A booklet is not printed in normal page order. The first page needs to share a sheet with the last page so the folded stack reads correctly. Word and PDF readers can handle that page ordering automatically if booklet printing and duplex settings are set correctly.
Does this affect you?
Use this guide if you want a folded booklet from Word or a PDF, with two pages per side and the correct order for folding and stapling.
Print a booklet from Microsoft Word
Word includes a book-fold page setup.
- Open the document and go to Layout > Page Setup.
- On the Margins tab, set Pages to Book fold.
- Let Word switch orientation and arrange pages in booklet order.
- Print with Print on Both Sides enabled and choose flip on the short edge.
- Fold the stack in half and staple along the fold.
Print a booklet from a PDF
Adobe Acrobat Reader and many PDF apps include booklet mode.
- Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader and choose File > Print.
- Under Page Sizing & Handling, choose Booklet.
- Use Both sides if the printer has automatic duplex.
- For manual duplex, print front side only and back side only as two passes.
- Fold and staple the finished stack.
If the printer has no automatic duplex
Manual double-sided printing still works, but test orientation first.
- Choose manual duplex or print the front-side booklet pages first.
- When prompted, flip and reload the stack exactly as the printer instructions show.
- Check the first completed sheet before printing the rest.
- Fold and staple after both sides are printed.
More control
Page counts need multiples of four
Each sheet holds four booklet pages. If the document page count is not a multiple of four, blank pages at the end are normal and keep the booklet order correct.
Use short-edge duplex
Booklets need flipping on the short edge. Long-edge duplex usually makes the back side upside down.
Use the right stapler for larger booklets
A long-reach or saddle stapler gives cleaner results once the booklet is more than a few pages.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Print a Booklet, Manual, or Other Book in Word (2025)
- Adobe Support – Print Booklets (2025)
- HP Support – Print a Booklet (2025)