Expert: Candice Anderson - 2/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: I'm creating an 8-page, accordion style brochure in InDesign. I'm a little unsure if all of the information will have to be printed on the front folds, or if there is any way to place information on the back folds without printing it out first. Also, I have no idea how to set all of this up to create a brochure. Help?

ANSWER: hey there,

sorry if I wasn't clear. What was unclear and I'll try to explain it a little better.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The folding thing doesn't help me. Maybe I'm just a little dumb, ha ha. I don't understand how to set it up on InDesign. It's supposed to be 4"x4".

I also have no idea if there is a way to get the information on the back part of the brochure. I can print out 2 pages that should be together, but that's it.

Answer
no, not dumb, it's so much easier to explain in person :)

Ok, So you'll be making a brochure that is 16 inches by 4 inches. So, make a new document and set if for 16 by 4 inches. If you need to put a bleed in it, don't forget to do that. make it 2 pages

BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE IN INDESIGN take a piece of paper, a plain piece of regular paper and make a template for yourself. Trust me I do it this way because it's nice to have a tangible object to look at while you are doing this.

Fold your paper accordian style three times. When you open it, you will see that you have made 8 panels. (four panels on each side). Close it back up and write cover on the front and so on. Now, with an 8 page, you can't just make a book, you'll be only able to treat it like a book for page one and two, then you have to unfold it. (so, yes, you can get info on the back of the page, but it's not going to mesh with the front). Too many folds. If you want just want to have something like a book, then I'd change your folds.

Anyway, so I went ahead and did this (still do this!) and here's how you will set up.

go back to indesign. make a 2 pager

set your margins for every four inches. (one at 4, one at 8, one at 12).
1st panel, write back
2nd, back panel middle left
3rd, back panel middle right
4th, cover

page 2
1st panel, front 1
2nd, front 2
3rd, front 3
4th, front 4

Again, when you fold this, you you'll be able to open the cover to make and page 1 and 2 will be a book like folding. Then you'll have to open up the rest like a map.

good luck :)