Editorial Design · Page 4 of 7

Build your grid: a recipe

The best grids start from the body text and line up with the baseline grid. Here is a worked example for the 7.5″ × 9.75″ magazine page. Use it to learn the method, then adjust the numbers to make your own grid.

  1. Choose body text first. Set a paragraph in your text typeface during your type study, for example 9.5 pt on 12 pt leading. The leading (12 pt) becomes your baseline grid and your gutter.
  2. Set the margins in multiples of the leading. The page is 702 pt tall. A top margin of 36 pt (3 lines) and a bottom margin of 54 pt (4.5 lines, with room for the folio) leaves a live area of 612 pt = exactly 51 lines.
  3. Divide the width into columns. The page is 540 pt wide. With a 54 pt inside margin and a 36 pt outside margin, the live area is 450 pt. Six columns with 12 pt gutters gives 65 pt columns.
  4. Divide the height into rows that land on baselines. 51 lines = 4 rows of 12 lines + 3 one-line gutters. Each row is 144 pt (12 baselines), so the top of every module sits on the baseline grid.
The grid recipe, measuredA right-hand magazine page, 540 by 702 points, with a 36 point top margin, 54 point bottom margin, 54 point inside margin and 36 point outside margin. The 450 by 612 point live area holds six 65 point columns and four 144 point rows separated by 12 point gutters, sitting on a 12 point baseline grid. Numbered markers match the four steps of the recipe.7.5 in = 540 pt9.75 in= 702 ptTop 36 pt (3 lines)Bottom 54 pt(room for the folio)Inside 54 ptOutside 36 ptLive area 450 pt65 pt12 pt gutterRow 144 pt= 12 baselines12 pt row gutter612 pt tall= 51 linesmodule1234
The recipe on one page. Numbers match the steps above: 1 12 pt baseline grid, 2 margins in whole lines, 3 six 65 pt columns, 4 four rows of 12 baselines. The pink box is one module.
SettingExample valueWhere in InDesign
Page size, bleed7.5 in × 9.75 in, facing pages, 0.125 in bleedFile > New > Document
MarginsTop 0.5 in, Bottom 0.75 in, Inside 0.75 in, Outside 0.5 inNew Document, or Layout > Margins and Columns
Columns6 columns, 1p0 (12 pt) gutterNew Document, or Layout > Margins and Columns
Rows4 rows, 1p0 gutter, Fit Guides to MarginsOn the parent page: Layout > Create Guides
Baseline gridStart 0 pt, Relative To Top Margin, Increment 12 ptSettings > Grids
Body text9.5/12, Align to Grid: All LinesBody paragraph style
Test it in print

Print a spread at 100% and read a column of body text. Is it too big? (Beginning designers usually set it too big.) Lines of about 40 to 60 characters per column read comfortably. If your lines are much longer or shorter, change the number of columns your text spans.

© Created by Sara Rosenstock, Marietta College Graphic Design.