Multiple Column Ad with Text Wrap

What You'll Master in This InDesign Tutorial:

Advanced text layout with multiple columns, professional drop caps, the baseline grid system, and sophisticated text wrapping techniques

Exercise Preview

Exercise Overview

This comprehensive exercise demystifies one of InDesign's most powerful yet underutilized features: the baseline grid. You'll discover how this fundamental typography tool ensures perfect text alignment across columns, creating the polished, professional look that separates amateur layouts from publication-quality design. We'll also explore advanced text wrap options that give you precise control over how text flows around images and graphics.

Setting Up Your Document

Begin by creating a new document with the precise specifications needed for professional print advertising. Pay close attention to the margin and bleed settings—these details matter significantly in commercial print production.

1. Create a new document with these professional specifications:
   • Navigate to the Print tab and select the Letter (8.5 X 11 in) preset.
   • Change Units to Picas to the right of the Width field—picas provide more precise control for print layouts.
   • Uncheck Facing Pages since we're creating a single advertisement.
   • Set Columns to 3 to establish our grid structure.
   • Set Column Gutter to 1p6 (0.25 in) for optimal readability.
   • In the Margins section, unlink the values and set asymmetrical margins: Top: 12p11, Bottom: 18p7, Left and Right: 4p6
   • In the Bleed and Slug section, set all Bleed options to p9 (0.125 in)—essential for professional printing

2. Click Create to generate your document.

3. Enable Type > Show Hidden Characters to visualize formatting elements—a crucial habit for professional typesetting.

4. Save your work as yourname-eco-ad.indd using File > Save As.

Establishing the Visual Foundation

The background image sets the tone for your entire design. Proper image placement and fitting techniques ensure your visuals reproduce perfectly in print while maintaining their impact.

1. Create a Rectangle Frame that extends to all Bleed guides (the red guides extending beyond your page borders).

2. Import your background image via File > Place and select green-grass.tif from your InDesign Class folder.

3. Apply Object > Fitting > Fill Frame Proportionally to ensure proper image scaling without distortion.

4. Using the Selection tool and the content grabber circle at the image center, reposition the photo so the tallest grass blades just touch the bottom margin guides—this creates visual breathing room for your text.

Structuring Your Text Layout

Professional text layout requires careful planning of column structures and text flow. This section establishes the foundation for sophisticated multi-column typography that maintains readability while maximizing visual impact.

1. Ensure Rulers are visible through View > Show Rulers—essential for precise positioning.

2. Create a text frame spanning the two rightmost column guides—this will house your body copy.

3. Switch to the Selection tool while keeping the frame selected.

4. Access Object > Text Frame Options and configure the internal column structure:

   Number:	2
   Gutter:	1p6

5. Click OK to apply these settings.

6. Create a separate text frame filling the first column—this will accommodate your headline.

7. Place eco.txt into the right-side frame using File > Place.

8. In the left text frame, input the headline: It's Easy Being Green. (including the period).

9. Select all headline text using Cmd–A (Mac) or CTRL–A (Windows).

10. Apply these headline specifications for maximum visual impact:

    Font:	Myriad Pro Bold
    Size :	66 pt
    Leading :	54 pt
    Paragraph Alignment:	Align right

11. Adjust the text frame width by extending the left edge beyond the margin guide—aim for optimal word breaks with one word per line for dramatic impact.

12. Select the word Green. (including the period) to create visual emphasis through color.

13. Open the Swatches panel via Window > Color > Swatches.

14. Create a custom color swatch by Option–clicking (Mac) or ALT–clicking (Windows) the New Swatch icon .

15. Configure your brand color with these precise specifications:

    Swatch Name:	Orange
    Color Type:	Process
    Color Mode:	CMYK
    Color:	C=0 M=68 Y=85 K=0
    Add to CC Library:	Uncheck this option if shown

16. Click OK—notice how the selected text automatically adopts the new orange color, creating immediate brand recognition.

17. Format the body text for optimal readability by selecting all text (Cmd–A Mac or CTRL–A Windows) and applying:

    Font:	Myriad Pro Regular
    Size :	8 pt
    Leading :	13.5 pt
    First Line Left Indent :	1p3
    Color:	[Paper] (white)

Crafting Professional Drop Caps and Typography Details

Drop caps serve as powerful entry points into your text, drawing readers' eyes and adding editorial sophistication. Combined with strategic typography adjustments, they elevate your layout from functional to compelling.

1. Position your cursor anywhere within the first paragraph of body text.

2. Ensure the Control panel displays Paragraph options and configure:

   First Line Left Indent :	0p
   Drop Cap Num. Of Lines :	3

3. Fine-tune the drop cap spacing by positioning your cursor between the R and e, then adjust kerning for optimal visual balance.

   NOTE: Use Opt–Right Arrow (Mac) or ALT–Right Arrow (Windows) for precise kerning adjustments, adding Cmd (Mac) or CTRL (Windows) for larger increments.

4. Select the drop cap R and apply the Orange color swatch to create visual continuity with your headline.

5. Highlight the subhead Reduce Your Carbon Footprint and remove the First Line Left Indent , then apply these specifications:

   Font:	Arial Bold
   Size:	10.5 pt
   Leading:	12 pt
   Color:	[Black]
   Space Before :	1p1.5

6. Insert a soft return (Shift–Return Mac or Shift–Enter Windows) before Carbon to create better line breaks and visual hierarchy.

7. Emphasize your call-to-action by selecting Get Involved. (including the period) and formatting as:

   Type style:	Bold
   Color:	Orange

Mastering the Baseline Grid System

The baseline grid is InDesign's most sophisticated typography tool, yet it remains underutilized by many designers. When properly implemented, it ensures perfect text alignment across all columns, creating the polished consistency that marks professional publishing. This invisible framework maintains typographic harmony even when different text elements have varying leading values.

Examine the text alignment across your columns—notice how the subhead's different leading has disrupted the baseline alignment. The baseline grid will restore perfect harmony.

1. Access the grid preferences through the InDesign menu (Mac) or Edit menu (Windows), selecting Preferences > Grids.

2. Configure the Baseline Grid with mathematical precision:

   Start:	2p9
   Relative To:	Top of Page
   Increment Every:	13.5 pt (matching your body text leading for perfect alignment)

3. Click OK to establish your grid foundation.

4. Select all text in your layout—the grid only functions when text is explicitly told to follow it.

5. Verify the Control panel shows Paragraph options .

6. Activate the Align to baseline grid button (located right of the Hyphenate checkbox). Watch as your columns snap into perfect alignment—this is the baseline grid's power in action.

7. Click within the REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT paragraph to make an exception for this design element.

8. Click Do not align to baseline grid to allow custom spacing for this subhead.

9. Adjust Space Before to 1p3 for optimal visual separation.

Implementing Advanced Image Integration

Strategic image placement with sophisticated text wrapping creates dynamic layouts that guide readers' eyes through your content. Modern text wrap options go far beyond simple rectangular boundaries, allowing for organic, editorial-quality text flow.

1. Create a Rectangle Frame in the upper-right corner for strategic visual placement.

2. Switch to the Selection tool and maintain frame selection.

3. Set the top left reference point in the Control panel and input these precise coordinates:

   X:	41p1	W:	11p8
   Y:	1p2	H:	25p2

4. Import spiral.tif using File > Place.

5. Apply Object > Fitting > Fit Content Proportionally for optimal image scaling.

6. Access the Text Wrap panel through Window > Text Wrap—this is where the magic happens.

7. Select the third button: Wrap around object shape for sophisticated text flow.

8. Apply the settings shown below to achieve professional text wrapping:

   

Fine-Tuning Text Flow and Density

Professional layouts require careful attention to text overflow and column balance. The goal is to present all content while maintaining visual harmony—no text should be hidden, and column lengths should feel intentionally balanced. This process, known as "copyfit," is essential in commercial design work.

Observe your layout: both columns should end evenly with "Get Involved." visible. If you see the text overflow symbol , you'll need to adjust text density using tracking—a professional technique for subtle copy fitting.

1. Select the Type tool and click within the text frame to activate text editing mode.

2. Open the Info panel (Window > Info) to assess text overflow precisely. You'll see a readout like "Words: 350+11, Paragraphs 6+1"—the numbers after the plus sign indicate overflow content requiring attention.

3. Optimize your tracking increments by accessing InDesign menu (Mac) or Edit menu (Windows) > Preferences > Units & Increments and setting Kerning/Tracking to 5 for finer control.

4. Select the paragraph beginning with Making homes… that flows around the light bulb image.

5. If the paragraph spans six lines, proceed to the next step. Otherwise, tighten the tracking using Opt–Left Arrow (Mac) or ALT–Left Arrow (Windows). Apply this keystroke up to three times (maximum –15 value) to maintain readability while gaining a line of space.

6. Select the final paragraph by clicking four times rapidly within it, then apply negative tracking until Get Involved becomes fully visible.

7. Using the Selection tool while holding Shift, reposition the headline text box upward until the ascender of the s in "It's" aligns perfectly with the body text top—this creates visual unity across elements.

Creating Brand Identity Elements

Strong brand elements anchor your design and create memorable visual impact. The color bar serves as both a design element and a brand reinforcement tool, demonstrating how simple geometric shapes can elevate overall design sophistication when properly implemented.

1. Draw a Rectangle Frame spanning the full width between left and right Bleed guides, with a height of 3p3. Position its top edge at the top bleed guide for full-bleed impact.

2. Open the Swatches panel via Window > Color > Swatches.

3. Ensure the Fill swatch is active (in front) at the panel's top-left, as shown below. Click it if necessary to activate:

   

4. Apply the Orange swatch to establish brand color consistency throughout your layout.

5. With the rectangle selected, choose Object > Arrange > Send Backward to layer it behind the light bulb while keeping it above the background image—proper layering is crucial for professional results.

Adding Compelling Statistical Content

Data-driven content adds credibility and impact to your messaging. Strategic placement of statistics creates visual anchors that support your main narrative while providing concrete evidence for your claims.

1. Create a text frame in the top-left corner to house your compelling statistic.

2. Switch to the Selection tool while maintaining frame selection.

3. Set the top left reference point