Expert: Glen Demers - 1/13/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I'm using Indesign CS4 and working with a Newspaper Classified Ads template.  The actual size I want to send to print is smaller then the size of the actual template.  I've gone through layout adjustment and document setup and the page re-sizes, but the actual template is way out of whack.

So my question is, other then having to change the print settings, how can I re-size the template to fit in the desired page size without messing up the overall template design?

When I export as a PDF, it looks great, except the font is too small.

ANSWER: Hi Orlando,

The templates are made to be used at the size they are created and it's almost easier to start from scratch than to resize them. Keep in mind that when you re-size your document you'll have to resize the text boxes and also resize the text to fit the new sized boxes. For a major resize you'll need to adjust the margins and column guides proportionately to retain the look of the template.

I would start with a new document and copy items from the template that you need.

Hope this helps,
Glen Demers
Prepress Technician, Best Printing Online
www.bestprintingonline.com

For more InDesign tips please visit our help pages here: http://www.bestprintingonline.com/indesign.htm

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

QUESTION: Ok, how about this.  I'm using a classified template with 6 columns.  How do I remove 2 columns and make it 4 total?  That way I can increase the font size and make the text easier to read at a smaller page size.

Is that possible?

Answer
Hi Orlando,

With the template open, go to Layout>Margins and Guides. Here you can set the number of columns and also the width between them.

Hope this helps,
Glen Demers
Prepress Technician, Best Printing Online
www.bestprintingonline.com

For more InDesign tips please visit our help pages here: http://www.bestprintingonline.com/indesign.htm