Expert: Candice Anderson - 7/26/2006

Question
Hi Candice,

I need to design a double-sided leaflet that is basically the size
of 1/3 of a 8.5x11 page, that way we can cut the page to make
three leaflets and thus lower our printing costs. I have no
experience in indesign (i'm a photography by trade) and am not
sure of how to go about this, can you give me any insight?

I'm sorry if this is vague, I'm trying to be as clear as I can.
Basically i need 3 columns that divide the page equally in
landscape, and then be able to do the same for the backside so
that it aligns properly to have a front and back that can be cut
into three leaflets from one Letter page.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Andrew

Answer
Hey Andrew,

You are making WAY too much work for yourself.  I take it your professionally printing this yes? All you have to do is crete your document the size you want and send it to the printer.  What the printer will do is then 2-up or 3-up on their paper, and actully they can do more than that becuase their paper is bigger than 8.5 by 11. They actully prefer it this way ;).

If you want to do this your own, what you will need to do is set up your margins at 3.666 and 6.999., horizontally. (just pull them from the ruler on the top :))  Your file needs to be 2 pages, page one is the front, page 2 is the back.  If you don't have bleeds you are fine, but the huge problem you're going have is that home printers move on you.  In other words, your back and front won't line up.  If you don't have much on the edges and the art is mainly in the middle, you are probably are fine, but if you don't, eeeeeg...

As for creating the file itself...There are too many things that go into making an indesign file.  It's not hard, just finagle with it and you'll learn a lot.  I suggest using help, and getting "Classroom in a book - Indesign" Basically start with tool bar on the left.  

T - that is the text tool
the black arrow moves things
file place, thats how you place photos in you document
file, package: don't forget to do this, this puts your files together
file, export: makes a .pdf

It's like Photoshop, which I'm sure since you are a photographer, you know like the back of your hand. :) If you have any specific questions let me know.
good luck! :)

Candice