PDF Imposition

PDF Studio comes with a new Advanced Imposition Module that will allow you to preview and create PDF Imposition Layouts. Imposition layouts can be created using many different industry standard layout and binding methods including: 2, 4, & 8 up booklets; cut stacks; sequential, step and repeat.

What is Imposition?

Imposition is one of the fundamental steps in the prepress printing process. It consists in the arrangement of the printed product’s pages on the printer’s sheet, in order to obtain faster printing, simplify binding and reduce paper waste.

Correct imposition minimizes printing time by maximizing the number of pages per sheet of paper, reducing cost of press time and materials. To achieve this, the printed sheet must be filled as fully as possible.

How to Start the PDF Imposition Tool

Open the document in PDF Studio.
Go to the Document Tab > Imposition > New Imposition on the tool bar. This will launch the Imposition settings dialog.
Modify settings as needed, the changes will be reflected in the preview pane to the right
Once you have completed reviewing the document click Apply to create a new document using the settings chosen

Imposition Settings

Layout

Type - the imposition layout choices available

2-Up Booklet: fits 2 pages side by side on a sheet
4-Up Booklet: fits 4 pages (2 rows & 2 pages per row) on a sheet
8-Up Booklet: fits 8 pages (2 rows & 4 pages per row) on a sheet
Cut stacks: fits the pages per sheet using the column and row settings so that once cut each stack can be placed on each other maintain the page order for binding
Sequential: fits multiple pages per sheet using the column and row settings in sequential order from right to left top to bottom
Step and Repeat: creates multiple copies of the each page on separate sheets based on the number rows and columns set

Columns - Sets the number of vertical columns for Cut Stacks, Sequential, & Step and Repeat

Rows - Sets the number of horizontal rows for Cut Stacks, Sequential, & Step and Repeat

Profiles

Name - Name of the header and footer profile (if created).

Save - Saves the current settings to the selected profile. To create a new profile select "<new profile>" and click Save. Then enter a name for the new profile.

Save As - Saves a copy of the current settings. It differs from the Save command, which saves the current settings to the currently selected profile.

Delete - Deletes the currently selected profile

Show on Menu - Whether to show this imposition configuration on the imposition menu for faster access.

General

Units - Select the measurement unit for the imposition

Binding

Type - determines how the pages will be bound together once printed

Saddle-Stitching: staples each of the pages along a center fold such as a magazine, or catalog.
Perfect Binding: the sheets are split into stacks designated by the "Sheets per fold". Then the spine edge is trimmed from each stack and then glue is applied to the spine so the cover can be adhered to spine to create a book.

Sheets per fold - designates the number of pages per stack when using Perfect Binding

Binding (left/right) - Determines whether the binding (folded edge) of the booklet when folded should be on the left or the right

Double Sided - Rearranges the pages so that pages are printed on the front and back per imposition sheet based on the binding type selected

Gutters

Vertical - The space between each column of pages

Note: for 8-up pages the "Spread" value is used for the center column between the 2nd & 3rd column.

Horizontal - The space between each row of pages

Spread - Used only for 8-up layout, this is the space between the 2nd & 3rd columns

Creep - Specifies the distance pages move away from the spine to accommodate paper thickness and folding in Saddle Stitch and Perfect Bound layouts

Paper

Media

Autosize Media - Resizes the sheet to fit the

Fit to Media Size - Allows you to select a sheet size from a list of predefined standard sizes or set a sheet custom size.

Portrait: sets the selected page orientation size to portrait
Landscape: sets the selected page size orientation to landscape

Note: Portrait and Landscape options are not available when selecting a "Custom" media size

Width - Width of the page in the units selected

Height - Height of the page in the units selected

Auto-rotate - Rotates each individual page so that the width and length best fit on the sheet.

Auto Scale - shrink pages so that they fit in the paper. No effect if the pages in a document are smaller than the paper they are being printed on.

Margins

Top - The distance of the margin from the top

Bottom - The distance of the margin from the bottom

Left - The distance of the margin from the left

Right - The distance of the margin from the right

Advanced

Printer Marks

Trim Marks - Horizontal and vertical marks that define where the page should be trimmed.

Bleed Marks - Displays the bleed crop box on the page. Useful when a document has images or elements that touch the edge of the page, extending beyond the trim edge and leaving no white margin.

Registration Marks - Small targets outside the page area for aligning pages and colors separations in a document.

Page Information - Labels the sheet in the top left corner with the document name, page number, date & time.