◆ Illustrator · layout

Page Composition

Arrange multiple panels and labels into a page-ready catalogue section for the design team: assemble ten consecutive p…

2heights
4tasks
2roles do it
See the prompt↓More layout workflows

The same job, four prompts

do it · improve it · decide · become
AExecute — “help me do it”Arrange multiple panels and labels into a page-ready catalogue section for the design team:…+
Arrange multiple panels and labels into a page-ready catalogue section for the design team: assemble ten consecutive panel artboards with consistent margins and heading styles, link master image files, and export a review PDF with page numbers.
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.
BImprove — “do it better”To reduce back-and-forth with the design lead, prepare the catalogue section for review:…+
To reduce back-and-forth with the design lead, prepare the catalogue section for review: provide a PDF with live text highlights for any missing captions, show consistent label spacing across pages, include a checklist of fonts and linked images, and mark items that require conservation approval before print.
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid
The tool
Artboards Panel

The Artboards panel helps you manage multiple design canvases within a single Illustrator document.

  1. 1

    Select Window > Artboards to open the panel.

  2. 2

    Select the Artboard Tool from the Toolbar.

    NoteYou can also press Shift+O to activate the Artboard Tool.

  3. 3

    Drag on the canvas to create a new artboard.

  4. 4

    Click the New Artboard button in the Artboards panel to add a new artboard.

  5. 5

    Double-click to the right of an artboard's name in the panel to center it on your screen.

  6. 6

    Drag artboard names in the Artboards panel to reorder them.

  7. 7

    Select Rearrange All Artboards from the panel menu.

    Best practiceTo avoid artboard numbering issues, periodically close and reopen Illustrator, especially after long sessions or many tabs.

  8. 8

    Select desired options in the Rearrange All Artboards dialog.

  9. 9

    Click OK to apply the arrangement.

Use the Artboards panel to name, reorder, and navigate your artboards efficiently.

While Illustrator's scripting capabilities allow for some artboard manipulation, direct panel interactions are typically manual.

Glossary

words on this page
Rearrange All ArtboardsAn option to automatically organize and space multiple artboards on the canvas.ExampleYou click Rearrange All Artboards to neatly align and space out all your design variations.
Artboard ToolA tool used to create, resize, and reposition artboards within your document.ExampleYou grab this tool to make your poster design area wider or move it to a new spot.
Panel menuA menu within a panel that provides additional options and commands specific to that panel's functions.ExampleClicking the small icon in the Brushes panel reveals options like 'New Brush' or 'Delete Brush'.

The real tasks

2 of them
Arrange multiple panels and labels into a page-ready catalogue section for review by the design team.
Arrange map insets, charts and narrative panels into a legible one‑page summary for distribution at outreach events.

Who does this

2 roles
Urban PlannerMuseum Curator

Questions people ask

honest answers

Because you rarely think 'I want the redaction tool'. You think 'I have to share this without leaking the client's details'. Start from the need, and the feature finds you.

Real. Every job here was drawn from what people in real roles were actually seen doing in Illustrator — not a feature checklist.

No. Each page gives you a ready prompt you can paste into an AI assistant, plus the plain steps to do it yourself. Start with either — the goal is the finished job, not the tool.