◆ Photoshop · retouch

Last-Minute Brochure Spread

I've got a 12-page brochure due to [approver=Joey] in [deadline=two hours] and the opening spread feels top-heavy: the…

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CDecide — “help me choose”I've got a 12-page brochure due to [approver=Joey] in [deadline=two hours] and the opening…+
I've got a 12-page brochure due to [approver=Joey] in [deadline=two hours] and the opening spread feels top-heavy: the hero image, three headlines and a two-column body are fighting for space and the client will notice any sloppy rhythm. I can't tell whether to reduce the image size or tighten the type to save the hierarchy without making the copy cramped. Tell me which move keeps the spread balanced for print and won't trigger a redesign request, and what exact visual check to run before I send the PDF to prepress.
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

Artboards in Photoshop allow you to design multiple canvases within a single document, perfect for various design iterations or multi-page layouts.

  1. 1

    Select File > New to open the New Document dialog box.

  2. 2

    Select the Artboards checkbox in the New Document dialog box.

  3. 3

    Choose a preset size from the options, or set a custom Width and Height.

    Best practiceConsider your system's RAM; many artboards, especially large ones, can strain performance on systems with less than 16GB RAM.

  4. 4

    Click Create to open your new document with an initial artboard.

  5. 5

    Select the Artboard Tool (V) from the toolbar to add more artboards.

  6. 6

    Click the + icon in the Options bar or drag on the canvas to create a new artboard.

  7. 7

    To duplicate an artboard, right-click a layer in the Layers panel and select Duplicate Layer.

  8. 8

    Choose the target artboard for placement and click OK.

  9. 9

    Select File > Save or File > Save As to save your document.

Think of artboards as individual cropped regions within one large image, allowing for diverse design elements in a single file.

Artboard creation and manipulation can be automated using Photoshop's scripting capabilities, often via JavaScript.

Glossary

words on this page
Spot Healing BrushA tool that quickly removes small imperfections and blemishes from an image by blending surrounding pixels.ExampleThe Spot Healing Brush quickly removes a small dust speck from an otherwise clean product photo.
Duplicate LayerCreates an exact copy of a selected layer, useful for non-destructive editing or variations.ExampleYou use Duplicate Layer to create a copy of your edited photo before trying a new color effect.
AdjustmentsNon-destructive edits applied to an image to change its color, tone, or other visual characteristics.ExampleYou can use Adjustments to brighten a dark photo or change its color balance.
Options barA contextual bar displaying settings and controls for the currently active tool.ExampleWhen you select the brush tool, the options bar shows its size, hardness, and flow settings.
ArtboardsIndividual canvases within a single document, useful for designing multiple layouts or pages.ExampleYou might use Artboards to design different versions of a logo within a single document.

The real tasks

1 of them
Laying out the brochure pages two hours before the client review; I'm the only designer here and I'm worried the spread will read amateur to the account manager.

Who does this

1 roles
Desktop Publisher

Questions people actually ask

with the jobs and tasks they touch

Use the Spot Healing Brush or Clone Stamp tool to carefully paint over watermarks, tears, or ink blotches. Work in small sections for precision.

Be sure to zoom in for detailed areas and avoid removing original map details. Save your work periodically to prevent losing progress.

Begin after scanning the map at high resolution, before color correction or other edits. Cleaning early helps prevent spots from affecting color or contrast adjustments.

Doing it first ensures the scan is as clear as possible, making subsequent restoration steps easier.

Always work on a duplicate layer to keep the original intact. Use small, soft brushes and gentle strokes.

Zoom in closely to target only the flaw, and avoid over-smoothing, which can erase fine details.

Trying to remove large areas with the Clone Stamp or Healing Brush in one go, which can cause unnatural patches.

Instead, work gradually with small brush strokes, matching textures and tones carefully.

A digital archivist or historical researcher often performs this task before adding maps to a digital archive.

They focus on removing flaws to preserve the map's integrity for future studies.

AI can automate some spot removal and dust correction, speeding up the process. However, it might not handle complex flaws perfectly.

Manual cleanup is still necessary for precise work, especially on detailed or delicate areas.

Archive cleaning focuses on removing small flaws like tears or ink blotches without altering the overall look or subject.

Unlike background removal, it’s about careful correction of imperfections to preserve historical accuracy.