How to Set up an InDesign Template

Co-authored by Richard Marczewski Jr.

Last Updated: December 13, 2024

Templates are useful tools for creating multiple documents that adhere to a standard layout. Knowing how to set up an InDesign template will save you time and improve your workflow efficiency.

Steps

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Follow the on-screen instructions for installing InDesign on your computer and restart your computer if necessary.
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Open the InDesign document you want create a template from by selecting File>Open from the Control panel at the top of your workspace.

Method 1

Method 1 of 1:

Creating an InDesign Template From a New Document

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2
Create text frames. These are where your text will be imported.
- Select the Type tool from InDesign's Toolbox, which is located at the left-hand side of your workspace.
- Click an insertion point in your document. Click and drag with your mouse to draw your text frame.
- Use InDesign's Select tool to move your text box to its proper location.
- Repeat these steps for each text frame you wish to create.
3
Create placeholder shapes. These are places where you will later place photos and other graphic elements.
- Select the Ellipse, Rectangle or Polygon tool from InDesign's Toolbox.
- Click an insertion point in your document. Click and drag with your mouse to draw your shape.
- Use InDesign's Select tool to move your shape to its proper location.
- Repeat these steps for each placeholder shape you wish to create.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do I add a background to my InDesign template?

Richard Marczewski Jr.
Digital Media Specialist
Richard Marczewski Jr. is a Digital Media Specialist and owner of Creativity Scientist in Worcester, Massachusetts. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in marketing, digital media, and content creation. He works with businesses as their outsourced storytelling partner and offers website development, videography, and e-commerce solutions. He started the hipster mustache trend in 2006 and is a classic Nintendo expert. Richard has an MBA in Management from Fitchburg State University.

Richard Marczewski Jr.

Digital Media Specialist

Expert Answer

There's a couple of ways to do it. One is by using the "Place" option. Start by opening your project and pressing Ctrl+D (windows) or Cmd+D (mac) to bring up the "Place" box. From there, select your background image in your files, then select "Open." Doing this inserts the image into your document. Another method is by dragging the image directly from your desktop or file explorer into the InDesign workspace and adjusting it to fit your design. Also, you can keep your project organized by using layers. Open the Layers panel and create at least three layers: one for the background, one for your text, and one for additional elements like overlays or images. Place your background image on the bottom layer so it stays behind everything else. If you’re not using multiple layers, you can still manage the order of elements by right-clicking on an object, selecting Arrange, and choosing Send to Back or Bring to Front to move items forward or backwards.

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You may edit your InDesign templates at any time by opening the file, making the necessary changes and re-saving the document as an InDesign template.

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