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C
Cartago
Participant
September 27, 2017
Question

Need help getting correct print settings. Can't find the answer!

  • September 27, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 371 views

Hey!

I haven't used inDesign a long time so my question might be basic. I hope some people more in the know can help me out here.

Task

I have created two A5 documents that are to be printed and laminated so that they become a single, two-sided, handout. I don't yet know the capabilities of the place where they will be printed but I'm working under the assumption that they are to be printed on an A4 and then folded or cut to fit each other neatly.

Issue

This is my first time preparing something like this for print and I don't know much on how to achieve the result I need. I've tried out a few different things but the only printer I've tried using is a normal one that won't allow bleed out to the edges, I really don't know which settings are correct. I'm going to try out the printer we'll use for the finished product tomorrow. I'm hoping to make some pdfs that will prove to do the trick.

The questions I have

1) How do I make so that I print two A5 documents on a single A4? Is that possible?

2) If not possible, how do I print these two A5:s so that they can be arranged like task requires it to?

3) The printer that we'll use is at a university in another city so I'd rather not have to take the trip more than once. How can I prepare pdfs that are likely to work as intended? What setting of bleed will usually do the trick? Do I add "All printers mark"?

4) Any other good suggestions for this here confused rookie ?

Thanks in advance!

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

Srishti_Bali
Srishti_Bali
Legend
November 20, 2017

Hi Cartago,

I would like to know if the steps suggested Bill worked for you, or the issue still persists.

Kindly update the discussion if you need further assistance with it.

Thanks,

Srishti

Bill Silbert
Community Expert
Bill SilbertCommunity Expert
Community Expert
September 27, 2017

Almost all printers need some blank space on the edges for their grippers so your art will have to be printed on larger stock and then trimmed using crop marks to size. This allows you to add bleed to your art. A document that is to be printed on two sides should contain both sides in a single InDesign file as well as for the pdf that you are sending to the printer.

When you set up the job set the trim size to A5 and your bleed to a minimum of .125 inches. You can also add a slug area (a blank space outside of the bleed) to give the pdf some breathing room (left picture above). When you set up your export to pdf make sure that crop marks, page information, bleed setting and include slug are checked as shown above right.

Of course all of the settings I've listed will need to be confirmed with your printer, I only include them here as a general guide. Email or call the printer to confirm the information I've given. Printers appreciate being asked questions. It saves them lots of headaches down the road.

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