Skip to main content

​
What Are Multi-Page Documents?

Multi-page documents are print pieces with multiple pages that are bound, stapled, or folded together, such as:
  • Booklets - Saddle-stitched or perfect bound
  • Catalogs - Product listings, portfolios
  • Magazines - Periodicals with multiple articles
  • Brochures - Tri-fold, bi-fold, gate-fold
  • Manuals - Instruction books, user guides
Each page needs proper setup for bleed, margins, and page sequencing to print correctly.

​
Key Concepts for Multi-Page Design

​
1. Page Sequencing

Pages must be in the correct order: Sequential (Simplest): 
Page 1 → Page 2 → Page 3 → Page 4 ...
Spreads (Facing Pages): 
[Cover] [Page 2-3] [Page 4-5] ... [Back Cover]
Imposition (Printer arranges): 
Printer rearranges pages for printing sheets
that fold into correct sequence

​
2. Binding Methods

MethodDescriptionPage CountUse Case
Saddle StitchFolded and stapled in centerMultiple of 4Magazines, thin booklets
Perfect BindingGlued spineAny countBooks, thick catalogs
Spiral/CoilPlastic or wire spiralAny countManuals, workbooks
Case BindingHardcover book bindingAny countPremium books
Most Common: Saddle-stitched booklets (must have page count divisible by 4)

​
3. Gutter and Margins

Gutter = The inside margin where binding happens 
Left Page          Right Page
┌─────────────┐   ┌─────────────┐
│    Content  │   │  Content    │
│             │░░░│             │ ← Gutter (binding edge)
│             │░░░│             │
│    Content  │   │  Content    │
└─────────────┘   └─────────────┘
  Outer edge        Outer edge
Margin Guidelines:
  • Outer margins: 5mm minimum (standard safety zone)
  • Gutter margin: 8-12mm (more for thick books)
  • Top/Bottom: 5-8mm

​
Setting Up Multi-Page in Figma

1

Calculate Page Dimensions

Final size + bleed on all sides Example: A5 booklet page = 154mm × 216mm (with 3mm bleed)
2

Create Frames for Each Page

  • Press F and create first page frame
  • Name it: “Page 01” or “Cover”
  • Duplicate for each page: Cmd/Ctrl + D
3

Arrange in Order

Line up frames horizontally or in a grid for easy navigation
4

Apply Master Elements

Use Figma components for:
  • Headers/footers
  • Page numbers
  • Recurring design elements
5

Design Each Page

Remember different margins for left vs right pages!

​
Method 2: Using Pages/Sections

1

Use Figma Pages

Create separate Figma pages for sections
  • Page 1: Cover
  • Page 2: Interior pages
  • Page 3: Back cover
2

Organize Artboards

Within each Figma page, create frames for individual print pages
3

Export Separately

Export each section as needed

​
Page Count Rules

​
Saddle-Stitched Books

Must be divisible by 4:
  • 4 pages (1 sheet)
  • 8 pages (2 sheets)
  • 12 pages (3 sheets)
  • 16 pages (4 sheets)
  • 20 pages (5 sheets)
  • etc.
Why?: Each sheet folds in half, creating 4 pages (front and back of both sides)
If you design 10 pages for a saddle-stitched booklet, the printer will need to add 2 blank pages to make it 12!

​
Perfect Bound Books

  • Can be any page count
  • Minimum typically 28-32 pages (spine needs thickness)
  • Maximum depends on paper and binding method

​
Designing Spreads

​
Spreads are Facing Pages

┌──────────────────────────────────┐
│ Page 2          │         Page 3 │
│ (Left)          │         (Right)│
│        Content across spread     │
└──────────────────────────────────┘

​
Spread Design Tips

Don’t run important content across the center fold - it gets lost in the binding.
  • Left page: More margin on right (gutter side)
  • Right page: More margin on left (gutter side)
Design spreads as a unit - balance colors, images, text across both pages.
Print and fold to see how spreads actually look.

​
Exporting Multi-Page Documents

​
Option 1: Single PDF with All Pages

1

Select All Page Frames

Hold Shift and click each frame in order
2

Open Print for Figma

Launch the plugin with frames selected
3

Enable Multi-Page Export

Document tab → Multi-page PDF: Enable
4

Set Page Order

Frames will export in selection order - verify sequence!
5

Export

Export as one PDF file with all pages

​
Option 2: Individual Page PDFs

1

Export Pages One by One

Select each frame individually and export
2

Name Clearly

  • Page_01.pdf
  • Page_02.pdf
  • etc.
3

Combine Later

Use Adobe Acrobat or printer’s software to combine if needed
Best Practice: Export as single multi-page PDF. It’s easier for the printer and less chance of errors.

​
Page Numbering

​
Adding Page Numbers

1

Create Text Component

Design your page number style as a Figma component
2

Place on Each Page

Add instance to each page frame
3

Update Number

Change text for each page (1, 2, 3, etc.)
4

Position Consistently

  • Bottom center, bottom corner, or header
  • Keep in safety zone (8-10mm from edges)

​
Numbering Conventions

  • Body pages: Use arabic numerals (1, 2, 3…)
  • Front matter: Roman numerals optional (i, ii, iii…)
  • First page: Usually no number shown (but counted as page 1)

​
Bleed for Multi-Page

Each page needs bleed: 
Individual Page with Bleed:
┌─────────────────────────┐
│ ░░░░ 3mm bleed ░░░░░░░░ │
│ ░┌───────────────────┐░ │
│ ░│    Page Content   │░ │
│ ░└───────────────────┘░ │
│ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ │
└─────────────────────────┘
Exception: Pages back-to-back in a spread share the gutter edge (no bleed needed in center).

​
Common Multi-Page Mistakes

​
Mistake #1: Wrong Page Count

Problem: 10-page booklet for saddle-stitching Solution: Make it 12 pages (add 2 blank pages) or 8 pages (remove 2)

​
Mistake #2: Inconsistent Margins

Problem: Every page has different margin sizes Solution: Use components and consistent guides for margins

​
Mistake #3: Content in Gutter

Problem: Text or images run through the center fold Solution: Keep minimum 8mm clear on both sides of center fold

​
Mistake #4: Forgotten Bleed

Problem: Some pages have bleed, others don’t Solution: Check every page for proper bleed setup

​
Mistake #5: Wrong Page Order

Problem: Pages export in wrong sequence Solution: Name frames clearly (Page_01, Page_02) and verify selection order

​
Templates for Common Formats

​
8-Page A5 Booklet

  • Page Size: 148 × 210mm (A5)
  • With Bleed: 154 × 216mm
  • Saddle-stitched: 2 sheets folded
  • Margins: Outer 5mm, Gutter 10mm

​
16-Page Letter Booklet

  • Page Size: 8.5” × 11”
  • With Bleed: 8.75” × 11.25”
  • Saddle-stitched: 4 sheets folded
  • Margins: 0.25” outer, 0.5” gutter

​
Tri-Fold Brochure

  • Flat Size: 297 × 210mm (A4 landscape)
  • Folded: 99mm wide × 210mm tall (3 panels)
  • Consider fold variation: ±1-2mm

​
Testing Your Multi-Page Design

1

Print at Home

Print all pages on regular paper
2

Assemble Mock-Up

Fold or staple in correct order
3

Check Alignment

  • Are facing pages balanced?
  • Is content clear of gutter?
  • Do page numbers flow correctly?
4

Adjust and Re-Export

Make corrections before sending to printer
Pro Tip: Always make a physical mock-up before ordering your print run. Digital previews don’t show binding issues!

​
Working with Your Printer

Questions to ask:
  • Single multi-page PDF?
  • Individual page PDFs?
  • Spreads or single pages?
  • Will you handle page arrangement?
  • Or should I provide print-ready sheets?
  • How much space needed for binding?
  • Different for perfect vs saddle-stitch?
  • Interior pages need bleed?
  • What about pages that face each other?

​
Multi-Page Checklist

  • Page count correct: Divisible by 4 (if saddle-stitched)
  • All pages have bleed: 3mm on all outer edges
  • Consistent margins: Left/right pages mirror properly
  • Gutter clearance: 8-12mm on binding side
  • Page numbers: Present and sequential
  • Page order verified: Checked in PDF
  • Mock-up tested: Printed and folded to verify
  • Printer consulted: Confirmed requirements
All checked? Your multi-page document is print-ready!

​
Next Steps

Color Management

Ensure color consistency across all pages

Templates

Download multi-page templates

Booklet Tutorial

Step-by-step booklet creation

Export Settings

Master multi-page export options
Need help with a complex multi-page project? Ask in our Discord community - we have publishers and designers who can guide you!