Some possible options for having a book printed:

* [http://www.lulu.com Lulu] - Pretty good feature set, encourage people to use copyleft licenses, would take a PDF file for both text & wraparound cover. Offer a package with ISBN etc. for 35 bucks.
* [http://www.instantpublisher.com instantpublisher.com] - Seem shadier, use an OS-specific print driver thing. Might be cheaper, though.
* [http://www.isbn.org/ isbn.org] - official US ISBN site; sell batches of 10 for $269.95, which probably explains why places like Instantpublisher can get away with 75 bucks for one.
* [http://www.sfwa.org/beware/selfpublishing.html Self publishing without pretense], TNH.
* [http://athleticaid.com/yaquinapress/other1/PDF-FAQ-1E.html PDF Creation FAQ with respect to Lulu]

<[[Brennen]]> It occurs to me that I don't know much about the manufacture of books.
<[[BrentNewhall]]> Not a topic that's hugely relevant to most schoolchildren, I suspect.

<[[Brennen]]> Depends on how you define relevant. I think we're still at a stage where bookmaking, printing, paper document design &c ''are'' important.  But yeah, not exactly a part of the average education.

I did take a printing course in college. The class was so boring (and I was so preoccupied) that I wound up bailing halfway through. Never even got to screen print my highly derivative, highly infringing band poster.