print both sides · fold · staple
print a home booklet
the home-print pdf is already laid out for you. two zine pages sit on every sheet, in booklet order. print it double-sided, fold the stack in half, staple the spine. done.
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what's on each sheet
two zine pages sit side by side on every sheet, already shuffled into booklet order. don't reorder or rescale the pdf pages. they only work as they come.
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print on both sides
in the print box turn on print on both sides (duplex) and choose flip on long edge (the usual default). print at actual size, or fit to page if your paper is smaller than the pdf.
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backs upside down?
run a two-page test first. if the back of the sheet comes out upside down, switch the duplex setting to flip on short edge and reprint. no auto-duplex at all? print the odd sheets, flip the stack, then print the even sheets.
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keep them in order
leave the printed sheets in the order they came out, first sheet on top. that stacking is what puts the pages in sequence once it's folded.
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fold the stack in half
fold the whole stack down the middle line, bringing the two halves together so your cover ends up on the front. crease the spine hard.
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staple the spine
two staples along the fold hold it together. a long-reach or saddle stapler reaches the middle easily. no long stapler? a couple of stitches with a needle and thread works, or open a regular stapler flat, press the staples in by hand, then fold the legs down.