How to Print a Custom-Size PDF Booklet on A4 Paper
Question details
The user needs to print a custom small-sized PDF (8x13 cm) as a booklet on A4 paper, including bleed and printer marks, without the software treating it as A5 and adding extra margins.
- Product
- PDF Editor
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing a small-dimension PDF file imposed as a booklet on standard A4 paper.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF software incorrectly treats the custom pages as A5 size, resulting in an unwanted center margin when attempting to print as a booklet on A4.
Ensure your physical printer supports custom paper size configurations and verify that your PDF document includes the necessary bleed areas before adding printer marks.
Configure Custom Paper Size and Booklet Layout in Print Settings
Adjust the printer properties to recognize the exact dimensions of your custom PDF and apply the correct booklet scaling to eliminate unwanted margins.
When standard PDF software defaults to standard paper sizes like A5, it automatically scales your custom dimensions, which introduces unwanted white space. Defining a custom paper size in the printer properties forces the software to respect your original dimensions.
Open your PDF document and press Ctrl+P (or Cmd+P on Mac) to open the Print dialog box.
Select your target printer from the dropdown menu, then click on the 'Properties' or 'Preferences' button next to it.
Navigate to the 'Paper/Quality' or 'Paper Options' tab. Select 'Custom' from the size list and input the exact dimensions of your original pages (e.g., 80mm by 130mm). Click OK to save the custom size.
Return to the main Print dialog, locate the 'Page Sizing & Handling' section, and select 'Booklet'. Ensure the scaling is set to match the original page dimensions to avoid the unwanted center margin.
Add Bleed and Printer Marks via Print Production Tools
Use advanced print production features to insert crop marks and bleed before printing the booklet.
Easily Print PDF Booklets with WPS Office
WPS Office provides an intuitive PDF reader and editor that simplifies booklet printing. You can easily adjust page sizing, handle custom dimensions, and ensure your booklets print perfectly on A4 paper without frustrating formatting errors.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your custom-sized PDF document.
- 2. Access Print Settings: Click the 'Menu' button and select 'Print', or use the Ctrl+P shortcut on your keyboard.
- 3. Select Booklet Printing: In the 'Print Handling' section, choose 'Booklet' and configure your binding and scaling settings.
- 4. Print to A4: Select A4 from the paper size options in your printer properties and click 'Print' to generate your booklet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a large white margin in the center of my printed booklet?
This occurs when the PDF software automatically scales your custom small pages up to a standard size like A5 to fit the A4 sheet. To fix this, you must explicitly set a custom paper size in the printer properties that matches your document's specific dimensions.
Can I print a booklet with bleed marks on any standard home printer?
Adding bleed marks is supported by professional PDF editors, but printing them successfully depends on your printer hardware. Your printer must support printing on paper slightly larger than the final trimmed size or support true borderless printing to accommodate the bleed marks.
How do I ensure the booklet pages are in the correct reading order?
When you select the 'Booklet' option in the print dialog, the PDF software automatically arranges (imposes) the pages so they will appear in the correct reading order once the printed stack of A4 paper is folded in half.
What are standard bleed dimensions for PDF booklets?
A standard bleed is typically 3mm (about 0.125 inches) on all sides. This extra margin ensures that when the printed booklet is trimmed by a guillotine, there are no unprinted white edges visible on the final product.
