Layout Print to Read Across Center Fold

[Tio MacDonald]

Hello, I am a beginner on Indesign.  I am creating a booklet with 8.5 x11 paper.  The paper will be folded lengthwise offering a 4.25 width.  I set up indesign so an 8.5 x 11 page has two columns where the content is being place.  On some pages I would like a single column that will have text going from left to right over the center fold.  I need to know how to create this so all the text is printed on the two sheet of paper and when the paper is folded together the story reads fine from left to right.  Thank you.

[JonathanArias]

if you are doing the layout in spreads. run you text across the way you want.  Measure from the edge of the paper into the page your 4.25, your fold, place a guide, and that is your fold. like attached.

does this answer your question?

[Tio MacDonald]

JonathanArias, Thank you.  I have done as you shown above by using a single text frame.  The problem is that words fall on the center fold as it appears the "C" of "Across" will do.  Those words that fall on the center fold are not legible when the two pages are folded and connected in a booklet. 

I am basically asking how to create a booklet that has text read from the left hand page (sheet of paper) to the right hand page (sheet of paper) with no words being lost at the center. 

Additionally, the format I am requesting that will create a center protective space on the layout to allow the printing to occur so all words are readable should not be a universal set up on the entire document.  (That is because I would also like to employ a two column layout at time and also have graphics that span two pages and will look not connected if there is a gap.)

[JonathanArias]

you need to have a gutter space ( what you are calling the center). Gutter is the space from the inside spine to the inside margin.

You can let your text overflow from one text box to another within the spaces you have measure out.

Like the attached;

Your binding will decide your gutter. have you talk to your printer on the binding of your booklet and asked them what gutter space they recommend?

[Tio MacDonald]

Hey Wow!  This is great!  Your reply means a ton to me!  Thank you.

To answer your questions, I am printing myself.  It is a zine.

On your example I would want the phrase "Like This" to be on the left hand page.  Below is the the story laid out as I would like it to be read:

Thus, I would like the text to be printed on two pages and joined via a physical fold of the paper.  Right now when I print, letters are lost at the gutter as words run across the center line.  I would like to create a gutter for this story alone as other pages have different formatting.  The below is a two column formatting for two poems.

The below is also two column formatting with a single story that overflows into the next column.  This is not the formatting I am seeking help on.

Again, when I would like to do is create a gutter for a single spread so the story (the first image) can read from left to right like a book without losing any words at the center.

Thank you very much!

[JonathanArias]

To adjust your gutter you need to adjust your margins, looks at my screenshots:

When you get to this image below. unlink so you don't adjust all 4 sides. you want to just adjust the inside one. Have both pages selected from your pages panel so you an adjust this ( and be on the master panel so you can make a master out of it for reuse).

[Tio MacDonald]

Hi JonathanArias!  Thank you!

Attached is a screenshot of the adjustment made.  The interior purple lines show where I adjusted the margins to and the dialog box shows the change.  Unfortunately, the text was not altered in any way and every word shown as falling on the center line was split between the two pages.  See second attachment.

[JonathanArias]

does your printer have the ability to print edge to edge? thats the margin the printer will give you.

on acrobat you have to change your setting and see if you printer can even print to the edge.

How to Print a PDF With No Margin | Chron.com

[Tio MacDonald]

Thank you Jonathan.

I'm planning to try changing the word doc into an image and simply duplicate it and crop it so the halves meet at the center without losing letters. 

[Tio MacDonald]

Sorry Jonathan I am not sure about the printer.  My issue is with the center of the page   Thank you for your help

[JonathanArias]

why don't you just do a 8.5 by 11 layout landscape document page. do your layout, print it on the 8.5 by 11 paper and fold it?

[Tio MacDonald]

Thanks for the suggestion.  I like the look as is.  I may simply forget the concept of having the story read over the center line and use two columns with overflow text going into the second.  path of least resistance....

[Srishti Bali]

Hi Tio MacDonald,

I would like to know if the steps suggested above worked for you, or the issue still persists.

Kindly update the discussion if you need further assistance with it.

Thanks,

Srishti

[Tio MacDonald]

Hey Wow!  This is great!  Your reply means a ton to me!  Thank you.

To answer your questions, I am printing myself.  It is a zine. 

On your example I would want the phrase "Like This" to be on the left hand page.  Below is the the story laid out as I would like it to be read:

Thus, I would like the text to be printed on two pages and joined via a physical fold of the paper.  Right now when I print, letters are lost at the gutter as words run across the center line.  I would like to create a gutter for this story alone as other pages have different formatting.  The below is a two column formatting for two poems.

The below is also two column formatting with a single story that overflows into the next column.  This is not the formatting I am seeking help on.

Again, when I would like to do is create a gutter for a single spread so the story (the first image) can read from left to right like a book without losing any words at the center. 

Thank you very much!