Expert: InDesign Pro - 3/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: I appreciate your help. I am creating a flyer that is 17 X 11 folding to 8.5 X 11. However, there are 3 sections- 2 side panels 4.25" each and one 8.5" center panel. The 2 side panels fold in to create a split front- this cover will have a graphic and text. So to print correctly the two side panels will be actually be on the opposite sides of the paper. I tried creating the cover as one page thinking I could spilt the page evenly and place them in the side panels, but then I realized that a bleed would be necessary to print to the edge and join the two pages. How do I do split the page so that it will come together properly when a bleed is necessary? Is there a way to really customize a layout to do this or is it a manual fix? Thank you in advance!

ANSWER: Hi Pam, excellent question.

It would take a lot of work to eyeball this one, not to mention take all the fun out of designing it. So here's an easy fix that I would suggest.

If I understand you correctly, your finished flyer has an 11x17 inside when opened, an 8.5x11 front that's split when closed, and the rest of the back, which is 8.5x11 in between the split 8.5x11 section (whew!).

Try this: Create a new 11x17 document and place a few guides to show the folds. I would design the entire 11x17 inside in this document. Then, (as long as you're using InDesign CS3 or newer) I would create the other two 8.5x11 pieces as separate documents and Place them (File>Place) in the original 11x17 document. Follow me?

Create the two 8.5x11 documents with bleeds, place the split one twice where it would fold onto the front and let it bleed where necessary cropping out the half you don't need. This way you can design without worrying about the imposition. Once you have the design where you want it, use the original 11x17 document to position it so it prints properly. This will also help if (when) the client makes changes and you need to update anything on the split panel.

Hope this helps, if there's anything you'd like clarified, let me know with a follow-up. Good luck!

Scott



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

QUESTION: You are great to try and figure out my confusing question. Let me clarify so I know we are on the same 'page'! I will have 2 - 4.25" panels meeting to make the 8.5" front cover,(the back 8.5 X 11 panel will be plain and intact- no problem there.) So, the bleed I have a question about would be the edge where the side panels meet- which is the center of the graphic and text. But in the InDesign layout they are actually on opposites sides of the layout and the left front part of the cover is on the right side of the layout and visa versa. So are you saying to make the cover as one and copy both wholes on each one of the side panels? This is the way I created the cover but I was thinking that to print to the edge I had to have a bleed, which is where I got off track. I think what you are saying is the overlapping created by pasting the whole cover on each 1/2 panel will automatically create the bleed and all will print without worry. Correct? Thank you for your patience! Once again, I appreciate your kindness. Pam

Answer
Hi Pam,

What version of InDesign are you using?

Cutting and pasting a duplicate of the front is one solution, however, when you update the front panels, you would have to do it twice. For me, that just leaves too much room for error and problems.

Thanks for the follow-up!

Scott