Trying to figure out how to set bleed and trim in indesign

[EEE]

Hi, I'm new here and I'm in a little of a hurry. I'm working on these work samples for a job I've inteviewed for. One of their requests have been to create an ad in indesign. I am unable to set up the document like they have instructed me to.

They want a "trim" of 7.75*10.5, and a "bleed" of 8*10.75.

As far as I understand this, they want me to use a regular 8.5*11 paper, and set up these trim and bleed margins on it. I take it that "trim" is the work area. Where you set the "margins" in the page setup box once you create the document. The "bleed" margins are like an overflow margin for pictures to extend to outside the trim margin, right?

(1) I would like to confirm that the "trim" is the "margins" you set in the first document setup box when you create the document.

(2) I am unable to specify the "bleed" to the required 8*10.75 settings. Since I am working on a 8.5*11 paper, it will not allow me to set a negative (-.25)*(-.125) bleed margin to fit the suggested 8*10.75 bleed on a 8.5*11 paper. Indesign says that the values have to be between 0-6 in. If you set any value above "0" for the bleed, it ends up outside the paper. As I see it, I want a bleed slightly inside the paper edge(8*.10.75), but outside the trim edge(7.75*10.5).

Any thoughts on this? I'm working on this right now, and any quick reply is much appreciated. I'm on a PC in indesign CS1

Regards

Kimson

[Cwilk]

I get that they want a paper size of 8 inches wide by 10.75 inches tall (includes the bleed). Then they want the trim to be 7.75 x 10.5. That is your final size. Most likely you should keep your elements about .25" away from the trim to be safe. Sometimes different print companies have a larger gripper area.

Yes, the bleed is the overflow area. But I would set up the entire sheet to include the bleed which is basically the bleed size of 8"x10.75". Then you can set your margin to be .125 all around and then make a box that is 7.25"x10" ...that should give you the live area after taking out another .25" all around.

I've attached a sample so hopefully this helps you.

http://sabredesign.net/layout.gif

[EEE]

Thanks a bunch. I'll do it as you suggest, set up the paper to be the same as the suggested bleed size, 8*10.75. Set the trim margin at 7.75*10.5, and then work within a live area taking out another quarter on each side. It makes sense. This was the info they gave me for this project:

"Create a full page four color ad using text and images provided with trim and bleed with the following dimensions. Alteration of graphics is up to you and well as use of any typefaces.

Design in both InDesign and Quark programs.

Trim:
7.75 x 10.5

Bleed:
8 x 10.75
"

so next up is the same project in quark, it was a little while since I worked in that so I'll probably come back with some more questions when I get there.

Many thanks

K.

[Cwilk]

It'll basically be the same to set up in Quark. I can answer other questions if you'd like.

[Zaoris]

Christina for the rescue.

[Cwilk]

It's Toon's fault.

But I'm always happy to help. I think I've become the mommy on the boards.

[EEE]

I see that you're in Cali, good then you'll be awake when I'm in trouble again. I live in L.A.

[Cwilk]

I was once in the Bay Area for several years, but now I'm right outside of Yosemite National Park. I don't always log on at night, but you're welcome to see if I might be on.

My office phone is 209-962-0342. ...and I'm more than happy to help if you have any questions.

[EEE]

Thank you, most generous. So here's the deal at the moment: http://lucidroom.com/x/ad.pdf

Any suggestions are of course welcome. I want to get it done before I start to do it in Quark also. I don't want to touch the text, all caps etc. It's how I got it.

K.

[Cwilk]

I probably should have said something sooner, but you could have designed it in Quark first and then opened it in InDesign after it was completed. I'm not sure if Quark opens ID files yet.

...and the ad looks beautiful! Nice work. I wouldn't change a thing. It seems to represent what is needed to the reader and it grabs your attention.