pdf-booklet-maker

pdf-booklet-maker is a command-line PDF layout tool for teachers, small publishers, churches, study groups, and anyone who repeatedly prepares printable handouts.

The project originally started as a Python-based saddle-stitch booklet helper. From this point forward, the main direction is a native Node.js CLI package that can be used through npm and npx.

The immediate goal is simple:

Take one PDF page and duplicate it onto an A4 sheet in useful print layouts.

The long-term goal is larger:

Build a practical, scriptable, open-source PDF imposition tool that can handle classroom handouts, mini cards, booklet printing, crop marks, printable grids, and eventually GUI/web workflows.

Package name

This project is intended to be published as:

@mhj6022/pdf-booklet-maker

The CLI command is fixed as:

pdf-booklet-maker

Example final usage:

npx @mhj6022/pdf-booklet-maker input.pdf output.pdf --mode half
npx @mhj6022/pdf-booklet-maker input.pdf output.pdf --mode eighth

Why this project exists

Many teachers and document creators repeatedly need small but annoying PDF transformations:

• duplicate the same worksheet twice on one A4 page
• make 8 small copies of the same notice or card
• prepare mini test papers
• print vocabulary cards or Bible verse cards
• make cuttable classroom materials
• create booklet-style layouts
• add cut lines and crop marks
• automate the same layout from scripts, bots, or batch jobs

Large PDF editors can do some of this, but they are often slow, GUI-heavy, paid, or awkward to automate. This project aims to make these workflows available as simple CLI commands.

Current status

Early implementation stage.

The project is being rebuilt as a native Node.js CLI using:

• Node.js
• pdf-lib
• commander

The old Python saddle-stitch workflow may remain as historical or legacy code, but the npm/npx-facing tool should not require users to install Python, pip, or virtual environments.

Phase 1: Minimum useful duplicate layouts

--mode half

Duplicate each input PDF page twice on one A4 page.

npx @mhj6022/pdf-booklet-maker input.pdf output.pdf --mode half

Layout:

┌──────────────┐
│     copy     │
├──────────────┤
│     copy     │
└──────────────┘

Use cases:

• half-page handouts
• short quizzes
• compact notices
• classroom activity sheets

--mode eighth

Duplicate each input PDF page eight times on one A4 page using a 2 × 4 layout.

npx @mhj6022/pdf-booklet-maker input.pdf output.pdf --mode eighth

Layout:

┌───────┬───────┐
│ copy  │ copy  │
├───────┼───────┤
│ copy  │ copy  │
├───────┼───────┤
│ copy  │ copy  │
├───────┼───────┤
│ copy  │ copy  │
└───────┴───────┘

Use cases:

• mini cards
• memorization cards
• Bible verse cards
• vocabulary cards
• small tickets
• classroom feedback slips

Phase 2: General grid layout

Planned option:

pdf-booklet-maker input.pdf output.pdf --grid 2x4
pdf-booklet-maker input.pdf output.pdf --grid 1x2
pdf-booklet-maker input.pdf output.pdf --grid 3x3

This generalizes half and eighth into arbitrary columns and rows.

Planned behavior:

--grid CxR

Examples:

• --grid 1x2: one column, two rows
• --grid 2x4: two columns, four rows
• --grid 4x4: four columns, four rows

Phase 3: Print-control options

Planned options:

--margin <points>
--gap <points>
--rotate auto|none|90|180|270
--fit contain|cover|stretch

Purpose:

• control outer whitespace
• control space between duplicated items
• rotate pages to fit better
• preserve aspect ratio or fill cells

Phase 4: Cut lines and crop marks

Planned options:

--cut-line
--crop-mark
--registration-mark

Use cases:

• printable classroom cards
• cuttable memorization cards
• church handouts
• small group materials
• labels and slips

Possible future options:

--cut-line-style dashed
--cut-line-width 0.5
--crop-mark-length 10
--crop-mark-offset 3

Phase 5: Booklet imposition

The project name is pdf-booklet-maker, so the long-term target includes true booklet imposition.

Example conceptual transformation:

Input reading order:
1, 2, 3, 4

Booklet print order:
4 | 1
2 | 3

Planned modes:

--booklet
--saddle-stitch
--signature-size 4
--signature-size 8
--duplex short-edge|long-edge

Use cases:

• small booklets
• class reading packets
• church bulletins
• devotional booklets
• zines
• folded handouts

Phase 6: Batch automation

Planned features:

--input-dir ./pdfs
--output-dir ./out
--pattern "*.pdf"
--suffix "-8up"

Use cases:

• batch convert many worksheets
• generate multiple classroom versions
• connect with Telegram bots or school automation scripts
• prepare weekly handouts automatically

Phase 7: GUI and web future

The CLI is the foundation. Later, the same core layout engine can power:

• Electron desktop app
• simple local web UI
• drag-and-drop browser version
• school document automation pipeline
• server-side batch service

The core principle is:

CLI first, reusable layout engine second, GUI later.

Installation

After npm publication:

npm install -g @mhj6022/pdf-booklet-maker

or without installation:

npx @mhj6022/pdf-booklet-maker input.pdf output.pdf --mode half

Local development

git clone https://github.com/rjegjin/pdf-booklet-maker.git
cd pdf-booklet-maker
npm install
npm test

Run locally:

node src/cli.js input.pdf output.pdf --mode half
node src/cli.js input.pdf output.pdf --mode eighth

Or link as a local command:

npm link
pdf-booklet-maker input.pdf output.pdf --mode half

First implementation target

The first working version should support only this API:

pdf-booklet-maker <input> <output> --mode half
pdf-booklet-maker <input> <output> --mode eighth

No extra options at first. The project should become reliable before becoming flexible.

Design principles

1. Simple command first
   Common tasks should be one command.

2. Predictable print output
   A4 size, stable scaling, centered placement.

3. No unnecessary dependencies
   Keep the package small and portable.

4. Automation-friendly
   Every feature should be usable from scripts.

5. Teacher-friendly
   The tool should solve real classroom document problems, not only abstract PDF manipulation problems.

6. Expandable architecture
   half and eighth are only shortcuts over a future general grid engine.

Roadmap summary

v0.1.0
- Node.js CLI package
- package name: @mhj6022/pdf-booklet-maker
- command: pdf-booklet-maker
- --mode half
- --mode eighth

v0.2.0
- --grid CxR
- basic validation
- better error messages

v0.3.0
- --margin
- --gap
- --rotate
- --fit

v0.4.0
- --cut-line
- --crop-mark

v0.5.0
- booklet imposition prototype

v1.0.0
- stable CLI
- duplicate layouts
- grid layouts
- print marks
- booklet mode
- documented examples

Legacy note

Earlier versions of this repository used a Python script such as:

python booklet_maker.py

That workflow may remain useful for old saddle-stitch experiments, but the active npm package direction is Node.js.

License

MIT