Skip to main content
Chris P. Bacon
Chris P. Bacon
Inspiring
November 19, 2022
Answered

Is this the correct PDF export layout for stitched binding?

  • November 19, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 1185 views

I am currently waiting for a reply from my printer, but I want to ask about the general practices:

For staple stitching, do the printers generally ask 2 different PDFs for cover and for content?

Should I define 2 separate start sections at the pages for both documents?

If my paper is only 80 GSM, how many pages can I have at maximum staple stitched so that the magazine will be perfectly closing, no gap in between?

If I choose a much thicker paper for cover, will it look bad or not closing properly?

I don't want cover pages that do not close and they get lifted by themselves, or magazines that don't properly close and they have a gap close to the stiches on the inside.

I will only start out with 52 pages perhaps, so how should I number the pages in each PDF, if the cover PDF would be separate from the content PDF?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer rob day

No, the InDesign Document is set up as Facing Pages with page 1 as the cover with the spine on the left. On an Export from InDesign I can choose Spreads or Pages— for press ready PDFs it should always be Pages. 

 

The printer is going to set up an imposition for the entire book, so even if the cover is printing on a different weight sheet, you wouldn’t necessarily need two documents, they can get pages 1, 2, 55, & 56 from your doc an impose them for the cover, inside cover, inside back, & back cover.

 

A 52 page magazine is going to print on at least 4 signatures, but you don’t need to provide a different document for each press sheet.

3 replies

rob day
Community Expert
rob dayCommunity Expert
Community Expert
November 19, 2022

You shouldn’t send spreads—pages will need to be imposed by the printer. Also pagination should be odd pages to the right of the spine

 

 

Printer spreads are folded:

The printer handles imposition:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imposition

 

But they might be printing the proof digitally?

The proof will be digital, unless you are willing to pay for a press proof, which would be very expensive.

 

Chris P. Bacon
Chris P. BaconAuthor
Inspiring
November 19, 2022

I see, my layout looks like that because I wanted perfect binding with my previous printer candidate.

Thanks.

S
Community Expert
Sumo148Community Expert
Community Expert
November 19, 2022

The printer will tell you how they'd like the file setup. There's a good chance they'll ask for single pages and they will impose the pages on their end for a saddle stitch booklet. You can see if they can mockup a paper dummy if you'd like to test out paper weights, page count, etc. Ask for printer proofs to review the file first before approving for print.

    Chris P. Bacon
    Chris P. BaconAuthor
    Inspiring
    November 19, 2022

    Is the printer proof a PDF?

    S
    Community Expert
    Sumo148Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 19, 2022

    They can have digital PDF proofs, as well as hard copy printed proofs.

    Chris P. Bacon
    Chris P. BaconAuthor
    Inspiring
    November 19, 2022

    I have choosen staple stitching so that spreads can be fully opened and full spread layouts are not disrupted so much by the spine, because there is no spine.

     

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