InDesign Settings

Facing Pages – Select this option to make left and right pages face each other in a double-page spread, such as for books and magazines. Deselect this option to let each page stand alone, such as when you’re printing flyers or posters or when you want objects to bleed in the binding.

Primary Text Frame – CS6 only: select this option to add a primary text frame on the master page. When you apply a new master page, the story in the primary text frame automatically flows into the primary text frame of the new master page.

Page Size – Choose a page size from the menu, or type values for Width and Height. Page size represents the final size you want after bleeds or other marks outside the page are trimmed.

Orientation – Click Portrait  (tall) or Landscape  (wide). These icons interact dynamically with the dimensions you enter in Page Size. When Height is the larger value, the portrait icon is selected. When Width is the larger value, the landscape icon is selected. Clicking the deselected icon switches the Height and Width values.

Tip: To specify the dimensions of the bleed and slug areas, click More Options in the New Document dialog box.

Bleed – The Bleed area allows you to print objects that are arranged at the outer edge of the defined page size. When an image or element on a page touches the edge of the page leaving no margin or white trim, it is said to bleed. Content may bleed or extend off one or more sides of the page. Bleed area is shown by a red line on the document.

Slug – The slug area is discarded when the document is trimmed to its final page size. The slug area holds printing information, customized color bar information, or displays other instructions and descriptions for other information in the document. Objects (including text frames) positioned in the slug area are printed but will disappear when the document is trimmed to its final page size.

Objects outside the bleed or slug area (whichever extends farther) do not print.

Master Pages

Master pages are non-printing pages that you will use to place images and text that repeat on multiple pages of your document. You can also use master pages to set-up automatic page numbering for your newspaper.

Using master pages will add a backbone to your newspaper and help you create a more consistent, professional document. Look for your master pages in the Pages palette. If you don’t see it click Window > Pages.

A master is like a background that you can quickly apply to many pages. Objects on a master appear on all pages with that master applied. Master items that appear on document pages are surrounded by a dotted border. Changes you make to a master are automatically applied to associated pages. Masters commonly contain repeating logos, page numbers, headers, and footers. They can also contain empty text or graphic frames that serve as placeholders on document pages. A master item cannot be selected on a document page unless the master item is overridden.