Question

Page layout question for InDesign CS3

Asked by: lsolheim

I am preparing a 8.5" x 11" catalog with a total of  pages.  Basically, it is 2 double-sided 11" x 17" pages (stapled and folded).

I do not have much time to prepare the doc, and I need to know how to setup the pages so the printer can print full bleed.  Basically, I am wonding if I need to setup the page size as 8.5" x 11" or 11" x 17".  If I setup with the smaller page size, will InDesign magically convert the output to the 11" x 17" format for the printer, or can the printer figure that out on their own.

Visually, it makes sense to use the smaller format (except for creating the cover/back combination.  Any tips would be appreciated.

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Asked On
2007-09-11 at 05:41:14ID22820113
Tags

indesign

,

cs3

,

page

Topics

Adobe InDesign Publishing Software

,

Page Layout / Desktop Publishing Software

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: thinkwelldesignsPosted on 2007-09-11 at 06:13:23ID: 19868272

If you're using a gang printer, I would setup the file in 11x17. If you're using a printer offering more custom services, 8.5 x 11 should be fine. The printer would be able to paginate correctly using their imposition software.

If the 8.5 x 11 size feels more intuitive to you, you can use Indesign's own imposition plugin to create the 11x17 file, but it's an extra step (an easy extra step).

Go to File / Print Booklet
In the Print Settings button at the bottom, use the Adobe PDF printer. (If you have trouble with a print-ready PDF, feel free to post questions about that part.)


Regarding your full bleed question, when you setup the file in Indesign, you add the bleed settings there.  If you don't see "Bleed and Slug" in the New Document Dialog box, click "More Options". (the bottom button on the right hand side of the dialog box.)

Then add .125" of bleed on every side. Or whatever bleed amount your printer wants, but .125" is the most popular.

When all imposed and ready to print, this makes a final file size of 11.25 x 17.25. The trimming knife cuts off the excess .125" on each side.

I hope this gets you started. Feel free to ask more questions!

 

by: lsolheimPosted on 2007-09-11 at 06:36:24ID: 19868428

I have 2 options... sending to Kinkos (not full bleed) or a quick printer (full bleed).  Given the time to accomplish this I am trying to get the offset printer to take the job, but I need to have it to them by the end of today... Otherwise I will be off to Kinkos with a non-full bleed layout.

Is there any special tips you can give regarding designing a flowing front/back page when using the 8.5x11 format, or do I really need to work on the 11x17 option for that?

Finally, since  you have such great answers... do you have a paper recommendation for this "catalog"?  I want it to be heavier (glossy) stock which needs to be folded and stapled.  I have been told that 80# is pretty standard for this type of documents... what would you suggest considering that this will be double sided?

 

by: thinkwelldesignsPosted on 2007-09-11 at 06:56:46ID: 19868594

You can do as you choose, but it would be easier for you in 11x17 if imposing is not easy to grasp.  If you send it to the offset printer, you could ask if you could just send them a PDF with 8.5 x 11 page size with facing pages. They should be glad to do the imposing as part of the project.

If you set up the document with facing pages (in the New Document Dialog) then you'll have page spreads to work with, which will be intuitive except for the cover and back page. But depending on the nature of your bleed, this may make imposing problems.

To completely avoid that potential problem, you could use an 11x17 spread.

The first 11x17 spread is like this: (Page 1 = cover. Page 8 = back page of brochure)
______
|  8 |  1  |


The second spread pagination is like this:
______
|  2  |  7  |


The third spread pagination is like this:
______
| 6  |  3  |


And the fourth spread pagination like so:
| 4  |  5  |


Does that help you out at all?

Regarding paper, I have usually used 100# gloss text for brochures. But since you have 2 sheets, the thickness of 80# will likely be sufficient. I wouldn't have a big problem with it.

Is the offset printer also offering you aqueous coating? Gives a nice matte gloss, and offers scuff resistance to the paper.

 

by: BongSooPosted on 2007-09-12 at 11:59:29ID: 19878998

If its not too late, I have to differ from thinkwelldesigns here. I don't recommend doing the imposition on your own. I would lay it out as 8.5 x 11 pages and make sure you add at least 1/8" bleed and that all your work definately butts to the fold.

 

by: lsolheimPosted on 2007-09-12 at 16:31:09ID: 19880666

Thanks for all the great information.  In summary, being my first project in InDesign things came out great.  I was pretty frustrated a couple of times when some options didn't act as I expecte them to (changing colors was weird, placing and resizing images was not as easy as it should have been and a few other things that 30 minutes on Lynda.com will undoubtedly solve).

I did come up with one technique on my own that worked very well, especially for the background images.  I created a photoshop document (11x17) and did my layout.  This worked especially well for the front and back covers.  Then I simple croped the image to create a front page then went back and did the same for the back page.  That way the graphics flowed nicely from one side to the other.  It also worked well on creating the facing pages.  I pretty much used indesign for laying out the text and a few simple graphics.

Anyway, I ended up at Kinkos... a bit disappointing (no full-bleed), but at least the seams will match up.  Although I had a copy with and without the imposition, they asked for the one without.

I appreciate the great answers, and look for my questions in the future because now I am diving deeper into indesign.  Your answers were excellent, quick and right on the mark.  Great job!

 

by: thinkwelldesignsPosted on 2007-09-12 at 18:11:04ID: 19881004

Thanks for the grade and points! You're learning...it's rewarding!


"and look for my questions in the future"

Will do that!

 

by: BongSooPosted on 2007-09-13 at 06:43:47ID: 19883531

Just an addendum: thinkwell was definately giving you good information. My bias is from my tenure in the printing industry. MOST of the time, clients who attempted to do their own imposition work made valiant attempts, but we still had to go back and rework their pages.

Either way, regardless of how accurate or skilled you are, chances are that an 8 page (or more) document is going to be laid out on either a 23 x 35 or 25 x38 or even 28 x 40  sheet (or others, but these are pretty much standard. (there are many exceptions of course, including Kinkos, digital printing etc. I am mainly speaking from a commercial printer perspective.)

Even if you create printer spreads, the printer still has to impose your work. Yes, they can impose printer spreads, but most of the time their standard templates are set up to single page 8.5 x 11. Either way, you may think you are saving yourself some time and money, but ultimately you aren't. And, if you don't do something correctly, like making sure your images butt exactly to the fold, then chances are, you will wind up paying extra $ to have them fix it.

Just something to think about. Good luck!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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