Minibook Publishing Tool

Create Eight Page Pamphlets from Letter Sized Paper

Richard Rathe, March 2026 (Books, How_To, Technology)

I first encountered this delightful self-publishing format while visiting family in Sacramento. The city has many older neighborhoods with small houses and small yards. The locals take great pride in their sidewalk-facing gardens, including pro-social embellishments like little library boxes and such. One house had a dispenser with these little pamphlets. I was impressed and intrigued.

Finished Minibook
Finished Minibook

I decided to see if I could create such origami booklets with pure html, js, & css. Feel free to try out this prototype Minibook Builder.

Once you've printed your minibook, you begin with four crisp folds in this order:

  1. in half lengthwise (printing inside)
    • unfold before the next fold!
  2. in half widthwise (printing inside)
  3. left quarter fold to midline
  4. right quarter fold to midline
Folds 3 & 4 (Quarters)
Folds 3 & 4 (Quarters)

The next critical step is a partial scissors cut along the lengthwise fold (dotted line in photo).

The Crucial Cut
The Crucial Cut

This allows you to fold the page in a radial fashion…

Radial Fold
Radial Fold

You can then swing the cover page on top to complete your minibook. 🙂 Since most printers cannot print edge-to-edge, you may wish to trim off the excess. A single staple will ensure your minibook will not unravel.

Final Folding
Final Folding
This is a slide!