How to Delete Extra Spreads to Avoid Blank Pages in Your Book

Overview: Blank pages can disrupt the flow of your illustrated book and create an unpolished final product. Once your text, illustrations, page turns, and back matter have been added, it’s important to delete any extra spreads to avoid unwanted blank pages. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of identifying and deleting extra spreads in your project, ensuring that your book layout is complete and visually appealing.

Why It’s Important to Avoid Blank Pages

Blank pages can create confusion and disrupt the pacing of your book. They may cause readers to pause unnecessarily or skip over content, breaking the immersion of the story. Avoiding blank pages helps create a more professional and cohesive final product. Here’s why deleting extra spreads is important:

• Improved Reader Experience – A book without blank pages flows more naturally and provides a smoother reading experience.
• Polished and Professional Look – Removing unnecessary spreads ensures your book looks polished and complete, enhancing its overall quality.
• Efficient Use of Space – Deleting extra spreads ensures that each page in your book is used effectively, avoiding unnecessary page turns or empty space.

How to Delete Extra Spreads in Your Book

Follow these steps to identify and delete extra spreads in your book project:

1. Review Your Book Layout for Any Blank Spreads

After you have added all text, illustrations, page turns, front matter, and back matter, review your book layout to identify any blank spreads. Blank spreads may occur if you have added additional pages during the storyboarding process but have not filled them with content.

• Check for Blank Spreads at the End of the Book: Blank spreads are most common at the end of the book, after the main story and back matter have been completed.
• Look for Unused Spreads Between Sections: If you have added sections like front matter, story content, and back matter separately, make sure there are no blank spreads between these sections.

2. Select the Spread You Want to Delete

In the Storyboard workspace, click on the spread you want to delete. Make sure that the spread is truly blank and does not contain any hidden elements or placeholder content.

3. Delete the Blank Spread

Once you have selected the blank spread, click on the Delete icon. This will remove the spread from your project and update the total page count.

Note: Deleting a spread cannot be undone, so double-check that the spread is empty before deleting it. If you need to keep a spread for design purposes (e.g., to balance left and right pages), consider adding a simple illustration or decorative element instead of deleting it.

4. Review the Entire Book Again for Consistency

After deleting any blank spreads, review the entire book layout to ensure that all remaining pages flow smoothly. Check that page turns are consistent and that there are no unexpected gaps or abrupt transitions.

Tips for Managing Spreads and Pages

1. Plan Your Layout in Advance – Plan your layout in advance during the storyboarding phase to avoid unnecessary spreads or blank pages. Use thumbnail sketches or digital mock-ups to visualize the layout before adding content.
2. Use Placeholders Wisely – If you’re unsure about a spread, use placeholders or text markers to remind yourself to add content later. This will help you avoid leaving spreads blank unintentionally.
3. Align Spreads with the Story’s Flow – Ensure that spreads align with the natural flow of the story. If a spread interrupts the flow or feels out of place, consider deleting it or rearranging the content.
4. Check Page Count After Deleting Spreads – Check your page count after deleting spreads to ensure that it meets any specific requirements, such as minimum or maximum page counts for print.

Final Notes: Deleting extra spreads in your book is an essential step in creating a professional and polished final product. Use this guide to identify and remove blank pages, ensuring that your book layout is complete and visually appealing. By reviewing your layout for blank spreads and making necessary adjustments, you can provide readers with a smoother and more enjoyable reading experience.