Comments on: Creating Gatefold Spreads

By: David Blatner

David Blatner — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:42:32 +0000

@krid: Search our site for vertical spread and you’ll find a couple of ways, including using the Rotate Spread View feature.

@Frane: Generally, for one gatefold in the middle of a book, you’d put an extra page on the right, then an extra page on the left on the next spread:

By: Frane Lessac

Frane Lessac — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 08:10:25 +0000

I’ve been commissioned to create a standard 32 page picture book but I want to have 3 gatefolds. How’s does the # of pages work? Is each gatefold one extra page? confused.
Cheers Frane

By: Krid

Krid — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:57:44 +0000

How do you set up for a spread like ‘Moleskin Reporter style note book’ Where the binding is on top for a vertical orientation (9 x 14 cm).

By: InDesignSecrets » Blog Archive » What Are Those Brackets in the Pages Panel?

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:24:26 +0000

[...] PostsCreating Gatefold Spreads by Ted LoCascio Making Spreads from Single-Sided Pages by David Blatner Breaking Pages Apart to [...]

By: DivaD

DivaD — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:58:09 +0000

I’ve created the gatefold and it worked fine in Indesign.
What about when you need to send a proof to the client. Is there an option for Acrobat to set up the pdf to look the way it’s supposed to? Right now it is viewing two-up continous. I’m going to have to set my document up the old way.

By: JPFS

JPFS — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:52:29 +0000

For barrelfold or gatefold DM pieces I always set up my files to the full unfolded size with manual fold lines, but I often have to incorporate fold out covers or fold out interior pages within larger books. I truly hope Adobe addresses this problem by either allowing multiple page sizes or a new page size control where you could input an auto-shorten trim size for pages that are folded in.

By: TP

TP — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:14:06 +0000

It is better to set it up as one page and just show the fold marks since the pages that fold have to be .125 inches shorter. Eugene, it is possible at the imposition stage to adjust but that would add a lot more time and it would be easier for me just to change the dimensions in Indesign. I work for a printer and come across this problem numerous times.

By: Eugene Tyson

Eugene Tyson — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:39:23 +0000

Isn’t it possible at imposition stage, both creep and the folding can be taken on board and adjusted for?

Practically, if having to create a gatefold or any other fold, contacting the printers and finding out how they want the job supplied wouldn’t be a bad idea, supplying simple drawings of how the fold will work and find out if they can match your spec., because not all printers can.

Not everybody uses the same print company and I find that they all work a little differently.

Working with the printers and keeping them updated on the design, especially with folds, is essential, I believe.

I can’t say I ever went off on a whim and adjusted for creep in a design (which I never do anyway), of course I would allow a tiny bit of room for a fold, but not in the size of the print job, I rely on the printers to trim it properly, so I shift my design an inch to the right or left, where appropriate.

By: josh

josh — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:54:53 +0000

Agree with Marc Anthony that this layout can cause problems because of the creep that you have to accommodate for proper folding. When I do this kind of design, I just create one large page and indicate fold lines.

By: Ted LoCascio

Ted LoCascio — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:20:11 +0000

It’s true that you must consider the proper trim size for folding, depending on the type of gatefold you are creating. I would recommend using custom guides to ensure proper item placement. In fact, I’d even recommend placing the guides on their own guide layer, specific to the gatefold spread.