When pagination belongs beside running headings
Duplex technical manuals, permit submissions, and design binders often mirror print conventions where header corners anchor pagination opposite thumbs flipping pages—a rhythm unlike slide decks that omit headers to preserve oversized titles. Header stamps compete for vertical real estate with institutional crests, multi-level headings, and hairline rules that photograph poorly when overlapped. Translation expands some titles unpredictably, shrinking safe zones where digits can live without clipping when reviewers zoom. Punch drills also bite physically into inner margins, turning neatly centered digits into industrial casualties. Ai2Done lets you configure top margins, odd/even symmetry, and preview clashes against dense chapter fronts entirely inside the browser with steady progress cues for long jobs. After export, simulate binding gutters in print preview and reconcile with any separately injected running headers from authoring suites—double stamping or contradictory typography reads sloppy faster than missing numbers. For purely screen-first PDFs, question whether header placement serves readers who scroll continuously; sometimes footer numbering survives responsive workflows better.
Header numbering in three steps
- Inventory existing running heads/logos that occupy the top band.
- Upload the PDF, choose header corners and odd/even symmetry respecting gutters.
- Duplex-print preview chapter fronts and plates; align with template notes before filing.