In 1618, after long discussions on matters of principle, procedure and practical implementation, the National Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church decided that they would undertake a new translation of the Bible. Marginal notes were to be added, for instance to interpret obscure passages, but observations of a dogmatic nature were forbidden. The decision caused immediate consternation among booksellers, who made an appeal to the States General not to proceed too fast, as more than 80,000 bibles were still unsold, and after publication of the new translation they would remain on the shelves forever. Their alarm was rather premature, for it would be October 1635 before the translation was completely finished, checked and approved. Earlier, arrangements had been made for the actual printing, which had started in the spring of 1635 with the parts that had already been approved. Printing took place in Leiden under the supervision of the translators, who also corrected the proofs. The Amsterdam printer Paulus Aertsz van Ravesteyn was commissioned as printer and he established a printing office in Leiden to facilitate matters. Sales were to be processed by the official printer of the States General, Machtelt Aelbrechts, widow of Hillebrant Jacobsz van Wouw.