Printing Problems

How to Add a Top Gutter for Two-Sided Booklet Printing in Word

Aamir Naveed Akram Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to configure a top binding margin (gutter) for a two-sided printed booklet.

How to Add a Top Gutter for Two-Sided Booklet Printing in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting a document for two-sided printing that will be bound along the top edge, similar to a tablet or legal pad.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word does not provide a native bottom or right gutter option for standard booklet layouts, requiring a manual page setup workaround.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure your document layout is finalized to avoid text shifting, and verify that your printer supports automatic two-sided (duplex) printing.

Solution 1Recommended

Create an Artificial Top Gutter Using Headers and Footers

Since Word lacks a native top gutter option for booklets, you can simulate the binding space by adjusting the header and footer margins on alternating pages.

Top-bound booklets use a 'tablet-style' page-turning method rather than a standard side-fold. By enabling different settings for odd and even pages, you can manually add space to the top of the front pages and the bottom of the back pages to create a consistent binding area.

Enable Different Odd and Even Pages

Navigate to the 'Layout' tab, click the dialog box launcher in the 'Page Setup' group, switch to the 'Layout' tab, and check the box for 'Different odd and even'.

Adjust the Odd Page Header

Double-click the header area on any odd-numbered page. Press 'Enter' to add extra blank lines, or increase the 'Header from Top' measurement to simulate your top gutter.

Adjust the Even Page Footer

Scroll to an even-numbered page and double-click the footer area. Increase the 'Footer from Bottom' measurement to align the binding edge correctly on the reverse side of the printed sheet.

Print a Test Page

Go to 'File' > 'Print' and print a single two-sided test page. Check that the binding spaces overlap perfectly and the pages flip in the correct orientation.

Create an Artificial Top Gutter Using Headers and Footers

Printer Settings Tip: When printing a top-bound document, ensure your printer's duplex setting is configured to 'Flip on short edge' so the back pages do not print upside down.

Create Top-Bound Documents Easily with WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers a highly intuitive Page Layout interface, making it simple to manage complex formatting tasks like custom gutters, alternating headers, and tablet-style document binding.

1. Open Page Setup: Launch WPS Writer, go to the 'Page Layout' tab, and click 'Page Setup' to access detailed margin settings.
2. Configure Odd and Even Headers: Switch to the 'Layout' tab within the dialog box and enable 'Different odd and even header/footer'.
3. Set the Binding Space: Double-click the header on odd pages and footer on even pages to apply your custom binding space without disrupting the rest of the text.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsIntuitive Page Setup dialog for precise margin and gutter controlFree, lightweight, and easy to navigate interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the text on the back of my page printing upside down?

This occurs because the printer is set to flip the pages identically to a standard book. For top-bound (tablet-style) printing, you must access your printer properties and change the duplex setting to 'Flip on short edge'.

Can I use the built-in 'Gutter' option in Word instead?

The built-in gutter option typically defaults to the left or top edge for standard layouts, but in 'Book fold' mode, it is restricted to the central fold. Manually adjusting alternating headers and footers is the most reliable workaround for top-bound booklets.

How large should I make the artificial gutter?

The ideal size depends on your binding method. Generally, 0.5 to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 cm) provides enough clearance for comb, spiral, or staple binding without cutting off your text.

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