Booklet Printing

This solution will explain how the Booklet feature works with Xerox printers. The principle is the same for most Xerox printers; however, some features selected may vary by equipment model.

When a booklet is printed, four images are placed on a sheet of paper. The printer and print driver will automatically size the images on the page so all images are fully captured. When the Booklet option is selected, the original pages are re-ordered by the print driver in order to obtain the booklet format.

For example, if you have a 4-page document that you want to print in a booklet format and the original pages are numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4, the pages would be re-ordered to print pages 1 , 4, 2 and 3, with the booklet format as the end result. If you were to open the booklet and lay it flat, the text will be laid out as pages 1 and 4 on one side of the paper and pages 2 and 3 on the other side.

There are a number of factors that play an important role and should be considered when printing a document in booklet format.

1. Paper must be loaded short edge feed (SEF) in the paper tray.

   • A requirement of booklet printing is that the paper you are printing on must be loaded in the paper tray in the SEF position so that the shortest edge of the paper is exiting the tray first.

2. Paper tray settings (paper size, type, weight) must be properly configured at the printer and in the print driver.

   • Paper size and type play a role when printing booklets. You cannot print a booklet on custom size paper. It is best to use standard size paper when printing booklets, such as Letter (216 x 279 mm / 8.5 x 11 in.) or Tabloid (279 x 432 mm / 11 x 17 in.) size paper.

   • Some heavyweight paper and coated paper (glossy) cannot be used when printing booklets due to the physical restrictions of the booklet finisher and the fusing requirements of the printer.

   • There are a maximum number of pages an original document may contain when printing booklets. See your Customer Expectations Document or the Online Support Assistant for additional information.

3. Is the original document pre-imposed (already in booklet format)?

   • Some applications, such as Adobe In Design and Microsoft Publisher, allow you to create your document in what is called a pre-imposed format. In these cases, you would configure the print driver to print two-sided and with finishing options (folded or folded and stapled). This will prevent the driver from re-ordering the original pages.

4. Printing a cover page also plays a large factor in how you print a booklet. You have to ask yourself:

   • Is the cover page included in the original document?

   • Is the cover page to be printed on different paper than the rest of the document?

   • Is the cover page pre-printed?
     
     Depending on the answer to these questions, the options you select in the print driver will vary.
     
     

5. Is there an Office Finisher LX, Professional or Light Production Finisher installed with a booklet tray?

   • These finishers are not required to print a booklet, but the document will not be folded or stapled. 

NOTE: If you have questions or difficulty printing your document in a booklet format, search the product knowledge base for step-by-step instructions on how to print booklets. If necessary, contact Support for additional assistance.