Printing your directory PDF

After you have generated and downloaded your directory PDF, you can print it as either a full-size directory or a booklet-sized directory.

A full-size directory prints on standard 8.5 × 11 inch Letter paper.

A booklet-sized directory uses smaller 5.5 × 8.5 inch pages. To print it as a folded booklet, your printer or PDF viewer must arrange those pages on Letter-size paper, print on both sides, and fold the pages correctly.

Downloading your directory PDF for printing

Before printing, make sure your directory PDF has been generated or updated.

Go to Share PDF.
Locate the directory, subdirectory, or addendum you want to print.
If this is the first time creating the PDF, select Generate PDF.
If you have made changes since the last PDF was generated, select Update PDF.
Once the PDF is ready, select Download to save it to your computer.

If you need help generating or updating your PDF, see Generating your directory.

Important: If your PDF is password protected, you will need the PDF password to open and print the file. Only directory admins should print the PDF. Do not email the PDF or password to anyone requesting it by email, even if the request appears to come from a staff member.

Printing a full-size directory

A full-size directory is designed for standard 8.5 × 11 inch Letter paper.

Open the full-size directory PDF you downloaded.
Enter the PDF password, if prompted.
Select Print.
Choose your printer.
Select the print settings you prefer:
- Paper size: Letter / 8.5 × 11 inches
- Scale: Actual size or Fit to printable area
- One-sided or two-sided: Choose the option you prefer
- If printing two-sided, choose Flip on long edge when available
Print a few pages first to confirm the pages look correct.
Print the full directory.

Printing a booklet-sized directory

A booklet-sized directory uses 5.5 × 8.5 inch pages. It is meant to be printed on 8.5 × 11 inch Letter paper, with two booklet pages printed on each side of the sheet, then folded in half.

Because booklet printing settings vary by computer, PDF viewer, and printer, we recommend using our detailed booklet printing guide:

Tips for printing a booklet-sized directory PDF

The detailed guide includes:

Windows instructions
Mac instructions
Adobe Acrobat Reader settings
Mac Preview settings
Manual two-sided printing tips
Troubleshooting for upside-down pages, page order, scaling, and missing booklet settings

Tip: Before printing multiple copies, always print a short test section first. Fold the test pages in half to confirm page order and orientation.

Troubleshooting print issues

The print quality is too low

To improve print quality, adjust your PDF image quality settings before generating or updating the PDF.

The standard image quality works well for most home and office printers. For a higher-quality result, especially when using a professional printer, choose a higher image quality option before generating the PDF.

If you change your PDF settings, be sure to generate or update the PDF again before downloading and printing.

The margins look different when printed

Some printers cannot print all the way to the edge of the paper. Your printer may slightly shrink or shift the PDF to fit within its printable area.

If content is being cut off:

Open the print dialog again.
Look for a setting such as Fit, Shrink oversized pages, or Fit to printable area.
Print a few test pages before printing the full directory.

The booklet pages are out of order

Booklet pages may look out of order when they first come out of the printer. After the pages are stacked and folded, they should read correctly like a book.

If the booklet still reads out of order after folding, see the detailed booklet printing guide:

Tips for printing a booklet-sized directory PDF

The booklet pages are upside down

This usually means the two-sided printing option used the wrong binding or flip edge.

Try printing again and choose the opposite two-sided setting, such as:

Flip on short edge
Flip on long edge
Short-edge binding
Long-edge binding

The exact wording varies by printer.

My printer does not support two-sided printing

If your printer does not support automatic two-sided printing, look for a manual two-sided printing option in the print dialog. Your printer may print one side first, then prompt you to reload the paper.

Always test with a small number of pages before printing the full directory.

I need many printed copies

If you need many printed copies, or if your printer does not handle booklet printing well, consider using a local print shop. You can give the print shop your downloaded PDF and ask them to print it as a folded booklet or full-size directory.