I was wondering what was complicated about the request... ;-)
This can be done in a variety of ways. However, assuming that you want to use a single imposition component for everything I would do use the following workflow
The trick is to duplicate pages by splitting up the document. Assuming that you want the sample to use a sequential page order (page 1 on the left and page 2 on the right), I would split up the document using the folloiwng settings
I would then add a blank page to the single pages on the top and bottom branches (you need this since the booklet imposition will be duplex)
Note - the blank page should be after page 1 in the top branch and before page 1 in the bottom branch. This will ensure the document pages are on the outside of the imposed booklet.
You then join the files and do a booklet imposition. The output will have pages 1-2 in the first page. a blank page as the second page and then the document imposed as a booklet.
Sorry, I left out as significant requirement. Customer is doing a signature imposition, 8.5x11 size pages to 11x17. What they want is for the topmost 11x17 press sheet to be a sample sheet with Page 1 on one side and Page 2 on the other side and a Watermark with the word "Sample" on it on both pages. The second press sheet is where the simplex signature imposition begins and no Watermark..
Use the following settings in the Insert Pages component to duplicates only pages 1 and 2
Customer has PDFs with inconsistent number of pages, always printing simplex. Customer wants the first two pages durplicated like this: 1,2,1,2,3,4,5...n. I have been unable to get Core to do this. Suggestions?