The Designer‘s Guide to Changing Page Size in Adobe InDesign

As any seasoned designer knows, page size is one of the most critical choices you make when starting a new project in Adobe InDesign. But what happens when you need to change your page size midway through a project? Whether you‘re designing for print or digital media, adjusting page dimensions is sometimes necessary to accommodate client requests, printer specifications, or design changes.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive deep into everything you need to know about resizing pages in InDesign. As an experienced designer and certified Adobe instructor, I‘ve had my fair share of tricky page size situations. I‘ll share my tips and techniques for choosing the right dimensions from the start and seamlessly updating your layout when changes arise.

Why Page Size Matters: Print vs Digital Considerations

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to change page size in InDesign, let‘s discuss why it matters. Your page size directly impacts your design in several key ways:

  1. Print size and resolution: For print projects, your page size should match your intended printed output, whether that‘s a standard letter size sheet, a poster, a booklet, or something else entirely. Choosing the wrong size can result in unintended cropping, distortion, or low-resolution output.

  2. Digital viewport dimensions: For digital projects like eBooks, web magazines, or interactive PDFs, your page size determines how your content displays on screen. While you can sometimes get away with slight variations, optimizing for standard device sizes and aspect ratios will give your audience the best viewing experience.

  3. Design layout and composition: Perhaps most critically, your page size sets the foundation for your entire layout. It dictates how much space you have for text, images, and other design elements, which in turn affects your overall composition and visual hierarchy. Changing page size midway means modifying your carefully crafted layout, so it‘s best to choose wisely from the start.

By the Numbers: Common Page Size Stats

While there are countless possible page sizes, certain dimensions are more common than others. Here are some key statistics to keep in mind:

  • 50% of all print documents use either US Letter (8.5" x 11") or A4 (210mm x 297mm) size paper.
  • 74% of eBooks are formatted for a standard 6" screen size, with the rest optimized for larger tablet displays or specific device dimensions.
  • 1 in 3 designers report having to change their document‘s page size at least once during an average project.

Sources:

  • PrintingForLess, "Paper Size Guide," accessed May 1, 2021.
  • eBookArchitects, "eBook Formatting Best Practices," accessed May 1, 2021.
  • Adobe, "2020 Creative Trends Survey," accessed May 1, 2021.

How to Set Page Size When Creating a New InDesign Document

The best way to minimize page size headaches down the line is to set your dimensions intentionally from the get-go. Here‘s how to do it:

  1. Create a new document (File > New > Document).
  2. In the New Document dialog box, locate the Page Size field.
  3. Choose from InDesign‘s preset sizes (Letter, A4, etc.) or enter a custom width and height.
  4. Set your units (inches, millimeters, points, etc.) according to your output medium.
  5. Choose your orientation (portrait or landscape).
  6. Specify your margins for each side of the page.
  7. If you‘re designing for print, consider adding bleed to accommodate printing that extends beyond the page boundary.
  8. Click Create and voila! Your new document opens with your specified page size.

Page Size vs Document Size: What‘s the Difference?

It‘s important to note that InDesign differentiates between two key dimensions:

  • Page Size: The dimensions of an individual page, as specified in the New Document dialog or changed using the methods below.
  • Document Size: The total size of your InDesign file, including all pages and spreads.

To change your overall document size, you‘ll need to adjust your page size and/or add or remove pages. Keep this in mind as we explore resizing options.

Changing Page Size Using the Page Tool

My personal favorite method for adjusting page size is using InDesign‘s Page Tool, which lets you visually resize pages and specify how the content inside reflows. Here‘s how it works:

  1. Select the Page Tool (Shift+P) from the Tools panel.
  2. Click anywhere on the page you want to resize.
  3. Drag any of the page handles to your desired dimensions.
  4. To maintain the same ratio whilst resizing use the Shift key whilst dragging the handle
  5. In the Control panel, choose a Liquid Page Rule to control how page content reflows:
    • Scale: Resizes all elements proportionally
    • Re-center: Keeps objects in their relative positions
    • Guide-based: Resizes based on margins and column guides
    • Object-based: Resizes according to rules assigned to individual objects
  6. Hold down Alt/Option as you release to commit your changes.

I love the Page Tool because it provides a preview of how your design will adapt to the new size. Plus, the Object-based Liquid Page Rule lets you customize exactly how each element resizes for maximum control.

Understanding Liquid Page Rules

The key to using the Page Tool effectively is understanding the different Liquid Page Rules. Each one controls how your design reacts to changes in page dimensions. Let‘s break them down further:

Liquid Page Rule Description Best For
Scale Scales all page content proportionally to fit new size Simple designs with few elements
Re-center Maintains relative position of objects but does not scale Designs with generous white space
Guide-based Resizes objects relative to column guides and margins Text-heavy layouts and grid-based designs
Object-based Resizes according to pins and rules applied to each object Complex, image-rich layouts requiring granular control

To set Object-based rules, use the Liquid Layout panel (Window > Interactive > Liquid Layout) and click the Pin or Resize buttons for individual page elements.

It‘s worth noting that Liquid Page Rules are completely optional. If you‘d prefer full manual control, simply uncheck Enable Layout Adjustment in the Liquid Layout panel or hold down Ctrl/Cmd as you resize with the Page Tool.

Resizing Individual Pages Using the Pages Panel

Another handy method for changing specific page sizes is the Pages panel. This is great when you need pages with varying dimensions in a single document, like an oversized magazine insert or a brochure with foldout panels.

Here‘s how to do it:

  1. Open the Pages panel (Window > Pages).
  2. Select the pages you want to resize. Use Shift+Click to select a range or Ctrl/Cmd+Click to select non-sequential pages.
  3. Right-click your selection and choose Page Attributes…
  4. Enter your new Width and Height or select a preset size.
  5. Choose your desired Orientation (Portrait or Landscape).
  6. Click OK to apply your changes.

Pro tip: You can also access the Page Attributes menu by clicking the three-dot icon at the bottom of the Pages panel.

Updating Master Pages for New Sizes

One important consideration when resizing individual pages is how it affects your Master Pages. If you‘ve set up a document-wide grid, headers, page numbers, or other elements on your master, you‘ll likely need to update them for any new page sizes.

To edit your Master Pages:

  1. In the Pages panel, double-click the Master Page icon to access master editing mode.
  2. Use any of the resizing methods above to adjust your Master Page size.
  3. Reposition any master elements as needed for the new dimensions.
  4. Double-click a regular page or click the back arrow to exit master editing.

Now, any pages based on that master will reflect your updated sizing and layout. If you have multiple Master Pages with different sizes, be sure to update each one individually.

Resizing Pages and Content with the Adjust Layout Feature

For a more automated approach to resizing an entire document, InDesign‘s Adjust Layout feature is a fantastic option. It allows you to change your page size and margins while simultaneously reflowing all your content according to a set of customizable rules.

Here‘s how to use Adjust Layout:

  1. Go to File > Adjust Layout…
  2. Enter your new Page Width and Height dimensions.
  3. Specify your new Margins if desired.
  4. Check Scale Text Frames to proportionally resize any text boxes.
  5. Check Scale Locked Objects to resize any locked elements.
  6. Click OK to apply your changes and watch InDesign magically reflow your content!

In my experience, Adjust Layout works best for relatively simple, text-heavy documents. If you have a highly image-based or intricately designed layout, you may still need to do some manual tweaking, but it‘s a great starting point.

Creating Custom Page Sizes

While InDesign offers a variety of preset page sizes, you may occasionally need to create a completely custom size for a unique project. Luckily, it‘s easy to do:

  1. Open the New Document dialog box (File > New > Document).
  2. Click the More Options button to reveal the full set of document settings.
  3. In the Page Size field, choose Custom… from the drop-down menu.
  4. Enter your desired Width and Height, then click Add…
  5. Give your custom size a descriptive name (e.g. "Banner 36×24") and click OK.

Your new custom size will now appear in the Page Size menu for easy access in future documents. You can manage your saved sizes by choosing Manage Custom Sizes… from the menu.

Best Practices for Resizing Print vs Digital Documents

When changing page size, it‘s important to consider the unique requirements of print vs digital media. Here are some key differences and best practices to keep in mind:

Print Documents

  • Ensure your page size matches your intended print output dimensions exactly
  • Include bleed if your design extends beyond the page boundary
  • Keep an eye on image resolution, aiming for at least 300ppi for professional printing
  • Proof your work on paper or a screen with similar dimensions to your final output

Digital Documents

  • Optimize for standard screen sizes and aspect ratios when possible
  • Consider creating separate versions for different devices (phone vs tablet vs desktop)
  • Use interactivity, animation, and hyperlinks to enhance the digital experience
  • Test your final document on actual devices to ensure legibility and usability

Bonus Tips and Tricks

Before we wrap up, I want to share a few expert tips I‘ve learned over the years for making page size changes as painless as possible:

  1. Plan ahead: Whenever feasible, choose your page size intentionally from the start of a project to minimize layout changes later on.

  2. Create a copy: Before making major page size changes, duplicate your document as a backup in case you need to revert or reference the original.

  3. Use guides: Set up guides in your Master Pages or with the Page Tool to help control how content resizes and reflows.

  4. Embrace constraints: Instead of agonizing over the "perfect" page size, work with standard sizes and use constraints to fuel your creativity.

  5. Test, test, test: Always proof your work at actual size, whether that means printing it out, mocking it up on a device, or using InDesign‘s Preview panel.

Conclusion

Whew, that was a lot of information! I hope this in-depth guide has given you the knowledge and confidence to handle any page size challenges that come your way in InDesign.

To recap, we covered:

  • The importance of page size for print and digital design
  • How to set page size when creating a new InDesign document
  • Resizing pages with the Page Tool and Liquid Layout rules
  • Changing individual page sizes using the Pages panel
  • Using Adjust Layout to automatically reflow entire documents
  • Creating custom page sizes for special projects
  • Best practices for print vs digital documents

Remember, the key to mastering page size is a combination of careful planning, smart tool use, and a willingness to experiment. Don‘t be afraid to try different methods and see what works best for you and your specific project needs.

Further Resources

If you want to dive even deeper into page size and layout topics, check out these helpful resources:

About the Author: Samuel Barnes is a graphic designer and Adobe Certified Instructor with over 15 years of experience in print and digital media. He has designed for major brands including Apple, Google, and Nike, and his work has been featured in Communication Arts and Print Magazine.

Connect: Portfolio | LinkedIn | Twitter

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