Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a base sheet with a plurality of original films precisely stripped, i.e., affixed on it in a predetermined layout for use in a photomechanical process for printing a book. The apparatus includes a unit for receiving and storing information relating to a plurality of original films outputting position data of each of the plurality of original films to be affixed to the base sheet; a unit for forming register holes on each of the original films based on the position data; a unit for placing each of the original films in a predetermined position on the base sheets based on the register holes and the position data, and a unit for fixing each of the original films in its respective predetermined position on the base sheet. In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for forming an intermediate original sheet using the above described apparatus and including the steps of operating each of the above mentioned units of such apparatus.