Using InDesign or Photoshop

[joshutterbug]

I would like to create my own page layouts (as I know many of us do!) and was wondering if I could be enlightened on how to setup my pages for the Classic Hardcover with cover jacket. I am SUPER paranoid about final image quality and fonts.

The main key points I am interested in are:
? Page size
? Bleed area - is there an inside bleed as well
? How should I be saving my digital files? sRGB?
? Will BookMaker let me know if my images are too low res?
? How do I set up a document for the cover jacket?

I would like to use InDesign more than Photoshop as it is more user friendly etc...but my nerves can't take it anymore and I'll take any secrets that you all are willing to share with me! Thanks to you all in advance!!

[irusan]

Throughout the forums in the past week have been a lot of discussions about how to create a "template" in Photoshop. The steps for InDesign are pretty close but there are some minor differences.

First, InDesign is a print-based layout application. In other words it is designed for make files whose primary output will be on a printer or press. That's exactly what you want for doing these books. However, there's one potentially big pitfall that I'll mention at the end.

Before you start, though, remember that InDesign is not an image manipulation tool. So, I would have no problems creating layouts in InDesign but any images I use will be finalized in Photoshop first.

So, on to the differences:

1. You do not specify a resolution for a new Indd document.
2. Images are placed in an Indd file in the same resolution in which they were created
3. If adding text, the last step before saving as a JPG should be to convert the text to outlines (Type > Create Outlines)
4. Saving spreads in InDesign as JPGs is iffy - create single page files
5. I would recommend creating graphic frames that are the same size as the image at the desired resolution. For example, if you have a 600x300 pixel image that you want to print at 200 DPI, create a 3"x1.5" graphic box.
6. If you do need to fit the content to the frame, ensure that you fit it proportionally

Now for that pitfall: Because InDesign was built for print, an Indd file contains both the RGB and CMYK ICC color profiles. However, it wants to default to using the CMYK color swatches because, traditionally, presses (both offset and digital) like to consume that color space. JPGs, on the other hand, are RGB only and if you are not careful, there can be some color shift when saving the JPG file out of InDesign.

By version CS2, InDesign's export filter for JPG is pretty bullet-proof, but it is still a potential issue. That's why I recommend using Photoshop since you can build the entire custom layout inside the AdobeRGB color space and never worry about CMYK values creeping in.

HTH,

Rob