Frequently Asked Questions

Confused about what bookleteer is and does? Note sure what a Diffusion eBook or StoryCube is? Can’t figure out how to make up an eBook? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions :

What is bookleteer?
bookleteer is a simple way to create downloadable PDF files that can be printed out and made up into hand-made books, using just a pair of scissors. It also allows people to design StoryCubes, making PDF files you can print, cut out and fold up into rigid cubes for building stories with.

What is a Diffusion eBook?
A downloadable PDF file that can be printed on a standard domestic or office printer (using standard paper sizes: A4 or US Letter, and A3 or Tabloid/Ledger) to be folded, cut and made up into a handy pockets sized book.

What are StoryCubes?
Downloadable PDF files that can be printed on a standard domestic or office printer (using standard paper sizes: A4 or A3) to be folded, cut and made up into rigid 3D cubes.

How do I sign up? Is it free?
For a free account sign up here. If you enjoy using bookleteer, please consider making a donation and joining our Alpha Club, for discounts on short run printing and access to exclusive features such as the user API.

How do I create an eBook?
Log in to bookleteer and click on the ‘create eBook’ button in the top right of the window. Then add your title, author and credits information in the text boxes provided. Upload a cover image and one or more logo images (jpegs or png files only please). Then select the size & design of the ebook from the menu options. We have created two different designs – Basic or Custom Cover – and you can choose either in A4/US Letter or A3/Ledger sizes. Then select the orientation (landscape or portrait) and binding (long edge or short edge) and the reading direction (left or right).
You are now ready to add the internal content of your eBook. There are two options here : either design your pages offline in any software application that can export as a PDF, and upload the PDF; or use the HTML Visual Editor to add text and images.
Then click on the Upload and Generate button at the bottom of the page to generate your eBook PDFs. You can change any of the above options at any time and generate new versions of the PDFs. There is a 25Mb limit on files, which also applies to the cumulative number of files and images in any single eBook.

How do I create a StoryCube?
Log in to bookleteer and click on the ‘create StoryCube’ button in the top right of the window. Then add your title, author and credits information in the text boxes provided.
You can now choose the size of the StoryCube from either A4 or A3 (this refers to the sheet size of the PDF file). Now add your content. You can either upload a PDF file (with square pages for each cube face) of between 1 and 12 pages; or you can upload individual images in the boxes provided.
Then click on the Upload and Generate button at the bottom of the page to generate your StoryCube PDF. You can change any of the above options at any time and generate new versions of the PDF. There is a 25Mb limit on files, which also applies to the cumulative number of files or images in any single StoryCube.

How should I use images?
We recommend resizing your images to the actual size they will used at, setting the resolution to 150 dpi, and saving them as either JPEG or PNG files. This will keep the file size of both your source and generated PDFs optimised yet preserve print quality.

What size should my custom cover images be?
Images should be saved as JPGs or PNGs at a minimum resolution of 72dpi at exact size or greater. For best results 150dpi is recommended.
Basic Design
– A4/US Letter : 90mm by 65mm (landscape) | 65mm by 90mm (portrait)
– A3/Ledger : 135mm by 90mm (landscape | 90mm by 135mm (portrait
Custom Cover Designs
– A4/US Letter : 133mm by 88mm (landscape) | 88mm by 133mm (portrait)
– A3/Ledger eBook Landscape : 193mm by 130mm (landscape | 130mm by 193mm (portrait)

What are the page dimensions?
The page dimensions for A4/US Letter eBooks are 88mm by 133mm (portrait) or 133mm by 88mm (landscape).
The page dimensions for A3/Ledger eBooks are 130 by 133mm (portrait) or 133mm by 88mm (landscape).
You can download simple templates for popular desktop applications (MS Word, OpenOffice and Adobe InDesign).

What are the StoryCube dimensions?
A4 : 55mm x 55mm
A3 : 82mm x 82mm

How do I make up an eBook?
Please refer to the videos below to see how to fold, cut and make up each type of eBook:
Watch videos on how to fold & make up eBooks :

How to make: Classic Landscape Diffusion eBook from Proboscis on Vimeo.

How to make: Book Landscape Diffusion eBook from Proboscis on Vimeo.

How to make: Classic Portrait Diffusion eBook from Proboscis on Vimeo.

How to make: Book Portrait Diffusion eBook from Proboscis on Vimeo.

How can I share my eBooks and StoryCubes?
Download the PDF files for your eBooks and/or StoryCubes to your local hard drive. Then upload them either to your own website or to a sharing site such as Dropbox or to specialist PDF sharing services such as Issuu or Scribd to allow others to access them.

What about copyright? Who is the publisher?
You are responsible for the content in your eBooks and StoryCubes. You must make sure that if you use any content (text or pictures) that is not your own original work, you have written permission from the appropriate rights holder.
By using bookleteer you are the publisher of your own work. Proboscis does not accept liability for any content made by you nor do we act as the publisher of works which are generated with bookleteer.

How do I order professionally printed eBooks & StoryCubes?
In bookleteer, click on the ‘order printing’ button in the top right of the window, then follow the steps to select which eBook(s) and/or which StoryCubes (and how many of each) you want to print. The minimum print run is 50 copies – to estimate the cost please refer to our price estimators.

What is the bookleteer API?
The API (Application Programming Interface) is a way for authorised users to generate eBooks and StoryCubes from their own applications by using a set of defined calls. Download the API documentation to find out more. If you would like to try out the API, please get in touch. Access is currently limited to members of the Alpha Club – make a donation today and join in.

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