Project: Stonetop Book Printing

Three ways to print the Stonetop PDFs, what they cost, how they turned out, and which one I'd actually recommend.

After canceling my physical orders, I still wanted a set of books I could comfortably use at the table. Since I already owned the PDFs, I started experimenting with different print-on-demand services to see what kind of results I'd get.

Version 1: PrintMe1 Comb-bound

Source: printme1.com
Options: B/W, double-sided, comb-bound
Size: 8.5" x 11"
Cost: $73.77 for both books (+tax/shipping)

I uploaded the PDFs to PrintMe1 and had both books printed at the full 8.5 × 11 size, black and white, double-sided, with comb binding.

These were my first printed copies. They're easy to read, and I don't really have to worry about beating them up at the table.

The 8.5 × 11 size is quite a bit larger than the actual Stonetop books, but I actually like that for play. The text is larger, and the comb binding means I can leave the book completely flat on the table while I'm using it.

They definitely look more like printed manuals than actual books, but that's really the only downside. For copies that are going to get used at the table, they work great.

Version 2: Lulu Paperback

Source: lulu.com
Options: Black & White, 80# White — Coated, Paperback Perfect Bound, Matte Cover
Size: 5.5 x 8.5 in
Cost: $64.67 for both books (+tax/shipping)

For the second version, I wanted something that actually looked and felt like a book.

I used Lulu to print both volumes at 5.5 × 8.5, which gets much closer to the size and feel I wanted. I went with black-and-white interiors on 80# coated white paper, perfect binding, and a matte paperback cover.

This is a completely different result from the PrintMe1 copies. These actually feel like books.

The smaller size makes them much nicer to hold and read, and the perfect binding and matte covers make them look like something that belongs on the shelf with the rest of my RPG books. Of the two versions I've completed so far, these are the ones I'd choose if I wanted copies primarily for reading.

There is a tradeoff. Perfect-bound books don't lie flat like the comb-bound versions do, so the PrintMe1 copies are arguably more practical when I'm actually running the game. The Lulu copies win pretty easily when it comes to reading, carrying them around, and just feeling like proper books.

I was happy enough with how these turned out that I decided to try one more version.

Version 3: Lulu Hardcover

Source: lulu.com
Options: Black & White, 80# White — Coated, Hardcover Case Wrap, Matte Cover
Size: 5.5 x 8.5 in
Cost: $75.11 for both books (+tax/shipping)

Version 3 was an experiment with taking the Lulu paperback one step further. I used the same 5.5 × 8.5 size, but switched to a hardcover case wrap with a matte finish.

Unfortunately, I don't recommend this version.

The problem is the sheer number of pages in the Stonetop books. At 5.5 × 8.5, that makes for a very thick, heavy text block. With the hardcover construction, that weight puts a lot of stress on the glued binding when the book is opened. It doesn't feel like something I'd trust to hold up well to regular use.

There was also one unexpected benefit: the gap between the spine and the text block gave me enough room to add my own ribbon bookmarks. I slipped a multi-ribbon bookmark down behind the binding, and it works surprisingly well without having to permanently modify the book.

Between the three versions I've tried, I'd choose the Lulu paperback for reading and general use and the PrintMe1 comb-bound version for use at the table. The hardcover looks nice, but the binding makes it the one version I wouldn't recommend.

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