Printing Problems

How to Print a Publisher Document as a Correct Booklet

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to print a document as a properly formatted booklet, but the pages are printing out of order.

How to Print a Publisher Document as a Correct Booklet

Product: Microsoft Publisher
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Printing a multi-page publication as a folded booklet.
Observed behavior: The printer outputs sequential pages (pages 1 and 2) on the first sheet, failing to produce the required booklet page order and folding layout.

Before you start

Before adjusting settings, verify that your printer supports double-sided (duplex) printing and that you have loaded the correct paper size.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure Publication Page Setup for Booklets

Adjust the page layout settings so the software automatically calculates the correct pagination and pairs the right pages on each sheet for folding.

Booklet printing relies heavily on the document's initial page setup. If the document is configured as a standard single page, the printer will simply print pages in sequential order (1, 2, 3, etc.) rather than pairing the first and last pages together on the same sheet.

Open Page Setup

Navigate to the Page Design tab on the top ribbon and click the Page Setup dialog box launcher icon located in the corner of the Page Setup group.

Select Booklet Layout

Under the Layout type dropdown menu, select Booklet. Ensure that your page width and height dimensions match the folded size of your final printed booklet.

Verify Print Preview

Go to the File menu and select Print. Carefully review the print preview pane to confirm that the first and last pages are now correctly paired on the first sheet.

Configure Publication Page Setup for Booklets

Tip: Booklets fold best when the total number of pages is a multiple of four. Consider adding blank pages if your document does not meet this requirement.

Solution 2

Test Document Layout by Printing One Page Per Sheet

If the booklet pagination remains incorrect, print a test copy with one page per sheet to verify that the core document content and formatting are correct.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Create Print-Ready Booklets with WPS Office

If you are dealing with frustrating formatting issues in specialized publishing software, WPS Writer provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for your document needs. Enjoy familiar text editing tools and native booklet printing features without the steep subscription costs.

1. Create a New Document: Open WPS Writer and create a new blank document, or open an existing compatible text document.
2. Set Up Book Fold Margins: Navigate to the Page Layout tab, click Margins, and select Custom Margins. Under the Pages section, choose 'Book fold' from the Multiple pages dropdown menu.
3. Print the Booklet: Go to Menu, select Print, and ensure 'Print on both sides' is checked before sending the document to your printer.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel, and PowerPoint formatsIntuitive 'Book fold' feature to easily format and print professional bookletsLightweight installation with a familiar, easy-to-use tabbed interfaceCompletely free core features for seamless document creation

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my booklet pages printing out of order?

This usually happens when the document's page setup is configured as a standard single page rather than a booklet layout. Without the booklet setting enabled, the printer reads and outputs the pages sequentially instead of pairing the first and last pages for folding.

Can I print a booklet on a printer that does not support duplex printing?

Yes, you can manually print a booklet. In the print settings, choose to print only the odd-numbered pages first. Once printed, carefully flip the paper and feed it back into the printer to print the even-numbered pages on the other side.

How do I ensure my content isn't cut off when printing a booklet?

Ensure your page margins accommodate the printer's non-printable area. Additionally, check that your layout dimensions in the Page Setup menu correctly match the folded size of the paper you are loading into the printer tray.

Document & File Issues