Multiple-page spreads

You can create spreads that contain more than two pages. This allows you to easily design trifold and gatefold spreads and documents such as accordion-fold brochures, for example.

A photo of various kinds of multi-page document

Multi-page spreads can be created in two ways:

Creating a multi-page master

Using master pages to create multi-page spreads is advised for the 'cleanest' results.

For any spread you create from a master, Affinity knows how many pages the spread should contain. 'Ghost' pages are displayed if the spread contains fewer pages than expected.

Adding a four-page master with spine located at its centre.
Creating a four-page master with spine located at its centre.

After creating a master, its spine location can't be edited.

If you're designing for the front and back of a multi-page spread with an off-centre spine, create two masters with mirrored spine locations.

Extending an existing spread

For quickness, existing spreads can be extended with new pages. You might prefer this over starting with a multi-page master if your document's pages will be only one multi-page spread. For example, when you're designing:

Extending an existing spread of publication pages

Changing individual pages' dimensions

Depending on the type of folding spread or document you're designing, you may need to edit the dimensions of certain pages.

On the Spread Properties dialog, you can select individual pages whose dimensions you wish to edit.

Selectively resizing some of a spread's pages

Exporting and professional printing

A press-ready PDF of a multi-page spread that is exported with Include printers marks and Include crop marks enabled will also include fold marks.

Before designing a multi-page spread's content, it is important to discuss your publication's requirements with your print provider.

For example, one panel of a trifold brochure needs to be narrower than the other two, but by how much depends on your chosen paper stock. Your print provider is best placed to provide the necessary advice.

To add a multi-page master:
  1. On the Pages panel:
    1. Select Masters from the topmost item.
    2. Long press Add.
  2. On the dialog that appears:
    1. Set the master's Page Count.
    2. Set the Spine Location by specifying a Page number and whether the spine should be located Before or After it.
    3. Set other options as required.
    4. Select OK.
To add a new multi-page spread:

On the Pages panel:

  1. Select Pages from the topmost item.
  2. Long press Add.
  3. On the dialog that appears:
    1. Set Spread Wrapping to New Spread.
    2. Set the spread's Number of Pages.
    3. Set the page number at which to insert the spread and whether to insert before or after it.
    4. Select OK.
To extend a spread with new pages:
  1. On the Pages panel, select Add Pages.
  2. On the dialog that appears:
    1. Set Spread wrapping to Extend Spread.
    2. Set the Number of Pages to insert.
    3. Set the Page at which to insert and whether to insert Before or After it.
    4. Select OK.
To extend a spread by moving existing pages:
  1. On the Pages panel:
    1. Select Pages from the topmost item.
    2. Select Manage Pages.
  2. On the dialog that appears:
    1. Disable Page Move Options>Reflow Pages.
    2. Select the page(s) to use to extend an existing spread.
    3. Drag and drop the selection to the required position in the destination spread.
    4. Tap the arrow at the top left.

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