A method of depicting a hard copy document, in which a user generates an electronic document and then selects an instruction for assembling a hard copy document. The visual appearance of the electronic document once printed and assembled in accordance with the instruction is determined in the computer, and this visual appearance is produced as output. For example, the visual appearance of the electronic document may depict a printing media used in the hard copy document, such as the weight, color, texture, or transparency of the printing media, a preexisting image on the printing media, a cover to be used in the hard copy document, a binding to be used in the hard copy document, such as a velo tape, spiral, multi-ring, comb, magazine style, or stapling binding, or a physical modification of a printing media used in the hard copy document, such hole punching, folding or cutting.