Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign have been Adobe’s big two for a while now. Both have their own charms, and above all, added value to your visual content automation process. But when is it best to opt for Photoshop and when to reach for InDesign? In this blog, you will find out.
One page versus multiple pages
Photoshop can mainly be used to edit images. Document formatting is strongly discouraged. InDesign is recommended for working with multiple pages, such as a magazine. Thanks to its automatic page numbering feature, InDesign is the ideal software to use for this purpose. In addition, InDesign immediately displays the layout of your future work. That way, you know which pages will be next to each other and it gives you the chance to get creative with this.
Image vs text
Another key reason to use InDesign for a magazine, for example, is its ability to handle large amounts of text. InDesign makes text formatting easy and efficient. You can save various styles and apply them with a single click, allowing you to shape your work quickly and effortlessly. Moreover, InDesign handles text as vectors (unlike Photoshop, which uses pixels). This ensures that your text remains sharp and clear, regardless of the size in which it is printed. Photoshop, on the other hand, is better suited for image editing because it works with pixels.
No parent pages versus parent pages
One of InDesign’s strongest features is its use of parent (or master) pages. Anything placed on a parent page – like page numbers or a logo – automatically appears on all related pages. This ensures consistent placement of recurring elements throughout your document. Photoshop doesn’t support parent pages. If you were to design multiple pages in Photoshop, you would need to use artboards instead.
Which programme should you use?
Our advice: use Photoshop when…
- You need to edit an image.
- The visual will only be used online.
- You’re creating a background image for a cover and want to remove distracting elements. Ensure the resolution is set to 300 dpi in such cases.
InDesign is the best choice when…
- You’re working with multiple pages.
- There are recurring elements, such as logos or page numbers.
- You want to use grids as a foundation for your layout.
- Your work needs to be printed.
Ybe Jacobs
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