Beginners Guides to InDesign

InDesign is a powerful design program with so many tools and features it can a bit tricky to find a topic to begin with. With this in mind, we've put together a collection of beginner guides on various InDesign topics like the best way to create a new document, how to import text and images and even useful advice on what to do when a document is corrupted and how to make comments and track changes. Work your way through the guides and you will be well on your way to mastering InDesign.

Posts in this series

Quick Tip: Creating New Documents, InDesignCS5
This Basix tutorial will give readers with no or limited InDesign experience the basic knowledge on how to set-up a document for print.
Gavin Selby
5 Nov 2010
Design & Illustration
The Layers Panel: InDesign CS5
The new layers panel added to InDesign CS5 is packed with features that can really speed up your operating pace. The panel now resembles Adobe's Illustrator...
Gavin Selby
16 Jun 2011
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: Working with Rulers and Guides in Adobe InDesign
This tutorial will teach you how to improve your In Design skills, whether you are a beginner or an intermediate user, you will learn some good tips to...
Dario Mendoza
6 Apr 2011
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: Setting Margins Using InDesign
As you will have heard countless times, white space is a very important element to a successful layout. A large proportion of a white space will typically be...
Gavin Selby
21 Feb 2011
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: Importing Type Using InDesign CS5
Importing type into Indesign can seem like a straight forward process, either copy and paste or use the place option. It is definitely a process designers...
Gavin Selby
16 Dec 2010
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: Using Em Dashes, En Dashes and Hyphens within InDesign
When using dashes you have three options available, a hyphen, an en dash and an em dash. Choosing the right dash for the job in hand is usually overlooked...
Gavin Selby
16 Feb 2011
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: Importing Graphics Using InDesign CS5
InDesign can handle a variety of graphics including jpg, eps, pdf, tiff, psd and most Adobe formats to name a few. InDesign doesn't actually place the...
Gavin Selby
19 Jan 2011
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: Importing Multiple Graphics Using InDesign CS5
Since CS4, InDesign has held the capability to import multiple graphics quickly and all at once. The feature allows the user to place a number of graphics on...
Gavin Selby
27 Jan 2011
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: An Introduction to Threading Text in InDesign CS5
Threading text within InDesign can hugely improve the experience of editing and amending copy while working on layouts. The process of threading text is...
Gavin Selby
15 Sep 2011
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: An Introduction to the Page Tool in InDesign CS5
You may have missed the addition of the Page Tool to InDesign CS5. If you did, take ten minutes out to discover the capabilities this superb tool offers when...
Gavin Selby
12 Sep 2011
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: Creating Quick Grids and Using Live Distribute With InDesign CS5
Within this tut we are going to explore the Grid and Live Distribute features. The following information will help you create fast grids as well as...
Gavin Selby
18 Aug 2011
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: Create Compound Frames in InDesign CS5
By using the pathfinder panel within InDesign CS5 it is possible to create a compound frame that can be used to import an image to create a unique effect....
Gavin Selby
4 Aug 2011
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: The Gap Tool in InDesign CS5
The Gap Tool can be used to adjust the white-space in-between and around page items. This tool holds the ability to allow the user to work quickly with item...
Gavin Selby
28 Jul 2011
Design & Illustration
Working with Track Changes in InDesign CS5
The Track Changes panel is a handy feature that gives the user the ability to view all significant changes made to an existing story. Changes can be kept for...
Gavin Selby
29 Jun 2011
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: Using the Story Editor in InDesign CS5
The Story Editor feature within InDesign is a great tool to know and utilise. Once mastered, you will be able to edit text clearly without distraction from...
Gavin Selby
1 Jun 2011
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: How to Use Notes and add Comments to InDesign CS5 Documents
The notes mode is perfect for adding comments to existing copy within an InDesign document. Notes can be added, but are not visible in the body of the text,...
Gavin Selby
30 Jun 2011
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: An Introduction to Scripts in InDesign CS5
Scripting is a sure way to save time when performing repetitive tasks within InDesign. Scripts will automatically complete a task for the user, for example,...
Gavin Selby
22 Sep 2011
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: How to Fix Corrupt InDesign Files
If you regularly use InDesign, you may find that from time to time a file may be corrupt and glitch. In this Quick Tip you will learn a technique that may...
Gavin Selby
23 Mar 2011
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: Eleven Tricks That Will Help Your Workflow in InDesign
Today we have a collection of useful InDesign tips will help or enhance your operating skills. Perfect for beginner users in InDesign, there's plenty of tips...
Gavin Selby
25 May 2011
Design & Illustration