Item: Adobe InDesign
Rating: 10
Author: Chad Gabriel

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Adobe InDesign is primarily used by our branding and marketing functional areas including social impact. It allows us to create print ready publications for things like brochures, flyers, posters, magazines, and more.

Pros and Cons

Powerful capabilities for many print media formats
Team workflow via Creative Cloud
Handling large file sizes with high resolution photos

Steep learning curve
Occasional slow load time when opening

Return on Investment

Allows us to avoid expensive agency outsourcing
High quality pre-production error checking eliminates rework
Packaging makes time to prepare for printer much more efficient

Alternatives Considered

QuarkXPress

If you use the Adobe Suite you must use InDesign. Quark will work as a good standalone product, but my experience was that there are more available users and support for InDesign. Quark is an inferior product.

Support Rating

There is so much online support for this product I’ve never had to call support for anything other than transferring user licenses. Plenty of Adobe videos, documentation, templates, and tutorials online.

Key Insights

Do you think Adobe InDesign delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Adobe InDesign's feature set?

Yes

Did Adobe InDesign live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Adobe InDesign go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Adobe InDesign again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Adobe Acrobat DC, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator CC

Likelihood to Recommend

InDesign is ideal for when you need complete control of all aspects for printing including color, bleeds, slugs, I don’t, and margins for example. If you’re not worried about these types of things the product will still do the job but may be overkill.

Training Types Used

Online training
in-person training

In-Person Training

Attending Adobe MAX each year is extremely valuable.

Peanut Butter is to Jelly as Printing is to InDesign

Overall Satisfaction with Adobe InDesign