Adobe’s digital publishing platform InDesign has a ton of features which enable you to create everything from stylish brochures to eye-catching posters; newsprint publications to unique screenprint work. Here we’ve rounded up 35 great InDesign tutorials which walk you through a variety of design projects. You’re sure to find something here to stretch your skills – let us know how you get on with them!
Tutorials for beginners
What is InDesign?
If you’re an absolute newcomer to InDesign, spend a couple of minutes watching this short tutorial that explains exactly what the software is, its purpose and who uses it.
How to get started with InDesign
In this 30-minute tutorial, worldwide creative suite design evangelist for Adobe Terry White demonstrates 10 things beginners want to know how to do in Adobe InDesign CS6.
Working with tools
There are many tools to get your head round in InDesign. In this short tutorial, Kelly McCathran explains the primary tools used to select, rotate and size objects. She also covers how to use the type tool to edit text and create frames with or without borders, switch tools using your keyboard, and navigate with the hand and zoom tools.
Working with frames
InDesign is all about frames. This video tutorial explores the use of frames, covering how to create them from scratch and how InDesign creates them automatically if you import text and images into a document.
Working with graphics
In just under seven minutes, this tutorial teaches you about placing, which is how you import photos or text into your InDesign page. It covers all the popular image formats: PSD, AI, TIFF and JPEG, as well as explaining how to scale, center and crop photos.
Get to know InDesign
Adobe InDesign tips I wish I’d known when starting out
Lisa Valuyskaya offers some tips she wishes she’d known when starting out, as well as some answers to questions she’s often asked, to help you make the best of your day-to-day use of InDesign.
Alignment in InDesign CS6
In this InDesign tutorial, Jeff Witchel goes through the alignment features, starting with the basics and moving on to new features like the ability to align selected objects to a key object.
Mastering InDesign preferences
InDesign is not just a tremendously powerful layout package, it’s also hugely customisable. Susannah Hall explains how to change the default settings to suit you.
Create PDF forms
Michael Jarott, a design intern at Adobe, has created a downloadable InDesign tutorial to show you the basics of creating PDF forms. You’ll learn how to create forms using the new Buttons and Forms panel in InDesign CS6 and export them as Interactive PDFs to Adobe Acrobat.
How to format fractions like an expert
This InDesign Tutorial explain several techniques for formatting fractions. It also walks you through a number of possible issues that you might encounter along the way.
InDesign for the web
A Web Developer’s Guide To Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign isn’t just for print designers. This tutorial gives the web designer a look at some of the tools in InDesign that translate directly into what web designers and developers currently use.
Creating Wireframes and Prototypes with InDesign
InDesign has evolved from a print-only tool into an application that can produce interactive media for the iPad and eReaders, too. Surprisingly, it has built-in tools for creating interactivity and animation within your spreads. Hundreds of thousands of designers have adopted InDesign as their go-to application for eBooks. This tutorial takes InDesign one step further to produce fully interactive wireframes and prototypes.
Working with type
Quickly combine images and type in InDesign CS6
Paul Tysall reveals a simple-yet-effective solution for merging images and type with InDesign’s Create Outlines command.
How to design a simple index
This InDesign tutorial explains how to use the Index palette. See how you can easily generating an index and play with typesetting using the software’s built-in style sheets.
Work successfully with type in InDesign
Computer Arts designer Jo Gulliver shows you some of the most valuable typographic tools in InDesign. Learn how to quickly highlight text, control copyflow, and insert ligatures.
Print projects
How to create a music magazine cover in InDesign
This tutorial explains how to create a magazine cover in InDesign. You’ll learn how to set up a page layout and add text. This is an introduction to InDesign and no previous knowledge is required.
Design a print-ready Ad in Adobe InDesign
Want to learn how to make an ad that could go into a magazine? Jump into Adobe InDesign with this real-world tutorial on creating a print-ready ad. This tutorial is perfect for you if you’re familiar with Adobe Illustrator and want to get started with a layout program suited toward publication design.
Master InDesign’s Page tool
In this InDesign tutorial, Neshantheny Kumana demonstrates an easy way to control multiple page sizes within a single document. Using a fake magazine layout as an example, the tutorial walks you through manipulating page size, creating gatefolds and adding a spine.
How to design distinctive monotone layouts
Over a series of simple steps, we’ll show you how to create a one or two-colour document featuring type and images. There are also some helpful tips for making monotone images stand out on the page.
Brochure design re-imagined
In this InDesign tutorial, Nick Cannons walks you through how to create neat and consistent brochure spreads using some of the software’s finest features.
Create a pop-up promo card
Looking for a cheap and effective way to catch the attention of potential clients? Karen Lewis shows you how.
How to make your print design greener
From recycled paper to vegetable ink, Emmi Salonen of Studio EMMI explores the eco-friendly options available for print in this excellent InDesign tutorial.
Working with images
Create striking images using InDesign’s blending modes
Jo Gulliver reveals how to use InDesign’s built-in functionality to produce visual effects in your layout, without switching to Photoshop.
Combine multiple images into one frame
Lee Barnes demonstrates how to paste multiple images into one frame so that you can crop them as one object, while they remain individually editable.
How to simulate screenprint effects in InDesign
A great way to add a screenprint effect to your design work is to overlay different elements and allow their colours to blend. In this InDesign tutorial you’ll learn how to clean up images in Photoshop, convert raster images to bitmap and digitally create a ‘silkscreened’ aesthetic.
Improve your workflow
Work style magic in InDesign
InDesign’s styles are one of its most powerful features. In this tutorial, Adobe Creative Suite expert trainer Tony Harmer demonstrates how to harness various style options to speed up your workflow with both text and graphics.
Create clipping paths the easy way
Looking for a less laborious way to to cut around an image in InDesign? In this video tutorial, designer Joe Luxton shows you how.
How to speed up your InDesign layouts
Learn how to scale and resize different gaps between objects and the best ways to use Live Corner Effects. This InDesign tutorial will teach you to how to quickly edit layouts without leaving the spread.
How to master multi-doc projects with the Book function
There are many benefits to managing a multi-document publication as a book in InDesign. For instance, the documents are easier to keep track of when booked, especially if the publication is being produced in a workgroup over a network. It’s also easier to ensure formatting and page numbering consistency. This InDesign tutorial walks you through how to use the Book function to control a multi-document project.
How to create a newsprint publication using InDesign CS5
This InDesign tutorial provides a basic insight into the process of developing a print publication. It highlights key points during the design process that will help you to develop a newspaper or magazine from initial concept through to finished product.
How to quickly duplicate content in InDesign CS6
Copy and pasting is a useful technique, but it has some shortcomings – which is where InDesign CS6’s Content Collector tool comes in. In this five-minute video tutorial Adobe Creative Suite expert trainer Tony Harmer reveals the benefits of this tool.
Poster design
Column Grid poster design
In this InDesign tutorial Mark Bloom, aka Mash Creative, walks through how to create perfectly aligned typography using a column-grid system for guidance.
How to create a striking exhibition poster
Computer Arts staffer Luke O’Neill runs through the creation of a poster for an imaginary exhibition called Sirens. This InDesign tutorial covers the creation of a simple logotype and grid, use of typography, image editing and pattern creation.
Use glyphs to create a striking typography poster
Jo Gulliver shows you how to boost your typography design skills by using glyphs, proving InDesign tutorials an typography go hand-in-hand!
How to create an impactful slab-serif poster
This is one of our favourite InDesign tutorials. Learn how to set up a suitable grid and how to master kerning. Plus, we take a look at how to work with bold, vibrant colours and shapes.
Going further
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Create a calendar in InDesign
Jo Gulliver walks through how to design and edit a calendar using Scott Selberg’s Calendar Wizard script.
Create a 3D calendar with InDesign
In this tutorial, Jo Gulliver reveals how you can create a 3D calendar by creating and manipulating cube nets in InDesign.
How to use Live Captions in InDesign CS5
The Live Captions feature enables you to quickly generate captions using information stored or added to an image’s metadata. Find out how to use it effectively in this brilliant InDesign tutorial.
Repurpose print layouts for the iPad
InDesign isn’t just about print. Here Jo Gulliver explains how to use InDesign CS6’s new Content tools to easily resize print layouts and turn them into iPad layouts.
How to create animated layouts in InDesign CS5
InDesign expert David Cooke shows you how to get your layouts moving with CS5’s interactive tools.
Like this? Now read:
- Illustrator tutorials
- Photoshop tutorials
- How to print a poster: the designer’s guide
Have you found a useful InDesign tutorial online? Let us know about it in the Comments!