Multi-page Document Layout

When laying out a multi-page document such as a book or business cards its best to use a page layout program such as Adobe InDesign or QuarkXPress. Try to avoid using art programs like Adobe Illustrator (a vector based program) or Adobe Photoshop (a pixel based program). Here is why:

Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop, although excellent programs, do not have the option to make a multi-page document.

My suggestion is to use Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop to design the background of the business card or cover art and then place the art into your InDesign layout on a master page. Once you place the art into InDesign set the text.

You will find that using master pages ensures that each spread or card has an identical and uniform look. With each new book page or card name pull a master page and add body copy or card contact information.

This is also helpful if you decide to make a last minute layout change. All you have to do is make the change on the master page and it will show up automatically on all spreads or business cards. If you have set 50 different Illustrator documents you have to open up all 50 and make the change one by one. Or if you chose to create the background art in Illustrator just open up the one file, alter it and then update it in InDesign and all pages or cards will update in a few seconds. Not only does it make your life easier but it makes your printers life a lot easier as well!!

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