How to Properly End a Book in InDesign

[Mateomono]

How should the end of my book file look in InDesign? Is it ok to end with a spread, or do I need an extra page like in the image? What Is standart?

[Willi Adelberger]

Normally a book must be divided by 4. First and last page are single page spreads,

[Mateomono]

@Willi Adelberger So like this would be correct?

[Mateomono]

@Willi Adelberger Or like in my example in the task description?

[Willi Adelberger]

No, first and last have to be single pages.

[Mateomono]

@Willi Adelberger  So like this?

[Eugene Tyson]

There's 2 sides to a page. So you can technically end on a spread, but physically there has to be something behind the page on the right - which will be a blank in your case. 

But your page count has to be divisible by 4. 

If you have 30 pages - you should have 28 or 32 for printing

And then it's up to you if you want to end on a spread and have the last page blank.

Best thing to do is get a sheet of paper and fold it half.

You'll see you have four 'pages' created from that single sheet. This is how printing often works multiple pages are printed onto a single sheet of paper, which is then folded and bound. These groups of four pages are called a signature.

Because of this signature structure, your total page count needs to be a multiple of 4. Each signature provides four page sides.

The folded paper exercise really helps to visualize why this 4-page rule exists in printing. It demonstrates how pages are grouped together on a single sheet.

[Mateomono]

@Eugene TysonSo the most important thing is that it's divisible by 4. Whether I choose to end with a spread or a single page doesn't matter as much. Did I understand that correctly. Currently my page ends as 205, which wont work. 

[Eugene Tyson]

It's the absolute page number of the the inner pages, so any pages with roman numerals or other page numbering options. 

If it's 1-205 for the inner pages - then no it won't work. It would need to be 204 or 208. 

We get it all the time people send in 30 page brochures and we add blanks at either the start or end depending, after the client agrees to it. 

You could leave it as you have it and the print company will amend the page count. 

But some might be sticklers and reject your file because of the page count. 

I'd need to see more like the pages panel or whatever other info you can give. 

Typically you wouldn't end on a right hand page. 

Open any book to the last page, the page beside the cover is a left hand page, always, that's the physical workings of book binding.

[Mateomono]

@Eugene Tyson It look like this. By inner you mean, left page?

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

You had it right on your original post. If your book starts on a right page, it must end on a left page.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

So the most important thing is that it's divisible by 4. Whether I choose to end with a spread or a single page doesn't matter as much. Did I understand that correctly. Currently my page ends as 205, which wont work. 

By @Mateomono

Yes, 4 (*) is the most common magic number and you always need to have a single page on the first and last spreads.

(*) but it might be 8 or 16 or 32, etc. - depends on the size of the printing machine and how many copies will be printed.

So - do you know how your book will be printed - what is the specification from your printer?

If there is no specification - you either need to have 204 or 208 pages in total.

In some specific cases - your total number of pages could be divisible by 2 as well 😉 

Or even by 6, 12, 24, etc. - or 10, 20, 40, etc. - depends on the page size.

[Flo_8580]

Yes, 4 (*) is the most common magic number and you always need to have a single page on the first and last spreads.

(*) but it might be 8 or 16 or 32, etc. - depends on the size of the printing machine and how many copies will be printed.

Doesn't this primarily depend on the binding method?

Saddle Stitch (staples): Page count / 4

Perfect Bound (glue): Page count / 2

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Doesn't this primarily depend on the binding method?

Saddle Stitch (staples): Page count / 4

Perfect Bound (glue): Page count / 2

By @Flo_8580

Yes and no 😉  mostly - on the "size" of the printing place - what kind and size of the machines they have - printer / folder / finisher / binder - AND number of pages and copies. 

If printer has a big machine(s) - they rather won't be interested in printing something that doesn't fully fill the printing area and in low volume - and then make extra cuts and then do extra processing when finishing. 

And if they have smaller printing machines as well - or only big ones. 

And if it's full color - or just B/W. 

Etc. 

[Flo_8580]

Ah, i see. It's been a while since i worked on anything larger than 100 pages, thanks for the refresher.

[Randy Hagan]

Not so much anymore. 

With today's digital workflows and bindery techniques, I have clients who are able to run their entire book jobs single-sheet, two-sided. Even long-run book orders. The days of figuring out where to hide blank pages in your book layouts to fill out a print signature are pretty much over.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Whether you can divide by 4 or 2 depends on the bindery method and the printer's equipment. 

Wire or spiral binding can be divisible by 2 and are done on digital printers that are glorified high-end copiers. 

Perfect-bound books _could_ be divisible by 2 but it's most likely 4.* 

Saddle-stitch books must be divisible by 4.*

*Be SURE to discuss this with your printer. Depending on their equipment, they might have a minimum signature size. Also, again depending on their equipment, smaller signatures cost more than larger signatures (16-page signatures are not uncommon for larger printers). What printer you use often depends on your press run. If this is a vanity project with a low press run, then you are probably looking for a printer with a digital press, not a traditional one. If this is a commercial project, it could be either a digital or commercial press (don't confuse this digital press with the "high-end copier"-type printer). 

Again--figure out the specs of your job (press run, bindery method, cover type) and get at least 3 quotes. 

[Randy Hagan]

Where I'm working in South Florida, the publisher I work with is ordering glue-bound single-sheet paperbacks from two different vendors, a dedicated book printer in Michigan and a multi-line commercial printer in Miami. Ordering runs from 50 to 5000 books, from 80-ish to 200+ pages per copy. Two week turnaround after proofs are signed off and both are running two shifts a day.

Seriously. The days of ordering signatures are coming to a close.

Randy

[Randy Hagan]

And I absolutely agree that the original poster should consult with the printer to find out how that particular book will be produced. That's more relevant information than any of us can offer without how that printer will do the job.

And to the original poster: there's no problem with ending the book on a right-hand page. Many books are printed with a blank last left-hand page facing the back cover. Your printer is equipped to handle that problem.

Randy

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

>>>...there's no problem with ending the book on a right-hand page....

To the OP: As long as you communicate with the printer that they need to add in blank pages. Communication is the key--don't be afraid to ask questions.

[Colin Flashman]

Completely agree. Unless a book is saddle stapled OR bound in a way that uses folded signatures to make book blocks (e.g. section sewn or burst bound), then a page count can be divisible by two. My previous employer used to print perfect bound books on either their Konica Minolta or Oce high speed inkjet - both sheet fed printers (former is toner the latter is high speed inkjet) and these would produce book blocks that just needed a cover to wrap around them. Much more efficient use of paper - less make-readies and overs; no need for offset plates... wasn't offset quality though but if you're printing a book that's mostly text, does it matter?

Even if a book is burst bound or section sewn, a page count divisible by two can be done via a tip-in, but it's a pain.

That said, ALWAYS consult your printer!

[Eugene Tyson]

Regardless, your right hand page in InDesign will always have a back in reality. 

The original question was about what way the InDesign file should be. 

For print, it doesn't make a difference, the right hand page will have a back regardless.

Adding the page to the pages panel only makes that visual. 

As a beginner it seems @Mateomono was asking how the InDesign file should look. 

A lot of this has gotten very technical and I'm not sure if it's now overly complicated. 

The InDesign file can be both ways - but in reality the right hand page will have a back, so showing that in InDesign isn't necessary, but it is how it is in reality.