Let us begin!

I recommend working with Custom Grid System to use this method, while Basic Grid System might work, it locks the width and height, so I wouldn’t recommend even trying that feature. Custom Grid System gives you complete freedom as width and height are not “tied” together. For my example, I’ll show you the exact grid we were working on when I met the design agency and then when I got back to my office, I found out! If I sound like a kid at Christmas anxiously waiting to open my present it’s because I know a lot of designers will make great use of this. I was demonstrating the grid on an A4 document (210 × 297 mm).

custom grid system

Width: 210 × 1 × 1 = 210

(Note that InDesign only gets the output sum total: 210.)

Modules: 210 / 1 = 210

Subdivisions: 210 / 50 = 4.2

This gives us 4.2mm for a subdivision width. Now, let’s see if we can match that value for the height of the subdivision. We can actually see if this is possible with a simple calculation: 297 / 4.2 = 70.714285714285714. Since it is not possible to enter anything other than integer values ​​into the subdivision, our closest values ​​will be 70 or 71.

70 = 4,243mm

71 = 4.183mm

In other words, unless we’re playing with modules and a bunch of other stuff, the best we can do is get really close to 4.2mm and even if we’re playing with the numbers, the chances are slim to none in most cases. . I’ll ever be able to get a subdivision that exactly matches.

How can you create a document height that is still 297mm with a subdivision height of 4.2mm and have everything line up nicely? This is what I will show you. I can already imagine you saying: Why didn’t I think of this sooner (unless you haven’t discovered this method yet)?

custom grid system

For this “trick” to work we need to make sure that the output value of the height is below the value that we actually want it to be. For example, it cannot be 297 mm because then we can only get a value that is really close to 4.2 mm but not exact. To prove my point, try setting the first few height fields to 71 × 4.2 x 1 = 298.2 mm. Obviously that won’t work.

Try setting it to 70 instead: 70 × 4.2 × 1 = 294mm.

Module: 294 / 1 = 294mm

Subdivisions: 294 / 70 = 4.2 mm

Note

Don’t forget to press the Apply button; otherwise the settings will not be applied and could cause confusion when you press Done and nothing happens.

So you’re saying to yourself: but I don’t want to have it set to 294mm, I want it to be 297mm. So here’s the “trick”, we’ll make up for the missing part of the document using slug. Go to the Bleed and Slug section of the plugin and in the Bottom field enter: 297-294. So you will get 3mm. Now your grid will be perfectly square and the height will be the value you want it to be.

Note

Note that you should only do this with the bottom or outside and possibly the top section of your document, but whatever you do, don’t use it on the inside of your document because when working with facing pages or spreads it will mess up your document. provision.

PDF Settings

(Make sure Visible Guides & Grids is unchecked in the General section.) Be sure to check: Include Slug Area, this will include the extra 3mm space at the bottom of the document to make it 297mm (294+3).

See the grid on the next page.

See presentation video here