Formatting Issues

How to Center Page Borders with a Binding Gutter in Word

WPS Content Manager Sep 29, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs page borders to remain visually centered on the visible page area after adding a binding gutter, rather than aligning to the physical page edge.

How to Center Page Borders When Using a Binding Gutter

Product: Microsoft Word 2021
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up a document for physical printing and binding, which requires a gutter margin while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing and centered page border.
Observed behavior: When a gutter is applied, page borders normally measure from the edge of the page, causing them to look off-center relative to the final bound area.

Before you start

Verify the exact binding gutter size required by your printer or binding method (e.g., 0.5 inches) before adjusting your page layouts.

Solution 1Recommended

Measure Page Borders from the Text Area

Adjust your custom margins to include the gutter, then change the page border options to measure from the text rather than the page edge.

By default, Word measures page borders from the edge of the paper. When a binding gutter shifts the text, the border remains static, making it look asymmetrical. Changing the measurement reference to the text area ensures the border shifts alongside your content.

Set the Gutter Margin

Go to the Layout tab on the ribbon, click Margins, and select Custom Margins. Enter your desired gutter value (such as 0.5 inches) and choose Left or Top for the gutter position.

Enable Mirror Margins (Optional)

If you are printing a two-sided document, select Mirror margins under the Multiple pages dropdown in the Page Setup dialog, then click OK.

Open Page Border Options

Navigate to the Design tab, click Page Borders in the Page Background group, and then click the Options button in the Borders and Shading dialog box.

Change the Measurement Reference

In the Options dialog, locate the 'Measure from' dropdown and select 'Text'. Adjust the top, bottom, left, and right distance fields to position the border nicely around your visible text area, then click OK twice to apply.

Adjustment Complete: Measuring the border from the text area successfully anchors the border to your content, keeping it perfectly centered even as gutter values change.

Try WPS Writer for Document Layouts

Create Professional Document Layouts with WPS Office

WPS Office provides a highly intuitive word processor that makes adjusting margins, binding gutters, and page borders effortless. It is fully compatible with Microsoft Word documents and free to use.

1. Open Page Setup: Open your document in WPS Writer, go to the Page Layout tab, and click Margins, then select Custom Margins.
2. Apply Gutter: Enter your required Gutter size in the Page Setup dialog, select the gutter position, and click OK.
3. Adjust Border Settings: Click Page Borders under the Page Layout tab, click Options, and change 'Measure from' to 'Text' to perfectly center your borders.

Seamless compatibility with Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx) formatsIntuitive Page Layout tab for quick margin and gutter adjustmentsFree, lightweight, and fast-loading on any deviceFamiliar user interface with no learning curve

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a binding gutter in a Word document?

A binding gutter adds extra space to the side or top margin of a document intended for binding. This ensures that text or visual elements are not hidden or cut off by the binding mechanism (like staples, coils, or glue).

Why is my page border getting cut off when I print?

Most printers have a non-printable area near the edges of the paper. If your page border is set to measure from the edge of the page, it may fall into this non-printable zone. Changing the border to measure from the 'Text' pulls it inward, preventing it from being cut off.

Can I apply a binding gutter to only specific pages?

Yes. When you configure the gutter in the Page Setup dialog box, look for the 'Apply to' dropdown at the bottom. You can choose to apply the gutter setting to the 'Whole document', 'This point forward', or specific sections if you have used section breaks.

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