Help: PDF Guide for Adobe InDesign

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to create a great PDF for MagCloud with Adobe InDesign. See below for guides to other programs. You can also download this guide in PDF format. If you have a question, visit Ask MagCloud.

What do you want to create? Standard | Digest | Digest Landscape | Flyer

Create a Standard Publication (8.25" x 10.75")

  1. Either use the InDesign Document Preset for MagCloud Standard to create a new document:
    • Click here to download the zipped InDesign Document Preset for MagCloud Standard
    • Unzip the file, open Adobe InDesign, and go to File > Document Presets > Define
    • Click “Load” and navigate to the file you just downloaded (MagCloud_InDesignDocPreset_Standard.dcst)
    • Click “Open” then “OK”
    • To open a new InDesign document using the preset go to File > Document Presets > MagCloud Standard
    • Insert the number of pages you want your document to be. For a saddle-stitch bound publication, your page count can be anywhere from 4 to 100 pages, but must be a multiple of 4. For a perfect bound publication, your page count can be anywhere from 20 to 384 pages, but must be a multiple of 2. If you want to create a 2 page document, see instructions below for a Flyer publication.
    • Click “OK”
  2. Or change the settings of an existing InDesign document to work with MagCloud:
    • Open an existing file in Adobe InDesign
    • Go to File > Document Setup to open the window shown below
    • Make sure the box for Facing Pages is checked
    • For a saddle-stitch bound publication, your page count can be anywhere from 4 to 100 pages, but must be a multiple of 4. For a perfect bound publication, your page count can be anywhere from 20 to 384 pages, but must be a multiple of 2. If you want to create a 2 page document, see instructions below for a Flyer publication.
    • Set the page size: Width = 8.25 in | Height = 10.75 in
    • Set the bleed: Top = 0.125 in | Bottom = 0.125 in | Inside = 0 in | Outside = 0.25 in
    • Click “OK”
    • In the Pages window, select all the pages in your publication, then go to Layout > Margins & Columns...
    • Set the margins to 0.25 inches on all sides, and click “OK”

      InDesign Document Settings - Standard
  3. Familiarize yourself with the bleed, trim, and safe zone by comparing your screen to the screenshot below. If your screen does not look like the one below, try going to View > Screen Mode > Normal, and View > Grids & Guides > Show Guides.

    InDesign Layout for Standard Publication
  4. Create your publication by adding images and text to your InDesign document. A few things to keep in mind:
    • All images should have a resolution of at least 300 pixels per inch. For example, a full page image should be 2550 pixels by 3300 pixels. Learn More
    • To ensure the best print output, black text should be 100% K (CMYK = 0, 0, 0, 100). Images placed in the document can be left in their original colorspace (sRGB, AdobeRGB, etc). All text and vector elements created in InDesign should be CMYK, and no spot colors should be used in the file. Learn More
    • A 6mm square 2D barcode will be printed in the lower right-hand corner of the back cover of your publication (ie, the last page of your PDF). Be sure to keep this area clear of any content you want to appear in your final publication. Learn More
    • If your publication will be perfect bound, check out our design tips.
  5. When you are ready to export your PDF, if you haven't done so already, click here to download the InDesign PDF Export Preset for MagCloud and install the preset in InDesign:
    • Unzip the file and go to File > Adobe PDF Presets > Define
    • Click “Load” and navigate to the file you just downloaded (MagCloud_InDesignPDFExportPreset.joboptions)
    • Click “Open” then “Done”
  6. To export your PDF for MagCloud:
    • Go to File > Adobe PDF Presets > MagCloud PDF Export
    • Choose a name for your PDF and select where you want it to be saved on your computer
    • Click “Save” then “Export”
  7. Click here to upload your PDF to MagCloud.

Create a Digest Publication (5.25" x 8.25")

  1. Either use the InDesign Document Preset for MagCloud Digest to create a new document:
    • Click here to download the zipped InDesign Document Preset for MagCloud Digest
    • Unzip the file, open Adobe InDesign, and go to File > Document Presets > Define
    • Click “Load” and navigate to the file you just downloaded (MagCloud_InDesignDocPreset_Digest.dcst)
    • Click “Open” then “OK”
    • To open a new InDesign document using the preset go to File > Document Presets > MagCloud Digest
    • Insert the number of pages you want your document to be. For a saddle-stitch bound publication, your page count can be anywhere from 4 to 100 pages, but must be a multiple of 4. For a perfect bound publication, your page count can be anywhere from 20 to 384 pages, but must be a multiple of 2.
    • Click “OK”
  2. Or change the settings of an existing InDesign document to work with MagCloud:
    • Open an existing file in Adobe InDesign
    • Go to File > Document Setup to open the window shown below
    • Make sure the box for Facing Pages is checked
    • For a saddle-stitch bound publication, your page count can be anywhere from 4 to 100 pages, but must be a multiple of 4. For a perfect bound publication, your page count can be anywhere from 20 to 384 pages, but must be a multiple of 2.
    • Set the page size: Width = 5.25 in | Height = 8.25 in
    • Set the bleed: Top = 0.125 in | Bottom = 0.125 in | Inside = 0 in | Outside = 0.25 in
    • Click “OK”
    • In the Pages window, select all the pages in your publication, then go to Layout > Margins & Columns...
    • Set the margins to 0.25 inches on all sides, and click “OK”

      InDesign Document Settings - Digest
  3. Familiarize yourself with the bleed, trim, and safe zone by comparing your screen to the screenshot below. If your screen does not look like the one below, try going to View > Screen Mode > Normal, and View > Grids & Guides > Show Guides.

    InDesign Layout for Digest Publication
  4. Create your publication by adding images and text to your InDesign document. A few things to keep in mind:
    • All images should have a resolution of at least 300 pixels per inch. For example, a full page image should be 1650 pixels by 2550 pixels. Learn More
    • To ensure the best print output, black text should be 100% K (CMYK = 0, 0, 0, 100). Images placed in the document can be left in their original colorspace (sRGB, AdobeRGB, etc). All text and vector elements created in InDesign should be CMYK, and no spot colors should be used in the file. Learn More
    • A 6mm square 2D barcode will be printed in the lower right-hand corner of the back cover of your publication (ie, the last page of your PDF). Be sure to keep this area clear of any content you want to appear in your final publication. Learn More
    • If your publication will be perfect bound, check out our design tips.
  5. When you are ready to export your PDF, click here to download the InDesign PDF Export Preset for MagCloud and install the preset in InDesign:
    • Unzip the file and go to File > Adobe PDF Presets > Define
    • Click “Load” and navigate to the file you just downloaded (MagCloud_InDesignPDFExportPreset.joboptions)
    • Click “Open” then “Done”
  6. To export your PDF for MagCloud:
    • Go to File > Adobe PDF Presets > MagCloud PDF Export
    • Choose a name for your PDF and select where you want it to be saved on your computer
    • Click “Save” then “Export”
  7. Click here to upload your PDF to MagCloud.

Create a Digest Landscape Publication (8.25" x 5.25")

  1. Either use the InDesign Document Preset for MagCloud Digest Landscape to create a new document:
    • Unzip the file, open Adobe InDesign, and go to File > Document Presets > Define
    • Click “Load” and navigate to the file you just downloaded (MagCloud_InDesignDocPreset_DigestLandscape.dcst)
    • Click “Open” then “OK”
    • To open a new InDesign document using the preset go to File > Document Presets > MagCloud Digest Landscape
    • Insert the number of pages you want your document to be. For a saddle-stitch bound publication, your page count can be anywhere from 4 to 100 pages, but must be a multiple of 4. For a perfect bound publication, your page count can be anywhere from 20 to 384 pages, but must be a multiple of 2.
    • Click “OK”
  2. Or change the settings of an existing InDesign document to work with MagCloud:
    • Open an existing file in Adobe InDesign
    • Go to File > Document Setup to open the window shown below
    • Make sure the box for Facing Pages is checked
    • For a saddle-stitch bound publication, your page count can be anywhere from 4 to 100 pages, but must be a multiple of 4. For a perfect bound publication, your page count can be anywhere from 20 to 384 pages, but must be a multiple of 2.
    • Set the page size: Width = 8.25 in | Height = 5.25 in
    • Set the bleed: Top = 0.125 in | Bottom = 0.125 in | Inside = 0 in | Outside = 0.25 in
    • Click “OK”
    • In the Pages window, select all the pages in your publication, then go to Layout > Margins & Columns...
    • Set the margins to 0.25 inches on all sides, and click “OK”

      InDesign Document Settings - Landscape
  3. Familiarize yourself with the bleed, trim, and safe zone by comparing your screen to the screenshot below. If your screen does not look like the one below, try going to View > Screen Mode > Normal, and View > Grids & Guides > Show Guides.

    InDesign Layout for Digest Landscape Publication
  4. Create your publication by adding images and text to your InDesign document. A few things to keep in mind:
    • Make sure all images have a resolution of at least 300 pixels per inch. A full page image should be 2550 pixels by 1650 pixels. Learn More
    • To ensure the best print output, black text should be 100% K (CMYK = 0, 0, 0, 100). Images placed in the document can be left in their original colorspace (sRGB, AdobeRGB, etc). All text and vector elements created in InDesign should be CMYK, and no spot colors should be used in the file. Learn More
    • A 6mm square 2D barcode will be printed in the lower right-hand corner of the back cover of your publication (ie, the last page of your PDF). Be sure to keep this area clear of any content you want to appear in your final publication. Learn More
    • If your publication will be perfect bound, check out our design tips.
  5. When you are ready to export your PDF, click here to download the InDesign PDF Export Preset for MagCloud and install the preset in InDesign:
    • Unzip the file and go to File > Adobe PDF Presets > Define
    • Click “Load” and navigate to the file you just downloaded (MagCloud_InDesignPDFExportPreset.joboptions)
    • Click “Open” then “Done”
  6. To export your PDF for MagCloud:
    • Go to File > Adobe PDF Presets > MagCloud PDF Export
    • Choose a name for your PDF and select where you want it to be saved on your computer
    • Click “Save” then “Export”
  7. Click here to upload your PDF to MagCloud.

Create a Flyer Publication (8.25" x 10.75", 2 pages)

  1. Either use the InDesign Document Preset for MagCloud Flyer to create a new document:
    • Click here to download the zipped InDesign Document Preset for MagCloud Flyer
    • Unzip the file, open Adobe InDesign, and go to File > Document Presets > Define
    • Click “Load” and navigate to the file you just downloaded (MagCloud_InDesignDocPreset_Flyer.dcst)
    • Click “Open” then “OK”
    • To open a new InDesign document using the preset go to File > Document Presets > MagCloud Flyer
    • Click “OK”
  2. Or change the settings of an existing InDesign document to work with MagCloud:
    • Open an existing file in Adobe InDesign
    • Go to File > Document Setup to open the window shown below
    • Make sure the box for Facing Pages is not checked, and that your page count is 2
    • Set the page size: Width = 8.25 in | Height = 10.75 in
    • Set the bleed: Top = 0.125 in | Bottom = 0.125 in | Left = 0.125 in | Right = 0.125 in
    • Click “OK”
    • In the Pages window, select both pages in your publication, then go to Layout > Margins & Columns...
    • Set the margins to 0.25 inches on all sides, and click “OK”

      InDesign Document Settings - Flyer
  3. Familiarize yourself with the bleed, trim, and safe zone by comparing your screen to the screenshot below. If your screen does not look like the one below, try going to View > Screen Mode > Normal, and View > Grids & Guides > Show Guides.

    InDesign Layout for Flyer Publication
  4. Create your publication by adding images and text to your InDesign document. A few things to keep in mind:
    • Flyer publications must be 2 pages long.
    • All images should have a resolution of at least 300 pixels per inch. For example, a full page image should be 2550 pixels by 3300 pixels. Learn More
    • To ensure the best print output, black text should be 100% K (CMYK = 0, 0, 0, 100). Images placed in the document can be left in their original colorspace (sRGB, AdobeRGB, etc). All text and vector elements created in InDesign should be CMYK, and no spot colors should be used in the file. Learn More
    • A 6mm square 2D barcode will be printed in the lower right-hand corner on the back of your Flyer (ie, the second page of your PDF). Be sure to keep this area clear of any content you want to appear in your final publication. Learn More
    • If your publication will be perfect bound, check out our design tips.
  5. When you are ready to export your PDF, click here to download the InDesign PDF Export Preset for MagCloud and install the preset in InDesign:
    • Unzip the file and go to File > Adobe PDF Presets > Define
    • Click “Load” and navigate to the file you just downloaded (MagCloud_InDesignPDFExportPreset.joboptions)
    • Click “Open” then “Done”
  6. To export your PDF for MagCloud:
    • Go to File > Adobe PDF Presets > MagCloud PDF Export
    • Choose a name for your PDF and select where you want it to be saved on your computer
    • Click “Save” then “Export”
  7. Click here to upload your PDF to MagCloud.

For general support and information, please visit the Adobe InDesign website.