Friday Print Tip: Planning a Saddle-Stitched Booklet That Behaves on Press

Saddle-stitched booklets (folded and stapled along the spine) are a great way to package information: manuals, programs, catalogues, training materials, and small magazines.

They’re also one of the easiest formats to misjudge if you’re not thinking like a press. Here’s a practical guide to getting them right the first time.

1. Page count: always in multiples of 4

Saddle-stitched booklets are made from folded sheets. Each folded sheet gives you 4 pages, so your total page count must be:

8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36…

If you end up at 18 or 22 pages, you will need to:

• Add content (notes, ads, extra info, a “notes” page, etc.), or

• Trim content to get back to a multiple of 4.

Tip: Pick your target page count (for example, 16 or 24) before you start laying out copy and images.

2. Design in spreads, supply in single pages

Designers like to work in spreads (left + right page together). That’s good for planning, but the print file should normally be supplied as single pages in reading order, not manually imposed printer spreads.

Best practice:

• Design in facing pages so you can see spreads properly.

• Export one print PDF with:

  • Single pages,

  • In reading order (1, 2, 3, 4… up to 16 or 24),

  • Bleed added on all outside edges.

We’ll handle the imposition (which pages go on the same sheet) based on our presses and sheet size.

3. Keep a safe distance from the trim and spine

Booklets are folded and stacked, then trimmed. There will always be small tolerances in both trimming and folding.

As a starting point:

• Keep text and logos at least 1/4" (6 mm) away from all trim edges.

• Give a bit more breathing room near the spine, especially for small type and page numbers.

The thicker the booklet, the more the inner pages want to “sit up” at the spine. Tight text near the fold can look cramped or partly disappear.

If you have something critical close to an edge (like a map, chart or diagram), ask us for recommended safe margins for that size and page count.

4. Be careful with crossovers (images across both pages)

A crossover is any image, headline or graphic that runs across the centre of a spread.

They can look very strong, but they are sensitive to:

• Folding tolerances,

• Creep (see next point),

• Trimming shifts.

Safer crossover habits:

• Avoid putting small text exactly on the fold. Move it slightly left or right.

• Avoid hairline rules that cross the spine; use a slightly thicker rule if you must.

• Use crossovers for big visuals, not detailed charts or small type.

5. Creep: inner pages shift as the book gets thicker

“Creep” happens because the inner folded sheets sit further out before trimming. After trimming, the inner pages end up slightly narrower, and anything near the outer edge can shift inward.

For thinner booklets (8–16 pages), creep is minor. For thicker booklets (24+ pages), it becomes noticeable.

To minimize issues:

• Keep page numbers and key content a comfortable distance in from the outer edge.

• Centred page numbers usually handle creep better than numbers pushed into the corners.

• Let us know your planned page count and paper weight early so we can apply the right creep compensation.

6. Paper choices: self-cover vs plus cover

Paper affects both the feel and the booklet's behaviour.

Self-cover booklets

• Same stock for cover and inside pages (for example, 80 lb text throughout).

• Cost-effective, ideal for manuals, programs and higher-volume pieces.

Plus cover booklets

• Heavier cover stock (for example, 80–100 lb cover) and lighter inside pages (70–80 lb text).

• Feels more “substantial” and suits catalogues, prospectuses and sales booklets.

Things to consider:

• More pages + heavier paper = more bulk at the spine. At some point, coil or perfect binding may be a better choice.

• Very light stocks can show through heavy images.

If you tell us how the booklet will be used (mailed, handed out, kept as a reference) and how you want it to feel, we can suggest a text/cover combination that folds cleanly and staples well.

7. Don’t forget bleed

If any images or colours go to the edge, you need a bleed:

• Add at least 1/8" (0.125" / 3 mm) bleed on all outside edges of every page.

• Extend backgrounds and images fully into the bleed, not just to the trim line.

Even though some inner edges meet at the spine, consistent bleed on all sides helps imposition and trimming.

8. Proof it like a reader

Before you approve for print, look at it the way your reader will:

• Print a simple mock-up on office paper (double-sided if possible).

• Fold it and staple it along the spine.

• Flip through and check:

  • Page order,

  • Headings and flow,

  • Page numbers, URLs, contact details,

  • Crossovers lining up acceptably.

Most small issues show up immediately when you handle them as a physical booklet.

How CETTEC can help with saddle-stitched booklets

When you send us a draft PDF for a saddle-stitched project, we look for common issues before we go to press:

• Page count not in multiples of 4,

• Content too close to the trim or spine,

• Risky crossovers,

• Missing bleed or awkward paper choices.

If you’re planning a booklet—training materials, manuals, programs, or a small catalogue—send CETTEC your draft file and your target page count. We can flag any layout risks, recommend suitable stocks, and make sure your saddle-stitched booklet runs smoothly on press and feels right in your readers’ hands.