How to Lay Out Classifieds in Indesign

Use narrow columns to lay out classified ads.

Classified ads are the backbone of the publishing industry -- in print and on the Web. InDesign, long a warhorse for print layout, is frequently used to produce low-resolution text files for Web pages. To lay out classified ad pages, create a reusable template with long, narrow columns. The template can be made to accommodate any size paper. Choose a small font size in an easy-to-read typeface. For printing, InDesign files can be exported as High Print Quality PDF files. For the Web, 72 pixels resolution is sufficient.

Instructions

Classified Ad Template for Tabloids

1. Left click "File," "New," "Document" in InDesign.

2. Select "Custom" in the Document Preset Box.

3. Select "Print" or "Web" in the Intent Box, depending on your need.

4. Enter the number of pages you need in the Number of Pages box.

5. Tick the "Master Text Frame" box.

6. Select "Tabloid" in the Page Size box.

7. Select the button with an image of a standing man, which is the logo for portrait, in the Orientation box.

8. Set the number to "6" in the Columns box.

9. Set all margins at "3p0" in the Margin boxes.

10. Click the "Save Preset" button located under the OK and Cancel buttons. Title your template "Classified Ad Template." Click "OK."

11. Click the "OK" button in the top-right corner of the New Document Box.

Enter Classified Ads

1. Click on "View" (Alt V). Select "Grids & Guides." Select "Lock Column Guides," "Snap to Guides," and "Smart Guides." This will keep you within the line guides.

2. Select the Window button from the toolbar at the top of the page. Select "Type & Tables." Select "Character." This will open the Character and Paragraph palate. Select the Character tab. The top box is the font selection box. Click on the drop-down arrow to open the menu. Select "Arial." Set the box under the font selection box to "Regular." Set the box in the left column under the word Regular to "6 pt."

3. Select the paragraph tab and make sure the first symbol, the right margin symbol, is selected.

4. Select the Window button. Select "Tools." If your Tool Palate is already open, skip this step.

5. Select the Type tool from the tool palette. This also can be done by clicking anywhere in a blank space off to the side of the document, and then typing "T." Likewise, to select the Select tool, type "V" after clicking anywhere off to the side of the document.

6. Put the Text tool in the upper-left corner of the first column. Click and hold it down. Pull the mouse down and to the right. A text box will appear. Without releasing the mouse, pull the text box down to the bottom-right corner of the column and release. You now have a text box for the first column.

7. Type the classified ad. When you are done, hit enter to put in a space. Type the next ad. Continue entering ads until the column is full.

8. Repeat steps 5 and 6 to fill up the other columns and any other pages.

Tips & Warnings

• When creating the template select, a size that fits your paper or Web site.

• Some classified ads are a 5.5-pt. font size. This is harder to read, but allows more advertising to fit into a smaller space. This size is not in the drop-down menu, but can be added manually. Some tabloid templates increase the width by a 1/2 inch, which also adds space.

• If there is space at the end of a column, fill it with the ad department's telephone number, public service announcements, art or other content.

• The next time you open Indesign to work on classifieds, your Classified Advertising Template will appear in the New Document Box in the top Document Preset Box.

References

• Paper Sizes: Newspaper Sizes