InDesign is the trusty stalwart of the magazine and publishing industries: it's the primary tool used to produce everything from Vogue to Computer Arts.

Although layout and publication design lie at the core of InDesign, its versatility can be harnessed for any design project, and its file handling capabilities make it a powerful ally when working with complex, multi-layered layouts.


In this InDesign tutorial I'll run through some tips for working with layered PSDs and multi-page documents, and even how it's possible to do some image editing on the fly directly within InDesign.

01. Import options: Layers
In the Place dialog you'll find the show import options checkbox. Select this when placing an image to bring up a dialog where you'll see a set of options that vary depending on the file type. With a PSD you can turn layers on and off, enabling you to easily get rid of the background of an image, for example.

02. Import options: Alpha Channels
Another advantage of using PSDs in InDesign is the ability to employ alpha channels created in Photoshop straight into your layouts. Simply navigate to the image tab and select the relevant alpha channel. This is particularly useful for importing fine, overlapping details, such as hair.

03. Working with greyscale images
If you're using black and white images, save them as greyscale JPEGs. You can then colour them directly within your InDesign layouts. Use the Direct Selection tool to colour the foreground of the image and the selection tool for the background. This is useful for coloured details like headshots.

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