Rulebook & RPG Book

A Rulebook or RPG Book is the medium for players to know about the game and how to play the game. Whether it is made well or not, attractive or not, will directly impact players’ decision as to going ahead or not. So take your time on it. If the game box were the key to the door of your game house, then Rulebook or RPG Book would be the key to the safe.

Apart from your design and artwork for the book that will affect how it looks, here are a few tips proposed to you in terms of production:

1) Materials

The materials used for RPG book is more complicated than Rule book or booklet, but generally speaking, the art paper (C2S) is the most commonly used one whether it is RPG book or Rulebook. Some manufacturer may use woodfree paper; that may not be a good choice as it is not comparable with art paper in terms of texture and durability.

If you have special requirements for the materials, especially for RPG book, you can contact our professionals for details. For instance, Rulebook usually does not have a cover, but RPG book does, and the cover of RPG book you may consider using rigid cardboard to make it.

2) Craftsmanship

We already talked a lot about the craftsmanship in the texts of other components. They all have the same or similar processes. But the most commonly used craftsmanship is Oil Varnish including Matte Varnish and Glossy Varnish. And because of the characteristics of RPG book, you may also use Hot Stamping (Gold Stamping and Silver Stamping, and even Relief), Linen Finish, Spot UV, or Embossing/Debossing to enhance the texture and tactile sensation.

3) Binding

Rule book is simple. The most commonly used binding way for it is Saddle Stitch and the page numbers required must be a multiple of 4, usually 8~32 pages. If it is only 4 pages, simply fold it.

Yet for RPG book or Rulebook of a lot of pages, due to its rich content and a large number of pages, some other binding ways are adopted to ensure the firmness of the books and prevent pages from falling off, such as

Perfect binding, all pages are glued on the spine of the book without sewing. It is usually used for medium-thickness books (about 32~64 pages) with relatively soft covers that are made of card stock or heavy paper.

Sewn Perfect binding, pages are sewn and glued on the spine of the book. It is usually used for thick books (usually more than 64 pages)

Hardcover binding (also known as Case binding), all pages are sewn into a book block and attach the book block by glue to the hard cover that is usually made of wrapped-edge cardboard. It is usually used for super thick books, or classic and collectible books.

So in conclusion, selecting appropriate materials, applying appropriate craftsmanship and adopting appropriate binding method will significantly enlighten players’ interest so as to enhance their playing experience.