How do I set up a booklet in Microsoft Word?
You can design a booklet in Word. Set the page to the size of one finished page, design one page at a time in reading order, then save as a PDF.
Steps
- Page size: Layout > Size > More Paper Sizes. Enter the finished page size, for example 148 x 210mm for an A5 booklet.
- Margins: Layout > Margins > Custom Margins. Set Multiple pages to Mirror margins, so the inside margin is always next to the binding. Use at least 10mm all round; more on the inside for thicker booklets.
- Pages: keep the total a multiple of four for a stapled booklet, adding blank pages where needed. Page 1 is the front cover.
- Pictures: use high-resolution images. Word squashes pictures by default, so go to File > Options > Advanced and tick Do not compress images in file.
- Save: File > Save As > PDF. Choose the option for print or standard quality, not minimum size.
Menus move between Word versions, so the names may differ slightly on yours.
What Word can’t do
Word can’t add bleed or crop marks, and it can’t save in CMYK. Our artwork check decides whether a Word-made PDF can be printed as supplied. If it needs fixing first, we agree that with you by email before doing anything. See How much does it cost to have my artwork fixed or set up?
If a design has colour running to the edge of the page, it is usually easier to build it in Canva or Adobe software. See How do I export a print-ready PDF from Canva, Adobe or Word?