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Description

InDesign Intermediate: Structuring Layouts, Reliable Styles and Clean Exports

Design long documents that are quick to amend and that come out of print with no unpleasant surprises

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Intermediate
  • Up to 6 participants

A poorly structured InDesign document costs time with every single correction. Frames are positioned by eye, the smallest text change shifts the whole layout, styles exist in three competing variants, and the export reveals low-resolution images or unexpected colours. Production time escalates as soon as the document runs beyond a few pages.

These two days consolidate the method. Participants build a layout on master pages and grids, apply styles systematically, handle long documents with threaded text and generated tables of contents, then produce reliable files for both print and digital distribution.

Learning objectives

  • Build a layout using master pages grids and guides
  • Apply paragraph character and object styles systematically
  • Manage a long document with threaded text tables of contents and sections
  • Import and control images links and colours
  • Prepare and check exports for print and for screen

What makes this programme different

An existing poorly built document is reworked and made reliable during the session
Nested styles are used to automate repetitive formatting
Preflight and packaging are carried out under real print-submission conditions

Programme

1Layout and Master Pages

Setting up a structure that withstands corrections

  • Page size margins columns and baseline grid
  • Multiple master pages and inherited elements
  • Numbering sections and special pages
  • Alignment guides and anchored frames
  • Reusable document templates

2Styles and Automation

Never formatting the same thing twice

  • Paragraph character and object styles
  • Nested styles and next style settings
  • Table and cell styles
  • Find and change by format and GREP
  • Importing styles from another document

3Long Documents

Keeping control of a document of several dozen pages

  • Text threading and managing overset text
  • Generated and updated table of contents
  • Book feature and multiple documents
  • Footnotes cross-references and index
  • Checking pagination consistency

4Images Colours and Export

Delivering a compliant file

  • Importing images resolution and link management
  • Colour modes spot colours and profiles
  • Transparency and flattening
  • Preflight and packaging
  • PDF exports for print and interactive PDF

Who is it for

Communication officers, marketing assistants, junior graphic designers, editorial coordinators and anyone producing laid-out documents as part of their role.

Prerequisites

Having already produced a layout in InDesign and being familiar with text and image frames.

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.