Microsoft Word is a popular word-processing program used mainly for creating documents, such as books, brochures, letters, and learning activities.

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If you are composing and formatting your book in Microsoft Word, we recommend using any of the following fonts:

  • Arial
  • Book Antiqua
  • Bookman Old Style
  • Century
  • Courier
  • Garamond
  • Palatino
  • Tahoma
  • Times New Roman
  • Verdana
  • Symbols


Since you will be converting your file to PDF, you may use any font you like, but you must embed the fonts in the PDF before uploading the file in the Lulu Publishing Tool.

Page Setup Before Export

Before you save or export a PDF file from Microsoft Word, it is VITAL to first verify and set the page size. The page size in your file dictates the book size you can create in the Publishing Tool.


To verify and adjust file page size:

  1. In Microsoft Word, go to File > PageSetup
  2. Verify the option displayed in the Paper Size field matches the book size you intend to print
  3. If the Paper Size field displays Untitled or Custom, click the drop-down and select Manage Custom Sizes
  4. In the Custom Sizes menu, click the "+" button to add a new size - this new size must have the page dimensions set and a title added. DO NOT use Untitled or Custom



This creates a page size profile. Now when you export or Save As to create a PDF, the page size will be retained rather than reverting to the default page size (generally 8.5 x 11 in.). Maintaining the page size during PDF conversion is crucial since your options for book size and format are determined by the page size in the PDF you upload.

Review PDF Specifications

Before you prepare your Microsoft Word DOCX file for conversion to PDF, please read our Lulu Print Book Creation Guide.

Export a PDF From Mac Word 2016

Microsoft Word for Mac offers two methods to create a PDF. You can use the Save As menu option and export as a PDF or you can perform a 'Print to PDF' and use our Job Options settings.


To Save As a PDF in Microsoft Word for Mac:


Caution: Using the Save As option to create a PDF utilizes Mac's Quartz PDF creator, which can cause issues with printing.


To Print to PDF using Microsoft Word for Mac:


Note: Adobe Pro or Adobe Distiller are required when using Print to PDF and Lulu's Job Options.


Creating your PDF using the Microsoft Word for Mac print menu ensures your PDF will meet Lulu’s minimum print requirements.

  • Ensure the settings are applied to the entire document
  • Click OK.
    1. On the main menu bar, click File > Save As
    2. From the File Format drop-down, select PDF
    3. Select the Best for Printing checkbox
    4. Export to PDF
    5. Download and unzip the Job Options file (attached below)
    6. In Adobe Pro or Distiller, go to Settings > Add Adobe PDF Settings
    7. Add Lulu Job Options



To Print a Microsoft Word for Mac file as a PDF:

  1. Open your file In Microsoft Word for Mac
  2. Click File > Print
  3. In the File Type field, select Save as Adobe PDF from the drop-down list
  4. Choose Lulu Job Options from the Adobe PDF Settings drop-down



The PDF will be created using Lulu's Job Option specifications. Creating a PDF using our specifications will embed fonts and apply basic presets to make your file print-ready.

Export a Microsoft Word for PC Document to PDF

If you use a PC, you can create a PDF from a Microsoft Word file using either the Save As or Print to PDF options.


To Save as PDF:

  1. Open your Microsoft Word file
  2. Go to File > Save As
  3. In the Save as type field, select PDF from the drop-down
  4. Select the Standard (publishing online and printing) optimization setting



To print to a PDF from Microsoft Word (PC):

Another option is to print your Microsoft Word file directly to PDF. This allows you to apply Lulu Job Options and helps ensure that the file can be made print-ready.


Please Note: Adobe Pro and/or Adobe Distiller are required when using Print to PDF and Lulu's Job Options. See above for Job Option installation instructions.


  • Click Save to save the file as a PDF
  1. Open your Microsoft Word document
  2. Go to File > Print
  3. In the Printer field, select Adobe PDF from the drop-down list



  • Click Printer Properties and ensure the Default Settings are using Lulu's Job Options and the page size is correct
  • Click OK to save the settings



The PDF file will be created using Lulu's Job Option specifications. Creating a PDF using our specifications will embed fonts and apply basic presets for making your file-print ready.

How Do I Make a Font-Embedded PDF Using Microsoft Word?

To Embed Fonts with Microsoft Word for PC:

  • Click Print to print your file as a PDF
    1. Open your Microsoft Word file
    2. Go to the File > Save As
    3. In the Save as type: field, select PDF from the drop-down
    4. Click Options to customize the PDF export settings



  • For PDF Options, check the box for ISO 19005-1 compliant (PDF/A)
  • Click OK



If all fonts used in your document are followed by (Embedded Subset), then all fonts are properly embedded and will upload to the Lulu Publishing Tool without error.


Pro Tip: While you have your PDF open, scroll through it to make sure your book interior is properly formatted - i.e. page breaks, copyright page, odd and even pages (odd on the right).


To learn more about how to prepare your file for print-ready conversion, see PDF Creation Settings.

  • Click Save to export your file to PDF
  • Open the file using Adobe Reader or Acrobat Pro and verify the fonts are embedded
  • Go to File > Properties
  • Select Fonts and verify all fonts are followed by (Embedded Subset)



If all fonts used in your document are followed by (Embedded Subset), then all fonts are properly embedded and will upload to the Lulu Publishing Tool without error.


Pro Tip: While you have your PDF open, scroll through it to make sure your book interior is properly formatted - i.e. page breaks, copyright page, odd and even pages (odd on the right).


To learn more about how to prepare your file for print-ready conversion, see Tips for Formatting Documents.