Impose documents for booklet printing

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to use Print Booklet to create printer spreads with proper page sequencing for folded publications.

Booklet imposition creates printer spreads that determine how pages print, fold, and bind. InDesign handles the imposition in the print stream, so your document pages stay in normal reading order. Before you impose pages, make sure the document uses a single page size and includes any needed blank pages with objects to prevent reflow.

Configure and print the imposed document

Select File > Print Booklet.

In the Print Preset menu, choose a preset with your desired settings, or select Current Document Settings to use the current document's print configuration.

To impose specific pages only, select Range in the Setup area and specify page numbers using hyphens for consecutive pages (3-7) or commas for non-adjacent pages (3-7, 16). For documents with sections, enter section page numbers like Sec2:11.

Select Print Settings to adjust printer's marks, color output, bleed settings, or other print options. Make changes as needed and select OK.

In the Print Booklet dialog box, configure additional setup options such as spacing between pages, margins, bleed, and creep adjustments. Print Booklet cannot create a new InDesign document from imposed pages. You can only print the imposition directly or save it as PDF.

Select Print to send the imposed document to your printer.

Print double-sided pages without duplex capability

If your printer doesn't support automatic duplex printing, use manual duplex printing by printing odd and even pages separately.

Select File > Print Booklet.

In the Print Booklet dialog box, select the Print Settings button.

In the General tab, select Odd Pages Only from the Sequences drop-down menu and select OK.

Select Print to print the first set of pages.

After printing completes, flip the printed pages and reload them into the printer tray in the correct orientation.

Return to File > Print Booklet > Print Settings, select Even Pages Only, and select OK.

Select Print to complete the duplex printing.

Tip

Print a test document first to determine the correct page orientation and loading direction for your specific printer model.

Handle blank pages correctly

When you intentionally add blank pages within your document to ensure proper printer spread alignment, InDesign may not recognize truly empty pages and could reposition them to the end of the document.

Select the blank pages you want to include in the imposition.

Add a text frame, placeholder frame, or any object to each blank page.

Alternatively, select the Print Settings button in the Print Booklet dialog box (File > Print Booklet).

Select Print Blank Pages and select OK to include all blank pages regardless of content.