Abstract: A personalized item comprising a frame member, character engagement areas, character blocks and inserts is described. The frame member has a substantially rectangular area therethrough or a rectangular recessed area formed therein. The character engagement areas each include a first character placement template formed therein and each character engagement area is adjacent an elongated side of the rectangular area. Each character block has a first template engaging member, a second template engaging member, and a character retained therebetween. The first template engaging member is configured to engage the first character placement template, and the second template engaging member is configured to engage the second character placement template. The plurality of inserts are configured for insertion into the frame member to substantially cover the character engagement areas and the template engaging members.

Abstract: A method for preparing and printing a personalized book utilizing a software package installed on a personal computer is provided, wherein the method includes entering, via one or more graphical user interfaces displayed on the computer, personalization features for at least one character in the book, and editing, via one or more additional graphical user interfaces displayed on the computer, at least one of character names and text of a story included in the software package. The method also includes running a printer test to determine an orientation for blank pages on which the personalized book will be printed with respect to a printer connected to the personal computer, and printing the pages of the book in a single pass of the blank pages through the printer. The single printing pass includes the printing of the personalized text, personalized characters, and background illustrations. The method also includes binding the printed pages of the book.