In Step with InDesign: Creating a library for graphic elements


To create a cohesive yearbook, use similar graphic elements throughout the pages. You can ensure this by creating a library of your graphics. This collection can then be saved and shared with all staff members. By using InDesign libraries, you can store and reuse graphic elements throughout your layout, whether they’re text frames, single graphics or even groups of objects.

It is important the shapes that you add to the library are vector graphics. This will allow the user to increase the size of the graphic without jeopardizing image quality.

1. With a collection of graphics on your page, start a new library by going to File > New > Library. Name 
the library “2015 Yearbook graphics.” Save this new library to your desktop. Once it is saved, your library will appear on screen as a new palette.

2. Select a graphic from the page and drag it to the palette or dialog box. Or you can go to the palette options and select Add items on page to add everything at once or Add Items on Page as 
Separate Objects, which will create each item in the palette.

3. Give each graphic a descriptive name. Double-
click on each individual graphic. When the dialog 
box appears, name the graphic and make sure the 
Object Type is set to Geometry.

4. Once you have created a library, if you close the 
library these images will be saved into this group. When you open it, you can click and drag elements 
onto your page. Once placed on the page, you can resize, change the color and edit the copy.