
Layers can allow you to “version” your document – creating multiple, coexisting editions of your document using different languages, images or copy. However getting use to managing page numbers this way can help introduce you to the functions of the Layers palette and help you begin considering the more advanced ways it can assist your workflow. This is a very simple set-up using Layers. Just be sure to keep that layer on TOP, and to work on the OTHER lower layer(s) for all placement of text and graphics as you create your document. To work around this fact, create a new layer (while still on your Master Pages layout) and give it a name you will understand, such as “Top Master Items” or “Page Numbers.” With this layer highlighted, set up auto page numbering, and any other master items that you want to always be visible above any other elements. Yet, by default, these numbers will be covered up by any page element in your document that crosses over that area. Our easy solution is achieved with the Layers palette. The InDesign Layers palette works just like it does in PhotoShop or Illustrator, and can easily solve the problem of disappearing page numbering.Īuto Page Numbering is set up on your master pages. By default, the Master Page items will lie below any other page elements in the document.

#INDESIGN CC TURN ON MASTER PAGE LAYERS HOW TO#
more than once-on the master pages.įor more on the Adobe Creative Cloud programs, take a look at our Adobe InDesign training.A frequent InDesign question from designers for our prepress department concerns how to keep Master Page page numbering on top when design elements on individual pages cover that area. So we never have to worry about placement, colors, etc. (Consistency is a golden word in desktop publishing.) And best of all, any changes we make to any master show on all the pages the master “talks” to, instantly. The overarching advantage here is we can add document-wide essentials quickly, even if we need several masters, and very consistently. The master pages then become background to those. We can use commas to separate single pages and dashes to indicate ranges (e.g. This means they’ll show on any page the master is applied to.įinally, if we go to the top of the Pages panel, we can click the panel menu button, select Apply Master to Pages…, and specify which. We can also put a couple of special items on the master, such as page number (Type menu->Insert Special Character->Markers) or the total number of pages (Type->Text Variables->Insert Variable->Last Page Number). This makes for an aesthetically nice look when a two-page spread is open. We can put graphic accents on them for left versus right side. They handle watermark-type graphics like company logos, background art, and so on, very well.īut there are a couple of other things we can do with them. You can put text or graphic items anywhere on them. The key thing is, once there, you can treat master pages like any others. You can also use the navigation menu at bottom left, if you like. You can simply double-click whichever master, and you’re there. There will almost always be two masters at the top-None, for when we don’t need one on a given page, and A-Master, the default. The easiest way to get to the master(s) at all times is to use the Pages panel-go to Window->Pages. To use them, you simply need to know how to get to them. We also need to tell the document if it’s going to have facing pages (many business documents do).Īll InDesign documents automatically receive a set of these. This makes it easier to figure out what goes on a given master (we can have over 100). Once we open a document, we usually set the number of pages first. Think of paper behind glass, with stuff drawn on the glass, and you’ve got the basic concept. Masters are essentially the “background” behind any pages they’re applied to.

So if you’ve used headers and footers, you won’t be on totally unfamiliar ground. Microsoft Word, Corel WordPerfect, or even Excel and Access all have a similar feature. The concept of master pages in Adobe InDesign is closely related to headers and footers in many other programs. Home | SkillForge Blog | Using Master Pages in Adobe InDesign-Basics Using Master Pages in Adobe InDesign-Basics
