> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.printery.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Multi-Page Documents

> Creating booklets, catalogs, and multi-page prints

## What Are Multi-Page Documents?

Multi-page documents are print pieces with multiple pages that are bound, stapled, or folded together, such as:

* **Booklets** - Saddle-stitched or perfect bound
* **Catalogs** - Product listings, portfolios
* **Magazines** - Periodicals with multiple articles
* **Brochures** - Tri-fold, bi-fold, gate-fold
* **Manuals** - Instruction books, user guides

<Note>
  Each page needs proper setup for bleed, margins, and page sequencing to print correctly.
</Note>

## Key Concepts for Multi-Page Design

### 1. Page Sequencing

Pages must be in the correct order:

**Sequential (Simplest)**:

```
Page 1 → Page 2 → Page 3 → Page 4 ...
```

**Spreads (Facing Pages)**:

```
[Cover] [Page 2-3] [Page 4-5] ... [Back Cover]
```

**Imposition (Printer arranges)**:

```
Printer rearranges pages for printing sheets
that fold into correct sequence
```

### 2. Binding Methods

| Method              | Description                  | Page Count    | Use Case                 |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------ |
| **Saddle Stitch**   | Folded and stapled in center | Multiple of 4 | Magazines, thin booklets |
| **Perfect Binding** | Glued spine                  | Any count     | Books, thick catalogs    |
| **Spiral/Coil**     | Plastic or wire spiral       | Any count     | Manuals, workbooks       |
| **Case Binding**    | Hardcover book binding       | Any count     | Premium books            |

<Info>
  **Most Common**: Saddle-stitched booklets (must have page count divisible by 4)
</Info>

### 3. Gutter and Margins

**Gutter** = The inside margin where binding happens

```
Left Page          Right Page
┌─────────────┐   ┌─────────────┐
│    Content  │   │  Content    │
│             │░░░│             │ ← Gutter (binding edge)
│             │░░░│             │
│    Content  │   │  Content    │
└─────────────┘   └─────────────┘
  Outer edge        Outer edge
```

**Margin Guidelines**:

* **Outer margins**: 5mm minimum (standard safety zone)
* **Gutter margin**: 8-12mm (more for thick books)
* **Top/Bottom**: 5-8mm

## Setting Up Multi-Page in Figma

### Method 1: Individual Frames (Recommended)

<Steps>
  <Step title="Calculate Page Dimensions">
    Final size + bleed on all sides
    Example: A5 booklet page = 154mm × 216mm (with 3mm bleed)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create Frames for Each Page">
    * Press `F` and create first page frame
    * Name it: "Page 01" or "Cover"
    * Duplicate for each page: `Cmd/Ctrl + D`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Arrange in Order">
    Line up frames horizontally or in a grid for easy navigation
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply Master Elements">
    Use Figma components for:

    * Headers/footers
    * Page numbers
    * Recurring design elements
  </Step>

  <Step title="Design Each Page">
    Remember different margins for left vs right pages!
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Method 2: Using Pages/Sections

<Steps>
  <Step title="Use Figma Pages">
    Create separate Figma pages for sections

    * Page 1: Cover
    * Page 2: Interior pages
    * Page 3: Back cover
  </Step>

  <Step title="Organize Artboards">
    Within each Figma page, create frames for individual print pages
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export Separately">
    Export each section as needed
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Page Count Rules

### Saddle-Stitched Books

**Must be divisible by 4**:

* 4 pages (1 sheet)
* 8 pages (2 sheets)
* 12 pages (3 sheets)
* 16 pages (4 sheets)
* 20 pages (5 sheets)
* etc.

**Why?**: Each sheet folds in half, creating 4 pages (front and back of both sides)

<Warning>
  If you design 10 pages for a saddle-stitched booklet, the printer will need to add 2 blank pages to make it 12!
</Warning>

### Perfect Bound Books

* Can be any page count
* Minimum typically 28-32 pages (spine needs thickness)
* Maximum depends on paper and binding method

## Designing Spreads

### Spreads are Facing Pages

```
┌──────────────────────────────────┐
│ Page 2          │         Page 3 │
│ (Left)          │         (Right)│
│        Content across spread     │
└──────────────────────────────────┘
```

### Spread Design Tips

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Consider the Gutter" icon="book-open">
    Don't run important content across the center fold - it gets lost in the binding.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Mirror Margins" icon="left-right">
    * Left page: More margin on right (gutter side)
    * Right page: More margin on left (gutter side)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Balance Visual Weight" icon="scale-balanced">
    Design spreads as a unit - balance colors, images, text across both pages.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Test with Mock-Up" icon="book">
    Print and fold to see how spreads actually look.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Exporting Multi-Page Documents

### Option 1: Single PDF with All Pages

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select All Page Frames">
    Hold `Shift` and click each frame in order
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Printery">
    Launch the plugin with frames selected
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Multi-Page Export">
    Document tab → Multi-page PDF: Enable
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Page Order">
    Frames will export in selection order - verify sequence!
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export">
    Export as one PDF file with all pages
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Option 2: Individual Page PDFs

<Steps>
  <Step title="Export Pages One by One">
    Select each frame individually and export
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name Clearly">
    * Page\_01.pdf
    * Page\_02.pdf
    * etc.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Combine Later">
    Use Adobe Acrobat or printer's software to combine if needed
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Best Practice**: Export as single multi-page PDF. It's easier for the printer and less chance of errors.
</Tip>

## Page Numbering

### Adding Page Numbers

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create Text Component">
    Design your page number style as a Figma component
  </Step>

  <Step title="Place on Each Page">
    Add instance to each page frame
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Number">
    Change text for each page (1, 2, 3, etc.)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Position Consistently">
    * Bottom center, bottom corner, or header
    * Keep in safety zone (8-10mm from edges)
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Numbering Conventions

* **Body pages**: Use arabic numerals (1, 2, 3...)
* **Front matter**: Roman numerals optional (i, ii, iii...)
* **First page**: Usually no number shown (but counted as page 1)

## Bleed for Multi-Page

Each page needs bleed:

```
Individual Page with Bleed:
┌─────────────────────────┐
│ ░░░░ 3mm bleed ░░░░░░░░ │
│ ░┌───────────────────┐░ │
│ ░│    Page Content   │░ │
│ ░└───────────────────┘░ │
│ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ │
└─────────────────────────┘
```

**Exception**: Pages back-to-back in a spread share the gutter edge (no bleed needed in center).

## Common Multi-Page Mistakes

### Mistake #1: Wrong Page Count

**Problem**: 10-page booklet for saddle-stitching

**Solution**: Make it 12 pages (add 2 blank pages) or 8 pages (remove 2)

***

### Mistake #2: Inconsistent Margins

**Problem**: Every page has different margin sizes

**Solution**: Use components and consistent guides for margins

***

### Mistake #3: Content in Gutter

**Problem**: Text or images run through the center fold

**Solution**: Keep minimum 8mm clear on both sides of center fold

***

### Mistake #4: Forgotten Bleed

**Problem**: Some pages have bleed, others don't

**Solution**: Check every page for proper bleed setup

***

### Mistake #5: Wrong Page Order

**Problem**: Pages export in wrong sequence

**Solution**: Name frames clearly (Page\_01, Page\_02) and verify selection order

## Templates for Common Formats

### 8-Page A5 Booklet

* **Page Size**: 148 × 210mm (A5)
* **With Bleed**: 154 × 216mm
* **Saddle-stitched**: 2 sheets folded
* **Margins**: Outer 5mm, Gutter 10mm

### 16-Page Letter Booklet

* **Page Size**: 8.5" × 11"
* **With Bleed**: 8.75" × 11.25"
* **Saddle-stitched**: 4 sheets folded
* **Margins**: 0.25" outer, 0.5" gutter

### Tri-Fold Brochure

* **Flat Size**: 297 × 210mm (A4 landscape)
* **Folded**: 99mm wide × 210mm tall (3 panels)
* **Consider fold variation**: ±1-2mm

## Testing Your Multi-Page Design

<Steps>
  <Step title="Print at Home">
    Print all pages on regular paper
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assemble Mock-Up">
    Fold or staple in correct order
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check Alignment">
    * Are facing pages balanced?
    * Is content clear of gutter?
    * Do page numbers flow correctly?
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust and Re-Export">
    Make corrections before sending to printer
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Pro Tip**: Always make a physical mock-up before ordering your print run. Digital previews don't show binding issues!
</Tip>

## Working with Your Printer

Questions to ask:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What page format do you prefer?" icon="file">
    * Single multi-page PDF?
    * Individual page PDFs?
    * Spreads or single pages?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What about imposition?" icon="table-cells">
    * Will you handle page arrangement?
    * Or should I provide print-ready sheets?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Gutter margin requirement?" icon="book">
    * How much space needed for binding?
    * Different for perfect vs saddle-stitch?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Bleed on all pages?" icon="expand">
    * Interior pages need bleed?
    * What about pages that face each other?
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Multi-Page Checklist

* [ ] **Page count correct**: Divisible by 4 (if saddle-stitched)
* [ ] **All pages have bleed**: 3mm on all outer edges
* [ ] **Consistent margins**: Left/right pages mirror properly
* [ ] **Gutter clearance**: 8-12mm on binding side
* [ ] **Page numbers**: Present and sequential
* [ ] **Page order verified**: Checked in PDF
* [ ] **Mock-up tested**: Printed and folded to verify
* [ ] **Printer consulted**: Confirmed requirements

<Check>
  All checked? Your multi-page document is print-ready!
</Check>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Color Management" icon="palette" href="/color/overview">
    Ensure color consistency across all pages
  </Card>

  <Card title="Templates" icon="file" href="/templates/publication-templates">
    Download multi-page templates
  </Card>

  <Card title="Booklet Tutorial" icon="book" href="/use-cases/booklets">
    Step-by-step booklet creation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Export Settings" icon="file-export" href="/features/export-settings">
    Master multi-page export options
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<Info>
  **Need help with a complex multi-page project?** Ask in our [Discord community](https://discord.gg/kUJZQEfdUF) - we have publishers and designers who can guide you!
</Info>