Skip to content
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Download PDF for readers: turn the option on and off

Give your audience the ability to save pages or the whole publication for offline use

Overview

To let readers download your flipbook as a PDF, turn on Download PDF under Customize > Controls and click Share, then Update. A download button appears in the player, and one click saves the whole flipbook to the reader's device for offline reading, printing or archiving. You also choose whether the PDF keeps its interactive elements.

Requirements

How to activate Download PDF for readers

  • Open your flipbook's Overview page and click Customize preview.
  • Click Controls in the left menu.
  • Turn on Download PDF. Customize saves each change as you make it.
  • Click Share, then Update. The published player shows the download button only after this step.

The Controls panel on the Customize page with the Download PDF toggle turned on and highlighted

Important: only the publisher can turn on PDF download or PDF print for readers. The Print flipbook toggle sits right below and works on its own.

Decide how interactivity is handled in PDF downloads

When Download PDF is on, a second toggle appears under it: Include interactive elements. Turn it on and the PDF keeps elements such as links and buttons. Turn it off and readers save a clean, static document. Click Share, then Update after you change it.

The Controls panel with the Include interactive elements toggle highlighted under Download PDF

💡 Benefits of letting readers download a PDF
  • Offline access: readers keep the publication on their device and open it without an internet connection.
  • Print-ready copies: readers can print a hard copy straight from the file they saved.
  • Interactivity under your control: keep links and buttons in the PDF, or hand out a clean static document.
  • No extra steps for readers: the PDF saves as soon as they click the download button.

Allow readers to download specific pages

By default, the download button saves the whole flipbook at once. Readers do not see a page-range window. The Download window you see as the publisher, on the flipbook's Overview page, does have a page selection field.

The publisher Download window on the Overview page with the custom page range field highlighted

Note: a custom page range for readers is available on request. Contact our support team to have it turned on. Readers can then download the Entire Publication or a Custom Page Range, for example pages 12-18.

A page range keeps downloads small, which helps readers on mobile devices with long catalogs or textbooks.

The reader's experience: how to download from the player

  • Open the flipbook.
  • Click the Download icon in the player's control bar. Its tooltip reads Download (Ctrl/Cmd + P).
  • The PDF saves to the device at once. Readers can then read it offline or print it.

The flipbook player with the Download icon highlighted in the control bar

Publishers who want to download or print their own PDFs can read how to download your flipbook as a PDF.

Troubleshooting

  • The download button is missing: check that Download PDF is on under Customize > Controls, then click Share and Update. A flipbook still in draft shows readers nothing.
  • Readers cannot choose pages: the page range is not on by default. Ask support to turn it on.
  • Downloads on mobile: the player is responsive and adjusts with Smart View, so readers on tablets and smartphones can download too. Some mobile browsers ask permission before they save a PDF.
  • Animations and video in the PDF: the PDF format is static and does not play video or page-turning animations. To keep them offline, use the HTML5 download, available on the Business plan or higher.

Next steps

Need expert support?

Our team is here to help. Connect with our team experts or message us via the live chat for personalized assistance.