The octavo class is a modification of the standard LaTeX book class. Its purpose is to typeset books following classical design and layout principles, with the express intention of encouraging the making of beautiful books by anyone with access to a good printer and with an inclination towards venerable crafts, e.g., bookbinding.

The octavo class differs from the book class by implementing many of the proposals and insights of respected experts, especially Jan Tschichold and Hugh Williamson.

The documentation discusses methods to organise and print out any text into signatures, which can then be gathered, folded and sewn into a book.