretty easily, but this project will include a lot of wording too, and I’d like to print photos on the front and back covers.
I worked in publishing/large volume/book printing for a while.
I’d advise working backwards from the end result. Try to decide where and how you will sell/distribute your book first, that will tell you precisely what format you will have to use to deliver it to the printer or distributor and that more or less determines the software you will have to use to prepare it. Such apparently minor things (such as the number of pages and the physical size of a book) can make vast differences in the cost of producing it. There are lots of “gotchas” (though fewer than there used to be): for example, some processes will require images in CYMK format or to precise resolutions and sizes and there may be limits on margins etc. It’s still all too easy to produce a book file or files that end up needing to be re-written to actually make a book from it.
Several companies offering book production and printing will provide the software they want you to use for free as part of the deal to make the book, usually as a web-based app. I’m not up to date enough to advise on those but you’ll find a wealth of advice and services if you google “print on demand”.
In that case, maybe just use the tools you know to create a PDF. Create the elements in those tools and then assemble the PDF using PDF tools. Then send that to a local (or internet) print shop. Request the binding you want.
Look for scrapbooking tools and publishing houses. What you are describing is exactly like the format for a digital scrapbook. I’ve made lots of paper scrapbooks but before covid I went to several scrapbooking retreats and about 1/3 of the people there were doing digital scrapbooks, the software varied but was tailored to the makers custom one off printing service.
I know nothing about what software is available but I’d search for that as an option and go from there.
PS I just looked and Canva has a whole section on using it to make digital scrapbooks. I’d also look at Shutterfly (I’ve used them for making custom calendars and stuff) Check out custom printing folks like VistaPrint and similar ones for info on the books and see what they expect as a format.
I have enjoyed using the Bookwright app for printing through Blurb, which you can download from their website. So far, I have only used it for a few premium magazines and one softcover book, and don’t have any experience with hardcover.
I upload JPG files into Bookwright and drag them into a book layout. After previewing the book, I upload it to Blurb to order the physical product. You can get a pdf if you want too. I’ve tried to wait for a discount code before uploading and purchasing but timing hasn’t been great.
I wanted to add that I use Affinity Photo with text and images in files that are exported to create the jpgs. There’s a free 7 day trial without a credit card for Affinity Photo. It’s a one time purchase if you decide to get it, not a subscription. If you’ve used Photoshop it’s easy to pick it up. Printing photos on the front a back covers is not a problem.
If you’re just making one book and it’s image heavy I’d use Mixbook:
If it’s text heavy I’d use your wordprocessor of choice as long as you can adjust the word spacing (both MS Word and Pages can) export as PDF and either use a local printer or Amazon. Vanity publishers will charge you for services they don’t provide.
For any homemade books and other papers with the output to be PDF, I suggest to use Typst. They have a web app (paid), but there is also a free open-source command-line utility, available from Homebrew.