How to Print a Booklet in LibreOffice Writer

LibreOffice Writer includes built-in brochure printing features that automatically arrange, scale, and reorder document pages so they can be folded into a standard saddle-stitched booklet. This guide outlines the essential print settings available in Writer, explaining how to configure the brochure mode, handle both duplex and manual printing, manage page orientation, and ensure proper page counts.

The Brochure Option

The primary setting for booklet creation is located directly within the Print dialog:

1. Open your document and go to File > Print (or press Ctrl + P).
2. Navigate to the Page Layout tab.
3. Under the Layout section, select the Brochure radio button.

When this option is enabled, LibreOffice Writer automatically places two document pages side-by-side on a single sheet of paper in the correct sequence (for example, page 1 and page 8 on the same side for an 8-page booklet).

Printing Modes: Duplex vs. Single-Sided

Depending on your printer hardware, LibreOffice Writer offers distinct options to output the brochure correctly:

Automatic Duplex Printers

If your printer supports automatic double-sided printing: * Go to the General tab in the Print dialog. * Set the duplex printing mode to Short edge (Flip). * Writer will print both sides of the sheet in the proper orientation for horizontal folding.

Manual / Single-Sided Printers

If your printer only prints on one side at a time, you can split the print job into two passes using the Page Layout tab: 1. Under Includes, select Front sides / right pages and print the first set. 2. Re-insert the printed pages into the printer tray according to your printer’s feed orientation. 3. In the Print dialog, select Back sides / left pages under Includes and print the remaining sides.

Page Orientation and Sizing

• Paper Orientation: When printing a brochure, set the printer sheet orientation to Landscape. Writer will automatically fit two portrait document pages onto one landscape sheet.
• Paper Size: Ensure the output sheet size (e.g., A4 or US Letter) is large enough to hold two of your document’s original page sizes (e.g., A5 or Half-Letter) without unwanted downscaling.

Managing Page Counts

Brochure printing requires the total number of pages to be a multiple of four (4, 8, 12, 16, etc.) to ensure complete sheets without missing pages. * If your document does not divide evenly by four, LibreOffice automatically inserts blank pages at the end of the document to complete the booklet structure. * You can manually insert blank pages within your document layout to control where the empty space appears, such as inside covers or notes sections.