Expert: Glen Demers - 10/5/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I have three questions and I am not sure if I can ask the 3 in this one box. So I will ask them and if possible can you answer all three.If not can you answer the first one.

1. Can I apply 2 or more masters to a page? If I apply 4 masters to a page and I realize that I erroneously applied one of the masters, can I un-apply the master or do I have to deactivate all that master page objects from that page?

2.Can I have additional objects on the same master pages as the numbering. I would like to have lines at the top and bottom of each page.

3. When I created  an ad for a newspaper, I  was asked to type the text into Indesign doc instead of copy/paster form a word doc. The newspaper person told me that the text printed better if it was typed in Indesign. In your opinion , is that true. Should I be typing the text directly into the book that I am creating? (hope not!)
3. If my book will be printed by a commercial ink jet ( too few  copies for a offset printing shall I be working in RGB or CMYK?

Thank you so much.
sincerely,
B

ANSWER: Hi Beverly,

You can only apply one master page to a document page at a time. Once you apply a master page to a document page it overrides the settings of the previous master page. You may have many things on a master page such as custom margins and guides, auto page numbering, text and graphics.

It is never a good idea to copy and paste text or graphics into InDesign. If a text tool isn't used or the text is in a format not readable by your system, the text will paste as a graphic and the results will be horrible. Use the File>Place command to bring in text and graphics. InDesign will allow you to place a Word file in this way, if not you'll have to open the file in Word and save it as a .doc, .rtf or .txt file.

All printing is done in the CMYK color space, but check with your vendor. He may wish to convert the RGB to CMYK using his own software.

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: I am trying to put a colour filled left hand frame on the left side of the page the first page of each 'chapter'heading. I also want to have the page numbers showing on the bottom left side of the left pages. Not every page will have the left hand colour filled frame. As it stands I have the A-master for the page numbers, and the B-master for the chapter intro. I have based the B on the A , however, the page number is hidden by the  colour filled frame.What is the best way to set up the master pages so that the page numbers are on top of the colour filled frame?  

Answer
Hi Beverley,

When Master page B is based on Master page A, All the elements from A are locked on B and you have to edit them on Master A. They also occupy the bottom layer, so that anything added is on top of them.

A better option would be to select Master A then go to Layout>Pages>Duplicate Master Spread "A-Master". This will create a duplicate of the Master A page (or Spread if you have facing pages checked) and name it Master B. You'll not only be able to add to this master but delete items, change their order and position on the page.

The downside is that changes made to Master A won't automatically be made to Master B.

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