Can Adobe PDF can be printed 4-up doubled sided?

[JLeeMart]

Anyone know if Adobe PDF can be printed 4-up doubled sided? So the original document is a 4.25x5.5 postcard double sided mail merged document. So 4-up would put 4 postcards on one page, and the double sided would insure that the 4 postcard backs are on the back of the corresponding front. Ideas?

[Abambo]

You need to create your PDF document accordingly: 4 pages front, 4 pages back, ...

If you have Acrobat (not the free reader) you could even shuffle the pages manually.

Acrobat is not really thought to be used like that and does not provide tools to do this, if the data is not prepared for.

You could also use your creation program to create the four parts on one page, the corresponding back on a second page, ...

Or you need to use an imposition program. But they come at a price as their use goes well beyond such a task.

[JLeeMart]

Hmm that is a nogo.  The initial postcard document is generated from MS Access which does not allow (that I am aware) a mail merge output that would organize the 4-up double-sided properly. So I will need to find a software that can do it or write my own perhaps with Sejda.

[Abambo]

MS Access is a database program. You "just need" to output the data correctly formatted. That can be done with reports.

[JLeeMart]

MS Access reports does not have the ability to output 4-up double-sided.  Instead I am looking for a software that can take double-sided output of various sizes and arrange it 2-up or 4-up double-sided.  Adobe Acrobat cannot do that so there must be an Adobe add on or a pre-processor somewhere.

[Abambo · Accepted solution]

Access has all the abilities to format your data. The only thing is that it is not a good layout program. Nevertheless I'm sure formatting the report as needed is possible. I would ask that question in an Access forum.

You can however output the data in a way that allows a subsequent program (Indesign to name one of Adobe's line) to format that data as you would need it to be formatted. There is more than one possibility to do that with more or less manual intervention, depending on the amount of data and the periodicity.

BTW: I just googled for Sejda. n-up may help.

Or you could look here: Products - Montax Imposer - N-UP, booklet, cut stack pdf imposition software . Just to say, I do not recommend this software just googled and found it looked promising. I have absolutely no idea if it fits your needs.

If you need a professional program: Quite at Home (they invest their time in the software, not fancy websites).

There are others available.

[JLeeMart]

Now you are talking.  Those links are very helpful.  The keyword I was looking for was 'imposer'.  Thanks.  Since I am an MS Access programmer and report writer I certainly understand how Access can format reports.  However, I see know way to perform a 4-up double sided postcard without some crazy VBA or something.  However, the imposer software you linked is designed specially for that task.  I am particularly interested in the Adobe add-ons.  Who know maybe Adobe will integrate more imposer features into their print options.  Adobe already provides quite a few options.

Thanks again,

Jeff

[Abambo]

I'm happy that at the end I could be of help. Good luck.

JLeeMart  wrote

Now you are talking.  Those links are very helpful.  The keyword I was looking for was 'imposer'.

In my very first answer I mentioned it:

Or you need to use an imposition program. But they come at a price as their use goes well beyond such a task.

JLeeMart  wrote

Since I am an MS Access programmer and report writer I certainly understand how Access can format reports.  However, I see know way to perform a 4-up double sided postcard without some crazy VBA or something. 

I've done my bunch of Access programming. I know that it is possible, but not practical. My easiest solution would be mail merge.

JLeeMart  wrote

Who know maybe Adobe will integrate more imposer features into their print options.  Adobe already provides quite a few options.

Probably not! They have done a bunch of options, but implemented only halfway (Booklet,  Multiple, ...) that they are not usable if you want professional results. I use other tools for those options if I need to have full control about the options.