Layout question

[smangold]

I created a four page brochure (or what I hope to be a four page brochure) in Quark, which I would like to print on a single page. I'm having a hard time matching up the pages after I print. After the pages have printed I place them back to back and they don't align correctly. Is this because I created two seperate documents? Was I supposed to set them up as facing pages?

Is there any way to fix this without recreating the document?

Thanks for your help,
Scott

 

[sharkboots]

Are you having this printed by commercial printers? If so, they should be able to sort out your impositioning for you, so liaise with them. Within reason, it shouldn't matter how the file you supply is set up.

If you are printing this 'in house', then remember that most printers have a 'margin of error' when it comes to aligning documents, and you can't expect a bog standard HP laserjet (for example) to be accurate to within a millimeter. Play around with the settings available to you and keep trying until you get it about right.

 

[blueark]

I find that 4 page brochures are much easier to print if you set it up as a two page document that's twice the size of the individual pages. In other words, put two pages up on the one page.

If you can measure the alignment error on your printer, you may be able to compensate by using 'Manual Tiling'. To use this, make sure the rulers are visible, and drag the origin (where the two rulers meet) to somewhere inside your document. In the print dialog, under the 'Document' tab, set Tiling to 'Manual'. This will force your printer to print from the origin, rather than the edge of the page. If you're careful, you should be able to correct the alignment error, but you will have to print both sides separately.

 

[Foamcow]

Umm

Just set up your document with 4 (facing) pages... like this

1
23
4


(where 1 is the front cover and 4 is the back cover)

If there is something that goes across the front and back pages then you can set it up like this

12
34

(where 1 is the back, 2 is the front)


Now... is your problem that when you print the pages on your laser/inkjet that they don't line up?
If so, then this could be simply a driver issue in that your printer does not exactly centre the pages.
Try printing each page onto larger paper (or reducing the percentage print size) and include registration marks. Then mount them together and trim them out.

Leave imposition to a printer, but make sure you supply a mockup/visual so he knows what page goes where in your artwork.

 

[Foamcow]

.... I really should read things more carefully.. i forget there is no edit button in these forums.


If you really must then try making up your document as 1 large page divided into 4. (a 2x2 grid if you will)

Put each spread on the big page with the tops of the pages together in the middle.

Print it out. No possibility for printer misalignment as it's all on the same page... any mislaingments are therefore a miscalculation in your positioning.
Fold, stick and trim... bingo.

 

[smangold]

Thanks for everybody's help with this matter.

Everything is fixed. It was my print alignment that caused the problem.

Scott