Adjusting Gutter Space in InDesign for Full-Spread Text Layouts

[Darlene_Schiebel]

Hey i study grafic design in germany and got myself with one of my laouts in trouble i think (without knowing)

I have created an InDesign layout where text is used as a design element, with large typography spanning across the full double-page spread. Now, I need to add gutter space (inside margin) after the fact. What is the easiest way to do this without completely reworking the layout?
I added 2 screenshots for better understanding. The black lines in the background on the inner side mark the gutter space.

I am hopefull and greatfull for your help!

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

How it will be printed and then finished? 

Because there might be nothing to do for you - it can be "resolved" during imposition. 

[Darlene_Schiebel]

I will send it to print. They need 5mm gutter space and it will be cold glued. I think. After that i will do a double-book-binding by myself.

But if you have any idea of binding which would work better with that i would be happy to adjust.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

OK. if it will be cold glued - then you don't have too many options - it will always look bad...

How many total pages will you have?

[Darlene_Schiebel]

131 but i have this situation in just 30 double pages

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Any chance you can do some texts in two columns - or move to one page - or play with spacing in the center - so no word will be cut in half? 

[Darlene_Schiebel]

that would be a lot of work and i dont know if i have enough time to do that... i have to design another book with around 100 pages till next week :`(

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Did you ask the printer if they can adjust the space in their imposition program for the non-double pages? I've had to do this before due to a last-minute page size change (client switched to a different printer).

Then, on a copy of the file, I would run a script to break each text frame from the flow.

Delete all the non-spread pages. The text won't reflow on the remaining pages due to the step above. 

(You will still need to check for any first line indents that don't belong.) 

The use the Page tool to adjust those spreads. Make note of the reference points when changing the size. 

On a PDF of the original document, delete the double-page spreads. 

Send the separate re-sized PDF with VERY CLEAR instructions. 

Be sure to view a proof that has all the pages sized properly.

I would also ask about a lay-flat perfect bound binding. It costs more but the readers won't have to crush the spine to read the text in the spine gutter.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Barb Binder, @BobLevine, @James Gifford—NitroPress, @Peter Spier, @Joel Cherney

Can you pitch in? 

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

(Sorry, can't resist) — are you asking us to gutter snipe, here? 😄

[Peter Spier]

Honestly, I think this fall into the category of "bad idea." Crossovers like that only work, in my opinion, on something like the center spread of a newspaper or stitched magazine where there is no break at the gutter in the impostion when printing and the spread can truly lie flat.

Perhaps there's a way to incorporate these pages as gate-folds?

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

I'd suggest just adding a 5mm inside bleed to the existing layout.

I agree that a much softer, more pliant — and more durable — binding would be an asset to this unusual project as well.