Who hasn’t wanted to make a book themselves at some point? And how does it actually work? On April 29, 21 third-graders from the Schönstedt Public Elementary School explored this question at Beltz Grafische Betriebe. Instead of classroom theory, that morning’s schedule featured large machines, folded printed sheets, and a real bookbinding workshop.
Starting at 8:30 a.m., the young explorers’ tour took them through the printing, folding, and bookbinding departments. Along the way, they were able to follow, step by step, how pages are printed, processed, and finally assembled into a book. It became especially clear at the end, when the children were allowed to get hands-on. After seeing how book production works, they were able to make a small book themselves.
And so the question “How is a book made?” turned into a morning full of new experiences, during which the children were able not only to watch but also to participate. At the end, each child received a small goodie bag. The teacher also took some books and notebooks back to school.
Overview of the Article’s Content
A Journey of Discovery Through Book Production
From Printing to Binding
Shortly after their arrival, the students began their tour of the various departments at Beltz Grafische Betriebe. During the tour, they were able to see firsthand just how many steps are involved in turning a sheet of paper into a finished book.
The first stop was the printing plant. There, the children saw how text and images are transferred onto large sheets of paper. The white sheets are turned into printed pages, which must later appear in the correct order in the book.
Next, we moved on to the folding department. This is where the printed sheets are folded. This is important so that large printed sheets can be turned into smaller page units. These must be positioned precisely so that no page slips or ends up in the wrong place later on.
In the bookbinding workshop, it finally became clear how the prepared pages are turned into a book. The folded sheets are gathered, assembled, and bound. This is followed by further steps such as trimming, inspection, and finishing.
This allowed the children to follow the journey of a book step by step. Many took the opportunity to ask questions and take a closer look. This made it clear just how much planning, technology, and manual labor go into a finished book.
Make Your Own Book and Get Creative
After getting a glimpse into the various production areas, it was time for the children to get hands-on. After seeing how books are made in a printing plant, they were able to make a small book of their own to wrap up the activity.
In the process, the students were able to follow along with many of the steps they had learned earlier, in a simplified form. Step by step, individual pages came together to form their own little book, which they could take home as a keepsake. For many children, this was one of the most exciting moments of the morning. After all, they were able to not only observe but also get involved themselves.
The hands-on portion of the tour made it clear just how much work and care goes into every book. At the same time, it showed that book production involves much more than simply printing on paper.
Here’s what the children got to experience that day:
- Visit to the printing plant
- A Look Inside the Folding Department
- Tour of the Bookbinding Workshop
- Make Your Own Little Book
- Goodie bags at the end of the tour
It is precisely this hands-on experience that often ensures the impressions from the tour are particularly memorable. What began as a simple question about how a book is made turned into an experience in which the children not only learned about the world of book production but were also able to experience a part of it for themselves.
A wonderful morning full of new experiences
After several hours filled with new experiences, the tour ended around noon. The children had not only learned about the various stages of book production, but also discovered how many people and steps are involved in making a book.
At the end of the visit, each child received a small gift bag as a memento of their visit to Beltz Grafische Betriebe. The teacher also received a gift. The school was given additional books and notebooks that can be used in class in the future.
Tours like these offer an opportunity to learn about production processes outside the classroom and to take a look behind the scenes at an industrial facility. At the same time, they demonstrate that books don’t just appear on the shelf—they are the result of many coordinated steps.
For the 21 students at the Schönstedt Public Elementary School, it was a morning filled with new experiences, exciting insights, and the chance to get creative themselves.
Guided Tour for School Classes and After-School Care Groups
Would you like to take your school class or after-school group on a tour to see firsthand how a book is made? During a guided tour of Beltz Grafische Betriebe, children will gain fascinating insights into the world of book production and learn about the various stages of the process, from printing to bookbinding.
Depending on the age of the group, we tailor the tour to be engaging and hands-on. We make sure to leave plenty of time for questions, observations, and small discoveries along the production process. The hands-on portion is especially popular, as it allows the children to get involved and create their own little book.
Together, we’ll find a suitable date for your group and tailor the tour to your preferences.
Would you like to not only discuss the question “How is a book made?” in class, but also experience it firsthand? If so, please feel free to contact us using the contact form on our website. We look forward to your visit.
