Chapter 16. Pages, Margins, Columns, and Grids

Crucial to any page design are its dimensions and its framework. The page size and orientation, the width of the margins that define and frame the type area, and the number and width of the columns that control the flow of the text are integral design elements that profoundly influence how a reader reacts to the page, be it printed or onscreen. Superimposed on these dimensions is the grid, a series of guides intersecting at regular intervals. The grid is an invaluable tool for organizing text and suggesting (rather than dictating) how text and pictorial elements should be arranged on the page.

Setting Up the Document

When setting up a new document, here are some questions to ask:

What type of ...

Get InDesign Type: Professional Typography with Adobe InDesign, Third Edition now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.