InDesign booklet PDF for test print

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
March 22, 2021
2 replies
2042 views

I have designed a 5.5" W x 8.5" T saddle-stitched booklet (11" x 8.5" sheets folded in half). For the final print, we will send it to a professional printer to provide a full-bleed product. For reference, I want to send my client a PDF that he can print himself using the self-serve machine at a local copy center. In other words, I want a PDF that is 8.5" x 11" spreads with a white border, but cropped — not reduced in size.

What is the easiest procedure for this? I'm used to working in CS2, and normally I would create a spreads version of the document and be able to select my options from a print dialogue. InDesign CC seems to have removed the ability to create a spreads version of the InDesign file, and the print settings of the "Print Booklet" dialogue are greyed out. Plus, I don't see a way to print to PDF from here.

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer rob day

To print a PDF from Print Booklet you need to install the Adobe 9.0 PPD:

https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/kb/add-acrobat-ppd.html

This thread has instructions:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign/indesign-print-booklet-only-half-pages-exporting/td-p/10713554

rob day

Correct answer

Community Expert

To print a PDF from Print Booklet you need to install the Adobe 9.0 PPD:

https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/kb/add-acrobat-ppd.html

This thread has instructions:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign/indesign-print-booklet-only-half-pages-exporting/td-p/10713554

A

Alek_VAuthor

Inspiring

Thank you both! It happens that I learned about the PPD preset from a YouTube video earlier today, but your two suggestions combined to give me the solution. Here's the summary for anyone else who needs it:

PROBLEM: I want to print my booklet to a PDF as spreads so I make a test print on a self-serve color printer.

THE (NOT IDEAL) SOLUTION:

1) Install the PDF PPD (from Rob's link) and restart InDesign.

2) Go to File > Print Booklet > Print Settings.

3) Select "Adobe PDF 9.0" as the PPD. Leave Printer as "Postscript® File."

4) Under Setup, set the paper size and orientation as if you're printing to a printer with that paper.

5) Print to create the Postscript file.

6) Open the Postscript file in Acrobat Distiller to create the PDF.

Out of curiosity — Can anybody tell me what the Viewing options do in the Export PDF dialog? They are not explained in Adobe's documentation. 😕😕

rob day

Community Expert

https://helpx.adobe.com/nz/indesign/using/pdf-options.html

A

Alek_VAuthor

Inspiring

I'll add that I found a setting under File > Export... > Viewing that reads "Two-Up Continuous (Cover Page)." I thought maybe this would fix the issue of the cover page showing up as individual pages instead of as a spread, but it seems to be non-functional. Furthernore, the item is not found in the User Guide. What's the story here?