InDesign

Practice #1

What is Adobe InDesign?A program for designing print layouts.

It allows the user to combine text, images, and shapes to create books, pamphlets, leaflets, posters, programs, flyers, etc.

First Steps: Try This

Create an A4 sized new document. When the new document panel opens, select “page size: A4” from the dropdown menu. Make the “bleed” 3 on all sides.

First Steps: Try ThisYour document should look like this -> The outer line is the bleed line: “bleed” is the term used for the area that extends beyond where machines trim during printing, and it ensures that no white edges show up on the final page.

First Steps: Try ThisThe inner line is the margin line: it helps you line up text and images, and prevent you from putting text too close to the edges of the page. Generally, text should stay inside the margin line. Bleed Line

Actual edge of the page

Margin Line

First Steps: Try ThisHit the “W” on your keyboard and the guidelines will disappear. This allows you to preview what the printed document will look like.

Background ColorUse the “rectangle” tool. The tools panel is on the left just as in Photoshop. Draw a rectangle onto your document.

Rectangle Tool

Background ColorUse the “selection” tool (which looks like an arrow) to stretch your rectangle all the way to the bleed line.

Selection Tool

Background ColorUse the “color panel” on the right to fill your rectangle with a color.

Background ColorClick on the “layers” panel. We only have one layer we are working on right now. All of the objects placed on this layer are listed under “Layer 1.”

Layer 1 with one object below it. Click the “eye” to

hide and show objects.

Add TextTo add text, you need to add another rectangle. (Text can only be placed within a rectangle). Add a new rectangle about the same size as you want your text to be.

Add TextYou must make sure your rectangle is selected to place text inside it. (You know it is selected if you see the little white boxes on the frame). Use the selection tool to click on it, or click on the “layers” panel to select it.

Blue square = selected

Add TextClick on the “text” tool. Select the rectangle to add text to it. Your cursor will have this icon on it if you are doing it correctly:

Text Tool

Add TextOnce you see the text cursor flashing inside the rectangle, type “This is My Title!” (or something similar). Make the text bigger. (Size 72 for example).

Add TextRight click on your text and select “Fitting” and “Fit Frame to Content.”

Align TextUse the selection tool to drag your text to the top center of the document. Line your text with the top margin line. A center alignment guide should appear to help you center your text.

Text BorderHit “W” to check and see what your actual document looks like. If you see a border around your text, you need to remove it!

Text BorderMake sure the shape fill color option and shape border color option are both set to “[None]” Hit “W” again to

confirm that the border is gone.

Add ImageUse the “Rectangle Frame Tool” to draw another rectangle. This one should have an X inside it.

Rectangle Frame Tool

Add ImageWith only the frame selected, click on “File” and “Place”. Select any photo from your computer to upload. Photos should be bigger than 1 megabyte to look good in print.

Add ImageWith only the frame selected, click on “File” and “Place”. Select any photo from your computer to upload. Photos should be bigger than 1 megabyte to look good in print.

Add ImageRight click on your image and select “Fitting.” Different fitting options affect how the image fills the frame.

Add Image

“Fill Frame Proportionally” = image will fill the

frame shape, being cut off.

Add Image

“Fit Content Proportionally” = image will fill the

frame shape, without being cut

off.

Add Image

“Fit Frame to Content” = frame

will stretch to fit the image.

Add Image

“Fit Content to Frame” = image will

stretch to fill the frame shape,

causing distortion.

Add ImageYou might need to experiment with these filling options to get the image the size you want. For me, selecting “Fill Frame Proportionally” and then “Fit Frame to Content” worked well.

Add Image BorderSelect your image, and adjust the border color and thickness using the options at the top of the screen:

Border color is black, border thickness is 10 pt. Style is “left slant hash.”

Important to Know:When you place an image onto your InDesign document, it is linked to the original file on your computer. Thus, if the original file is moved or deleted, the image won’t load on you document, and you can’t print it!

Important to Know:Images should be bigger than 1 megabyte (1 MB) to look good in print. Check to see the size of your image by right clicking the file (in Finder) and select “Get Info.” View “Size” in the pop-up that appears.

Important to Know:When you plan to print your document, you should use images that have a CMYK color profile instead of RGB, because most printers use CMYK ink. You can change the color profile of an image using photoshop.