Arranging the pages of a center-bound book

Arranging the pages of a center-bound book

Introduction
	Before printing, the pages of a book need to be arranged properly. This is called pagination.
	It takes organization and practice to arrange the pages of a center-bound book so that they are in the proper sequence when they are printed and bound.

Overview

A center-bound book is usually made up of sheets of paper that have two pages printed on the front and two on the back. The sheets are folded in half to make the book.

Each piece of paper makes four book pages. Therefore, the total number of pages in a book must be divisible by four. If necessary, some pages can be left blank.

Each side of the paper requires its own stencil or camera ready copy.

Paper size

The sheets of paper should be twice the width and the same length as the book will be.

Example:
For an A4 size book, you would need A3 paper.

For an A5 size book, you would need A4 paper.
See:
Paper sizes

Page arrangement

Because of the way center-bound books are put together, the pages are not printed in numerical order.

Example:
The first page and the last page are printed side-by-side on a single sheet. The second page and the next-to-the-last page are printed on the back of the sheet.

Illustration

Things to do
	Here are some things to do when you arrange the pages of a center-bound book:
	Determine the number of pages needed. Make a dummy book to help you see how the pages go together, or Use the pagination diagram system to determine how the pages go together.

Context for this page:

Task module: Arranging the pages of a center-bound book
In task module: Putting together a book, by Anne Klaassens (contributor), Robin Rempel (contributor), Trudy K. Stewart (contributor), Leah B. Walter (contributor), Glenys Waters (contributor), and Diane Wroge (contributor)
In task module: Producing printed materials, by Anne Klaassens (contributor), Robin Rempel (contributor), Trudy K. Stewart (general editor, contributor), Leah B. Walter (contributor), Glenys Waters (contributor), Diane Wroge (contributor), and Adelle R. Walter (illustrator)
In task module: Developing instructional materials, by Trudy K. Stewart, Leah B. Walter (contributor), and Trudi C. Hunt (contributor)
In task module: Developing an instructional program, by Kenneth A. Boothe (contributor), Patricia M. Davis (contributor), Trudy K. Stewart (general editor), Leah B. Walter (contributor), Glenys Waters (contributor), and Adelle R. Walter (illustrator)
In task module: Implementing a literacy program, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler)
In modular book: Implement a literacy program, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler) and Leah B. Walter (compiler)
In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 8 December 1998