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Description

InDesign for Beginners: Composing, Laying Out and Exporting Your Documents

Lay out brochures, reports and digital documents using reusable master pages and style sheets

  • 3 days — 21 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

A brochure built in a word processor shifts out of place the moment a paragraph is added, and a fifty-page report becomes unmanageable when every heading is formatted by hand. Files sent to the printer come back rejected for low-resolution images or missing bleed.

These three days cover page layout in InDesign, from creating the document through to final export. Participants build master pages and style sheets, then manage text, images and tables before producing files intended for print production and digital distribution.

Learning objectives

  • Create an InDesign document configured for its intended output format
  • Build master pages with a baseline grid, guides and page numbering
  • Structure text using paragraph and character styles
  • Import and crop images while managing text wrap
  • Compose readable tables and format them consistently
  • Export files that meet print production and on-screen distribution requirements

What makes this programme different

A multi-page document is built during the session, from master page to final export
The styles created are reused across documents through style import
A preflight check is carried out against a printer's verification checklist

Programme

1Document Setup and Master Pages

Build the framework before adding the content

  • Create a document according to its format and binding method
  • Define margins, columns and grid guides
  • Build master pages and position page numbers
  • Organise pages and manage facing pages
  • Save a reusable template

2Text and Styles

Format once and for all

  • Import text and thread it between frames
  • Create paragraph and character styles
  • Manage hyphenation, justification and indents
  • Build lists and nested styles
  • Generate a table of contents from the styles

3Images and Text Wrap

Combine text and visuals without losing quality

  • Import images while maintaining links
  • Crop and fit content within its frame
  • Manage text wrap around a visual
  • Check image resolution and colour mode
  • Update links modified during the project

4Colour and Tables

Make dense information readable

  • Create a swatch library and apply tints
  • Use spot colours and understand when they apply
  • Create a table and format it
  • Import a table from a spreadsheet
  • Define table and cell styles

5Preflight and Export

Deliver a file the printer and the web can both use

  • Use preflight to detect errors
  • Manage bleed and printer's marks
  • Package the document with its links and fonts
  • Export a file intended for print production
  • Produce a lightweight version for on-screen distribution

Who is it for

Administrative support staff, communication officers, editorial coordinators and anyone producing laid-out documents for their organisation.

Prerequisites

Confident use of a computer and the ability to manage your own files.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.