Week 8

Setting up a simple
Baseline Grid system
Setting up a simple Baseline Grid is not something
to stress over. While it may sound complicated,
it isnt:
1) The foundation of the Baseline Grid starts with the size of the
text and the setting of the Leading. Start by selecting your
body copy typeface. Once chosen, select the best point size
and leading setting for maximum legibility.
2) Consider the intended settings for page and margin sizes
(These can be updated and finalised later) and use these as a
guide to determine the ideal column width and the number of
columns your body text will use. Remember, the ideal number
of words per line should roughly be between 712.
3) Review these settings and check that they will work with the
anticipated page size. If not, you will need to rethink the width
of your columns and the size of your text.
4) Create a Baseline Grid (by selecting the settings from
Preferences>Grid). Your Baseline Grid needs to be in
increments that are divisible by your leading. ie, if your leading
is 12pt then your Baseline Grid should be 3pt (1/4 the leading)
or 6pt (1/2 the leading), or 12pt (exactly the same as the
leading). For beginners, it is easiest to set a Leading and
Baseline Grid setting that is either 1/2 the leading or exactly
the same. Start the Baseline Grid from the top of your
text box.
5) If the page design requires Paragraph Spacing rather than
Paragraph Indentation, make sure it uses a setting that is
divisible by the Baseline Grid. ie Space After of 6pt or 12pt.
Once you have made your selection, create a Paragraph Style.
6) From the Paragraph Style settings, select the Indents and
Spacing tab. By selecting the Align to Grid, All Lines setting,
the text will always align to the Baseline Grid setting.
7) Once you have determined these settings, divide the page
into equal vertical sections. Do this by counting the number of
baselines that make up the text area NOT the overall height in
mm. This can be a little tricky, but it is worth taking the time
to ensure accuracy. Use a consistent line count to determine
the space between each grid cell. This line count will also help
when placing folio marks and captions.
8) From here, start adding the necessary elements to the page,
such as headings, images, captions etc. Ensure that the
Leading settings for all text is divisible by the Baseline Grid.
Tip: The Baseline Grid should use points as
the unit of measurement and not millimetres.
When dividing up the page, remember that
1pt = 0.35275mm

CTY201A Typographic Systems

Week 8

11 baselines (@12pt ea)

Top margin size can remain

variable to accommodate
Baseline Grid

11 baselines (@12pt ea)

12pt

11 baselines (@12pt ea)

12pt

11 baselines (@12pt ea)

12pt

11 baselines (@12pt ea)

12pt

Bottom margin size can remain

variable to accommodate
Baseline Grid

In this simple example, an A4

document has been set up with a
baseline of 12pt applied between
the top and bottom margin (If not
restricted to a preset page size, the
documents Baseline Grid can be set
up to include the total page area).
It is important to note how the
Baseline Grid matches up with the

CTY201A Typographic Systems

Document Grid and its gutters. Each

grid cell is made up of 11 base lines
with an additional 1 baseline for the
gutter. This gives a type area of 59
base lines (55 + 4) at 12pt each, or
a total height of 708pt / 249.75mm,
leaving 47.25mm to be allocated to
the top and bottom margin size.

Document specification:
Page size 210mm x 297mm
Margins Top 18mm, Left 18mm,
Right 18mm, Bottom 29.253mm
Baseline Grid 12pt
Document Grid 5 x 5
Gutters 12pt