How to Create, Print, and Assemble a Flipbook in FMX for iPadOS

Updated Today · 13 min read

The Video to Flipbook step turns a video from the current session into a set of printed cards. After the pages are cut, placed in frame order, and bound along their white margin, flipping the cards recreates the recorded motion.

This guide covers the complete iPad workflow: creating the source video in Foto Master Cloud, configuring FMX for iPadOS, routing the multi-page job through AirPrint, testing the page order, and assembling the finished book.

Important — AirPrint is required for physical Flipbook printing on iPadOS. The on-screen Flipbook preview works without a printer, but FMPrint, PrintPal, and Direct USB — DNP cannot print the multi-page Flipbook job. If one of those services is selected, the Flipbook print job fails instead of printing the book.

Production test: Printing one sheet successfully is not a complete test. Always print, cut, collate, bind, and flip through one full sample using the event's actual iPad, AirPrint route, printer, paper, cutter, and binding method.

Before You Start

Prepare the following:

Requirement	What you need
FMX	A current FMX for iPadOS build containing Video to Flipbook
Video source	A workflow that records, generates, or composes a video for the current session
Printer route	An AirPrint-compatible printer or AirPrint print-server queue on the same network as the iPad
Paper	4×6, 6×8, Letter, A4, or the media required by a supported cut queue
Cutting equipment	A printer cutter, guillotine, or accurate paper cutter suitable for the selected card grid
Binding method	A heavy-duty stapler, binding press, clamp, or another secure method for the finished stack
Test supplies	Enough paper for every page in at least one complete book

If you use AI Image to Video, the iPad also needs a reliable internet connection while the AI video is generated and downloaded.

How FMX Builds the Flipbook

For each session, FMX:

Resolves the selected Raw, AI, or Final Video.
Samples the configured number of frames evenly across that video.
Places the frames on 300-DPI landscape pages in cutting and collation order.
Sends all generated pages as one multi-page AirPrint job for each requested copy.

FMX contain-fits each frame without cropping. Every card keeps a white binding margin on the left, and Show Frame Numbers can print a small sequence number in that margin.

Short or difficult-to-decode videos can produce fewer unique frames than requested. FMX repeats the last usable frame until the page set reaches the selected frame count.

1. Build the Workflow in Foto Master Cloud

Create the video before the Flipbook step, then preview or print the generated book.

Recommended sequence:

Video-producing steps → Video to Flipbook → Processing animation → Preview (Flipbook) → Print Copies (Flipbook)

A typical recorded-video workflow is:

Record Video — Start → Recording animation → Record Video — Stop → Video to Flipbook → Processing animation → Preview → Print Copies

Add an iPad-compatible video source

FMX for iPadOS can create a Flipbook from these workflow sources:

Record Video
Video from Photos
AI Image to Video

Screen Recording is a Windows-only source and should not be used in an iPad workflow.

Place all steps needed to produce the selected video before Video to Flipbook. Workflow Builder displays a warning when no video-producing step exists, but that warning does not prevent the workflow from being saved.

Add Video to Flipbook

Add Video to Flipbook after the source video is recorded or generated.
Open Video Source.
Select the video version to sample:

Video Source	Use it when
Raw Video	You want the original recording, or the MP4 created by Video from Photos, without a Final Video composition. This is the default.
AI Video	The workflow includes AI Image to Video and its generated motion should become the book. If the AI step is missing or fails, FMX attempts to use the Raw Video.
Final Video	You want the composed Final Video, including its video template or overlays. Select this only when the workflow actually produces a Final Video and allows it to finish.

Use one Video to Flipbook step per session. FMX maintains one Flipbook job for the active session, so adding another conversion step does not create a separate second book.

Allow background generation to finish

Video to Flipbook starts frame extraction and page composition in the background, then advances immediately.

Add a looping processing animation after it so guests do not arrive at the next interactive screen too quickly. For an AI or Final Video source, a Media Saved edge can keep that animation visible while the video source is being finalized.

The iPad's Media Saved trigger follows the video pipeline; it is not a separate “Flipbook pages ready” trigger. The following Flipbook Preview waits briefly for the generated frames, and the print queue keeps an early print request pending while the pages finish.

Add the Flipbook Preview

Add Preview after Video to Flipbook and the processing animation.
Set Preview Type to Flipbook.
Enable Retake if guests should be able to discard the first video and record another attempt.
If Retake is disabled, configure Loop Count:
- A positive number plays that many complete flip-throughs.
- 0 keeps looping until another guest or workflow action occurs.

Preview Time does not control a Flipbook preview. When Retake is enabled, the preview continues until the guest accepts or retakes. A retake invalidates the original Flipbook and creates a new one from the replacement video.

If the Flipbook is not ready within the preview's waiting period, FMX falls back to the normal video preview. Treat that fallback as a workflow or source problem during testing.

Add Print Copies

Add Print Copies after the Flipbook Preview or processing screen.
Set Media to Print to Flipbook.
Set Print Mode to Auto Print One Copy or Show Copy Selection.
For copy selection, configure Min copies and Max copies. Set the minimum to 0 if guests may continue without printing.

One selected copy means one complete set of Flipbook pages—not one sheet. With the default 40-frame, 2×2 configuration, one copy contains ten printed sheets.

If Media to Print remains Final Photo, FMX prints the regular Final Photo instead of the Flipbook.

Save the workflow and sync the event to the iPad. See Workflow Builder Overview for FMX for iPad, Preview: Overview, and Print Copies: Overview for the surrounding workflow controls.

2. Configure AirPrint on the iPad

Open Global Settings and locate the Printer section.

Set Printer Service to AirPrint.
Open Printers.
Select Add Printer.
Choose the AirPrint printer or print-server queue.
Assign the physical media size handled by that printer.
Use Print Test Page to approve any iPadOS printer trust prompt and confirm that the route is reachable.
Confirm that the printer shows Online.

Assign the route that matches the Flipbook Paper Size:

Flipbook Paper Size	AirPrint printer assignment
6x4	4 X 6
2 X 2 X 6	2 X 6 cut queue
8x6	6 X 8
2 X 3 X 8	2 X 3 X 8 cut queue
Letter or A4	Any Size

The 4×6 and 6×8 assignment labels are orientation-independent even though Flipbook pages are composed in landscape orientation.

Cut-format warning: 2 X 2 X 6 and 2 X 3 X 8 must use their matching AirPrint cut queue. FMX intentionally does not fall back to a normal full-sheet or Any Size route, because doing so would produce uncut pages.

If several AirPrint printers share the same media assignment, FMX can distribute new jobs among those printers. Test every printer in that group because any one of them may receive a guest's complete page set.

For general printer setup, see FMX for iPad: Printer and Printing Settings.

3. Configure Video to Flipbook Settings

In Global Settings, scroll to Video to Flipbook.

Setting	Default	What it controls
Paper Size	6x4	Page canvas and the AirPrint media route
Cards Per Row	2	Number of cards across each page; range 1–6
Card Rows Per Page	2	Number of card rows; range 1–6, but fixed at 2 for cut formats
Cut padding (px)	0	Total white gap at each horizontal strip cut; range 0–150
Frames	40	Frames sampled across the video; range 8–200 in increments of 4
Show Frame Numbers	On	Prints the sequence number in the white binding margin
Print Last Page First	On	Reverses page delivery so page 1 can finish on top of a face-up output stack

Choose a frame count that divides evenly by Cards Per Row × Card Rows Per Page when possible. Otherwise, the final imposed page can contain blank card positions.

Cut padding is divided across both sides of each horizontal cut. For example, 8 px creates approximately 4 px of white space above and 4 px below the cut.

Keep Show Frame Numbers enabled until the cutting and stacking method has been proven. The numbers make reversed or misplaced card packs much easier to diagnose.

Select Save Changes in the bottom toolbar after configuring the printer and Flipbook settings.

4. Print and Inspect a Complete Test Book

Run one complete session with the production setup:

Record or generate the source video.
Confirm that the processing screen appears while media is being prepared.
Watch the Flipbook preview from the first frame through the last.
Print exactly one copy from Print Copies.
Wait for every page in the set to leave the printer.
Keep the pages in their delivery order.
Check paper size, orientation, image scale, white binding margins, frame numbers, and cut gaps on every sheet.

The frames visible on a sheet are not meant to be consecutive. For example, the first default 2×2 sheet can contain frames 1, 11, 21, and 31. FMX imposes the pages so that each position becomes a consecutive card pack after the complete stack is cut.

If the printer delivers pages face-up, Print Last Page First usually places page 1 on top. If the printer delivers face-down or reverses the job internally, turn the option off and repeat the complete print-and-assembly test.

5. Cut, Collate, and Bind the Book

For the default 6x4, 2×2 layout, each sheet contains four cards and a 40-frame book uses ten sheets.

Use this general assembly process:

Let the complete output stack settle and keep its page order unchanged.
Make the horizontal row cuts. If the printer already cuts the sheet into strips, preserve the order in which those strips were delivered.
Make the vertical column cuts to separate the card packs.
Arrange the packs left-to-right, top-to-bottom, using the printed frame numbers.
Confirm that frame 1 is at the front and the highest frame number is at the back.
Tap the stack square so every white binding margin aligns on the left.
Staple, clamp, or bind through the white margin without covering the image.
Flip through the entire book and check that the motion runs forward without jumps, reversals, or missing sections.

Safety: Follow the cutter and binding-equipment manufacturer instructions. Remove loose scraps and confirm that the finished book has no exposed staples, sharp corners, or unsecured cards before handing it to a guest.

When learning a new cutter or printer stacker, start with a low frame count such as 8 or 12. Increase to the production count only after the cuts and page direction are correct.

Capture Tips for Better Motion

Record a short action with a clear beginning and end, such as a wave, spin, jump, or blown kiss.
Keep the iPad or external camera stable and the subject well lit.
Keep the important movement near the center of the frame.
Avoid long clips; spreading the same frame count across a long video creates larger jumps between cards.
Avoid extremely short clips with a high frame count; repeated end frames can make the motion appear to pause.
Test text and overlays at the final card size. Details that look readable in the video preview may become too small after multiple cards are placed on one page.

Troubleshooting

Workflow Builder says there is no video

Add Record Video, Video from Photos, or AI Image to Video.
Do not use the Windows-only Screen Recording step.
Place the complete video-producing sequence before Video to Flipbook.
Confirm that Video Source matches the type of video the iPad creates.

The Flipbook preview shows the normal video

Confirm that the workflow contains Video to Flipbook.
Confirm that the selected video source completed successfully.
Place the Flipbook Preview after the conversion step and processing animation.
If AI Video or Final Video is selected, verify that the corresponding upstream result exists instead of relying on a fallback.

Print Copies prints a regular photo

Open Print Copies and set Media to Print to Flipbook.
Confirm that Video to Flipbook still exists in the workflow; removing it also removes Flipbook from the supported print choices.
Save the workflow and sync the latest event to the iPad.

The job says Flipbook printing requires AirPrint

Open Global Settings → Printer.
Set Printer Service to AirPrint.
Do not use FMPrint, PrintPal, or Direct USB — DNP for the Flipbook page set.

The print remains Pending

Allow time for frame extraction and page composition to finish.
Open Printers and confirm that the assigned printer is Online.
Confirm that an AirPrint route exists for the selected paper.
For 2 X 2 X 6, assign the matching 2 X 6 cut queue.
For 2 X 3 X 8, assign the matching 2 X 3 X 8 cut queue.
For Letter or A4, add an Any Size assignment.
Use Print Test Page if iPadOS needs the printer or print server to be trusted again.

The pages are cropped, scaled, or printed on the wrong paper

Match Video to Flipbook → Paper Size to the AirPrint media assignment and loaded paper.
Confirm that the AirPrint queue itself is configured for the intended media, orientation, border, and cutter behavior.
Do not manually open and print FMX's generated page images from another app. That can change scaling, page order, margins, and cut behavior.

The book is incomplete

Remember that one copy contains multiple sheets.
Wait until every page for that copy leaves the printer before cutting.
Check the FMX print queue for a Pending or Failed job.
Do not combine sheets from two guest sessions or two requested copies.

The motion runs backward

Reverse the completed card stack, or change Print Last Page First for future books.
Determine whether the printer delivers pages face-up or face-down.
Confirm that no card pack was reversed during cutting or collation.

The motion jumps or sections are out of order

Enable Show Frame Numbers and look for a missing or misplaced pack.
Keep printed pages and printer-cut strips in their delivery order.
Collate card packs left-to-right and top-to-bottom.

There is too much white space or the subject looks small

FMX contain-fits the video frame and preserves the white left binding margin; it does not crop the image to fill the card. Record with an aspect ratio closer to the finished card and frame the subject more tightly.

The cutter trims into the image

Increase Cut padding (px) slightly.
Confirm that the AirPrint queue is not applying unexpected scaling or border expansion.
Recheck the physical cutter guide and repeat a complete test book.

The last frame repeats

The source did not provide enough usable unique frames for the requested count. Record a longer action or reduce Frames.

Event-Day Checklist

Before serving guests, confirm that:

The latest event and workflow are synced to the iPad.
The selected Raw, AI, or Final Video is created successfully.
Video to Flipbook appears after the source video steps.
Preview Type is Flipbook.
Media to Print is Flipbook.
Printer Service is AirPrint.
The selected paper has a matching, Online AirPrint route.
Cut formats use the required dedicated cut queue.
One requested copy prints one complete page set.
Print Last Page First matches the printer's output direction.
Frame numbers, cut padding, and the white binding margin appear correctly.
The cutter, binding equipment, and supplies are ready.
A complete test book flips smoothly from frame 1 through the final frame.

For the Windows printer-driver and DNP hot-folder workflow, see How to Create, Print, and Assemble a Flipbook in FMX.

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