Add Borders in InDesign

Designers use Adobe InDesign to create a variety of print materials, ranging from one-page flyers to full-color magazines. Borders are design elements that draw attention to individual elements and add graphic interest to a page. Knowing how to add borders in InDesign will help you increase the graphic appeal of your print materials.

Steps

  1. Purchase InDesign if you do not already own it.
  2. Follow the instructions provided for installing InDesign on your computer and restart your computer if necessary.
  3. Familiarize yourself with InDesign's workspace and user resources that are available.
  4. Open InDesign.
  5. Open the InDesign document you wish to work from, if you have one. Do this by selecting File>Open from the Control panel, which is located at the top of your workspace.
    • If you do not have an existing document, create a new document by selecting File>New>Document and specifying the settings for your new document.
  6. Select the item you would like to add a border to by clicking the Selection tool in your Tools palette. If you are working in a new document, import the item to which you want to add a border.
    • To import a graphic element, such as a photo or logo, select File>Place from your Control panel. In the window that opens, navigate to the graphic element you wish to import. Double click the file name. Move your cursor to the graphic element's desired location and click your mouse to place it. Size your newly imported item using the Selection tool from your Tools palette.
    • To import text, create a text box using the Text tool that is located in your Tools palette. Select File>Place and navigate to the file containing the text you wish to import. Double click the file name. Use the Selection tool, which is located in your Tools palette, to size your text frame as needed. If you import a large amount of text, you may need to add additional text boxes on additional pages. Format the text you have imported by highlighting it with your Text tool and making your font and font size selections in the Character palette.
  7. Click the Swatches panel. If this is not located at the right-hand side of your workspace, add it by selecting it from the Window menu of your control panel. From the Swatches panel you can adjust your border's color by clicking the Stroke icon in the upper right-hand corner of the panel and selecting your desired border color.
    • To add a new color to your Swatches panel, select New Color Swatch from the Swatches panel's menu. Select the color library from which you would like to import a color. Select the color or colors you would like to import and click Add.
  8. Click the Stroke panel. If this is not already located at the right-hand side of your workspace, select Window>Stroke from your Control panel. From here you can adjust the weight (thickness) and style (dashed, dotted, striped, etc.) of your border, as well as corner options.
    • To add a decorative effect to your border's corner, select Object>Corner Options from your Control panel. From the Effect menu, select the corner effect you would like to add.
  9. Repeat the previous steps for each item you wish to add a border to.



Tips

  • To create a custom stroke style select Window>Stroke from your Control panel and select Stroke Styles. Click New and enter a name for your new stroke style. Make the appropriate selection in the Type menu and specify your pattern length and stroke pattern. Preview your new stroke style before clicking either Add to save your new stroke style and create a new one or OK to save your new stroke style and exit the window.

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