Expert: Ken Black - 10/4/2010

Question
I'm trying to make a document in indesign that is bigger than 216 inches (10
feet by 20 feet) but am unable to do so. Should I instead use illustrator, or is
there a better way? I'm printing this on 60'' paper and then sewing it together
if that helps.

Thank you,
Austin

Answer
Hi Austin,

I have encountered this problem earlier this year from someone else.


Indesign does not have a way to create a page size beyond the limit of 216". Illustrator has a size limit as well, it is 227". While there may be a plug-in or script that would allow a size limit override, I am not aware of any.

You might try splitting the size in half and building and then outputting this as a spread.

That is to say, work in spreads with a page size of 120" wide. You can put 2 pages side by side in a spread and do your layout.

When ready to output or print, check the Spreads box in the print dialog, this will output your file as one piece.

Photoshop CS 4 will allow you to create documents of this size, but, any document created that has an area larger than 30,000 pixels will not be compatible with previous versions.

There are other layout programs out there that large format printers and sign makers use to create the large displays they output. One such program is Flexisign Pro and I have seen other titles available as well.



Thanks,

Ken Black