Useful In Design Setups

Matt Taylor Hobbs
Jan 21, 2016
3 min read

In this tutorial we cover a few ways to setup an InDesign document to suit individual projects.

#1 Setting-up Tri-fold flyers

a) Tri-folds are a common folding technique used to present restaurant menus and event information. To set-up a trifold, firstly set the document to the folded out size. In this case it’s A4. Make sure the Facing Pages option is unticked and that the document is set as a Landscape. Most importantly, set the number of columns to 3 as it will split the page into 3.

b) To help distinguish exactly where the 2 folds in the tri-fold flyer. Add guides exactly in the middle of the purple gutter lines. Now you know where to place the artwork. Tri-folds are double sided, so repeat the same step for the other side.

#2: Setting-up Gate Fold flyers

a) Gate Folds are also a common technique for presenting information and are used for weddings and exhibitions. Setting up the document is similar to a tri-fold, except this time you give your page 4 columns instead of 3. The settings for Facing Pages, orientation and size remain the same as before.

b) Like with the tri-fold, you need to clearly distinguish where the fold marks are, to aid with your artwork. However, in this case you mark just 2 of gutter lines with guides as Gate Folds are made of 3 uneven folds. Use the above as an example.

#3: Other types of Fold

Double Gate Fold

A Double Gate Fold has the exact same setup as a Gate Fold but the guide lines are placed on all of the gutter lines, making each fold equal in size. Double Gate Folds are used for presentations.

Trifold + Half Fold (Map Fold)

The proper term for this should be “Map Fold” as this is what it’s most used for. To create this firstly set-up the document as the unfolded size and make sure it’s set on portrait instead. Next, give the page 3 columns. Mark the vertical folds with guides in the gutters. Marking the horizontal line is trickier...

#4: Finding the horizontal centre for Middle Folds

a) Many tutorials on forums make it seem difficult to find the centre of a page, when its actually very easy. Firstly, draw a straight horizontal line. Make sure it has a substantial stroke so that it’s visible but not too thick that it’s impractical as a measurement.

b) Then select the line and centre align this horizontally in control panel section. Make sure you have either the “Align to Spread” or “Align to Page” ticked in the drop-down menu. This will then position this in the centre.

c) Then finally replace that line with a guide line. The thickness of the line should allow you to move the assisting temporary line out of the way with ease. There you have a line exactly in the middle of your page.

#5: Setting up the Spine for a Book

a) First set up the book jacket as full spread document. The cover, the spine and the back split the jacket into three sections. So, set the number of pages as 3.

b) In the Pages panel, make sure “Allow Document Pages To Shuffle” is unticked.

c) Now you have the freedom to move the pages around. Move page 1 down inbetween 2 & 3.

d) Finally, select the page tool and have the middle page highlighted. Go to custom on the size panel. Here you can type in the length of your spine