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How to Make an Image Black and White in InDesign

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Read Time: 3 min

Learn how to make a photo grayscale in Adobe InDesign. When you're designing a magazine, brochure, or book, using black and white images can really go a long way in the overall design. You can use this technique to quickly and easily change the color of any image to black and white, whether in your layout or as a design element. Let's jump in and see how to change an image to black and white in InDesign.

If you prefer to watch a video tutorial, don't miss this new video from the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel! Quickly learn how to transform a flower into a black and white photo:

What You'll Learn in This InDesign Tutorial

  • How to place an image
  • How to make a picture black and white in InDesign

What You Need

1. How to Place an Image

You're probably wondering, "Can you make images black and white in InDesign?" The answer is YES! Start by opening the Florya brochure in InDesign. Go to page 3 of the brochure and select the grey background image. File > Place the flower image.

Place flower imagePlace flower imagePlace flower image

2. How to Make a Picture Black and White in InDesign

Step 1

Select the Rectangle Tool (M) and make a square box that covers the flower image.

Add rectangle cover over flower imageAdd rectangle cover over flower imageAdd rectangle cover over flower image

Step 2

Change the color of the square we just created to Black in the Swatches panel. If you're having trouble locating the Swatches panel, go to Window > Color > Swatches. In the next few steps, you will learn how to make an image black and white in InDesign.

Change square colorChange square colorChange square color

Step 3

Select the black square and move it backwards so that the text appears above this layer by pressing Command-[ three times. 

Send square to the backSend square to the backSend square to the back

Step 4

Select the black square and go to Object > Effects > Transparency. In the next step, you will make an image black and white in InDesign.

Open effects panelOpen effects panelOpen effects panel

Step 5

To wrap up this tutorial on how to make an image black and white in InDesign, change the Transparency Mode to Color

Change layer effect to colorChange layer effect to colorChange layer effect to color

Great Job! You Did It!

You just learned how to change an image to black and white in InDesign. Take this newly learned skill and create beautiful images in seconds, like a flower black and white photo. This technique is perfect for designers, photographers, or anyone looking to save time. 

Black and white flower imageBlack and white flower imageBlack and white flower image

Learn Even More With InDesign

After completing my tutorial on how to make a photo grayscale in InDesign, you still have so much more to learn. We know you're excited to learn how to use InDesign, so that's the purpose of this set of tutorials. Rather than just throwing you into the deep end, I've curated a comprehensive set of tutorials that will teach you everything you need to know, without overwhelming you. We'll start with the basics, and before you know it you'll be able to breeze through InDesign just like you did in my tutorial on how to make an image black and white in InDesign.

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