Starting your first yearbook page can feel overwhelming, but once you understand the tools and layout options, the process becomes smooth and enjoyable. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to create a clean, professional first page in your yearbook project.

1. Choose Your Page Type

Before adding content, decide what kind of page you’re designing. Common page types include:

• Portrait Pages (auto-flow student photos)
• Event or Activity Pages
• Sports Pages
• Clubs & Organizations
• Title or Divider Pages

Selecting the right type helps guide your design choices and structure.

2. Start With a Template

Templates give you a strong, consistent foundation.

Why use them?

• They provide built-in alignment and spacing
• Help maintain consistency throughout the book
• Save time and reduce design mistakes

How to use:

Click Layout then choose the one that matches your page purpose 

Apply it to your page and begin customizing

3. Add Your Photos

Photos are the heart of your yearbook page.

To add photos:

1. Go to Images or Manage Photos
2. Drag and drop photos onto your page
3. Resize and reposition as needed

Tips:

Use high-resolution images

Avoid stretching photos out of proportion

Keep spacing and alignment clean

4. Add Text for Headlines, Captions, or Descriptions

Text helps tell the story behind your photos.

Common text elements:

• Page titles
• Subheadings
• Captions
• Quotes or short descriptions

Best practices:

Use no more than 2–3 fonts throughout your book

Keep font sizes consistent

Make sure text contrasts well against your background for easy reading

5. Choose Your Background

Backgrounds add personality without overwhelming the page.

Options include:

• Solid colors
• Patterns or textures
• Full-page images
• Gradient designs

Important:
Backgrounds should always extend past the page edges to the bleed area to avoid white edges during printing.

6. Organize Your Layout with Alignment Tools

Use the editor’s alignment features to keep your design clean.

Align photos evenly

Keep margins consistent

Tip:
Preview Mode helps you see if anything looks misplaced or uneven.

7. Add Shapes or Decorative Elements (Optional)

Shapes help group content or add visual interest.

Examples:

Boxes behind text

Banners for titles

Lines or borders

Icons or small graphics

Keep decorations minimal so they don’t distract from your photos.

8. Review Your Page in Preview Mode

Preview Mode shows exactly how your page will print. Click on View > Preview Mode.

Look for:

White edges

Misaligned items

Cut-off text or photos

Layer issues (elements hidden behind others)

Make adjustments as needed before moving on.

9. Save and Continue to the Next Page

Once you’re satisfied with your design:

Save your work.

Duplicate the page if you want to create similar layouts.

Move on to your next section.