What are the top tips for creating print layouts in InDesign?

1 Choose the right document settings

Before you start designing, you need to choose the right document settings for your print layout. This includes the page size, orientation, margins, columns, bleed, and slug. You can use the presets in InDesign or create your own custom settings. Make sure you match the specifications of your printer or publisher, and check the resolution and color mode of your images and graphics. You can use the Preflight panel to detect and fix any errors or warnings in your document.

2 Use master pages and layers

Master pages and layers are two features that can save you a lot of time and hassle when creating print layouts in InDesign. Master pages allow you to apply consistent elements, such as headers, footers, page numbers, logos, or backgrounds, to multiple pages in your document. You can create different master pages for different sections or styles, and apply them to individual or multiple pages. Layers help you organize and manage your content, such as text, images, graphics, or effects. You can create different layers for different types of content, and lock, hide, or reorder them as needed.

3 Apply styles and grids

Styles and grids are two tools that can help you create a coherent and harmonious design for your print layout. Styles allow you to define and apply consistent formatting to your text, such as fonts, sizes, colors, alignment, spacing, or indents. You can create paragraph styles, character styles, object styles, or table styles, and edit them globally or locally. Grids help you align and arrange your content, such as text, images, graphics, or tables. You can use the default document grid or create your own custom grids, and use guides, rulers, or smart guides to snap your content to the grid.

4 Use high-quality images and graphics

Images and graphics are essential elements of any print layout, but they also need to be high-quality and suitable for your design. You can use InDesign to import, place, resize, crop, or rotate images and graphics from various sources, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, or stock photos. However, you need to make sure that your images and graphics have enough resolution and are in the right color mode for printing. You can use the Links panel to check and update the status of your images and graphics, and use the Effects panel to apply transparency, shadows, or other effects.

5 Check your typography and spelling

Typography and spelling are two aspects of your print layout that can make or break your impression on your audience. You need to pay attention to the readability, legibility, and aesthetics of your text, and avoid common mistakes such as widows, orphans, hyphens, or rivers. You can use InDesign to adjust the kerning, tracking, leading, or alignment of your text, and use the Character and Paragraph panels to access more options. You can also use the Spell Check and Find/Change features to correct any typos or errors in your text.

6 Export and print your document

The final step of creating a print layout in InDesign is to export and print your document. You can use the Export or Print dialog boxes to choose the format, settings, and options for your output. For print layouts, the most common format is PDF, which preserves the quality and layout of your document. You can choose from different PDF presets, such as High Quality Print, Press Quality, or PDF/X, depending on your printer or publisher's requirements. You can also use the Print Booklet feature to create a booklet layout from your document.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?