Artists' books (or book arts or book objects) are works of art that engage with and transform the form of a book. Some are mass-produced with multiple editions, some are published in small editions, while others are produced as one-of-a-kind objects.
There is not a singular definition of an artist's book, and formulating a definition is cumbersome and subject to debate. Importantly, the creation of artists' books incorporates a variety of formats and genres. They have a complex history, with a particular focus and growth in contemporary artist movements. They also have recently grown in popularity, especially in art institutions, and have become popular in art library reference workshops. The exact definition and usage of artists' books has become more fluid and porous alongside the growth in popularity of artists' books.