What level of InDesign expertise do I need for creating professional marketing brochures versus simple flyers?
Simple flyers need basic skills - placing text, images, and exporting PDFs. Professional brochures require intermediate to advanced skills including color management, proper print setup, advanced typography, and understanding of paper stocks and printing processes.
How can I tell if someone actually knows InDesign well versus just putting it on their resume?
Ask them to explain their workflow for a multi-page project, how they handle master pages and paragraph styles, or how they prepare files for printing. Real experts will mention technical details like preflight checks, color profiles, and file organization systems.
Can InDesign handle web design and digital marketing, or is it just for print?
InDesign is primarily for print and PDF-based digital content. While it can create interactive PDFs and simple digital publications, it's not ideal for web design, social media graphics, or responsive digital content - use other Adobe tools or web-specific platforms for those needs.
How does InDesign work with other tools my marketing team already uses?
InDesign integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps and can import from Excel for data merge projects. It works well with brand asset management systems and can export to various formats for different marketing channels, but it's not a marketing automation or CRM tool.
How long does it take to set up templates or complete typical InDesign projects?
Simple templates take 1-2 weeks, complex annual report templates need 3-4 weeks. Individual projects vary: brochures take 3-5 days, annual reports 2-4 weeks, and catalog layouts 1-3 weeks depending on content volume and complexity.
What ongoing support do I need after an InDesign project is completed?
You'll need occasional updates for content changes, troubleshooting if files don't print correctly, and training for team members using templates. Most businesses benefit from having access to InDesign expertise for quarterly updates and when printing issues arise.