Converting Word to PDF in A5 a problem!! Please help!

[Dingwall]

We are in the process of privately publishing a book (travel stories). The book was completed last night in Word (Office X).
It needs to be converted to PDF to go to the printers. The book is A5 format, and Word has been set-up in A5 format by using custom page size settings.
When outputting it to PDF it creates a PDF file with the A5 on the left of a landscape A4 page. The question is: How do we create a PDF file on an A5 page size?
The situation is rather desperate - the PDF needs to go to the printers today!
It is quite a missions creating a big document in Word (@$%*!). The document size is about 490 pages, and we are very keen to get it into PDF in the current format, without something throwing out the page formatting.
Any sugggestions will be most appreciated!

 

[LimeLite]

When you print (save) to PDF, it will save the PDF exactly how it would show up on paper were you to print it. Therefore, it's likely that you need to make an adjustment in the page setup to make sure what you want to print would fit on one page. Does this help at all?

 

[Dingwall]

Originally posted by LimeLite
When you print (save) to PDF, it will save the PDF exactly how it would show up on paper were you to print it. Therefore, it's likely that you need to make an adjustment in the page setup to make sure what you want to print would fit on one page. Does this help at all?

When you go to the print dialog box in Word there is no option to change the page set-up for output to PDF format. Unless I've missed it?
I've tried to attach a sample of the book, but a .doc is an invalid file type.

 

[benixau]

you will have to set your page size in Print Setup [Utility] (if in X.3) to A5. This is the only way i know. This makes the computer think that your printer is loaded with A5 not A4.

 

[Dingwall]

Originally posted by benixau
you will have to set your page size in Print Setup [Utility] (if in X.3) to A5. This is the only way i know. This makes the computer think that your printer is loaded with A5 not A4.

Having tried lots of things, I think your suggestion will work. My Mac does not have A5 as an option though. I think that is a function of the connected printer (OfficeJet G85). It also does not have Print Setup, as you describe it, but rather Print Center.
I have solved the problem in a different way though - the printers will take the A4 landscape file and crop it on their side to A5. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[LimeLite]

dude...not in the print dialog box. PAGE SETUP from the file menu of any application. You're correct, there's no option for A5, but maybe if you install the drivers for a printer capable of it?

 

[hdodds]

Two aspects to this:

1. Don't panic as this may not be a problem for the print shop you're using. Chances are they'll be using imposition software before outputting your book. And this will allow them to adjust the margins so they get the output they need.

2. If they're not doing any imposition (unlikely but possible) then as others have said as long as you are 'printing' to a printer with a print driver that allows you to set A5 as a format then you're there.

If you are still stuck then I can probably produce the pdf you need from here -- I spent eight years in the financial services sector using Word as a publishing tool and so have dealt with most of this stuff before.

henry.dodds@btinternet.com

 

[MisterMe]

Re: Converting Word to PDF in A5 a problem!! Please help!

Originally posted by Dingwall
We are in the process of privately publishing a book (travel stories). The book was completed last night in Word (Office X).
It needs to be converted to PDF to go to the printers. The book is A5 format, and Word has been set-up in A5 format by using custom page size settings.
When outputting it to PDF it creates a PDF file with the A5 on the left of a landscape A4 page. The question is: How do we create a PDF file on an A5 page size?
The situation is rather desperate - the PDF needs to go to the printers today!
It is quite a missions creating a big document in Word (@$%*!). The document size is about 490 pages, and we are very keen to get it into PDF in the current format, without something throwing out the page formatting.
Any sugggestions will be most appreciated!

Why don't you create a Custom Page in A5 size in the Page Setup... dialog box?

 

[Dingwall]

Originally posted by hdodds
Two aspects to this:

1. Don't panic as this may not be a problem for the print shop you're using. Chances are they'll be using imposition software before outputting your book. And this will allow them to adjust the margins so they get the output they need.

2. If they're not doing any imposition (unlikely but possible) then as others have said as long as you are 'printing' to a printer with a print driver that allows you to set A5 as a format then you're there.
.....
henry.dodds@btinternet.com

Hi Henry,

The printers sorted the problem out. They cropped the page to the right size. We got the first proof today - it looks awesome! It is quite a feeling to see all the work finally get together.

Thank you for you kind offer to help!

Any idea which printer has a driver that allows for A5 format?

Kind regards
Roger

 

[FlamDrag]

Honestly you should be using Adobe Acrobat for this - not the "save as PDF" option. You will get much better, much more consistent results. "Save as PDF" is really not something you should use for work as important as this.

Acrobat allows you to print to the Adobe PDF printer which has dozens of installed "paper" sizes for you and creating a new size doesn't phase it in the least.

If you're using Acrobat already, your first thought should be to call Adobe. I've found them to be quite knowledgeable in the past.

If I've overlooked something in this thread, I apologize. But Acrobat Professional is worth every single penny IMHO. You might even be able to get by with standard.