Concisely, what is the best/most expenses way to make a book from scratch?
Discussion
Really depends what you're trying to do. Blank books are easy, just buy the paper and cut it down to the size you're wanting. I buy precut and prefolded signatures from Hollanders for basic books that I can put together a little more quickly. Printed books can be costly. I'd start with finding a reputable print shop with good customer service. What different papers do they have? What printing process do they use? How large can they print double sided materials? Can you get paper samples before you decide to print? Have they helped book artists print materials in the past? Just a few things I'd consider if I was working on such a project
If I was to do this, I would like to do the printing myself. Letterpress.
I have absolutely no idea how feasable this is. But I would like to.
Perhaps finding a letterpress workshop near you would be a good place to start. I found this page that might be a good place to start?
https://letterpresscommons.com/community-print-shops-and-book-arts-centers/
I wish I took letter press in art school, but I never had the opportunity. I would go by the print shop and chat with some of the students. It's an involved process, but looked really fun. I think typesetting a book would be extraordinary. Most people were doing single page broadsides and things like that.