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How to Set a Custom 210x210 mm Page Size in Microsoft Publisher

Rana Garcia Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to configure a custom 210 x 210 mm square page size in Microsoft Publisher to prepare a document for commercial printing and high-quality PDF export.

How to Set a Custom 210x210 mm Page Size in Microsoft Publisher

Product: Microsoft Publisher
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up precise document dimensions to ensure the layout matches specific commercial printing requirements before exporting to PDF.
Observed behavior: The user wants to manually define page dimensions because the desired 210 x 210 mm square format is not available in the default templates list.

Before you start

Verify whether your commercial printer requires a 'bleed' area; if so, you may need to add an extra 3 mm to each edge (e.g., setting the size to 216 x 216 mm) to prevent white borders after trimming.

Solution 1Recommended

Set a Custom Page Size Using Page Design Settings

Use the built-in Custom Page Size dialog box in Publisher to manually define and save your 210 x 210 mm dimensions.

Microsoft Publisher allows users to create and save custom page dimensions for specialized printing projects. Once saved, this size will remain in your preset list, making it easy to reuse for future square publications.

Navigate to Page Design

Open your document in Microsoft Publisher. On the top ribbon, click on the 'Page Design' tab to access the layout options.

Open the Size Menu

Click on the 'Size' button in the Page Setup group. Scroll to the bottom of the drop-down menu and select 'Create New Page Size' (or 'More Preset Page Sizes' depending on your version).

Enter Custom Dimensions

In the Custom Page Size dialog box, look for the 'Page' section. Type '210 mm' into the Width field and '210 mm' into the Height field.

Name and Save the Preset

Enter a descriptive name for your new size (e.g., 'Square 210x210') in the Name field, adjust any necessary margin guides, and click 'OK' to apply it to your current publication.

Export to PDF

Once your design is complete, click on 'File', then select 'Export'. Choose 'Create PDF/XPS Document' to save your publication with the exact custom dimensions for commercial printing.

Set a Custom Page Size Using Page Design Settings

Preset Saved: Your newly created 210 x 210 mm page size is now saved and will be readily available under the 'Size' menu for any future projects.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Create Custom Page Layouts with WPS Office

While Microsoft Publisher is a specialized desktop publishing tool, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly capable alternative for creating custom documents. With WPS Writer, you can effortlessly set custom page sizes, adjust precise margins, and export directly to high-quality PDF formats for commercial printing.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to securely download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
2. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Writer and open a blank document to begin your design project.
3. Configure Custom Page Setup: Navigate to the 'Page Layout' tab, click 'Size', select 'More Paper Sizes', and enter 210 mm for both width and height to begin designing your square layout.

Free and lightweight alternative to the Microsoft Office suite.Excellent format compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx) and other common files.Easily set custom document dimensions like 210 x 210 mm for specialized printing.Built-in, high-quality PDF export without needing external plugins.Familiar, intuitive user interface for a seamless transition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my 210 x 210 mm Publisher document printing with white borders?

Most standard home and office printers cannot print completely to the edge of the paper. For true edge-to-edge printing (full bleed), you must either print your 210 x 210 mm design on a larger sheet of paper and trim it down, or utilize a commercial printing service.

How do I add a bleed to my custom Publisher document?

To include a standard 3 mm bleed for commercial printing, you need to increase your custom page size by 6 mm in total for both dimensions. Instead of 210 x 210 mm, set your page size to 216 x 216 mm, and extend your background graphics to fill this new area.

How can I ensure my PDF exports at the exact custom size?

When saving your file, go to 'File' > 'Export' > 'Create PDF/XPS Document'. In the Publish Options or Save As dialog box, check the 'Options' settings to ensure the export is configured to print the publication page exactly, rather than scaling it to fit a standard paper size.

Can I edit an existing custom page size in Publisher?

Yes. Open the 'Size' drop-down menu under the 'Page Design' tab, select 'More Preset Page Sizes', find your custom size in the list, right-click it, and choose 'Edit' to modify its dimensions or margins.

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