Make a Booklet in Apple Pages: A Simple Guide
Making a booklet in Apple Pages comes down to four settings: a smaller page size, facing pages turned on, a wider inside margin for the binding, and an export to PDF.
Pages is free on every Apple device, and a handful of settings do most of the layout work for you. This guide walks you through each step on a Mac, which is the easiest place to design and print a booklet.
The steps below are written for the current version of Pages on macOS. The buttons sit in slightly different spots on an iPad or iPhone, which we cover near the end.
The short version
If you just want the quick path, here is the whole job in one place.
- Open Pages and start from a Book template, or set a small page size like A5.
- Turn on Facing Pages so you design real two page spreads.
- Widen the inside margin so no text hides in the fold.
- Add your words and images, one spread at a time.
- Export to PDF, then print.
Now here is each step spelled out.
Step 1: Set a smaller page size
A booklet uses pages that are smaller than a normal sheet. A5 (about 5.8 by 8.3 inches) is the common choice, and half of a US Letter sheet (5.5 by 8.5 inches) also works.
You can start from a blank document, or pick a layout from the Books category for a head start on the text. Either way, you set the size yourself.
- Open Pages. Click File in the menu bar, then New, and choose a blank document or a book layout.
- Click the Document button in the top right corner of the toolbar.
- Click the Document tab.
- Click the paper size pop up menu and choose A5 or another small size.
Need an exact size that is not in the list? Choose File, then Page Setup, then Manage Custom Sizes, add a size, and type the width and height. Your new size then shows up at the bottom of the paper size menu.
Step 2: Turn on facing pages
Facing pages let you design the left and right pages of a spread together, the way a real book opens. Pages does not turn this on for you, even in a book template, so switch it on yourself.
To turn it on yourself:
- Click the Document button in the top right corner.
- Click the Document tab.
- Select the Facing Pages checkbox.
The page thumbnails on the left now line up as two page spreads. That is exactly what you want for a booklet.
Step 3: Widen the inside margin
When facing pages is on, your margins change to Top, Bottom, Inside, and Outside. The inside margin is the edge that goes into the fold or binding.
Make the inside margin wider than the rest. If text sits too close to the fold, part of it disappears once the booklet is bound.
- Click the Document button, then the Document tab.
- Under Document Margins, click the arrows next to Inside or type a larger number, such as 0.75 or 1 inch.
- Leave the Top, Bottom, and Outside margins around 0.5 inch unless your printer needs more.
Here is a quick reference for the settings that make a booklet work.
| Setting | Where to find it | Good starting value |
|---|---|---|
| Page size | Document tab, paper size menu | A5 or 5.5 by 8.5 inches |
| Facing pages | Document tab checkbox | On |
| Inside margin | Document Margins | 0.75 to 1 inch |
| Outside, top, bottom | Document Margins | About 0.5 inch |
Step 4: Add your text and images
Now build the booklet one spread at a time. Type your text into the body, then drop in photos or graphics where they fit.
To add a picture, click the Media button in the toolbar, then choose Photos or Choose to pull an image from your files.
Keep the design simple and consistent. Pick one or two fonts, keep headings the same size, and leave white space so the pages do not feel crowded.
If you design on an iPad, you can sketch or mark up art with an Apple Pencil, as long as you have one of the iPads that work with the Apple Pencil.
Remember that page 1 is usually the front cover. A booklet made from folded sheets needs a page count that is a multiple of four, so plan for 4, 8, 12, or 16 pages.
Step 5: Export to PDF and print
Save a PDF before you print anything. A PDF locks in your layout and lets you check every page one last time.
- Click File in the menu bar.
- Point to Export To, then click PDF.
- Choose an image quality, click Next, name the file, and click Export.
Open that PDF and read it cover to cover. Fixing a typo now beats reprinting a stack of pages later.
To print, open the PDF and choose File, then Print. If you want the pages to fold into a real booklet, look in the print options for a Layout or Booklet setting from your printer. Not every printer offers it, so print one test copy first.
If your printer cannot fold pages into signatures on its own, print the PDF normally and fold a short run by hand, or take the PDF to a copy shop.
Can you make a booklet in Pages on an iPad or iPhone?
Yes. Pages works the same across Mac, iPad, and iPhone, and your document syncs through iCloud. You can also open it in a browser at iCloud.com.
On an iPad or iPhone, tap the More button (the three dots), tap Document Options, then Document Setup to change the page size and margins. The layout choices are the same, just in a touch friendly menu.
Most people still find a Mac easier for booklet design and printing, since the larger screen makes it simple to see both pages of a spread at once. If you do most of your work on a tablet, it helps to know how far a tablet can go, which we cover in our look at whether an iPad Pro can replace a laptop.
Why Pages works well for booklets
Pages is free for anyone with an Apple ID, and it opens on your Mac, iPad, and iPhone with the same tools on each. That makes it easy to start on one device and finish on another.
The facing pages view and margin controls do the fiddly layout work, so you can focus on the content instead of the setup. If you are weighing Pages against Microsoft Word, our guide on whether you can run Microsoft Office on an iPad lays out the tradeoffs.
Frequently asked questions
What size should a booklet be in Pages?
A5 is the most common booklet size and prints well from folded Letter or A4 sheets. Half of a US Letter page, 5.5 by 8.5 inches, is another easy choice. Pick the size before you add content, since changing it later can shift your layout.
Does Apple Pages have a booklet template?
Pages does not have a template labeled “booklet.” The templates in the Books category give you a text layout to start from, but you still set the small page size and turn on facing pages yourself using the steps above.
How do I print a booklet so the pages fold in order?
Pages exports pages in normal reading order, not in fold order. To fold and staple a booklet, use your printer’s Layout or Booklet option in the Print dialog. If your printer lacks that setting, take the PDF to a print shop, which can impose the pages for you.
Is Apple Pages free?
Yes. Pages is free to download and use on any Apple device signed in with an Apple ID. You also get iCloud storage for your documents, and you can pay for more space if you need it.