How to Create a Digital Planner Using Adobe Photoshop and InDesign

In this step-by-step tutorial, you'll learn how to take any planner template from the Pretty Fabulous Designs shop and turn it into a digital planner using Adobe Photoshop and InDesign. We'll cover everything from creating the pages and tabs to adding hyperlinks and testing the final product.

Step 1: Set Up the Photoshop File 🖼️

First, open Adobe Photoshop and create a new file. This will serve as the foundation for your digital planner.

Configure File Settings

• Set the orientation to landscape.

• Change the units to pixels.

• Set the width to 1336 pixels and the height to 960 pixels.

• Ensure the resolution is 300 pixels per inch.

• Keep the color mode as RGB since this planner will be viewed on digital devices.

Once these settings are configured, click Create to generate your file.

Choose a Background

Select a neutral background for your planner. A subtle background ensures the planner content stands out. I typically pick something like a beige or marble texture. Avoid overly complicated designs as they can distract from the planner's content.

For this tutorial, I chose a sandy beige background. You can experiment with different textures to see what works best for you.

Step 2: Create the Left and Right Pages 📄📄

Next, we will create the left and right pages of the planner. These pages will serve as the main content areas where users will interact with your planner.

Draw the Pages

• Select the Rectangle Tool from the toolbar.

• Enable rulers by going to View > Rulers.

• Drag guidelines to mark the center of your canvas. For this file, the center is at 668 pixels horizontally and 480 pixels vertically.

Draw a rectangle on the left side of the canvas to represent the left page. Change its fill color to white and remove any stroke.

Duplicate the Page

Copy the left page rectangle and paste it to create a right page. Position it to the right of the left page, ensuring they are evenly spaced. This step helps in visualizing the planner layout.

Add Coils (Optional)

If you want to add a realistic touch, you can include faux coils between the left and right pages. You can purchase coil graphics from sites like Etsy. Once you have the coil graphic, place it between the pages to see how it looks.

Remember, the coil is just for visualization and won't be part of the final digital file. You can hide the coil layer by clicking the eye icon next to the layer in the Layers panel.

Label Your Layers

To keep your project organized, label your layers appropriately. For example, name the left page layer "Left Blank Page" and the right page layer "Right Blank Page". This practice helps you manage your layers as the project becomes more complex.

Now that we have our basic setup with the left and right pages, we can move on to adding more elements and customizing the planner further. Stay tuned for the next steps!

Step 3: Make the Tabs 📑

Creating tabs for your planner is a crucial step. These tabs will help users quickly navigate through different months or sections.

Extend the Pages

First, extend the left and right pages vertically. Use the transform tool (Command + T) and hold the Shift key to extend the pages downward. Adjust the positioning to ensure they fit well within your canvas.

Measure and Divide

Next, measure the height of the rectangle. For instance, if the height is 890 pixels and you need 12 tabs (one for each month), divide 890 by 12. This will give you the height for each tab.

Create the First Tab

• Select the Rectangle Tool and draw a rectangle with the calculated height (e.g., 74 pixels).

• Adjust the corners to have a slight curve (e.g., 5 pixels).

• Fill the rectangle with a color that matches your planner's theme.

Label this tab as "January" and position it so that only the rounded edge is visible.

Duplicate and Label Tabs

Duplicate the January tab and rename the new layer to "February." Change the color slightly to differentiate it from January. Repeat this process for all 12 months, ensuring each tab is evenly spaced and labeled correctly.

Group and Align Tabs

Once all tabs are created and labeled, select all 12 layers. Use the alignment tools to ensure they are evenly spaced and aligned to the left. Group these tabs into a folder named "Right Tabs."

Create Left Tabs

Duplicate the "Right Tabs" folder and rename it to "Left Tabs." Use the transform tool to move these tabs to the left side of the planner. Ensure they align perfectly with the left page.

Step 4: Add the Home Button 🏠

Adding a home button allows users to quickly return to the main page of the planner. It's a small but essential feature.

Create the Home Button

Select the Rectangle Tool and draw a small rectangle at the top left corner of your planner. This will be your home button.

Style the Button

• Fill the rectangle with a light color that contrasts with the nearby tabs.

• Add a thin stroke (e.g., 1 pixel) to outline the button.

Label the Button

Label the rectangle as "Home" to make its function clear. You can also add a home icon if you prefer a more visual representation.

Final Adjustments

Ensure the home button is properly aligned and doesn't interfere with other elements on the page. Make any necessary adjustments to its size and positioning.

With the tabs and home button in place, your digital planner is now much more user-friendly. These elements make navigation smooth and intuitive, enhancing the overall user experience.

Step 5: Export the Photoshop Files 📤

Prepare the Files for Export

First, ensure that you have individual sheets for each month: January, February, March, and so on. Each tab should correspond to its respective month.

Hide all the left-side tabs and keep the home button visible at the top. Rename the layer containing the home button to "Home" for clarity.

Export the Blank Sheets

• Unselect all the right-side tabs as well.

• Go to File > Export and choose JPEG as the file format.

• Name the file "blank white sheets.jpeg" and save it in a designated folder called "tabs."

Export the Background

Delete the white pages and the home button, then go to File > Export for Web. Save this as "background only".

If you want to change the background color, adjust it to a white color and save it with the new settings.

Export Each Month

Now, add back the home button and the white pages. Export each right-side tab as separate JPEG files:

• Show all right-side tabs and export the full view with tabs labeled from January to December.

• For each month, show only the respective tab on the left side and hide it on the right side before exporting.

Continue this process until all months are exported. Save each file with a naming convention like "01_January.jpeg", "02_February.jpeg", and so on.

Step 6: Set Up the InDesign File 🖋️

Create a New Document

Open Adobe InDesign and create a new document. Set the dimensions to match those used in the Photoshop file (e.g., 1336 pixels by 960 pixels).

Ensure the orientation is landscape and uncheck the "Facing Pages" option. This setup will create a continuous flow for the digital planner.

Configure Document Settings

• Set the margins, bleed, and slug to zero since nothing is being printed.

• Decide on the number of pages. For a monthly planner, create 12 pages (one for each month).

Click Create to generate the new document.

Utilize Master Pages

Master pages are essential for consistency. Go to Window > Pages to ensure the Pages panel is visible.

In the Pages panel, you will see the master pages at the top. These pages will serve as templates for your monthly layouts.

Set Up the Workspace

If your workspace looks different, adjust it by going to Window > Workspace > Essentials Classic. This setup provides a more comprehensive view of your tools and panels.

With the master pages and workspace configured, you're ready to start importing the files and adding content to your digital planner.

Step 7: Create the Master Pages 🗂️

Next, we will create the master pages. These pages will serve as templates, ensuring consistency across your planner.

Create New Master Pages

First, navigate to the master pages section in Adobe InDesign. Click the plus button to create a new page. Right-click on the new page and select Parent Options. Name this first master page "Blank White Page."

Repeat this process to create another master page and name it "Background Only."

Drag and Drop Elements

With your master pages set up, start dragging and dropping the corresponding elements. For the "Blank White Page" master, drag the white page file from your assets and place it on the master page. Ensure it fits perfectly within the dimensions of 1336 pixels by 960 pixels.

Do the same for the "Background Only" master page, dragging and dropping the background file to fit within the same dimensions.

Duplicate and Rename

To make the process faster, duplicate these master pages for each month. Right-click the "Background Only" master page, select Duplicate, and rename it to "January."

Repeat this step for all the months, creating master pages named "February," "March," and so on, until "December."

Replace Backgrounds

Once all the master pages are created, replace the background images for each month. Select the January master page, highlight the background, and drag and drop the January background file. This method ensures that each master page has the correct background without resizing.

Repeat this step for each month's master page, ensuring the backgrounds are correctly placed.

With the master pages set up, you're ready to move on to adding the actual planner pages.

Step 8: Add the Pages 📄

Now that the master pages are ready, we can start adding the individual planner pages to the document.

Import Monthly Pages

Begin by importing the pages for each month. Go to the January master page and copy the left and right pages from your Photoshop file. Paste them into the InDesign document, ensuring they align perfectly with the master page layout.

Use the Paste in Place Feature

To maintain alignment, use the Paste in Place feature. This ensures that elements are pasted in the exact same position as they were copied from.

Repeat this process for each month. Copy the left and right pages from your Photoshop file and paste them into the corresponding master pages in InDesign.

Adjust as Necessary

While pasting the pages, you may need to make minor adjustments to ensure proper alignment. Use the selection tool to move elements slightly if they don't align perfectly.

For months with longer names, like "February" or "September," ensure the text fits within the designated space without overlapping other elements.

Add the Cover Page

Next, add the cover page. Right-click on the cover page in your Photoshop file and select Move Pages. Choose to move it to the beginning of your InDesign document.

Ensure the cover page matches the dimensions of 668 pixels by 960 pixels. Adjust the layout as needed to fit within these dimensions.

Finalize the Layout

With all the pages added, review the entire document to ensure consistency. Check that all elements are properly aligned and that the text is legible.

Make any final adjustments needed to perfect the layout of your digital planner.

Your digital planner is now complete! With the master pages and individual pages set up, you're ready to export and test your planner in GoodNotes.

Step 9: Add the Cover 📔

Position the Cover

First, we need to position the cover page correctly. Go back to your cover page in the Photoshop file and select it. Use the Move Pages option to place it at the beginning of your InDesign document.

Ensure the cover page matches the dimensions of 668 pixels by 960 pixels. Adjust the layout as needed to fit within these dimensions.

Align and Adjust

Once the cover page is in place, make sure it is aligned perfectly with the rest of the document. Use the selection tool to make any necessary adjustments. This ensures a seamless transition between the cover and the subsequent pages.

Final Touches

With the cover page in place, review it for any final tweaks. Check for alignment, text legibility, and overall design coherence. Make sure it sets the tone for the rest of the planner.

Now that the cover is added and aligned, we can move on to adding the coils and tabs, which will further enhance the planner's usability and aesthetic appeal.

Step 10: Add the Coils and Tabs 📑

Add the Coils

Adding coils gives your digital planner a more realistic, book-like appearance. Start by selecting the coil graphic from your assets. Place the coil between the left and right pages, ensuring it aligns perfectly.

To maintain consistency, use the Paste in Place feature. This ensures the coil is placed in the exact same position on each page. Repeat this process for all the pages, from January to December.

Adjust Coil Placement

Depending on your design, you may need to adjust the coil placement slightly. Ensure the coil does not interfere with any text or important elements on the page. The goal is to enhance the look without compromising functionality.

Add the Tabs

Tabs are essential for easy navigation. First, create a tab for each month. Use the Rectangle Tool to draw a small rectangle on the edge of the page. Label each tab with the corresponding month.

Duplicate and Position Tabs

Once you have created the January tab, duplicate it for the remaining months. Change the label for each duplicate to the appropriate month. Position these tabs along the edge of the page, ensuring they are evenly spaced and aligned.

Group and Align Tabs

After positioning all the tabs, select them and use the alignment tools to ensure they are evenly spaced and aligned. Group the tabs to keep them organized. This makes it easier to manage them as you continue to refine your planner.

Final Review

With the coils and tabs added, review the entire document once more. Check for alignment, consistency, and overall design coherence. Make any final adjustments needed to perfect the layout of your digital planner.

Congratulations! Your digital planner is now complete with a cover, coils, and tabs. These elements not only enhance the visual appeal but also improve the functionality and user experience. You're now ready to export and test your planner in GoodNotes.

Step 11: Add Page Numbering and Hyperlinks 🔗

Add Page Numbering

First, we need to add page numbers to our digital planner. Page numbers help users easily navigate through the planner. To do this, go to the Master Pages section in Adobe InDesign.

Select the master page where you want to add the page number. Use the Type Tool to draw a text box at the bottom corner of the page. Type "Page" followed by a space.

Insert Page Number Marker

With the cursor placed after "Page," go to Type > Insert Special Character > Markers > Current Page Number. This will insert an automatic page number marker that updates based on the page.

Repeat this process for the other master pages to ensure all pages have consistent numbering.

Style the Page Numbers

To make the page numbers visually appealing, highlight the text box and adjust the font, size, and color to match your planner's theme. You can also add a background color or border to the text box for emphasis.

Ensure the page numbers are aligned consistently across all pages. Use the alignment tools in InDesign to achieve this.

Create Hyperlinks

After adding page numbers, the next step is to create hyperlinks. Hyperlinks make navigation seamless, allowing users to jump to specific sections or months within the planner.

First, create sections for each month. Go to Layout > Numbering & Section Options and set up sections for January, February, and so on. This step is crucial because hyperlinks will link to these sections.

Add Hyperlinks to Tabs

Navigate to the tab for January. Right-click on the tab and select Hyperlink > New Hyperlink. In the dialog box, set the Link To option to Page and choose the page number corresponding to January.

Repeat this process for each month's tab, linking them to their respective sections. This ensures users can jump to any month directly by clicking on the tab.

Copy Hyperlinked Tabs

Once you have created hyperlinks for one tab, you can copy and paste the hyperlinked tab to other pages. This saves time and ensures consistency. Select the hyperlinked tab, copy it, and paste it onto the other pages.

Adjust the position of each pasted tab to ensure it aligns perfectly with the page layout.

Test Hyperlinks

After adding all the hyperlinks, it's essential to test them. Export the planner as an Adobe PDF (Interactive). Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat and click on each tab to ensure it navigates to the correct section.

Testing is crucial to ensure that all hyperlinks work as intended. This step helps you catch and fix any errors before finalizing the planner.

Final Adjustments

With page numbers and hyperlinks added, review your entire digital planner. Check for alignment, consistency, and functionality. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure a polished and professional look.

Save your work frequently to avoid losing any progress. Once satisfied, export the final version and test it on various devices, including iPads and other tablets, to ensure compatibility.

Congratulations! Your digital planner is now complete with page numbering and hyperlinks, making it user-friendly and easy to navigate. You're ready to share your planner with the world!