I think part of the problem is that they vastly underestimated the logistics of getting these physical items produced, and I think the GP's point is that you're doing exactly the same thing. You don't just go to a local printer and say "make me a booklet" and write a check and you're done.
If you're talking about offset printing a proper cut and folded booklet that looks like a reward worth having, then you've got the design, the prepress, the iteration with the printer about what looks good, the domain knowledge of what you even want, etc. I don't think most software developers could do this and have a decent result in anywhere near the amount of time they think it should take. If you have done so, congratulations, but my gut feeling is that your standards may not be quite the same as someone who has some actual experience with that process. If you can't tell the difference between offset printing and laser, I have some bad news for you about how your booklets look. ;)
