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InDesign Advanced — course hero image

Adobe

InDesign Advanced

Adobe

Advanced layout automation, GREP styles, long-document workflows and print-ready production techniques for experienced InDesign users.

2 days Classroom — London NW10 Live online available

Format

Live instructor-led

Hands-on, question-led sessions

Location

London NW10 or online

9 Station Terrace, NW10 5RT

Level

Advanced level

Small groups, hands-on, expert-led

Who this course is for

This course is for experienced designers, artworkers and production specialists who are already proficient with InDesign's core features and want to master advanced automation, GREP workflows and long-document production techniques to significantly improve their efficiency and creative output.

Prerequisites

You should be comfortable with all core InDesign features including paragraph and character styles, master pages, and document setup, or have attended our InDesign Intermediate course.

What you'll learn

Mastering advanced preferences and interface customisation to optimise your workflow and streamline document creation processes.

How to create and manipulate complex objects using Bezier paths, compound paths and advanced alignment tools for precision.

Exploring advanced text features like GREP searches, conditional text and text variables to automate and refine content.

Learning to integrate native Photoshop, Illustrator and EPS files seamlessly while managing live captions and layer options effectively.

How to work with advanced typography controls, such as optical margin alignment, custom glyph sets and OpenType features.

Developing expertise in creating interactive documents with buttons, hyperlinks, QR codes and export options for PDFs and EPUBs.

Gaining skills in advanced colour management, including multi-ink colours, FOGRA39 standards and managing rich black for print.

Generally learn to handle complex layouts in full confidence, improving the quality and efficiency of your design projects.

Exploring the Layers panel to organise content effectively, unlock master items and integrate Photoshop and Illustrator layer comps seamlessly.

Course outline

What you’ll cover

Preferences

  • Detailed look at key options in Preferences
  • Changing Application/Document defaults

Interface

  • Spread view rotation
  • Normal, preview and presentation mode
  • Shortcuts for quick navigation

Objects

  • Combining/converting objects
  • Transforming objects with different methods
  • Pasting objects within objects
  • Creating Bezier paths
  • Pathfinder and Align
  • Compound paths

Object Styles

  • Advanced Object Styles
  • Picture fitting controls
  • Activating paragraph styles in object styles

Strokes

  • Creating custom strokes
  • Pen/Pencil/Smooth/Erase tools

Text

  • Text Import options
  • MS Word to InDesign style sheets workflow
  • Creating and using custom dictionaries
  • Using the story editor
  • Turning text to outlines
  • Find/Change options
  • Basic GREP searches
  • Mapping Styles to Tags on Export
  • Open type
  • Column Guides

Advanced Styles

  • Bullets and numbering - with styling and using Space Between
  • Nested Styles
  • Grep Styles
  • Cross References
  • Understanding Character style behaviour
  • Understanding Object style behaviour

Advanced Typography

  • Single Line/Paragraph Composers
  • Working with OpenType
  • Justification/Hyphenation controls
  • Keep with Next
  • Creating Custom Glyph sets
  • Word space kerning
  • Controls for Drop Caps
  • Paragraph rule options
  • Optical Margin alignment
  • Span and Split
  • Column rules and custom Baseline grid

Advanced text features

  • Text variables - Running Heads
  • Conditional Text
  • Indexes
  • The Notes features
  • Footnotes and Endnotes

Images

  • Working with native Photoshop files
  • Working with AI Illustrator and EPS files
  • Object Layer options and Layer Comps
  • Re-linking based on file extension
  • Live image captions
  • Update using Edit With

Colours

  • Named and Unnamed Colours
  • Multi-ink colours and groups
  • FOGRA39
  • Aliasing spot colours in the ink manager
  • Rich Black

Documents

  • Document Presets
  • Advanced Master Page options
  • Sections and numbering
  • Working with CC and ordinary Libraries vs Content Collector
  • Creating and placing Snippets
  • Books
  • Linking for Text and Spreadsheets files

Tables

  • Creating Cell and table styles
  • Linking to Spreadsheets/updating information using import options

Working with Transparency

  • Effect behaviour in the effects panel
  • Transparency with Blending modes
  • Isolating blending with groups

Working with Interactivity

  • Buttons and forms
  • Hyperlinks and QR
  • Print v Interactive PDF
  • EPUB, Jpeg, PNG output
  • Creative Cloud functionality - CC Libraries, Share and collaborate, Publish Online
  • Liquid Layout

Print Production

  • Separations preview
  • Flattener Preview
  • Bleed and slug
  • Crop/Reg/Bleed marks
  • Define PDF settings

Utlities

  • Using and adding scripts
  • Data Merge
  • Track Changes

Included

  • Live expert-led instruction
  • Practical exercises and workflow examples
  • Live Q and A and troubleshooting with the trainer
  • Follow-up support guidance

Frequently asked questions

Is this InDesign Advanced course suitable for me?

This course is designed for people who have experience in InDesign or have already attended one of our InDesign training courses or who would like to further their knowledge of best practice in the use of InDesign.

How is the content taught throughout the InDesign Advanced course?

Our InDesign Advanced course is extremely interactive. You will be using InDesign throughout the day, working through examples and live projects under the guidance of our trainer, who will be supporting you through each step.

Should I attend the InDesign Advanced course in person or live online?

For in-person courses at our London training centre, you will receive a warm personal welcome, your choice of the latest Mac or PC and morning and afternoon refreshments. If you prefer to attend remotely, rest assured that you will be taught live by the same experts that deliver our in-person courses, covering the same training content, using the same exercises and materials. A second monitor is recommended but not essential.

Will I receive a certificate upon completion of my InDesign Advanced course?

Yes, you'll receive a certificate of completion from Transmedia, demonstrating your knowledge and attendance on our InDesign Advanced course. Our certificates note our Authorised Training Centre status.

How many people are likely to be in the class when I attend the InDesign Advanced course?

We have the smallest class sizes in the industry. On average there are 2 to 3 people on our InDesign Advanced public courses. When we are oversubscribed, rather than put more people on the same course, we open up a new course date, which ensures everyone has maximum interaction with our trainer and the chance to ask questions throughout the day.

What support is available after I attend the InDesign Advanced course?

We offer ongoing support to our InDesign Advanced course attendees through email and by arrangement, phone calls. You are welcome to ask any questions on topics covered during training. Our trainer will always do their best to explain principles and help you with any issues you encounter.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5

I have taken part in several Transmedia courses and will likely take part in a few more. From start booking to training Transmedia are brilliant to work with. Happy to answer all questions ahead of booking to help make sure you're on the right course (thank you Jo). The training itself is very thorough and the instructor, (Lee in my case) was happy to stop and go through any parts that were a struggle during the course.

Reach plc · InDesign Advanced — May 2026

Attended online advanced InDesign training, Tony was very helpful, informative and broke down step by step information on how do do certain things (tools/colours/settings) and creating my own defaults setting which i didnt know how to use, plus CC Libraries which has been a massive time saver, really enjoyed this course and would recommend it, theres never a stupid question to ask, so ask away!

Intellectual Property Office · InDesign Advanced — April 2026

Informative, educational and well delivered.

Ernst & Young · InDesign Advanced — February 2026

Gorgeous premises and lovely, knowledgeable team. I really enjoyed my course (Adobe Firefly) - the tutor was friendly and professional and happy to answer any questions and tailor the course (I was the only student so had my own private session). The class room and the whole building is really well done, modern, clean and professional space that reflects the overall approach. They have fast and modern machines available to use or you can use your own devices. Highly recommended.

Quadrotech — June 2026

Fantastic and super valuable training! Fantastic and super valuable training! Tony shaped the training fully to our needs, adapted, accelerated and deep diving when needed. I learned so much these past days with tangible examples Tony provided.

Adobe — June 2026

The trainer, Lee, was excellent. He rattled through the key elements of Premiere Pro while keeping the course interactive and engaging. The small sessions made it easy to get 1:1 support or clarifications. The pleasant and well equipped office is well situated in Kensal Rise, so easy to find and get to. I learnt a alot - and now feel up to date with latest Premiere Pro options and AI integrations.

UNICEF — June 2026

Hi Brook, Sorry for the delay - I was on AL yesterday! The training was great, thank you. Tony was very thorough with everything and I definitely left with some new knowledge and skills. I'll leave a review later today. Thanks for sending the materials across. Have a lovely rest of your day!

Live Union — June 2026

I wish all training courses were run this well!

RPS Design — June 2026

The Design and Development areas of Clarks shoes has been using Transmedia as a training partner for eight years now, mainly in the 'creative' Adobe applications - Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Premiere. In that time we have built an excellent working relationship with the management and admin teams and several of their core trainers. This has had a major influence in raising the skill levels and quality of our artwork across our design teams- recently extending across the Atlantic, delivering training to our US based designers. Staying with Transmedia has given us continuity and enabled the trainers to really come to understand what Clarks require and thus able to deliver real value for money. The staff are always friendly and a pleasure to deal with - whilst being efficient and professional throughout. Nothing is ever too much trouble. I really can't recommend Transmedia highly enough.

Clarks International — June 2026

The course was excellent - exactly to my company's needs. All questions were answered and concepts explained very clearly.

Hannah Griffiths — June 2026

First class - The trainer was extremely knowledgeable and answered all our questions.

MOD — June 2026

The course itself was really informative and trainer was excellent. Poor communication and organisation between transmedia and QA meant my course was cancelled twice. I hope you improve this relationship. To be honest I would prefer to book direct through you next time, avoiding QA.

Deborah M — June 2026

The session on the 25th was brilliant, thank you. The SE's found it very useful and loved Tony's tips and tricks to help us update our prototypes quickly.

Salesforce — May 2026

I thought the course and the location were perfect

MOD — May 2026

Wonderful trainer Lisa - fun, friendly, informative and comprehensive course! Thank you very much indeed.

Structural Soils Ltd — May 2026

Very much appreciated and enjoyed the introductory course. It was very in-depth and Tony did a fantastic job of covering each individual section of Figma in great detail; no stone was left unturned. Tony is clearly passionate about what he does, which made the course that much more enjoyable and valuable. Looking forward to the advanced course next month - eager to continue learning more from him.

Wren Kitchens — May 2026

Very thorough course and enthusiastic trainer who was very helpful and responsive to individual needs.

NVIDIA — May 2026

I really enjoyed my course. Tony is a really good trainer and tailored the day according to my level and needs.

Delegate — May 2026

Great tutor well worth the money will definitely keeping in contact and very recommended

Workplace Options — May 2026

The trainer's knowledge was very strong and he was able to answer all my questions. Admin staff were very friendly and helpful.

VCCP — May 2026

Need a bespoke course or group booking?

We train teams at their offices across London and the UK. Call us or email to discuss.