How to Print an A5 Ceremony Booklet at Home from a PDF

Q: Why are there blank pages when I print my booklet?

Booklet printing only works in page counts that are multiples of four . For example, if your PDF has 14 pages, the printer automatically treats it as a 16-page booklet so the pages can fold correctly. The extra pages appear as blank pages in the centre of the booklet. This is normal behaviour and not a printing error.

Q: Why does booklet printing use A4 paper for an A5 booklet?

An A5 booklet is created by printing two A5 pages on one A4 sheet , then folding it in half. The printer needs A4 paper so it can place and order the pages correctly before folding. This is why the paper size must stay set to A4.

This short guide explains how to print an A5 ceremony booklet at home using an A4 printer and a correctly prepared PDF. You’ll learn how to use booklet print settings, choose the right paper options, and handle both duplex and non-duplex printers so pages print in the correct order.

The instructions below assume your PDF is already set up (pages in reading order, not imposed).

Before You Start

It’s best to check a few basics before printing:

You have a PDF reader to open your document (we recommend Adobe Acrobat Reader).
Your PDF pages should be A5 size (148 × 210 mm).
You should be printing on A4 paper (297 × 210 mm).
A short test print using plain paper can help confirm orientation before using final stock.

Page Count Requirements for Booklet Printing

Before you print, it’s important to understand how booklet printing works.

When you choose Booklet printing, the printer doesn’t simply print your pages in order. It rearranges them so that, once printed and folded, the booklet reads correctly. Because of this, booklet printing only works in multiples of four pages: 4, 8, 12, 16, and so on.

Each A4 sheet, printed on both sides and folded in half, creates four A5 pages. For example, the printer cannot produce a booklet with 14 pages exactly, even if your PDF contains 14 pages. Instead, it will automatically add pages to reach the next workable total.

If your booklet is 14 pages, here’s what happens:

The printer treats it as a 16-page booklet
2 pages are added as blanks
Those blank pages appear together in the centre of the booklet

This can be surprising if you expect booklet printing to match your page count exactly. The printer isn’t making a mistake — it’s completing the booklet structure so the pages can fold and nest correctly.

What This Means for DIY Templates

If you’ve downloaded a ceremony booklet template and filled in all 14 pages, selecting Booklet printing will still work — but the final folded booklet will include a blank centre spread unless the page count is adjusted.

To avoid unexpected blank pages, it’s best to:

Check your total page count before printing
Adjust the content so the final PDF ends on 12 or 16 pages
Or plan in advance for intentional blank pages in the middle

Handling this at the PDF stage keeps the printed result predictable and prevents surprises once the booklet is folded.

Step 1: Open Print Settings

Open your PDF and go to:

File → Print

This opens the main print dialog where booklet options are controlled.

A screenshot of the booklet print settings window in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Step 2: Set Page Sizing and Booklet Layout

Under Page Sizing & Handling, select:

Booklet

Then confirm the following booklet settings:

Booklet subset: Both sides
Sheets from: 1 to 4
Binding: Left

These settings tell the printer to impose two A5 pages onto one A4 sheet in the correct order for folding.

Step 3: Confirm Paper Size and Orientation

In the printer or page setup settings:

Paper size: A4 (297 × 210 mm)
Orientation: Auto or Portrait

Even though the booklet will end up as A5, the printer must be set to A4 so it can place two pages on each sheet.

A screenshot of the A4 page setup settings window in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Step 4: Double-Sided Printing Options

If Your Printer Supports Duplex Printing

If your printer can print on both sides automatically:

Select Print on both sides
Choose Flip on short edge

This setting ensures that when the pages are folded, the text is upright on both sides.
If the back pages print upside down, switching between short edge and long edge usually resolves the issue.

If Your Printer Does Not Support Duplex Printing

If your printer prints one side at a time:

In Booklet subset, select Front side only
Print the pages
Reinsert the printed sheets into the printer tray as directed by your printer
Return to print settings and select Back side only
Print again

Using a test print first can help you determine how your specific printer feeds paper.

A screenshot of the page size and handling settings window in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Step 5: Check Scaling

Set Scaling to 100%.

Avoid options like “Fit to page” or “Shrink oversized pages,” as these can change margins and affect how the booklet folds.

Step 6: Print and Fold

Once printed:

Keep each A4 sheet together
Fold each sheet in half to create an A5 booklet

The pages should fall into the correct order automatically, with the cover on the outside and the inner pages nested correctly.

Common Issues to Watch For

Pages out of order: Confirm that “Booklet” is selected, not standard double-sided printing.
Upside-down backs: Adjust the flip edge setting.
Margins too tight: Check that scaling is set to 100% and paper size is A4.

Final Notes

Printing an A5 ceremony booklet at home relies on using booklet print settings rather than manual page arrangement. By printing two A5 pages onto A4 paper, selecting the correct binding and flip options, and folding after printing, you can produce a clean, readable booklet with minimal setup. A short test print can help avoid wasted paper and confirm orientation before printing final copies.

FAQ

Why are there blank pages when I print my booklet?

Booklet printing only works in page counts that are multiples of four. For example, if your PDF has 14 pages, the printer automatically treats it as a 16-page booklet so the pages can fold correctly. The extra pages appear as blank pages in the centre of the booklet. This is normal behaviour and not a printing error.

Do I need to rearrange my pages before printing my booklet?

No. If your PDF is set up as a normal reading document (page 1, page 2, page 3, etc.), the printer will rearrange the pages automatically when you select Booklet printing. Manually reordering pages usually causes incorrect results.

Why does booklet printing use A4 paper for an A5 booklet?

An A5 booklet is created by printing two A5 pages on one A4 sheet, then folding it in half. The printer needs A4 paper so it can place and order the pages correctly before folding. This is why the paper size must stay set to A4.

Why do I need to choose “Flip on short edge”?

When printing double-sided booklets, the pages are flipped along the folded edge. Choosing Flip on short edge ensures the back of each page is the right way up once the sheet is folded into a booklet. Using the wrong flip option can result in upside-down pages.

Why does my booklet look wrong when I print only one page per sheet?

Standard printing places one page per sheet and doesn’t account for folding or page order. Booklet printing is a special layout that prints two pages per side and arranges them for folding. To create a proper A5 booklet, Booklet must be selected instead of regular double-sided printing.

What are the limitations of printing a booklet at home?

Most home printers can handle booklet printing, but there are a few constraints to be aware of. Paper thickness is limited, so very heavy stock may not feed or fold cleanly. Margins are also controlled by the printer, meaning text placed too close to the edge can be trimmed or shifted. Printing a small test booklet on plain paper helps confirm alignment, page order, and duplex behaviour before printing final copies.