11 Replies Latest reply on Mar 14, 2015 7:07 AM by Steve Werner

how to set up a cook book

redbourn Mar 13, 2015 6:52 PM

Hi,

working on a cookbook and just downloaded a trial of InDesign.

Am not completely lost because I'm pretty familiar with Photoshop and Acrobat.

So I want the final book to be 8"x8" a single first page and then double sided with an image on one side and two columns on the other side.

Bleed is 1/8" I believe.

Publisher right now is lightningsource but I'm a few months away from actually publishing and haven't yet paid any money.

So what is my first question?

What do I enter on the first set up page?

New document or book and after that?

I've looked at some tutorials but none really explained this very first step, and I'd like to get off on the right or left foot ;-)

Thanks,

Michael

1. Re: how to set up a cook book

Steve Werner Mar 13, 2015 7:18 PM (in response to redbourn)

InDesign is very hard to learn on your own or through scattered tutorials.

I highly recommend Sandee Cohen's InDesign Visual QuickStart. Inexpensive and excellent!

InDesign CC: Visual QuickStart Guide
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2. Re: how to set up a cook book

Test Screen Name Mar 14, 2015 3:00 AM (in response to redbourn)

I want to give you one tip. NEVER directly change the font, style or size of the text on your page. Use styles, and always use them. (Yes, there are exceptions, but I have seen people stuck with astonishing amounts of unnecessary work because they try to use InDesign in the way most people use Word. Worse, for me, I see work which is a mess of slightly different sizes and layouts because styles weren't used.).
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3. Re: how to set up a cook book

redbourn Mar 14, 2015 5:10 AM (in response to Test Screen Name)

Thanks for the tip and I'll remember it.

My two main questions are that if the intended size of the book is 8"x8" and I enter in letter size, when starting a project, how will the sizing work?

I expected to see book sizes, and to see how everything would look in an 8"x8" book.

I believe it's best to open document and not book.

Michael
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4. Re: how to set up a cook book

Derek Cross Mar 14, 2015 5:26 AM (in response to redbourn)

You really must get some training otherwise you'll be wasting your time. For example, if you want your book to have a trimmed page size of 8" x 8" why would you select Letter size!
Have a look at this excellent online training video (and others from Lynda.com and Trainsimple.com):
Watch the Online Video Course InDesign CC Essential Training
Derek
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5. Re: how to set up a cook book

redbourn Mar 14, 2015 5:41 AM (in response to Derek Cross)

Because 8X8 isn't offered and neither are any other book sizes.

Thanks for the links and I will check them.

I already checked out two or three tutorials but they didn't discuss this.

And it's perhaps the most important thing.

Michael
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6. Re: how to set up a cook book

Steve Werner Mar 14, 2015 5:50 AM (in response to redbourn)

In the Page Size menu in the New Document dialog, select Custom, and enter a custom size.

But, as I said earlier, you'll be struggling without getting help or a book to give you guidance.
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7. Re: how to set up a cook book

Derek Cross Mar 14, 2015 5:51 AM (in response to redbourn)

File > New > Document
from the Page Size drop down, select Custom ... type in your required page dimensions for the width and depth.
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8. Re: how to set up a cook book

redbourn Mar 14, 2015 6:22 AM (in response to Derek Cross)

Thanks.

I figured as much but wanted to be sure.

Michael
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9. Re: how to set up a cook book

redbourn Mar 14, 2015 6:24 AM (in response to Derek Cross)

I am downloading the free trial of "InDesign CC Essential Training".
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10. Re: how to set up a cook book

redbourn Mar 14, 2015 6:38 AM (in response to redbourn)

This offers a lot of info on the initial setup :-)

http://www.indesignskills.com/skills/indesign-basics-creating-your-first-document/
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11. Re: how to set up a cook book

Steve Werner Mar 14, 2015 7:07 AM (in response to redbourn)

Excellent choice!
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