To set up a postcard in InDesign, follow these steps: 1. Create a new document with 2 pages, entering the width and height of the postcard size. Set margins at 0.25 inches and bleed at 0.125 inches. 2. Designate one page as the front and the other as the back of the postcard. Keep text and images inside the safe area indicated by the margins. 3. Save the file as an InDesign document or template to easily create multiple postcards with the same setup.

1. How to Set Up a Postcard in InDesign
Using InDesign to create postcards ensures professional results every time, so what you
see on screen will be what you get in print. With just a few minutes of care to set up your
postcard file accurately, anyone can create professional-quality postcards of any size
ready to be sent to a printer. Include text, graphics, and photos all in a single file. If you
create multiple postcards, you can reuse the same InDesign file for each one and save
time.
Things You'll Need
 InDesign
Instructions
o 1
Click on the "File" drop-down menu. Select "New" followed by
"Document." For number of pages, enter "2" next to "Number of Pages"
(both the front and back of your postcard count as a page). Manually enter
the width and height of your postcard. For example, we will use 7 inches
wide by 5 inches high. Type these numbers into the "Width" and "Height"
boxes, respectively.
o 2
Enter your margins by typing them into the "Margins" boxes; You will
need to enter the margins for the top, bottom, left and right sides of your
document. Margins in this case are not the postcard edges. Instead,
determine the "Safe Area," which is the area in which you can include
artwork without worrying that it will be trimmed off during the printing
process. One-quarter inch from the edges of the postcard is sufficient, so
type "0.25 inch" for all margins.
o 3
Set your bleed. Bleed is the amount of space beyond the edge of your
document you will need to fill to ensure your artwork prints all the way to
the edge of the postcard after it is trimmed. Again, your printer should tell
you this. One-eighth of an inch is common, so you may enter "0.125" in
the boxes to the right of "Bleed." Click "OK."
o 4

2. Start creating your postcard once it opens within InDesign. You will have
two pages on which to create. Designate one side as the front of the
postcard and the other as the back. By default, the top and bottom margins
are represented by pink lines, and the left and right margins are
represented by purple lines. Keep important elements like text inside these
areas.
o 5
Save your file by going to the "File" menu and choosing "Save," or by
typing "Control" and "S" simultaneously. Save the file as an "InDesign
Document." Alternatively, choose to save it as an "InDesign Template,"
which will allow you to reuse this set up repeatedly without having to
repeat all the steps.
Tips & Warnings
 When you enter the new document settings, save them as a "Preset" in the same
dialog box. You can then name them something like "5x7 postcard" for future
use.
 The bleed is indicated by red lines around the postcard edges. If you intend for
colors or other graphics to print to the edge of the postcard, they need to extend
all the way to the red bleed line.
 Always check with your printer to determine its proper specifications for a
postcard.
More Resources
 Postcard Printing http://www.samedayprinting.com/postcards.html
 4×6 Postcard Printing http://www.samedayprinting.com/postcard-printing.html
 5×7 Postcard Printing http://www.samedayprinting.com/standard-postcard-
printing.html