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InDesign Tips I Wish I’d Known When Starting Out

Author: Rotaro Bernaz
by Rotaro Bernaz
Posted: May 28, 2022
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When I started using Adobe InDesign, I struggled with a lot of things. However, over time, I have found a way around the issues. I really wish I’d known these important tips when starting. To help you to avoid such struggles, this article will show some InDesign tips I wish I had known before starting to use the tool.

Utilise InDesign Templates

Do you usually use InDesign for documents with a similar layout or content? Then, you should consider taking advantage of InDesign templates to create your design. An InDesign template refers to a new untitled document. This template allows you to begin the project from the same spot. With this, it saves time and boosts the efficiency of your work.

Once you have opened the template, you can add some margins, master pages, grid lines, and other important things to your design. If you don’t know how to use the templates, don’t hesitate to take some InDesign training.

Create your layout with Paragraph Styles

Another important tip I wish I had known when starting out is to create a layout for your content as quickly as possible. When I started using InDesign, I used to have challenges with creating layouts. However, after finding out how to optimise the use of Paragraph Styles, my productivity has increased significantly.

Paragraph Styles will assist you to design awesome layouts and reduce the time spent on your work. Styles provide you with a consistent layout for your content and allow easy access to Hyperlinks and other essential features. Additionally, Paragraph Styles make it easy for you to change any part of your design.

Preview your document quickly and easily with the keyboard

While working on any content, it is important to preview the document from time to time. If you don’t know the keyboard shortcut to use, you will have to go through a time-consuming process to preview the document. Fortunately, you can ease the process by just pressing the "W" key to move from the Normal view to Document View.

The Normal view highlights all the essential elements of your design such as outlines, margins, and guides. However, the Document view will show the plain design without those elements; thus, ensuring that you can preview the document.

If you want to view your document in Presentation mode, you should just press and hold the "Shift" + "W" keys.

Take advantage of data merge

When trying to create a document that has several pages with a single layout, I used to spend lots of minutes or even hours duplicating the layout. However, since I have known about data merge, the task has become easier and quicker. By using data merge in Adobe InDesign, I can apply a single layout to hundreds of pages within a few minutes.

So, if you want to create your content with a faster and more consistent layout, take an InDesign course to learn how to use data merge and other time saving techniques.

Now, you can master the aforementioned tips to improve your InDesign workflow.

About the Author

Have a strong interest in researching cellos in West Palm Beach, FL. Spent childhood promoting corncob pipes in Edison, NJ. At the moment Im working as a blogger Instant Famous company and Im enjoying it.

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Author: Rotaro Bernaz
Premium Member

Rotaro Bernaz

Member since: Oct 21, 2017
Published articles: 72

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