How to Print a Book in Word

To print a book in Word, use the Book fold setting. Go to Layout, click the small arrow in the Page Setup group, and on the Margins tab set Multiple pages to Book fold. Word arranges the pages so that when you print double-sided, flipping on the short edge, you can fold the stack in half and get a booklet with the pages in the right order. Ordinary letter-size paper folds down to a 5.5 x 8.5 inch book. Here’s the full process, from setting up the document to folding and binding it.

Set up Book fold

It’s best to do this before you finish the document, because changing the page layout moves text around.

1. Go to Layout and click the small arrow at the bottom right of the Page Setup group.
2. On the Margins tab, open the Multiple pages list and choose Book fold. Word switches the orientation to landscape automatically.
3. Set Sheets per booklet. Leave it at All for short booklets. For longer books, choose a smaller number (see the long-books section below).
4. Increase the Gutter (for example to 0.25″) if you’ll staple or bind the book, so text isn’t lost in the fold.
5. On the Paper tab, check the paper size. Letter (8.5 x 11) makes a 5.5 x 8.5 book, and A4 makes an A5 book. To switch the whole document between Letter and A4 before folding, see changing the page size of a Word document.
6. Click OK.

Microsoft’s guide create a booklet or book in Word shows the same settings.

Make the page count a multiple of 4

Each sheet of paper holds four book pages (two on each side). If your document isn’t a multiple of 4, Word adds blank pages at the end. To control where the blanks go, add them yourself, for example a blank page after the title page or before the back cover. Press Ctrl + Enter to insert a page break.

Add page numbers, a contents page and chapter breaks now. This is the time to add a table of contents in Word and create sections in Word for the chapters.

Long books: sheets per booklet

A single folded stack of more than about 10 sheets (40 pages) is hard to fold neatly. For longer books, print several smaller booklets, called signatures, and stack them:

• Set Sheets per booklet to a value such as 16 or 32. Despite the name, the options are in multiples of 4 and set the number of pages in each booklet.
• Word prints each signature in order. Fold each one separately, stack them, and bind them together.

Print double-sided

1. Go to File > Print.
2. If your printer supports automatic double-sided printing, choose Print on Both Sides and then Flip pages on short edge. This is important: flipping on the long edge prints the back of each sheet upside down.
3. If your printer can’t print both sides, choose Manually Print on Both Sides. Word prints one side, then asks you to put the stack back in. Check how your printer feeds paper by printing a two-page test first.
4. Print one copy and check it before printing more.

Fold and bind

1. Keep the printed sheets in order and fold the whole stack in half (or each signature separately).
2. Crease the fold firmly with a ruler or bone folder.
3. Bind it:
   • Staples: A long-reach stapler puts two or three staples in the fold. This is called saddle stitching.
   • Thread: Sew through the fold for a more durable book.
   • Glue or tape: For stacked signatures, glue the spines together and add a cover.
4. Trim the outer edges with a paper cutter if the inner pages stick out (called creep).

Want a trade-size book instead?

If you’re publishing a paperback through a print-on-demand service, don’t use Book fold. Set the actual trim size instead and upload a PDF, as described in formatting a 6×9 book in Word.

Troubleshooting

Pages are in the wrong order

You probably printed one side at a time with the stack turned the wrong way, or flipped on the long edge. Print a short test booklet to check your printer’s paper path.

The back pages are upside down

Switch to Flip pages on short edge.

The text looks tiny

Book fold halves the page size. Increase the font size to 11 or 12 pt and reduce the margins slightly.

The layout changed after setting Book fold

That’s expected, because the page is now half the size. Check pictures, tables and page breaks before printing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I print a booklet on a Mac?

Yes. Go to Layout > Margins > Custom Margins, set Multiple pages to Book fold, then print double-sided with short-edge binding in the print dialog.

What paper should I use?

Ordinary 20 lb (75 g/m²) paper works, but slightly heavier 24 lb (90 g/m²) paper is less see-through. Use card stock for a separate cover.

Summary

1. Set Multiple pages to Book fold in Page Setup.
2. Make the page count a multiple of 4, and use signatures for long books.
3. Print double-sided, flipping on the short edge.
4. Fold, staple or sew, and trim.

Related: writing a book in Word.