The paper versions of Low-tech Magazine are printed on demand by Lulu, which makes it possible to offer 600 to 700-pages books for an affordable price. However, the downside of print on demand is that we cannot control the quality of the individual copies before they are sent out to buyers.
One year after the launch, more than 2,000 copies have been sold worldwide, with very little complaints. However, if you do receive a copy that is badly printed, you should notify Lulu to get a replacement. This is a very smooth process and Lulu lets you keep the damaged copy.
The books should look and feel as any other book. Even though they have between 600 and 700 pages, it should be perfectly possible to open them completely no matter which page you are on, and the pages shouldn't come loose. My personal copies are heavily used and now look worn out, but none of the pages has come loose.
If you are in doubt, below are images of damaged copies -- all of them were replaced by Lulu without problems.
Above: Loose pages and a broken spine are clear signs of a badly printed book.
Above: These are the same books, showing the poor binding that causes the pages to become loose.
Above: This book has too much glue between the first 40 pages or so, which makes it impossible to open it completely, unless you damage it. This is the problem that has appeared most often, and it reveals itself already before opening the book. If it feels stiff, there is too much glue between pages. The book should feel flexible.
Above: Same book. Too much glue between the pages, which prevents you from opening the pages completely, unless you damage the book.
Above: Same book, showing the excess glue after opening the page completely.