Python · document engineering · print
Hymn Booklet Generator
A Python document-production system that transforms simple Markdown hymns into indexed digital booklets and saddle-stitch-imposed print PDFs.
- Role
- Original author and maintainer.
- Evidence
- 1 direct public link
Purpose and value
Why this system exists
The project turns a difficult typography and print-production workflow into a reliable command. It measures content before placement, preserves stanza structure, packs columns, generates indexes and publisher matter, pads signatures, and imposes pages for physical folding and stapling.
Original author and maintainer.
System structure
Architecture
- 01
A structured Markdown parser retains title, number, stanza, and optional credit boundaries.
- 02
Pre-measurement and greedy packing place complete hymns across two-column pages.
- 03
Reading-copy rendering and saddle-stitch imposition are separate output responsibilities.
- 04
Publisher metadata remains optional and declarative through TOML.
Boundaries
Principal interfaces
Judgement
Engineering decisions
Use direct canvas drawing for predictable pagination instead of a layout engine that can split content unexpectedly.
Generate digital and physical-print outputs from one source in a single workflow.
Support diacritics through known fonts and preserve authored line breaks.
Confidence model
Delivery, validation, and maintenance
- Automatic page measurement and packing
- A5/A4 page-size behavior
- Index, credits, publisher pages, and signature padding
- Documented print procedure and source format
Direct sources