Graphic designers that work for companies that are known by unique brands, employ specific color schemes or need many pages to appear in a consistent format throughout an entire document will often create a master pages. A master page is a previously designed page that is saved in order to be applied to other pages, much like a background.
Using a master page for large projects can save a designer a lot of time and ensure key features are uniform for an entire document. They typically include repeating logos, headers, footers, color layers, text frames, placeholders, graphic frames or rulers. You can quickly identify a master item by the dotted border that will appear around it. If you are taking on a large project, consider using a master page to save time and increase efficiency. Try using online software courses for InDesign CS5.5 to receive added instruction on what can be included in a master page.
A master item cannot be selected and edited on a document page unless the master item is overridden. To quickly create and design new documents, you can use multiple master pages in the order you want to make an entire document template.
Create a new master page from scratch by choosing new master in the pages panel menu. Then you are allowed to customize it with the following options:
1. Create an identifiable name and type use for the master page so that you can quickly find it. If the master page name is not unique and descriptive, it can become difficult to identify it once you create multiple pages for various projects.
2. Determine the number of pages you wish the master spread to include under number of pages.
3. Give the master page a prefix that will identify each master spread from one another.
Once these steps are complete, simply select ok and the master spread or page will be saved.
However, if you have created a document and later determine that it has many more uses than originally intended, you can create a master page from an existing page or spread. Begin by entering the pages panel and dragging the entire page document to the masters section. You can then select a spread in the pages panel and choose to save it as a master. The new document will then become part of the new master panel.
There are a variety of master page or spread options available if you wish to create further specification for the document. Consider taking an Adobe training course for video and audio instructions to get a more hands-on approach to learning about these features.
Once you become more proficient at master document manipulation, you can base one master off of another in a variation that is called parent and child masters. This concept uses masters as a form of layering to stack them so they will appear either as a higher or lower layer within a document's design. If you are trying to create a higher and lower layer based off a master page or spread, you should check out free software training tutorials to streamline the process and help ensure it will be successful without stress or headache. Merging layers can be a difficult multi-step process that entails precision in order to uncheck any master layer locks that may make changes difficult.
Though master pages and spreads can become intricate, they are beneficial tools to have on hand - even a new user. They cut time and promote efficiency at the simplest level for documents that require uniformity,
Total Training is the leader in software training solutions, offering video and interactive instruction on leading software products from Adobe,Microsoft, Apple, and more. Click here to learn more about Total Training and see how it works.
