How can you create custom InDesign templates for your next project? (2024)

The first step is to choose the type of document you want to create a template for, such as a flyer, a brochure, a newsletter, or a book. Depending on your document type, you'll need to select the appropriate page size, orientation, number of pages, and columns. You can use the presets in the New Document dialog box, or create your own custom settings. You can also choose whether to include bleed and slug areas, which are useful for printing and trimming.

The next step is to define your master pages, which are the backbone of your template. Master pages are like templates within your template, that store the common elements and layout of your document, such as headers, footers, page numbers, logos, and backgrounds. You can create multiple master pages for different sections or purposes, and apply them to any page in your document. To create and edit master pages, go to the Pages panel and double-click on the master page icon.

The third step is to set up your styles, which are the rules that control the appearance and formatting of your text and objects. Styles help you maintain consistency and efficiency throughout your template, and make it easier to edit and update your content later. There are four types of styles in InDesign: paragraph styles, character styles, object styles, and table styles. You can create and manage your styles in the Styles panels, and apply them to your text and objects with a click.

The fourth step is to add your placeholders, which are the dummy content and images that represent the actual content and images that you'll use in your final document. Placeholders help you visualize and organize your layout, and also act as guides for inserting and replacing your content later. You can use the Type tool to create text frames and fill them with placeholder text, and the Frame tool to create image frames and fill them with placeholder images.

The fifth step is to save your template file, which is the file that you'll use to create new documents based on your template. To save your template file, go to File > Save As, and choose InDesign Template as the format. Give your template a descriptive name and location, and click Save. Your template file will have a .indt extension, and will appear in the Templates folder in the InDesign application folder.

The final step is to use your template file, which is the fun part where you get to create new documents with your custom template. To use your template file, go to File > New > Document from Template, and choose your template from the list. A new document will open with your template settings and placeholders, and you can start replacing them with your actual content and images. You can also modify your template file if you need to make changes or adjustments.

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?

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