How To Print A PDF As a Book: Guide to Printing Like a Pro!

Printing a PDF as a book involves more than just pressing print. Choosing the right software, adjusting the layout, and setting up your printer correctly are all crucial for a professional finish.

This guide covers everything—from why printing your PDF as a book is beneficial to preparing your document, selecting margins, print quality, and binding options, including the number of pages you have. Follow these steps, and you'll have a well-formatted, professionally printed book in no time! Ex Why Zed provides premium book printing services in the UK, offering the highest quality paper and binding options, along with a print preview before finalizing your order.

How to Print a PDF as a Book: A Step-by-Step Guide

Turning a digital PDF into a beautifully printed book in PDF format is an excellent way to bring your content to life. Whether you’re a self-published author, a business creating manuals, or a photographer assembling a portfolio, a well-printed book adds a professional touch. However, achieving high-quality results requires careful formatting, choosing the right materials, and selecting a trusted printing partner.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process, from formatting your PDF to selecting the best printing service—with a special focus on Ex Why Zed, a premier book printing service in the UK that ensures top-tier results.

1. Format Your PDF for Printing

Proper formatting is key to ensuring your book prints exactly as you envision. Here’s what you need to consider:

Set the Page Size & Bleed

Your book’s dimensions should be set before designing the content for pdf printing. Common sizes include:

• A5 (148mm × 210mm) – A popular choice for novels and journals, especially when formatted in a PDF file.

• A4 (210mm × 297mm) – Ideal for workbooks, manuals, and portfolios.

• Custom Sizes – If you have a unique vision, custom dimensions can be accommodated by professional printers like Ex Why Zed.

If your book includes images or background colours that extend to the edge of the page, you need to set a 3-5mm bleed to prevent unwanted white borders during trimming.

Margins & Layout

To avoid content being cut off, leave sufficient inner margins (especially for bound books) and ensure enough spacing for readability. If your book will be perfect bound, the inner margin should be at least 15mm to account for the binding process.

Embed Fonts & Use High-Resolution Images

Fonts should be embedded to maintain consistency across different devices and printers. Additionally, images should be at least 300 DPI to prevent pixelation in print.

Check Page Order & Numbering

• Odd-numbered pages should appear on the right, even-numbered pages on the left.

• If your book has a blank page, ensure it’s placed correctly to maintain proper flow.

2. Choose the Right Binding Type

Your book’s purpose and page count will determine the best binding option:

• Perfect Binding – A sleek, professional option suitable for novels, reports, high-end magazines and student final major project printing. .

• Saddle Stitching – Common for booklets, zines, and short-form publications.

• Wire-O Binding (Spiral) – Perfect for workbooks, manuals, and notebooks that need to lie flat.

• Hardcover Binding – The most durable and premium choice, ideal for special editions and coffee table books.

Pro Tip: Ex Why Zed offers a variety of binding styles to match your project’s needs, ensuring durability and a high-quality finish.

3. Select a Trusted Printing Service

Choosing a reliable and experienced book printing company is crucial. Here’s why Ex Why Zed stands out in the UK printing industry:

Expert Craftsmanship – Whether you need a small batch or bulk printing, Ex Why Zed ensures precision and quality at every step.
Customisation Options – From paper types to cover finishes, ExWhyZed provides tailored solutions.
Eco-Friendly Printing – If sustainability matters to you, Ex Why Zed offers environmentally conscious printing options.
Fast Turnaround – Quick production times without compromising quality, so you get your books when you need them.

Enjoy our 250 reviews on reviews.io and a further 495 on Trustpilot

4. Prepare & Submit Your PDF for Printing

Once your document is formatted correctly, it’s time to prepare it for submission and printer settings.

Convert to a Print-Ready PDF

To ensure your file meets printing standards, save it in PDF/X format (such as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4), which locks in fonts, colours, and layout.

Request a Proof Copy

Before printing a large order, always ask for a proof copy (digital or physical). A test print allows you to spot errors and make necessary adjustments. We can either bind this or send it out as flat sheets.

Define Printing Preferences

• Paper Type: Matte, gloss, or uncoated? Choose based on your book’s purpose.

• Cover Finish: Softcover, hardcover, lamination (glossy or matte).

• Color vs. Black & White: Full-colour pages cost more but enhance visuals.

Need help deciding? ExWhyZed’s expert team can advise you on the best materials and finishes for your book.

5. Review and Finalise Your Order

Before placing your final order: Proofread thoroughly for typos, misaligned elements, or missing pages. Confirm Binding & Material Choices to match your vision. Check the Delivery Timeline so you receive your books on time. You can pay using a credit card or other payment methods.

Once everything is in place, place your order and track your shipment.

Ex Why Zed offers nationwide UK delivery with excellent customer support to keep you informed every step of the way.

🇺🇸 We now have two print hubs in the States - one on the East Coast, one on the West. So we can now deliver overland in 5/6 working days saving you both time and cost compared with shipping from the UK. Win win!  You can choose which shipping method depending on how fast you need the books, but we tend to use UPS.

So our print price will be the same as we have already quoted but shipping will be much faster and cheaper (and no import Tariffs either, in case Trump launches them before you go ahead). 

Ex Why Zed: Premium Book Printing in the UK

At Ex Why Zed, we bring your vision to life with beautifully printed books crafted to perfection. Whether you're dreaming of a striking hardback, a sleek softcover, or a bold coffee table book, we provide bespoke printing solutions tailored just for you.

With eco-friendly options, premium finishes, and meticulous attention to detail, your book will truly stand out. Let’s create something amazing together! Feel free to email us at hello@exwhyzed.com or call us on  01206 766647

Conclusion

Printing multiple PDFs as a book at home or in the office is easier than you think. Understanding the printing process, including page sizing, ensures a polished result within the printable area, whether it's a manual, booklet, or blog novel. You can use software like Adobe Reader in the process, including steps like folding.

From preparing your PDF with Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Publisher to selecting paper size, print quality, and binding options like saddle stitch or perfect binding, each step matters.

We hope this guide helps you create high-quality booklets with confidence. Happy printing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my home printer to print a PDF as a booklet?

Yes, you can! If your home printer supports automatic duplex printing (double-sided printing) or manual duplex printing, including duplex printers, you can produce a simple booklet by printing on both sides of the paper, including the front side and back side. However, you may be limited by factors such as the maximum paper size your printer can handle and the print output quality.

Can I print a book-style PDF without special software?

Yes, some printers have built-in booklet printing options. However, software like Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Publisher gives more control over layout and formatting.

How do I avoid blank pages in my printed booklet?

Ensure your page count is a multiple of four. If not, intentionally add blank pages to prevent awkward formatting. Your pdf file should be supplied with all the pages in reading order. If you need blanks in there to ensure the double-page spreads match up, please do include them in the PDF too.

What’s the best paper type for booklet printing?

For a professional look, use 100-120gsm paper for inside pages and 250-300 GSM for covers. Matte paper reduces glare, while glossy paper enhances colors.