Previewing your print book files: making your PDF viewer work for you. Image has an open book and a coffee cup on a brown tray.

Previewing Your Print Book Files

Of all the steps in getting a book ready for publishing, I’ve been surprised how much of a pain in the neck it can be to preview print files *as they’ll look in the book.* I export “spreads” for author approval when I’m working with InDesign–meaning a page that can be folded in half so the client can see both left and right sides of how their book will look–but I don’t have that option for my clients who choose a budget format with Vellum.

Here’s how you can make your PDF viewer display your book properly.

Try Previewer on Mac

Quick update: after I wrote this post, I upgraded to a new MacBook. While I assumed Mac Previewer would always display two-page views with odd pages on the left, wrong for viewing a book’s true layout, I realize now it may be macOS related. My newer computer running Monterey does set odd pages on the right side of a two-page view, as in the correct second image below.

Here’s how you can check your Mac:

  • Double-click a PDF to open it in Previewer
  • In the menu bar under View, choose Two Pages

If this won’t display a single page at the top (see second image below) before going into side-by-side previews with all odd-numbered pages on the right side, here’s my next suggestion.

Set up a free PDF viewer (Adobe Reader)

I recommend the free version of Adobe Acrobat for previewing print files, since this works on both Mac and PC. Adobe wants to push you toward their paid subscription, so the free version can be hard to find, but it’s here at this link.

When you open your PDF with Reader, it will default to a single-page view.

To change the view from one page to a side-by-side view, go to View > Page Display, and choose one of the two-page options.

But what if your book doesn’t display like a book layout? The title page should never be on the left side, like this is:

So next you need to go back to View > Page Display, and check the option that says “Show cover page in two page view.”

Now the layout will display correctly.

Here’s how a two-page spread with a cover page should display:

And there you have it!

Was this helpful?

Does this post need more photos? Fewer photos?

I am always interested in feedback, so email any comments to he***@**********ks.com.