“The Rise of the Video Game Union” is our all-in-one explanation of why game workers unionize. We have created a zine of history which is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 US License (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 US), which permits distribution of the zine provided it is not altered or modified, or used commercially. This means that you are free to print it and share copies in your community!
There are several ways to make your own copies of “The Rise of the Video Game Union”. You can go to a local print shop or some chains to have them create the booklets completely. you can use a printer or chain to make copies, then bind/staple them yourself; or you can print and bind copies yourself.
Here is our guide to each option!
The basics
You will need a copy of “The Rise of the Video Game Union” in PDF format. We created a PDF of the zine as single pages; this is useful for services that will automatically rearrange pages for printing as a saddle-stitched booklet.
We’ve designed the booklet to work with standard letter-size paper (8.5 x 11 inches), so when folded, each page will measure 8.5 x 5.5 inches. To make creating copies as easy as possible, the booklet uses only black ink.
Download “The Rise of the Video Game Union” [PDF]
Let the store do it all
Our suggestion would be to go to your local print shop and work with them, but there are a few chains that can do this, like FedEx Office and Staples – sometimes with a same day turnaround. Staples, for example, will let you download a PDF from their website. From there, select the location to print, and the Staples site will give you a cost and estimated pickup time. The store will rearrange the pages of the booklet, then print and bind the books, so all you have to do is pick them up!
Printing companies do their own version of this process. This is our recommended option, as it’s probably the cheapest and easiest. Plus, you can support a local store!
Tips:
- If you plan to use a channel that allows you to download via the web, be sure to select black and white for color to save costs.
- 20 lb. bond paper is standard, inexpensive copy paper. Also, the thicker the paper, the more difficult it will be to fold. Of course, if you want to use more sophisticated paper, that’s up to you!
Print copies at the store, bind them yourself
Another option is to simply use a print shop or store that has a printer/copier. Ask them to make the copies, then you can bind them yourself using a booklet stapler (like the Bostitch Office Jam Free Booklet Stapler).
If you’re using a printer, be sure to print the pages double-sided so they fold in the correct order for the booklet. If you are making a copy of a booklet and then printing, make sure the copier can scan both sides and print two-sided pages as well.
Tips:
- Again, use standard copy paper to keep the price down and so it can fold.
- Each booklet will include 14 sheets of paper and the seam is in the center, so make sure the stapler you intend to use can punch that many sheets and reach the center! Some print shops may have staplers you can use.
Do it all yourself
This option probably won’t be the most profitable if you plan to do a fair amount of booklets, but that said, it’s not too hard to do. You will most likely need a booklet stapler and more importantly a printer that can print two-sided pages, meaning it can print on one side and then reuse the same page and print on the other side.
You will also need an application that will print the PDF correctly. Most applications capable of opening a PDF will allow you to print a booklet in the print settings. Adobe Acrobat Reader is free and its print settings will allow you to select “Booklet”, which will automatically rearrange and collate the pages to print them correctly. In your print settings, make sure “print on both sides” (or something like that) is selected.
Support
If you get stuck at some point or something isn’t working as expected, there are some great videos and tutorials online on how to print booklets – and of course your local print shop is always there to solve the problems. problems with you.
