Skip to main content
M
MugsAndPots
Participant
May 7, 2024
Answered

Indesign wont print as spreads. Kinda?

  • May 7, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 671 views

Just as the title says. Whether I open the file in Acrobat or another reader doesn't matter. As shown in the photos, facing pages and spreads are on. This was working yesterday so I figured it was a file size error but after optimising everything, nup. The page in Acrobat correctly identifies the page as two pages somehow?  I've added the Id viewport to show what it is meant to be printing.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer James Gifford—NitroPress

First, never "print to PDF." That's a crap option for things like Word or other apps that can only export PDF using a plug-in print driver.

 

When you Export to PDF, selecting 'print as Spreads' should create "solid" unified 2-up pages; end of problem.

 

If you're exporting to PDF, using Spreads, and getting indivdual pages... I can't say from what you've provided where the problem is. Are you setting up "Export to PDF" and then using "Print to PDF" to actually generate the output? Because — if it's not clear already — those are two separate processes, and to say only one should be used is a way to say the other option shouldn't even exist. 🙂

 

One more option that doesn't seem to be part of this is that if you export a PDF as individual pages, but set it to "Display 2-up," that's just a guideline to the eventual PDF reader as to how to display the pages... and besides being able to override it in Acrobat Pro and Reader, many third-party readers (Foxit, etc. and those built into browsers) don't support the viewing options. Never blame any problem on a PDF or a workflow unless you're proofing the result in real Adobe Acrobat.

1 reply

James Gifford—NitroPress
James Gifford—NitroPressCorrect answer
Legend
May 7, 2024

First, never "print to PDF." That's a crap option for things like Word or other apps that can only export PDF using a plug-in print driver.

 

When you Export to PDF, selecting 'print as Spreads' should create "solid" unified 2-up pages; end of problem.

 

If you're exporting to PDF, using Spreads, and getting indivdual pages... I can't say from what you've provided where the problem is. Are you setting up "Export to PDF" and then using "Print to PDF" to actually generate the output? Because — if it's not clear already — those are two separate processes, and to say only one should be used is a way to say the other option shouldn't even exist. 🙂

 

One more option that doesn't seem to be part of this is that if you export a PDF as individual pages, but set it to "Display 2-up," that's just a guideline to the eventual PDF reader as to how to display the pages... and besides being able to override it in Acrobat Pro and Reader, many third-party readers (Foxit, etc. and those built into browsers) don't support the viewing options. Never blame any problem on a PDF or a workflow unless you're proofing the result in real Adobe Acrobat.

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices