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Project Overview

Booklets and catalogs are multi-page documents bound together, ranging from simple 8-page saddle-stitch booklets to complex 100+ page perfect-bound catalogs.
Time to Complete: 2-8 hours (depending on page count) Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced

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Binding Types

  • Saddle-Stitch
  • Perfect Bound
  • Wire-O / Spiral
  • Stapled
Method: Folded sheets stapled through the spinePage count: 8-64 pages (divisible by 4)Characteristics:
  • Lays flat when open
  • Economical
  • Fast production
  • Limited page count
Best for:
  • Booklets (8-32 pages)
  • Programs
  • Catalogs (small)
  • Magazines (thin)
Example sizes:
  • 8 pages (2 sheets)
  • 16 pages (4 sheets)
  • 32 pages (8 sheets)
✅ Most common for booklets

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Page Count Rules

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Saddle-Stitch

Must be divisible by 4:
  • 4 pages (1 sheet, front+back)
  • 8 pages (2 sheets)
  • 12 pages (3 sheets)
  • 16 pages (4 sheets)
  • 20 pages (5 sheets)
  • 24 pages (6 sheets)
  • etc.
Why: Each sheet = 4 pages (front and back of folded sheet) Maximum: Usually 64 pages (paper thickness limits) Example: 
1 sheet folded in half:
Outside: Page 1 | Page 4
Inside: Page 2 | Page 3
= 4 pages total

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Perfect Bound

Minimum: 28-32 pages (varies by printer) Maximum: 300+ pages Divisible by 2: Front and back of each sheet Spine width calculation: 
Spine width = (# of pages ÷ 2) × paper thickness

Example:
100 pages, 100 lb text paper (0.0045" thick)
= (100 ÷ 2) × 0.0045"
= 50 × 0.0045"
= 0.225" spine width
Ask printer for exact spine width

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Standard Booklet Sizes

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Common Finished Sizes

SizeDimensionsFlat SheetUse Case
Half Letter5.5” × 8.5”11” × 8.5”Programs, booklets
A5148mm × 210mmA4International standard
6×9”6” × 9”12” × 9”Books, manuals
Letter8.5” × 11”17” × 11”Catalogs, magazines
A4210mm × 297mmA3International magazines
Square8” × 8”16” × 8”Photo books, portfolios

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Document Setup for Booklets

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Page Spreads

  • Reader Spreads
  • Printer Spreads
  • Single Pages
What: Pages as reader sees themLayout:
Page 2 | Page 3
Page 4 | Page 5
Page 6 | Page 7
When to design this way:
  • Easier to visualize final product
  • See how spreads look together
  • Design across pages
But: Must convert to printer spreads later

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Critical Margins & Gutters

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Inside (Binding) Margin

The binding edge needs extra space:
Binding TypeInside MarginWhy
Saddle-Stitch0.5” (12mm)Allows for staples
Perfect Bound0.75” (18mm)Content hidden in spine
Wire-O0.75” (18mm)Holes punch through
Minimum0.375” (9mm)Absolute minimum
Outside margins: Can be smaller (0.375” / 9mm) Example for 8.5×11” booklet: 
Top: 0.5"
Outside: 0.375"
Bottom: 0.5"
Inside (binding): 0.75"  ← Larger!

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Creep / Shingling

Problem: Inner pages in thick saddle-stitch booklets shift outward
  • What is Creep?
  • Creep Compensation
  • Printer Handling
When it happens: Thick saddle-stitch booklets (20+ pages)Effect: Inner pages protrude beyond outer pages when foldedVisual:
Side view of closed booklet:
|      ← Outer page (cover)
||     ← Middle pages
|||    ← Inner pages (stick out more)
Result: Inner pages get trimmed moreContent near edge: May be cut off

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Page Numbering

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Placement

Standard positions:
  • Bottom center: Most common
  • Bottom outside corner: Also common
  • Top outside corner: Magazines, catalogs
Margins: At least 0.375” from trim edge Size: 8-10pt (readable but unobtrusive)

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Numbering Style

  • Standard Numbering
  • Simple Numbering
  • No Page Numbers
Start: Page 1 (first content page)Front matter: Often lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii)Body: Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, …)Example:
Cover: (no number)
Inside cover: (no number)
Intro: i
Contents: ii
Chapter 1: 1
Chapter 2: 2
...

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Step-by-Step: 16-Page Booklet

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1. Plan Your Content

1

Determine Page Count

Count your content → Round up to multiple of 4Example:
  • Cover: 1 page
  • Intro: 1 page
  • Content: 10 pages
  • Contact: 1 page
  • Total: 13 pages → Round up to 16 pages
Add: Blank pages or additional content to reach 16
2

Create Page Map

List what goes on each page:
Page 1: Front cover
Page 2: Inside front cover / Table of contents
Page 3: Introduction
Pages 4-13: Main content
Page 14: Additional info
Page 15: Contact / Credits
Page 16: Back cover
Helps: Organize content, ensure nothing missed

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2. Set Up Figma Document

1

Determine Finished Size

Example: 5.5” × 8.5” (half-letter)With bleed: 5.75” × 8.75”Each page: Separate frame
2

Create Master Page Template

Frame 1: “Master - Left Page”
  • Size: 5.75” × 8.75”
  • Margins: Top 0.5”, Outside (left) 0.375”, Bottom 0.5”, Inside (right) 0.75”
  • Guides for margins
  • Page number bottom center
Frame 2: “Master - Right Page”
  • Size: 5.75” × 8.75”
  • Margins: Top 0.5”, Inside (left) 0.75”, Bottom 0.5”, Outside (right) 0.375”
  • Guides for margins
  • Page number bottom center
Use components: For consistent margins
3

Create All 16 Pages

Duplicate master templates:
  • Page 1 (cover): Right page template
  • Page 2: Left page template
  • Page 3: Right page template
  • Page 4: Left page template
  • …continue for all 16 pages
Name frames: “Page 01”, “Page 02”, etc.Arrange: In reading order (left to right, top to bottom)
4

Set Up Bleed

All frames: 5.75” × 8.75”Bleed amount: 0.125” (3mm)Trim size: 5.5” × 8.5”Mark with guides: 0.125” from frame edges

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3. Design Content

1

Cover (Page 1)

Elements:
  • Title
  • Subtitle
  • Author/company
  • Image/graphics
  • Full bleed background (if desired)
No inside margin needed (outside edge of book)
2

Inside Pages (2-15)

Follow margins:
  • Respect inside margin (0.75”)
  • Keep text in safe area
  • Page numbers in consistent position
Spread design:
  • If designing across pages, ensure alignment
  • Account for gutter (binding gap)
3

Back Cover (Page 16)

Elements:
  • Summary
  • Barcode (if needed)
  • Contact info
  • Continuation of cover design
No inside margin needed (outside edge)

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4. Export for Print

1

Verify Page Order

Check: Pages arranged 1, 2, 3, … 16 in FigmaReading order: Top to bottom, left to right
2

Select All Page Frames

Click first frame, Shift-click last frameAll 16 pages selected
3

Open Print for Figma

Launch plugin with all pages selected
4

Configure Multi-Page Export

Document:
  • Bleed: 0.125” ✓
  • Crop marks: Yes ✓
  • Multi-page: Single PDF ✓
  • Page order: Sequential ✓
Color:
  • CMYK: Yes ✓
  • Profile: ISO Coated v2 ✓
Export:
  • DPI: 300 ✓
  • Compression: 85% ✓
  • Format: PDF/X-1a ✓
5

Export PDF

Result: Single PDF with 16 pagesPage order: 1, 2, 3, … 16Printer: Will impose for saddle-stitch binding
6

Create Cover (if separate)

For perfect bound: Cover may be separateCover dimensions:
  • Width: (Page width × 2) + Spine width + Bleed
  • Height: Page height + Bleed
Example (100-page 6×9” book, 0.225” spine):
Width: (6" × 2) + 0.225" + 0.25" = 12.475"
Height: 9" + 0.25" = 9.25"
Layout: Front cover | Spine | Back coverAsk printer: For exact spine width and template

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Paper & Binding Options

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Interior Pages - Paper Weight

  • 60-70 lb Text (90-105 gsm)
  • 80 lb Text (120 gsm)
  • 100 lb Text (150 gsm)
Type: LightweightCharacteristics:
  • Thin, lightweight
  • Economical
  • Standard for books
Best for: Books, magazines, high page countOpacity: May show through (check opacity rating)

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Cover - Paper Weight

  • 80-100 lb Cover (220-270 gsm)
  • 110-130 lb Cover (300-350 gsm)
Type: Standard cover weightBest for: Most booklets and catalogsCharacteristics: Sturdy, professional✅ Standard choice

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Perfect-Bound Specific Considerations

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Spine Design

  • Spine Width
  • Spine Content
  • Spine Shift
Calculate:
Spine width (inches) = (Page count ÷ 2) × Paper thickness (inches)
Example (100 pages, 80 lb text = 0.0045”):
(100 ÷ 2) × 0.0045" = 0.225"
Get from printer: Exact paper thickness

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Pricing & Ordering

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Cost Factors

FactorImpactNotes
Page countHighMore pages = more cost
QuantityHighBulk discounts significant
Binding typeMediumPerfect bound > Saddle-stitch
Paper qualityMediumPremium paper costs more
Cover finishLow-MediumGloss/matte/UV coating
ColorMediumFull color > B&W

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Typical Pricing (16-page saddle-stitch booklet, 8.5×11”)

QuantityUnit CostTotal
100$3-6$300-600
250$2-4$500-1000
500$1.50-3$750-1500
1000$1-2$1000-2000

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Booklet Checklist

Before sending to print:
  • Page count correct: Divisible by 4 (saddle-stitch) or meets minimum (perfect bound)
  • All pages designed: No blank pages unless intentional
  • Margins respected: Larger inside margin (0.75”+)
  • Bleed on all pages: 0.125” (3mm)
  • Page numbers: Consistent and correct
  • Images 300 DPI: All images high resolution
  • Text readable: Minimum 9pt for body text
  • Proofread: Spelling, grammar, accuracy
  • PDF exported: All pages in single PDF, correct order
  • Crop marks: Present on all pages
  • Printer specs confirmed: Binding type, paper, spine width (if perfect bound)
  • Physical proof ordered: Test print before large run

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Learn More

Multi-Page Setup

Page setup and sequencing

Brochures

Folded multi-panel designs

Export Settings

PDF export configuration

Design to Print

Professional design workflow
Pro Tip: For your first booklet, start small (8-16 pages). Master the basics before tackling 100+ page catalogs!