How to Set up an InDesign Template

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

Templates are useful tools for creating multiple documents that adhere to a standard layout. Knowing how to set up an InDesign template will save you time and improve your workflow efficiency.

Steps

1
Purchase Adobe InDesign if you do not already own it. Follow the on-screen instructions for installing InDesign on your computer and restart your computer if necessary.
2
Familiarize yourself with InDesign's workspace and available user resources.

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3
Open Adobe InDesign.
4
Open the InDesign document you want create a template from by selecting File>Open from the Control panel at the top of your workspace.
5
Select File>Save As.
6
Navigate to where you would like to save your file and enter a file name.
7
Select InDesign Template from the Save As drop-down menu (Format for Mac) and click Save.

Method 1

Method 1 of 1:

Creating an InDesign Template From a New Document

1
Open a new InDesign file by selecting File>New>Document and specifying the settings for your new document.
2
Create text frames. These are where your text will be imported.
- Select the Type tool from InDesign's Toolbox, which is located at the left-hand side of your workspace.
- Click an insertion point in your document. Click and drag with your mouse to draw your text frame.
- Use InDesign's Select tool to move your text box to its proper location.
- Repeat these steps for each text frame you wish to create.
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3
Create placeholder shapes. These are places where you will later place photos and other graphic elements.
- Select the Ellipse, Rectangle or Polygon tool from InDesign's Toolbox.
- Click an insertion point in your document. Click and drag with your mouse to draw your shape.
- Use InDesign's Select tool to move your shape to its proper location.
- Repeat these steps for each placeholder shape you wish to create.
4
Select File>Save As.
5
Navigate to where you would like to save your file and enter a file name.
6
Select InDesign Template from the Save As drop-down menu (Format for Mac) and click Save.