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KenJ29
Participant
September 8, 2020
Answered

long pdf wants to print on one page

  • September 8, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 9799 views

I have a long pdf that when I try to print, prints on one page, very thin.  How do I widen it to print on multiple pages? 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Karl Heinz Kremer

If you know how to program in JavaScript, you can automate this step. I did write a script a long time ago to split e.g. a scanned page with two logical pages on it into individual pages. You can take that as a guide for writing your own program:

 

http://khkonsulting.com/2014/04/page-splitter-redux/

3 replies

Bernd Alheit
Community Expert
Bernd AlheitCommunity Expert
Community Expert
September 11, 2020

How have you created the PDF file?

    Document Geek
    Community Expert
    Document GeekCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 9, 2020

    Here's an option that will let you keep it all in Acrobat: duplicate the long page several times (using the pages pane). Then crop each page to where you want the page breaks to be. Then print it.

    K
    KenJ29Author
    Participant
    September 11, 2020

    OK, but a bit laborious when you have a dozen or more pages, and you want double sided printing.  There ought to be a kbetter option, but I guess there is not.

    Karl Heinz Kremer
    Community Expert
    Karl Heinz KremerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    September 11, 2020

    If you know how to program in JavaScript, you can automate this step. I did write a script a long time ago to split e.g. a scanned page with two logical pages on it into individual pages. You can take that as a guide for writing your own program:

     

    http://khkonsulting.com/2014/04/page-splitter-redux/

    Luke Jennings3
    Community Expert
    Luke Jennings3Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 8, 2020

    What is the page size indicated at the bottom left of your screen? I assume you are printing from Acrobat or Reader? 

    If you have a long thin PDF and you want to print it in sections, look for the "Tile" options in your print settings, possibly under "Poster". You could also place your PDF into multiple InDesign pages (or Illustrator artboards) and export to a new, multipage PDF.

    K
    KenJ29Author
    Participant
    September 11, 2020

    8.5 x 141.5

    I tried the Tile approach, but it won't allow double sided printing.  There ought to be a better way.

    Luke Jennings3
    Community Expert
    Luke Jennings3Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 11, 2020

    I don't think I've ever seen an 8.5 x 141.5 double sided document, what is this for, if you don't mind saying?

    I would create an InDesign document at 8.5 x 11 (if that's the size you want), create two master pages, one for the front, with the PDF placed at 0,0, offset and one for the back placed in the same position. Add the desired number of blank pages, Apply the front master to the even numbered pages and the back master to the odd numbered pages. Select all pages and overide the master pages. Go to page 3 and change the height offset to -11", go to page 4 and go to Object> Transform again (this will repeat the -11" move). Go to page 5 and change the height offset to -22", etc. If you want overlap or need bleed, you can adjust the size and offset as needed. Export to a new PDF.

    If you are doing this regularly, with the same sized PDF, you can simply replace the linked PDF in InDesign.

    Tip: you can easily add automatic page numbers, using Type> Insert Special character> Markers> Current Page Number, to the master pages.

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