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Polished Posters: Indesign Formatting Essentials

A step by step guide in using Adobe InDesign to format research posters. Learn how to prepare your file, insert text and images, and export your design. With introductions into Typographic terminology and useful tips and keyboard shortcuts for use within

File Setup

 

This section guides you through the process of setting up a new file in Adobe InDesign.
Learn how to choose document size, set margins, add bleed, and adjust other key settings for a professional layout.

 

  1. Open InDesign: Launch the Adobe InDesign application on your computer.

  2. Create a New Document:

    • Click on File in the top menu bar.
    • Select New and then choose Document from the dropdown.
       

  3. Choose Document Settings:

    • In the New Document dialog box, set the Number of Pages (for posters you will only need 1 page).
    • Select the Page Size from the dropdown menu or enter custom dimensions for width and height.
      You can also select your units of measure as inches.

      (Tip:  When creating your document it is important to size your document appropriately for printing. It is recommended to use the dimensions 24 in. x 36 in. as these dimensions can be printed at any of the following dimensions without creating additional white space:     36” x 24”    42” x 28”    48” x 32”    54” x 36”     63” x 42” )
       
    • Set the Margins for your document (top, bottom, left, right). Margins allow a consistent border around the end of the poster. Some printers may require margins, while others may print past the margins (See Bleed Below). Most large format printers will use a standard margin of 1/8th or .125 inches.
       
    • If needed, adjust the Bleed and Slug for print projects
      (optional but important for professional printing).
      Bleed allows printing beyond the edges of the page, this can be used to extend background colors or images to fill white space at the edges of the document. Bleed of 1/8th or .125 inches is recommended for Posters with Graphics or images that touch the side of the page.
       
    • Facing Pages are used for formatting documents into spreads for books or multipage documents and will not be needed for poster formatting.
       

  4. Set Orientation:

    • Choose between Portrait or Landscape orientation.

       

  5. Choose Columns (Optional):

    • For layouts with multiple columns, select the number of columns and adjust the Gutter (space between columns).
       

  6. Document Color Mode:

    • For print, use CMYK; for digital designs, select RGB.
       

  7. Click Create:

    • Once you’ve set all the options, click Create to open your new document and begin designing.
       
  8. Parent Pages: 

    A parent page (previously known as master page) is like a background that you can quickly apply to many pages. Objects on a parent page appear on all pages applied. Parent page items that appear on document pages are surrounded by a dotted border. Changes you make to a parent page are automatically applied to associated pages that commonly contain repeating logos, page numbers, headers, and footers.


     
    • Finally, use the parent pages to create guides on your document. Parent pages are located in the top right corner of the program under the pages tab. Once on the parent page (A) select "Layout" from the top bar, then select "Create Guides"



      Increase the number of rows and column to create the desired grid. (For research posters a 3 x 3 Grid with .125 in gutter is recommended, but choose what works best for your individual layout.