What is imposition?

Imposition is the prepress step of arranging multiple pages or copies onto one large press sheet in the exact order and orientation needed. Done right, everything lands in the correct spot once the sheet is printed, folded, and cut.

• Places pages so a folded booklet reads in the proper sequence.
• Groups many small items, like cards, onto a single sheet to reduce waste.
• Accounts for folds, trims, and creep so nothing shifts out of alignment.
• Handled automatically in prepress, so designers supply single pages, not the imposed layout.

It is why a booklet page numbered 1 and 2 in your document may sit far apart on the press sheet yet bind together perfectly.