Preparing your Indesign Template
Provide detailed guidance on how to prepare your InDesign file
HIVO provides the Editor Template tool, allowing you to import InDesign files directly to create templates and edit them within the HIVO Editor.
The workflow consists of three main steps:
Prepare the InDesign file
However, the most critical factor in ensuring that a template functions correctly and remains error-free during printing lies in the preparation of the original InDesign file. The file must comply with strict technical standards regarding structure and formatting.
HIVO Editor operates on a Layer-based system to manage and edit individual elements. Therefore, when designing in InDesign, you must:
Clearly separate elements (text frames, images, shapes)
Avoid incorrect grouping
Set up a proper structure so each element can be edited independently after import
Pay attention to fonts and colors
In the following sections, we will provide detailed guidance on how to prepare your file, as well as the steps for importing InDesign pages as templates into HIVO and setting them up in HIVO to publish the template.
Setting up Layers in InDesign
Purpose of Layers:
Organize design elements.
Allow individual components to be edited separately in HIVO.
Support collaborative work.
Simplify updates and reuse of design components.
Recommended Layer structure in InDesign is to create separate layers, for example::
Background
Shapes
Images
Text
⚠️ Do not place text and images in the same layer. ⚠️ Do not group text/images with backgrounds or shapes.
Shape Layers
In HIVO Editor, Shape Layers can be managed and controlled independently.
1. When preparing shapes in InDesign
Create shapes using the Rectangle, Ellipse, or Polygon tool.
Shapes:
Must not be configured as Text Frames.
Content type must be set to Graphic or Unassigned.
Do not group shapes with text or images.
If shapes touch the edge of the page → extend bleed (minimum 3mm).
Do not apply Script Labels to shapes (unless specifically required).
2. After importing into HIVO
Go to the Editor page -> Click the “Layers” icon on the right.
View all Shape Layers.
Toggle visibility or manage each shape individually.
Image Layers
Image Layers in HIVO allow users to:
Replace images.
Update visual content directly in the Editor.
Collaborate efficiently.
1. When preparing Images in InDesign
To ensure images are editable in HIVO:
Image frames must be rectangular.
Do not group images with other objects.
Go to Object > Fitting > Fit Content to Frame.
Clear Transformations (no scaling).
Ensure the image and frame are the same size.
Use print-quality resolution (≥ 300 dpi if for print).
2. After Importing into HIVO
In the Editor:
Navigate to the Editor page -> Click the “Layers” icon.
Click “Add Image” to add a new image layer if needed.
You can:
Select an image from the Library.
Paste an image URL.
Choose an image from Unsplash.
Text Layers
1. When preparing Text Layers in InDesign
To ensure text can be edited in HIVO:
Create separate text frames.
Do not link text frames.
Do not use padding or inset spacing.
Do not use soft returns (Shift + Enter).
Every paragraph must have a Paragraph Style applied.
Do not use the Basic Paragraph style.
2. Paragraph Style
Each paragraph within a text box must be assigned a Paragraph Style.
If no Paragraph Style is assigned:
HIVO will apply the Default Style.
This may result in incorrect font, incorrect line height, incorrect layout and errors when printing.
Make sure each Paragraph Style must fully define the following attributes:
Font Family
Font Style
Font Size
Leading (required – determines line height in HIVO Editor)
Kerning & Tracking
Bullets & Numbers (if used)
⚠️ Special Note on Leading: Leading determines line spacing when the user edits content in the Editor. If not configured correctly, the layout will change as the content gets longer.
3. After importing into HIVO
Text appears as a separate layer in HIVO.
Users can edit the content while maintaining the defined styles.
Colors
The color management system is based on the Swatches panel.
Define in Swatches: Every color used (for text or shapes) must be created as a color swatch in the Window > Color > Swatches panel. Do not use colors directly from the Color Picker.
Color Mode: CMYK is preferred for printing purposes.
Note: Gradient Feather effects are generally not supported.
Fonts
Ensure all the fonts used in your Indesign design have been set up in HIVO.
Using fonts available in HIVO will produce the best results, as this avoids issues like mismatched text size or positioning during the export process.
If the required fonts haven't been set up, follow the steps to set up custom font in Brand Guideline. Then, you can go to Brand Assets -> select Font to apply it.
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