What exactly is a Scout Book? The Scout Book is a notebook designed with your pocket in mind. Ready-made Scout Books are always sold in 3-packs. They can also be customized in the “Make Your Own” section with your own cover artwork. Scout Books feature 32 pages + a durable chipboard cover. They are made with 100% recycled papers and soy inks. They are really versatile, useful, and super fun. Where are Scout Books made? Scout Books are made in lovely Portland, Oregon by Pinball Publishing. What is Pinball Publishing? Pinball Publishing is an eco-friendly, design savvy offset printshop When were Scout Books born? Scout Books were developed in January of 2009, and the first ones were released to the public in March of 2009. What kind of paper are Scout Books made from? Scout Books are made from 100% recycled paper. Awesome! The durable chipboard cover is made from 85% post-consumer content, and their interiors are 100% post-consumer content. All of our papers are milled in the Pacific Northwest, making the trip from factory to printshop shorter and better for our planet. What is chipboard? Chipboard is a heavyweight cardstock that is free of dyes and never bleached. It boasts a durable thickness and flecked appearance. Minute variations within the chipboard are a natural occurrence. Our chipboard is milled in nearby Washington State. What kind of ink are Scout Books printed with? We use locally manufactured soy based inks. Unlike traditional offset printing inks which use petroleum derived oils as their base, our inks rely on oil from the trusty soybean. Soy plants are a sustainable, renewable resource that can be grown right here in the USA. These inks have much lower VOC (volatile organic compounds) levels than petro-based inks, reducing airborne pollutants. Plus, paper printed with soy inks is more easily recycled. What are Scout Book Originals? Scout Book Originals are designed in-house by the Pinball team to suit a variety of uses. Our Pattern, Composition and DIY styles are all considered Scout Book Originals. Also, our specific-use styles like the Project Keeper are considered Originals. What is Scout Book Illustrated? Illustrated is our line of pocket notebooks featuring artwork by the best creative minds out there. We partner with fantastic illustrators and artists to feature original work on the Scout Book. We release a new Illustrated Scout Book every month. The editions are limited, so get yours quick! What are Make Your Own Scout Books? One of the best parts about the Scout Book is that you can very easily make your own. Yes, we’re serious. Custom pocket notebooks with your own artwork printed on them. Read more in the Make Your Own FAQ.
Make Your Own
How do I make my own Scout Book? Very easily. Head over to the Make Your Own section of the site. There you can choose your quantity, your interior page style, your ink color, and upload your artwork. You will proceed through the checkout just like you’re purchasing any other shop item. Sweet! What are custom Scout Books good for? So many things! The Scout Book wears many hats. This versatile notebook has been used by our clients as a retail item, promotional giveaway, and proprietary note taking system. Where can I see examples of other people’s Make Your Own Scout Books? Over here, on the Scout Book’s Flickr site. Also, visit the “Friends” category for more inspirational ideas. Is it expensive to print my own pocket notebooks Nope! We’ve gotten the production of Scout Books down to a science in order to make them an affordable way to produce custom products. Compared to other printing services, you’ll find that the Scout Book serves your needs without stripping your pocketbook bare. How do I design for the Scout Book? You’ll need to create a one-color design that produces well on chipboard. There are a few things to keep in mind as you’re designing your artwork for the Scout Book. Photographs should be high-contrast but otherwise will print well. Over in our Flickr, you can browse examples by the different design approaches other people have used. Check out sets for Photography, Typography and Illustration. We’ve also made one for Color Floods. Of course, if you have any questions about preparing your design, email us with your questions at hello@scoutbooks.com. How do I prepare my artwork? At the end of placing your Make Your Own Scout Book order, you’ll be redirected to a page where you can download an Adobe Illustrator template. In this template we’ve picked out the Scout Book colors and given you margins to design within. Awesome! Place your design into the layer titled “Your Art Here.” You can design in Illustrator or place other types of files into the Illustrator file. Save the file as a PDF, upload it, and you’re on your way! Where do I send my cover artwork? You can upload your properly sized, single-color, 300dpi file to our server during the check-out process. What is the turn-around time? Once we receive your artwork, we’ll make sure it’s ready for press and send you a digital, PDF soft-proof. Once you approve the proof, it will take 7-12 business days for your order to be completed and ship out. That means Saturdays, Sundays and holidays don’t count! We try our best to get things up and out quickly, but our first concern is top-notch quality. Can I rush my Make Your Own order? Unfortunately no, not at the moment. This may be an option in the future. Can I use more than one color? How about custom paper? The Scout Book features one color of ink printed on a chipboard cover, and our online pricing structures reflect these options. Any deviations from the standard ink count or paper selections become not “Scout Books” but “Scout Book-like books” and require further discussion and a custom print quote. Feel free to contact us here.
Shopping
How do I place an order? On every product page, there is an “Add to Cart” button. Simply choose the quantity you’d like to order, click the button, and voila! You’ve added that item to your cart. You can view your cart through the link that is at the top right corner of every page. How do I pay for my order? We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. We also accept payment via PayPal. Is my transaction secure? Yes. Scoutbooks.com offers the highest level of online transaction security through its SSL certification provided by Geocerts. We also never store your credit card information after the transaction, and we never ever sell or share your contact information with another party. Is there a Scout Books store? Maybe soon! We’re working on setting up a retail space in our shop. Scout Books are also carried in many wonderful retailers, so ask for them at your favorite places to shop for notebooks! How can I sell Scout Books in my store? Are you interested in carrying Scout Books in your retail space? Let us know! We have special wholesale pricing available. Contact us at info@pinballpublishing.com. Can I place an order as a gift? Sure. Please just enter the gift’s recipient’s name and address in the shipping address form. Easy! Can I get my order gift-wrapped? Soon, we promise! We have fun packaging for all Scout Books, and special gift-wrap packs are in the works.
Shipping
Okay, so is shipping really free? Shipping is FREE for all domestic orders! Awesome! We’ve built the shipping into the price. That means if you live in the United States, you pay the price of your products and that’s it. No shipping charge. Do you offer expedited shipping options? Not yet, but we plan to add faster shipping options very soon. Do you ship internationally? Yep! We are shipping Scout Books all over the world. During the checkout process you can select your country from the drop-down shipping menu. Shipping costs will vary by country. How are Scout Books packaged? Pocket notebooks in the shop are always sold in packs of 3. First we place your 3 pocket notebooks in a neat little chipboard box. Then, we stick it in a cushioned envelope and send it your way. It will travel through the postal service protected by post-consumer recycled paper padding and arrive safely in your mailbox. The only exception is Make Your Own quantities, which start at 50 and increase incrementally to 100, 250, 500 and 1000+ Scout Books. These quantities are packed carefully in shipping boxes with our special yellow-and-white Pinball packing paper. How long does it take my order to ship? On every product page, below the price, it will tell you how long it will take that particular product to ship. This is usually 1-2 days. Keep in mind that Make Your Own Scout Books take 7-10 business days to manufacture, plus 1-2 business days to ship. How long will it take my order to arrive? That depends on where you live. From the time of shipment, you can expect your order in 1-2 weeks. Can I track my order? We use UPS and USPS to ship Scout Books. We determine the fastest and most efficient way to send your Scout Books depending on weight and location. UPS offers tracking information, which will be sent to you in your confirmation email once your order ships. USPS unfortunately does not offer tracking information. Can I have my order shopped to a PO Box? Yes! Do I have to pay sales tax on Scout Books? No, Oregon does not have a sales tax. Since Scout Books are sold from our Portland, Oregon location, we do not need to collect sales tax (even if you are buying from a location that does have a sales tax). Hooray, Oregon! Will all of the items in my order arrive in the same shipment? If your order contains Make Your Own Scout Books as well as Ready Made three-packs, we will ship your three-packs first. We will then manufacture your Make Your Own Scout Books and ship them when they’re ready. What do I do if my order is taking too long? There’s no reason your order shouldn’t arrive within two weeks from the date of shipping. If it is two weeks from the date of ship and you haven’t received your order, please contact us at hello@scoutbooks.com and we’ll see what’s up. If your order is a Make Your Own Scout Book, please consider the 7-10 business days that it takes to produce your custom notebook.
Our Guarantee, Returns, Refunds and Exchanges
What is the Scout Books guarantee? We promise that you will love your Scout Book. If you don’t, we are happy to replace it with an alternative style of your choice. If you received a damaged or defective product, we will send you a replacement right away. How do I return a Scout Book? If you are not happy with your Scout Book and you would like to return it, please contact us at hello@scoutbooks.com. We will arrange to provide you a refund. How do I return a gift? If you have received a Scout Book three-pack as a gift and would like to return it, please contact us at hello@scoutbooks.com.
Participation
How can I keep up with the latest Scout Book news? You can sign up for our newsletter, follow us on Twitter, and check our Read + Write section for regular doses of inspiration, news and features. We’re also on Flickr and Facebook. Wow! How do I share the pages of my Scout Books? We have a Flickr group called Show Us Your Scout Book where you can post the interior pages of your Scout Books. Show us your sketches, collages, writing, lists, doodles, everything! Can I submit a design for Scout Book Illustrated? We’re figuring that out. We’re developing more ways that you can participate with Scout Books. Keep an eye on the Read + Write section for updates on competitions, calls for submissions, and other news about how you can become a Scout Book Illustrated artist. How do I subscribe to your newsletter?
In the bottom right hand corner of every page on Scoutbooks.com is a place where you can sign up for our newsletter. Where can I find designs of other people’s Make Your Own Scout Books? Here, on our Flickr.
Policies and FAQ
What are Scout Books?
What exactly is a Scout Book?
Where are Scout Books made?
What is Pinball Publishing?
When were Scout Books born?
What kind of paper are Scout Books made from?
What is chipboard?
What kind of ink are Scout Books printed with?
What are Scout Book Originals?
What is Scout Book Illustrated?
What are Make Your Own Scout Books?
Make Your Own
How do I make my own Scout Book?
What are custom Scout Books good for?
Where can I see examples of other people’s Make Your Own Scout Books?
Is it expensive to print my own pocket notebooks?
How do I design for the Scout Book?
How do I prepare my artwork?
Where do I send my cover artwork?
What is the turn-around time?
Can I rush my Make Your Own order?
Can I use more than one color? How about custom paper?
Shopping
How do I place an order?
How do I pay for my order?
Is my transaction secure?
Is there a Scout Books store?
How can I see Scout Books in my store?
Can I place an order as a gift?
Can I get my order gift wrapped?
Shipping
Okay, so is shipping really free?
Do you offer expedited shipping options?
What are you international shipping options?
How are Scout Books packaged?
How long does it take my order to ship?
How long will it take my order to arrive?
Can I track my order?
Can I have my order shipped to a PO Box?
Do I have to pay sales tax on Scout Books?
Will all the items in my order arrive in the same shipment?
What do I do if my order is taking too long?
Our Guarantee, Returns, Refunds and Exchanges
What is the Scout Books guarantee?
How do I return a Scout Book?
How do exchanges work?
How do I return a gift?
Participate and Keep in Touch
How can I keep up with the latest Scout Book news?
How do I share the pages of my Scout Book?
Can I submit a design for Scout Book Illustrated?
How do I subscribe to your newsletter?
Where can I find awesome images of Scout Books?
What exactly is a Scout Book?
The Scout Book is a notebook designed with your pocket in mind. Ready-made Scout Books are always sold in 3-packs. They can also be customized in the “Make Your Own” section with your own cover artwork. Scout Books feature 32 pages + a durable chipboard cover. They are made with 100% recycled papers and soy inks. They are really versatile, useful, and super fun.
Where are Scout Books made?
Scout Books are made in lovely Portland, Oregon by Pinball Publishing.
What is Pinball Publishing?
Pinball Publishing is an eco-friendly, design savvy offset printshop
When were Scout Books born?
Scout Books were developed in January of 2009, and the first ones were released to the public in March of 2009.
What kind of paper are Scout Books made from?
Scout Books are made from 100% recycled paper. Awesome! The durable chipboard cover is made from 85% post-consumer content, and their interiors are 100% post-consumer content. All of our papers are milled in the Pacific Northwest, making the trip from factory to printshop shorter and better for our planet.
What is chipboard?
Chipboard is a heavyweight cardstock that is free of dyes and never bleached. It boasts a durable thickness and flecked appearance. Minute variations within the chipboard are a natural occurrence. Our chipboard is milled in nearby Washington State.
What kind of ink are Scout Books printed with?
We use locally manufactured soy based inks. Unlike traditional offset printing inks which use petroleum derived oils as their base, our inks rely on oil from the trusty soybean. Soy plants are a sustainable, renewable resource that can be grown right here in the USA. These inks have much lower VOC (volatile organic compounds) levels than petro-based inks, reducing airborne pollutants. Plus, paper printed with soy inks is more easily recycled.
What are Scout Book Originals?
Scout Book Originals are designed in-house by the Pinball team to suit a variety of uses. Our Pattern, Composition and DIY styles are all considered Scout Book Originals. Also, our specific-use styles like the Project Keeper are considered Originals.
What is Scout Book Illustrated?
Illustrated is our line of pocket notebooks featuring artwork by the best creative minds out there. We partner with fantastic illustrators and artists to feature original work on the Scout Book. We release a new Illustrated Scout Book every month. The editions are limited, so get yours quick!
What are Make Your Own Scout Books?
One of the best parts about the Scout Book is that you can very easily make your own. Yes, we’re serious. Custom pocket notebooks with your own artwork printed on them. Read more in the Make Your Own FAQ.
Make Your Own
How do I make my own Scout Book?
Very easily. Head over to the Make Your Own section of the site. There you can choose your quantity, your interior page style, your ink color, and upload your artwork. You will proceed through the checkout just like you’re purchasing any other shop item. Sweet!
What are custom Scout Books good for?
So many things! The Scout Book wears many hats. This versatile notebook has been used by our clients as a retail item, promotional giveaway, and proprietary note taking system.
Where can I see examples of other people’s Make Your Own Scout Books?
Over here, on the Scout Book’s Flickr site. Also, visit the “Friends” category for more inspirational ideas.
Is it expensive to print my own pocket notebooks
Nope! We’ve gotten the production of Scout Books down to a science in order to make them an affordable way to produce custom products. Compared to other printing services, you’ll find that the Scout Book serves your needs without stripping your pocketbook bare.
How do I design for the Scout Book?
You’ll need to create a one-color design that produces well on chipboard. There are a few things to keep in mind as you’re designing your artwork for the Scout Book. Photographs should be high-contrast but otherwise will print well. Over in our Flickr, you can browse examples by the different design approaches other people have used. Check out sets for Photography, Typography and Illustration. We’ve also made one for Color Floods. Of course, if you have any questions about preparing your design, email us with your questions at hello@scoutbooks.com.
How do I prepare my artwork?
At the end of placing your Make Your Own Scout Book order, you’ll be redirected to a page where you can download an Adobe Illustrator template. In this template we’ve picked out the Scout Book colors and given you margins to design within. Awesome! Place your design into the layer titled “Your Art Here.” You can design in Illustrator or place other types of files into the Illustrator file. Save the file as a PDF, upload it, and you’re on your way!
Where do I send my cover artwork?
You can upload your properly sized, single-color, 300dpi file to our server during the check-out process.
What is the turn-around time?
Once we receive your artwork, we’ll make sure it’s ready for press and send you a digital, PDF soft-proof. Once you approve the proof, it will take 7-12 business days for your order to be completed and ship out. That means Saturdays, Sundays and holidays don’t count! We try our best to get things up and out quickly, but our first concern is top-notch quality.
Can I rush my Make Your Own order?
Unfortunately no, not at the moment. This may be an option in the future.
Can I use more than one color? How about custom paper?
The Scout Book features one color of ink printed on a chipboard cover, and our online pricing structures reflect these options. Any deviations from the standard ink count or paper selections become not “Scout Books” but “Scout Book-like books” and require further discussion and a custom print quote. Feel free to contact us here.
Shopping
How do I place an order?
On every product page, there is an “Add to Cart” button. Simply choose the quantity you’d like to order, click the button, and voila! You’ve added that item to your cart. You can view your cart through the link that is at the top right corner of every page.
How do I pay for my order?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. We also accept payment via PayPal.
Is my transaction secure?
Yes. Scoutbooks.com offers the highest level of online transaction security through its SSL certification provided by Geocerts. We also never store your credit card information after the transaction, and we never ever sell or share your contact information with another party.
Is there a Scout Books store?
Maybe soon! We’re working on setting up a retail space in our shop. Scout Books are also carried in many wonderful retailers, so ask for them at your favorite places to shop for notebooks!
How can I sell Scout Books in my store?
Are you interested in carrying Scout Books in your retail space? Let us know! We have special wholesale pricing available. Contact us at info@pinballpublishing.com.
Can I place an order as a gift?
Sure. Please just enter the gift’s recipient’s name and address in the shipping address form. Easy!
Can I get my order gift-wrapped?
Soon, we promise! We have fun packaging for all Scout Books, and special gift-wrap packs are in the works.
Shipping
Okay, so is shipping really free?
Shipping is FREE for all domestic orders! Awesome! We’ve built the shipping into the price. That means if you live in the United States, you pay the price of your products and that’s it. No shipping charge.
Do you offer expedited shipping options?
Not yet, but we plan to add faster shipping options very soon.
Do you ship internationally?
Yep! We are shipping Scout Books all over the world. During the checkout process you can select your country from the drop-down shipping menu. Shipping costs will vary by country.
How are Scout Books packaged?
Pocket notebooks in the shop are always sold in packs of 3. First we place your 3 pocket notebooks in a neat little chipboard box. Then, we stick it in a cushioned envelope and send it your way. It will travel through the postal service protected by post-consumer recycled paper padding and arrive safely in your mailbox. The only exception is Make Your Own quantities, which start at 50 and increase incrementally to 100, 250, 500 and 1000+ Scout Books. These quantities are packed carefully in shipping boxes with our special yellow-and-white Pinball packing paper.
How long does it take my order to ship?
On every product page, below the price, it will tell you how long it will take that particular product to ship. This is usually 1-2 days. Keep in mind that Make Your Own Scout Books take 7-10 business days to manufacture, plus 1-2 business days to ship.
How long will it take my order to arrive?
That depends on where you live. From the time of shipment, you can expect your order in 1-2 weeks.
Can I track my order?
We use UPS and USPS to ship Scout Books. We determine the fastest and most efficient way to send your Scout Books depending on weight and location. UPS offers tracking information, which will be sent to you in your confirmation email once your order ships. USPS unfortunately does not offer tracking information.
Can I have my order shopped to a PO Box?
Yes!
Do I have to pay sales tax on Scout Books?
No, Oregon does not have a sales tax. Since Scout Books are sold from our Portland, Oregon location, we do not need to collect sales tax (even if you are buying from a location that does have a sales tax). Hooray, Oregon!
Will all of the items in my order arrive in the same shipment?
If your order contains Make Your Own Scout Books as well as Ready Made three-packs, we will ship your three-packs first. We will then manufacture your Make Your Own Scout Books and ship them when they’re ready.
What do I do if my order is taking too long?
There’s no reason your order shouldn’t arrive within two weeks from the date of shipping. If it is two weeks from the date of ship and you haven’t received your order, please contact us at hello@scoutbooks.com and we’ll see what’s up. If your order is a Make Your Own Scout Book, please consider the 7-10 business days that it takes to produce your custom notebook.
Our Guarantee, Returns, Refunds and Exchanges
What is the Scout Books guarantee?
We promise that you will love your Scout Book. If you don’t, we are happy to replace it with an alternative style of your choice. If you received a damaged or defective product, we will send you a replacement right away.
How do I return a Scout Book?
If you are not happy with your Scout Book and you would like to return it, please contact us at hello@scoutbooks.com. We will arrange to provide you a refund.
How do I return a gift?
If you have received a Scout Book three-pack as a gift and would like to return it, please contact us at hello@scoutbooks.com.
Participation
How can I keep up with the latest Scout Book news?
You can sign up for our newsletter, follow us on Twitter, and check our Read + Write section for regular doses of inspiration, news and features. We’re also on Flickr and Facebook. Wow!
How do I share the pages of my Scout Books?
We have a Flickr group called Show Us Your Scout Book where you can post the interior pages of your Scout Books. Show us your sketches, collages, writing, lists, doodles, everything!
Can I submit a design for Scout Book Illustrated?
We’re figuring that out. We’re developing more ways that you can participate with Scout Books. Keep an eye on the Read + Write section for updates on competitions, calls for submissions, and other news about how you can become a Scout Book Illustrated artist.
How do I subscribe to your newsletter?
In the bottom right hand corner of every page on Scoutbooks.com is a place where you can sign up for our newsletter.
Where can I find designs of other people’s Make Your Own Scout Books?
Here, on our Flickr.