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Introduction
Use these instructions to create a flyer using Adobe InDesign.
You will learn
• to open a document
• to create textboxes and graphics
• to align text and objects
• to apply color to text and objects
• to save your flyer as a PDF (portable document file) for print or online
publication
In these instructions, graphics are placed on the right of the directions for visual
confirmation.
Contents
Opening InDesign 2
Creating a Textbox 3
Moving a Textbox 4
Resizing a Textbox 4
Rotating a Textbox 4
Loading an Image 5
Moving an Image 5
Resizing an Image 6
Rotating an Image 6
Placing and Aligning 7
Graphics with Text
Aligning Graphics 7
with Text
Applying Color to Text 8
Applying Color 10
to Graphics
Converting a File to 11
a PDF
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Opening InDesign
Open InDesign to begin work on the flyer.
1. Locate the InDesign icon at the bottom of the screen.
2. Click the Icon to start program.
3. Select File at the top of the menu (Figure 1).
4. Choose New > Document.
Creating Columns
Set up columns on your document for easy text and object
alignment.
1. Select Layout from the top of the menu (Figure 2).
2. Select Margins and Columns.
3. Select OK for default settings (Figure 3).
4. Adjust margins and columns as desired (Figure 4).
5. When finished click on OK.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
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Creating a Textbox
Using a textbox is the most efficient way to organize information in your
InDesign document. Your information can be manipulated in any
arrangement in your workspace as needed.
1. Select the Type Tool from the Tools Bar by clicking the Type Tool Icon
on the left-hand side of the screen (Figure 5).
2. Click anywhere in your work space and drag your mouse until the blue
textbox is the size that you need.
Adding Information to Your New Textbox
Once you have created your textbox, you will be able to edit and create
information similar to how you might in a word processor.
1. Click anywhere in the blue textbox and begin typing.
NOTE: Make sure the Type Tool is still selected.
2. Open the Control Bar by locating the Menu Bar at the top of the screen
and select Window > Control (Figure 6)
NOTE: If Control is checked, ignore this step.
3. Use the Control Bar to use basic text editing tools.
Figure 5
Figure 6
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Moving Your Textbox
Your textbox operates as an object in your workspace. You can place it
anywhere you want by simply clicking and dragging.
1. Select the black arrow on the Tools Bar. This is the Selection Tool
(Figure 7).
2. To move your textbox, click anywhere inside the textbox and drag it where
you need it.
Resizing Your Textbox
Your textbox can be any size that your project may call for. It
can be paragraph-sized or small enough to fit a single word.
1. Again, click on the Selection Tool.
2. Click on any of the smaller blue squares bordering your textbox. Your
cursor will become opposing arrows.
3. Drag your mouse toward or away from the box to reduce or increase the
size of your textbox.
Rotating Your Textbox
This is an easy-to-use tool to truly customize the look of your
project. You can turn text side-ways or upside-down.
1. Select the icon with the arrow and dotted box on the Tools Bar. This is the
Free Transform Tool (Figure 8).
2. Click anywhere in your workspace area and drag the cursor. Your textbox
will rotate accordingly.
Figure 7
Figure 8
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Loading an Image
1. Drag your cursor to Menu Bar and click File > Place…
(Figure 9).
2. Locate the folder where your image is located.
3. When your image is found, highlight the icon, and click OK. You will
automatically return to your workspace.
4. Click in your workspace and your image will load.
Moving Your Image
Much like your textbox, your image operates as an object in your workspace.
You can place it anywhere you want by simply clicking and dragging the
object.
1. Select the black arrow on the Tools Bar. This is the Selection Tool.
(Figure 10).
2. To move your textbox, click anywhere inside the textbox and drag it where
you need it.
NOTE: You can move an image to the side of the screen to control the amount of
clutter on your workspace.
Figure 9
Figure 10
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Resizing Your Image
1. Click on the Selection Tool.
2. Click on any of the smaller blue squares bordering your textbox (Figure
11). Your cursor will become opposing arrows.
3. Drag your mouse toward or away from the box to reduce or increase the
size of your image.
NOTE: Holding down the Alt button while using the Selection Tool will allow you
to custom crop your image.
Rotating Your Image
1. Select the arrow and dotted box icon on the Tools Bar. This is the Free
Transform Tool (Figure 12).
2. Click anywhere in your workspace area and drag your mouse. Your
image will rotate accordingly.
Figure 11
Figure 12
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Placing and Alignment of Graphics with Text
1. Select File > Place
Note: The Place dialog box will appear.
2. Locate the File you want to import.
3. Select Show Import Options > Choose
Note: This will load your file into your cursor.
4. Drag the image cursor over where you would like to insert the Graphic
Image. Then release the mouse button.
Note: Your image should now be within the document.
Aligning Graphics with Text
An inline graphic is a “graphic image” that is aligned within the textual body of
a document.
For basic alignment:
1. Select the object to be positioned by clicking on it.
2. Select Copy then click to begin the insertion point of the image.
3. Select Edit > Paste
Note: Your image is now placed within the text.
Figure 13
Figure 14
Figure 15
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Applying Color to Text
Use the Dropper Tool to select a color from a dominant element (graphic or photo)
and create a color swatch.
1. Select the Dropper Tool from the Tool Palette.
2. Move the dropper over the desired color to capture and click the mouse.
3. Go to Window > Swatches – a swatches menu should appear on the right
(Figure 16).
4. Click on the arrow button on the top right of the Swatches box to activate the
fly-out menu.
5. Select New Color Swatch… (Figure 17)
6. Check Name with Color Value box.
7. Change the Color Mode to CMYK (for print flyers; web flyers can use RGB).
8. Click OK (Figure 18).
NOTE: Your new swatch will appear at the bottom of the Swatches Menu on the right
Figure 16
Figure 17
Figure 18
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Use your Text Tool to highlight and color the stroke (outline) of the letter.
1. Highlight the text with the Text Tool.
2. Click on the box within a box icon so that it is in the front (Figure 19).
3. Select the new swatch.
4. Click anywhere on the document to deselect the text. Your text should now be
outlined in a color to match the dominant element.
Use your Text Tool to highlight and color the fill of the letter.
1. Highlight the text with the Text Tool.
2. Click on the regular box icon so that it is in the front (Figure 20).
3. Select the new swatch.
4. Click anywhere on the document to deselect the text. Your text should now be
colored to match the dominant element.
NOTE: Often using a stroke on a letter can increase its thickness. If you do not wish to
have a stroke on your letters, simply select None from the Swatches menu.
Stroke
Figure 19
Fill
Figure 20
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Applying Color to Graphics (shapes and lines)
Use the Selection Tool to color the stroke (outline) of an object (Figure 21).
1. Select the object (rule line or shape) you want to color.
2. Click on the box within a box icon so that it is in the front.
3. Select the new swatch.
4. Click anywhere on the document to deselect the object. Your object should now
be outlined in a color to match the dominant element.
Use the Selection Tool to color the fill of an object (Figure 22).
1. Use the Selection Tool to select the object you want to color.
2. Click on the regular box icon so that it is in the front.
3. Select the new swatch.
4. Click anywhere on the document to deselect the object. Your object should now
be colored to match the dominant element.
Stroke
F
U
r
e
F
Figure 21
Fill
Figure 22
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Converting a File to a PDF
Convert a file to a PDF to send it over the web or print it
for posting.
1. Go to File > Export (Figure 23).
2. Name Document.
3. In the Format dialogue box, look in drop down menu for
the Adobe PDF option.
4. Click Save.
5. Export PDF menu will appear (Figure 24).
6. Click Export. You should be able to locate the PDF
wherever you saved it.
Figure 23
F
I
Figure 24
