What Is a Booklet Maker, and How Does It Work?

What You’ll Learn

• The difference between regular printed pages and booklets
• How paper is folded and printed in booklet-making
• Why you need 11×17 (A3) paper to print standard-sized booklets
• What saddle stitching is—and how many pages it supports
• Cover stock tips and professional printing best practices
• What to look for in a copier that includes booklet-making features

When Simple Prints Aren’t Enough

If your business prints brochures, catalogs, event programs, or training manuals, you may have wondered: “How can I make these look more polished—like a real booklet?” A booklet maker does exactly that. And if you’ve never used one before, it’s easier to understand than you might think.

At Pahoda Copiers & Printers, we help businesses across the country find the right copier and finishing tools to fit their needs—including booklet makers that transform your prints from plain to professional. Here’s what you need to know.

What Makes a Booklet Different?

Most office printers output documents in single sheets, printed front and back (duplex). These pages are then stapled or placed in folders. A booklet, on the other hand, is a set of pages printed and folded in half, then bound along the crease—so they open like a small magazine.

But there’s a catch: to print letter-sized booklets (8.5″ x 11″), you can’t use standard 8.5″ x 11″ paper.

Why You Need A3 or 11×17 Paper

To create a booklet that’s letter-sized once folded, the machine prints two pages side-by-side on a larger sheet—typically 11×17″ (A3). That sheet is then folded in half and stapled at the center.

Here’s how it works:

• Pages are printed out of order so they appear in the right order once folded.
• A page that prints as 1 and 8 on the same sheet will end up as the first and last page.
• This is why booklet makers require software or firmware that supports imposition—the process of arranging pages correctly for folding.

So, if you plan to make letter-sized booklets, make sure your copier supports A3 (11×17″) printing.

What Is Saddle Stitching?

Saddle stitching is the most common binding method for booklet-making. It involves folding the booklet in half and then stapling it along the spine.

Typical booklet makers include a built-in saddle stitcher. This allows for a clean, professional finish that’s great for:

• Church bulletins
• Menus
• Product catalogs
• Employee handbooks

How Many Pages Can You Saddle Stitch?

A good rule of thumb is that saddle stitching works best with booklets that are 8 to 80 pages (20 sheets max, folded). After that, the booklet may become too thick to lay flat or close properly.

Best Practices for Cover Stock

A well-designed booklet needs a sturdy, attractive cover. Here’s what we recommend:

• Use heavier cover stock for the outside pages (like 65 lb or 80 lb cover).
• Keep the inside pages on lighter paper (like 20 lb or 24 lb bond) for easier folding.
• Choose coated paper for a more polished, vibrant look—especially if you’re printing in color.

Tip: Some copiers allow you to load different paper types for the cover and inside pages and will pull the correct sheet automatically.

Buying Tips: What to Look for in a Booklet-Making Copier

If you’re thinking about investing in a copier that makes booklets, here are the key features to look for:

A3/11×17 support: Your machine needs to handle larger sheets to fold into standard-sized booklets.

Saddle stitch finisher: Not all copiers include this, so check if it’s built-in or available as an add-on.

Dual paper trays: This allows you to use different stock for covers vs. internal pages.

Booklet layout support: Some copiers have built-in software that handles imposition automatically.

High-capacity output tray: Especially useful if you’re printing a lot of booklets at once.

If you’re not sure what you need, we can help you match the right machine to your volume, paper preferences, and finishing needs.

Ready to Print Booklets on Your New Copier?

Booklet makers are a smart investment for any business that wants to create polished, professional materials in-house. Whether you’re a school printing event programs, a business producing marketing catalogs, or a nonprofit making handouts for your next fundraiser, booklet-making can save you time, money, and stress.

At Pahoda, we make it easy to choose the right copier with booklet-making features—so you can produce great-looking print projects without sending them out to a print shop.

Need help finding the right copier for your booklets? Let’s talk.