How to Create a Booklet or Book with Microsoft Word

Creating a professional booklet or book using Microsoft Word is easier than you think. With some simple formatting adjustments and layout settings, you can turn your Word document into a polished booklet ready for printing and binding.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to set up Word to create a booklet complete with facing pages, headers and footers, page numbers, and more. We’ll also cover tips for printing and binding your finished booklet. Whether you’re making a small brochure, mini photo book, or full manuscript, Word has the tools to help you build a custom book with ease.

Set Up Page Layout for Booklet Printing

The first step is configuring your Word document’s layout and margins for proper booklet printing. Here’s how:

Go to the “Layout” tab and click “Margins” > “Custom Margins”
Change “Multiple Pages” to “Book fold”
Select inside margin or “Gutter” width based on your binding method

Increase top, bottom, and outside margins to 0.5-0.75 inches
Enable mirror margins under Layout Options
Click “OK” to apply the new layout

These specialized margin and layout settings will arrange your document’s pages in the correct sequence for eventual booklet printing. The gutter width, in particular, creates space for binding without content getting lost in the crease.

Add Book-Specific Elements

Now your base layout is set up. Next, incorporate book elements like:

Page numbers: Insert in the header or footer for easy navigation

Different first page: Customize the first page with different headers/footers
Sections: Use for parts, chapters, etc. to change headers/footers
Table of Contents: Insert and automatically generate using Styles

Images/charts: Include visuals as needed
Cover page: Add title, imagery, author name, etc.

Play around with inserting these items to craft a professional book aesthetic. Use page and section breaks strategically to customize different parts of your booklet.

Format Text and Paragraphs

Apply Styles to format your text properly. Some suggestions:

Body text: 11 or 12 pt font, double spaced, justified alignment
Headings: 14-24 pt font, centered, keep consistent formatting

Page numbers: Smaller font, inside page edges, continuous numbering
Captions: Italicized, centered under images/charts

Additionally, use paragraph spacing between sections and indent the first line of new paragraphs by 0.5 inches.

Create and Save Book Template

Once your booklet design is complete, save your Word document as a custom template for reuse:

Go to “File” > “Save As”
Change file type to “Word Template”

Give your template a name and save

The next time you want to make a booklet, open this template to shortcut the layout process. Simply insert your new content while retaining all pre-formatted elements.

Print Booklet Using Special Settings

When ready to print, open your document and select “File” > “Print”. Then under settings:

Choose printer paper size (like A4 or Legal 8.5″ x 14″)
Enable two-sided printing
Select “Booklet” under page layout settings

Choose “binding edge” based on printer
Enter number of booklet sheets per booklet copy

Check your printer manual for specific instructions. These options properly arrange, scale, and crop document pages to create a booklet spread ready for folding and binding.