How to Make Guides in InDesign: A Comprehensive Tutorial

When designing print layouts or engaging in editorial work within Adobe InDesign, establishing a well-structured guide system is crucial. These guides serve as the foundational framework, aiding in the precise placement and alignment of various design elements throughout the layout process. Instead of relying solely on document setup columns, creating custom guides offers a more tailored and effective approach to layout design.

While using columns during the document setup (e.g., adding 3 or 4 columns to a page) can be a decent starting point, bypassing the columns field at the beginning and creating bespoke guides once your document is set is a good option to explore.

In this guide, we’ll use a simple A4 layout and add guides through the “Create Guides” option. Follow these steps to learn How To Make Guides In Indesign.

1. Access the Create Guides Option

Navigate to the top toolbar of your InDesign interface. Select “Layout” from the menu options. A dropdown menu will appear; choose “Create Guides” from this dropdown. This action will open the Create Guides dialog box, allowing you to define your guide layout.

2. Specify Rows and Columns

Within the Create Guides dialog box, you’ll find options to specify the number of rows and columns for your guide layout. As a general guideline, it’s often beneficial to work with an even number. A starting point of 6 rows and 6 columns is commonly used, but you can customize these values based on the specific requirements of your design.

You’ll also see an option to “Fit Guides to.” Decide if you want to fit the guides to the margins or to the page. Fitting to margins is a common practice that many designers prefer, but experimenting with both options can help you determine what works best for your project. The key is to find a setup that suits your personal workflow and the specific layout you’re creating.

A grid system of six rows and six columns will create a customized layout that, while potentially appearing complex initially, ultimately saves time during the design phase. This grid helps to structure the page and ensure consistent placement of design elements.

As an example, guides were used to set the main art and typography on a book cover.

The Benefits of Using Guides

Guides offer numerous benefits in InDesign, including:

• Precise Alignment: Guides enable you to precisely align text and images, ensuring a professional and visually appealing layout.
• Consistent Spacing: Guides help maintain consistent spacing between different elements on the page, contributing to a cohesive and harmonious design.
• Improved Workflow: By providing a clear framework, guides streamline the design process and reduce the likelihood of arbitrary design decisions.

Tips for Using Guides Effectively

• Don’t Be Overwhelmed: The purpose of guides is to assist, not to hinder, the creative process.
• Hide Guides When Needed: You can temporarily hide the guides to get a clearer view of your layout without them. Simply press Ctrl + ; (Windows) or Cmd + ; (Mac) to toggle guide visibility.
• Regularly Refer Back to Guides: As you work and make changes to your layout, consistently refer back to the guides to ensure everything remains aligned and properly spaced.
• Experiment with Different Guide Layouts: Explore various row and column configurations to find the grid that best suits your design style and project requirements.

By using guides effectively, you can improve the quality and efficiency of your InDesign projects.