Traditionally, the musical arrangement was marked onto paper which was laid over a 'composer's barrel'. The barrel has an indexed, movable trammel which could be set to the key in question, and then a pencil, mounted on the trammel, would mark the paper as the barrel was turned by an amount according to the note length.
To the right is a photograph of Mr. Eugene Peersman, who produced music books for the Belgian organ builder Theofil Mortier, pictured here arranging music using one of these barrels.

It is now possible to arrange music on a home computer using the many types of music sequencing software now available. One advantage of this technology is that the arrangement can be heard via the computer's soundcard and mistakes corrected before committing it to cardboard. Once the arrangement is completed it can be printed onto 'listing' paper by using specialist software. The printed 'master' is then overlaid on the cardboard for cutting.

The book cutting machine has an indexed backstop which sets the cardboard book to a certain key number and in alignment with the cutting knife. Underneath the cardboard are adjustable dies that have been set to accept the profile of the cutting knife in use. Several knife sizes are available that correspond with certain note lengths and the knife is forced through the cardboard by operating a foot treadle which connects via a system of levers to the knife assembly.

During the 1990's a new type of cutting machine was developed on the Continent that automatically cuts the arrangement into cardboard. The musical piece is arranged on a computer and then saved to floppy disc. (or sent by email) These machines have a floppy disk reader and, when loaded with the disc and cardboard, will then cut the music book unattended.