Does size matter

[FScott]

I am new to Indesign and embarrassed how stupid I am that I've not been able to answer these qustions. I am designing a picture postcard that in finished form will be 4.25 by 6 inches. The sheet they will be printed on is 12 by 18 inches. Which translates to four cards per sheet.

I understand that to get that finished size I need add another quarter inch for bleed, so that brings the dimensions of the imagine I import into Indesign to be 4.5 by 6.25 inches.

First question: Do I set the Indesign frame to my finished size: 4.25 by 6 inches. or the larger including the bleed area(4.5 x 6.25)?

Second question: The card height with bleed is 4.5 inches, times four, equals the 18 inches sheet size; is that a no go because it is the max sheet size? even though the finished size of the cards is 17 inches.

Third question: What is the least I need reduce the width of my six inch finished card to fit eight to a 12 X 18 inch sheet?

 

[FScott]

OK, I've gotten beyond my first really dumb questions.

I think the way to resolve most of my issues is simple trail and error. I will set up as best I can figure, take it to the printer and have him run a proof.

I'm not even sure I am using the right program, maybe I should be using Illustrator. Life was simpler when all I had was Photoshop and Word... the results were hit and miss of course.

I would still be interested in getting eight postcards from a 12 x 18 sheet, rather than four 6 x 4.25 inch cards.

Thanks in advance

 

[BodesMan]

Your printer will handle the imposition. You just design the postcard to the correct trim size, if you have bleed pull out the bleeds 1/8 from the trim, and thats it.

You printer will handle getting your postcard to fit on a 12 x 18 sheet.


"Tell'em we're comin', and hell's comin' with us.

 

[FScott]

You have more faith my son than my world allows. I would guess a hell of a lot more fun too.

My printers' great people, with great prices, but all design work is farmed out. I bought the Suite because I needed Photoshop and Acrobat. How tough could it be to get Indesign right? I'm making it way more work than it needs to be, it is not yet fun like Photoshop.

Thanks again