print pdf with "inside" margin offset

rjwse@aol.com · 03-08-2017, 11:49 AM

I have had great success converting EPUB to PDF using calibre, but I have a problem when supplying the file for book binding. In Page Setup you can specify all 4 margins to any size. For example, 36pts 36pts 36pts 36pts creates half inch margins all the way around. The book binder uses part of the 36 on inside margins, and text is obscured at the spine. If you compensate for this by using 72pts, then the inside text looks okay but now the outside margin is too wide. I was hoping someone could recommend a method for offsetting all odd numbered PDF margins. Would it be possible to add this to Page Setup?

top: 36pt
bottom: 36pt

odd:
left: 54pts
right: 36pts

even:
left: 36pts
right: 54pts

I have not been able to locate a utility which can do this.
Best Regards, Pop

BetterRed · 03-08-2017, 01:22 PM

I assume you want to create a print ready PDF that you can send to a printer/book binder.

I would convert the EPUB to a format readable by a word processor (e.g. MS Word or Open Office Writer) and do it there, they have the settings for gutter margins and mirrored (left and right) pages.

BR

kovidgoyal · 03-08-2017, 10:23 PM

It's not possible to do this in calibre for technical reasons having to do with how the PDF is produced. But it can be easily done by processing the final PDF file, for example: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/...ftk-or-similar

rjwse@aol.com · 03-09-2017, 08:17 AM

Thanks to all of you for your quick replies. This is a perfect solution: (1) open terminal, (2)
type in "pdfjam --twoside --offset '1cm 0cm' ~/Desktop/my.pdf" The transformation of even a large book takes only a couple of seconds. The odd and even pages have a different offset such that when viewed two pages at a time there is an extra gutter between the pages making it easy for the bindery people. Perfect solution! Many thanks, Pop

03-08-2017, 11:49 AM	#1
rjwse@aol.com Addict Posts: 289 Karma: 2228060 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: LaVernia, Texas Device: kindle epub readers on android	print pdf with "inside" margin offset I have had great success converting EPUB to PDF using calibre, but I have a problem when supplying the file for book binding. In Page Setup you can specify all 4 margins to any size. For example, 36pts 36pts 36pts 36pts creates half inch margins all the way around. The book binder uses part of the 36 on inside margins, and text is obscured at the spine. If you compensate for this by using 72pts, then the inside text looks okay but now the outside margin is too wide. I was hoping someone could recommend a method for offsetting all odd numbered PDF margins. Would it be possible to add this to Page Setup? top: 36pt bottom: 36pt odd: left: 54pts right: 36pts even: left: 36pts right: 54pts I have not been able to locate a utility which can do this. Best Regards, Pop

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03-08-2017, 01:22 PM	#2
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 20,650 Karma: 26966376 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	I assume you want to create a print ready PDF that you can send to a printer/book binder. I would convert the EPUB to a format readable by a word processor (e.g. MS Word or Open Office Writer) and do it there, they have the settings for gutter margins and mirrored (left and right) pages. BR

03-08-2017, 10:23 PM	#3
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,966 Karma: 22669822 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	It's not possible to do this in calibre for technical reasons having to do with how the PDF is produced. But it can be easily done by processing the final PDF file, for example: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/...ftk-or-similar

03-09-2017, 08:17 AM	#4
rjwse@aol.com Addict Posts: 289 Karma: 2228060 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: LaVernia, Texas Device: kindle epub readers on android	Thanks to all of you for your quick replies. This is a perfect solution: (1) open terminal, (2) type in "pdfjam --twoside --offset '1cm 0cm' ~/Desktop/my.pdf" The transformation of even a large book takes only a couple of seconds. The odd and even pages have a different offset such that when viewed two pages at a time there is an extra gutter between the pages making it easy for the bindery people. Perfect solution! Many thanks, Pop

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