Participant

Question

Book page typographic alignment detail information

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
December 25, 2022
3 replies
683 views

When designing a book in Indesign, how do I align the two-sided texts on the adjacent pages? Setting line spacing and all so that they line up each time a space is discarded.

Type

This topic has been closed for replies.

James Gifford—NitroPress

Legend

Steve's reply is the high-level one; baseline grids enforce line spacing using a very rigid system. Not everyone likes or uses them, and they can be very limiting. (I'm a fan and a user of baseline grids for books, though.)

Your issues might be at a simpler level. If your paragraph styles are set up correctly and carefully, most columns and pages should align without the help of baseline grids. The fundamental rule is to set your body text to your preferred leading (line spacing) — say16 points. Then make sure every other space is tied to this value. Other body paragraphs, bullets and numbers should also use 16pt leading. Headings should use a multiple for overall spacing — say 16pt leading even for slightly larger type, and 16 or 32pt spacing above. ALL paragraph styles should be carefully set up to use intervals of this spacing.

Baseline grids only help reinforce that spacing and are not a replacement for it.

Start by reviewing all your paragraph styles to make sure they're set up this way.

Peter Spier

Community Expert

I mildly disagree with the "make all text adhere to a multiple of the same leading and for get the grid" school of thought. That certainly works, but can be constricting.

I often set block quotes a bit tighter than the body text, or want say a half-line extra space between list items or some other similar situation. Having the grid and aligning the body text to it can let that happen.

James Gifford—NitroPress

Legend

Oh, I know, it takes a lot of forethought and planning just to get a 'mostly' result with spacing. But my reading of the OP is that this may all be new info, and it's better to learn some rules of spacing consistency than to just fall onto the crutch of baseline grids.

You can do a pretty good job with consistent spacing and a few tweaks, without the rigid straitjacket of the grid; IMHO when you then start using the grid, you have a better understanding of how to use it effectively.

Robert at ID-Tasker

Legend

You've already got a reply from @Steve Werner, but next time, ask Google:

Indesign how do I align the two-sided texts on the adjacent pages

I've just added "InDesign" in front of your main question...

James Gifford—NitroPress

Legend

Well, this is the right place to come ask such questions, even very basic ones. For one thing, there are at least two approaches that need to be explained and understood, and the Googleverse is flooded with well-meaning but misdirected and outdated info.

We're not here just to advise other experts. 🙂

Robert at ID-Tasker

Legend

No, the problem is that people can't even know how to search for information - or bother 😞 they just expected to get it handed over at the first request 😞

I fully understand that, at the beginning, everyone needs help - but asking so simple question, when answer can be obtained in just few seconds with zero effort...

And, by the way, first answer to the question on Google is a link to help pages on Adobe website, so rather the best place to start reading and learning ...

Steve Werner

Community Expert

You want to learn about creating a Baseline Grid.

Here's a video which explains how it works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wewgNV1_AAw

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded