Expert: Candice Anderson - 9/24/2008

Question
Hi Candice,
Maybe you can help.  I am trying to print a multi page double sided document in CS2. My problem is in trying to do multiple copies on an 8.5x11 sheet in order to save paper. (the doc is 4.25x5.5) I'm not sure if this is possible.  I am envisioning the front side of the first sheet would be 4 copies of page one, the back side would be 4 copies of page 2...and so on. The stack would then be cut into 4 book blocks. I know impositioning usually deals with saddle stitched books. Mine will not be stitched but glued and bound so the order of the pages is not the same. I am doing my own printing and binding so I am trying to optimize the process.  Would appreciate any input.  Thanks!

Answer
hi there,

if you going to cut each page out and then bound it, you and are not going to want to do back and front. It's sadly easier to print and paste. The old fashioned way. The problem with all printers are that when you print back and front, printers can't line up exactly.

You also will need to shrink you document. Unless you have the bleed option on the printer. if you don't, the printer will cut off a half-inch of your work on all sides. this is ofcourse not the case if you don't have anything on the sides. Then you are good ;).

some options

if you set it up for one page only (no front and back) - then you can do what you want obviously.

if you are going to try the front and back - and i suggest trying it -
1. open a new document - 8.5 by 11 horizontal
2. place your first page on the pink margin, anywhere. place the next page half next to it, with some space.
3. go to your master page, place a margin on top of of your page.
4. go to your next page (the back). Place the first page of the document between the right margin and the top margin. Place the next page the same length away as you did the first page.

I'm not going to lie, this might not work and you might have to come up with something else. but if you play with it enough, you'll get it. it's a matter of guessing and checking.

wee!! good luck.