Development Update: Our First Book Proofs Have Arrived!

There’s a moment in every project where things shift from idea to reality. For us, that moment arrived when the box showed up.

Inside….our very first physical book proofs from DriveThruRPG!

And honestly… nothing quite prepares you for that.

You Don’t Really Know a Book Until You Hold It

We’ve spent months staring at these pages on screens. Writing, revising, laying things out, tweaking fonts, adjusting margins, zooming in to 150%, and convincing ourselves everything looked just right.

But a book isn’t meant to just live on a computer screen.

The second we picked up the proof copy, everything changed.

The weight. The way the pages turn. How the text sits on the paper. How the artwork actually feels in print. It’s a completely different experience, and it immediately showed us things we never would have caught digitally.

There’s just no substitute for holding it in your hands.

The Excitement (and a Little Bit of Nerve)

Opening that package was equal parts excitement and nervous energy.

Because this is the moment of truth.

All those hours of work suddenly exist as something real and you’re seeing it not as a creator staring at files, but as a reader flipping through a book.

And we’re happy to say: it looks really good.

But also… it showed us exactly what still needs work.

The Reality Check: Why We’re Moving from 6x9 to A4

One of the biggest takeaways came almost immediately: the size.

Our original plan was a 6x9 format. It’s a common size, it’s efficient, it works great for a lot of books, and it’s a pretty popular option for players and GMs. On screen, everything looked clean and readable.

In hand? Not quite.

The layout felt a little tighter than we wanted. Some of the spacing that seemed fine digitally started to feel cramped, especially when it came to the sidebars. The breathing room just wasn’t there and didn’t fit the “easy-to-read experience” we want at the table.

So, we’re making the call: we’re moving to A4.

That extra space makes a huge difference. It gives the text room to breathe, improves readability, and lets the design elements actually shine instead of competing for space. It’s a bigger format, but it better fits the kind of book we’re trying to create.

And this is exactly why proofs matter.

Catching the Details: Color, Backgrounds, and Print Reality

Another thing that stood out right away was color, specifically in the limited edition hardcover.

On screen, the page background had a subtle tone we really liked. In print, though, it came out just slightly off. Not bad, but not quite what we envisioned either. A little too heavy in some places, not as clean as we wanted overall.

It’s one of those classic print lessons: what you see on your monitor isn’t always what ends up on paper.

So now we’re going back in and adjusting. Tweaking tones, testing balance, making sure the background enhances the page instead of competing with the text.

Back Into the Layout We Go

With those discoveries comes the next phase: refinement.

We’re going through the proof page by page, marking corrections, noting spacing issues, adjusting layout elements, and making sure everything lines up with the experience we want people to have when they open this book.

This is the unglamorous but crucial part of the process.

It’s not about big creative swings anymore, it’s about precision and polish. Making sure every page feels intentional.

And honestly? It’s kind of exciting in its own way.

Because now we’re not guessing anymore. We’re responding to something real. And that feeling that we’re getting closer and closer to a final product is an amazing feeling, even if it may be a bit….tedious…lol.

This Is Where It Gets Real

Getting these proofs in hand was a huge milestone.

It’s a reminder that this project isn’t just an idea anymore. It’s not just files on a hard drive. It’s something tangible, something we’ll be able to put in your hands soon.

There’s still work ahead. Adjustments to make. Another round (or two) of proofs to review.

But this was the moment where it all clicked…we’re making books, ya’ll!

And we can’t wait to show you the next version!