How can I add a margin to all pages of a PDF document?

For a purpose of putting further annotations on PDF, I need to increase the right margin of all pages in a PDF. The page size does not have to stay the same, it is alright if it changes because of the margin change. The content of the PDF should not move, I just want to extend the right margin further to the right.

I found an online service but I need to apply this margin change in batch and would like to avoid payment.
I am using MacBook Air M1 with Monterey installed.

How can I change the right margin of all pages of a PDF document using a free tool?

1 Answer

Ok, after trying out different page configurations I think I figured out the trick.

I assume you want to add a margin of 100 mm on the right of each page, but feel free to choose any value that you want. I also assume that your document originally has A4 pages of 210 x 297 mm.

1. Open the PDF document you want to add the margin to in Preview.app
2. Go to File -> Print
3. Go to Paper size -> Manage Custom Sizes...
4. Add a custom page size by clicking on the + in the lower left.
5. Fill in the following values:
   • Width: 310 mm, which is 210 + 100, i.e. the width + the desired margin
   • Height: 297 mm
   • Top margin: 0 mm
   • Bottom margin: 0 mm
   • Left margin: 0 mm
   • Right margin: 100 mm
6. Press OK, and make sure the newly create size is selected under Paper size
7. Now, in the Preview section (you might have to press Show Details if you don't see this part) select Scale to Fit: -> Fill Entire Page

8. Now you're almost ready: press PDF -> Open in Preview to see the end result and save it.

Here's the result I get from an A4 document to which I added a margin of 100 mm on the right: