Web Development: 20 Best Free InDesign Templates With Creative Layout Design Ideas 2021

20 Best Free InDesign Templates With Creative Layout Design Ideas 2021

Adobe InDesign is the leading app to lay out designs, particularly for printed products.

The fastest way to create a professional design is with the help of an Adobe InDesign template. With the help of a template, you'll have creative InDesign layouts with everything you need already designed.

Indesign Layout templates — King Julian, a premium Adobe InDesign template from Envato Elements.

You can save yourself many hours of work if you use an Adobe InDesign template. That's because they already have creative layouts built for you. Fill them in with your content and print your finished design! You'll see templates for brochures, proposals, resumes, and more.

If you want creative InDesign layouts that help you save time, this is the article for you. In it, we've rounded up the best free InDesign layout templates. You'll also see top premium Adobe InDesign templates from Envato Elements and GraphicRiver that give you the best design options.

You'll see free InDesign layout templates later in this article. For now, let's focus on a cost-effective solution that gives you professionally designed InDesign layouts. These options offer far more layouts and customization options.

5+ Top Premium InDesign Templates From Envato Elements

The best source for unlimited InDesign layouts is Envato Elements. For a single flat rate, Envato Elements gives you access to an unlimited number of creative InDesign layout templates. That gives you the freedom to experiment and try tons of designs with the best InDesign layouts.

Creative InDesign Layouts on Envato Elements — Download an unlimited number of premium creative InDesign layouts from Envato Elements.

Before we jump into our list of free content, let's look at some of the awesome offerings on Envato Elements. Consider picking one up or check them out for design inspiration:

1. Helvetica Magazine Indesign Template (INDD)

Get this trendy InDesign template if your next project is a modern magazine. This template features a clean and minimalist design. Your images and text will be the focus of attention.

This InDesign template features:

32 pages
Two sizes: A4 and Letter
Automatic page numbering
Multipurpose design
Two cover alternatives
Images included

2. King Julian Brochure - Square (INDD)

Julian is an excellent brochure template with the sharpest Adobe InDesign layouts. It's a great example of the advantage of premium InDesign templates over free InDesign templates. With 24 square pages, it's print-ready with a deep variety of page layouts that are perfect for any printed production.

3. Flyer (INDD)

The best templates can be reused without reinventing the wheel. This flyer template is perfect because it's simple and clean. Add your photos and type over the text placeholders to create a printed flyer without learning InDesign from the ground up.

4. Proposal (INDD, EPS, JPG, PDF)

Here's another Adobe InDesign template to help you craft a winning proposal. The 12 custom pages feature everything from project details to budgetary info and project timelines. It helps you create a clear set of expectations with your client to ensure success.

5. Madelynn Pitch Pack InDesign Design Templates (INDD)

This amazing pack of InDesign templates includes proposal templates, cover letter templates, resume templates, and more! If you're looking for invoices, mood boards, or even something for your next brief, check out this collection.

6. InDesign Lookbook Template (INDD, PDF)

This template could be a great fit for a whole host of visual projects. Whether you're preparing a portfolio design or working on a lookbook, there are 74 stylish pages to work with here. Easily mix, match, and adapt them to suit a variety of projects. This is better than the free InDesign portfolio templates you may find online.

5 Top Premium InDesign Templates From GraphicRiver

Do you already know what you need? It's possible that GraphicRiver, an Envato marketplace, is the right choice for you. Buy Adobe InDesign templates one at a time on GraphicRiver. The Adobe InDesign templates are just as stunning, but you'll pay only for what you choose.

GraphicRiver Adobe InDesign templates — The premium InDesign layouts are outstanding, and you'll pay only for the templates you select on GraphicRiver.

Later in this article, you'll see that there are free InDesign layout templates. But the quality of these designs can't compare to the premium options from sites like Envato Elements and GraphicRiver.

Let's see five of the best premium InDesign layout templates from Elements and GraphicRiver:

1. Proposal Template (INDD)

If you're making a significant proposal, it's certainly worth the upgrade from a free InDesign template. Using an inexpensive InDesign proposal can be the difference in landing your next big client. Use the beautiful designs in this InDesign template to pitch your project effectively.

2. Clean and Professional CMS Web Proposal (INDD)

If you run a web design agency, you probably spend too much time creating project proposals. You need proposal templates that help you spend less time pitching and more time doing the work at hand. This Adobe InDesign template is perfect. It features popular CMS (content management systems) that are likely part of your proposal.

3. InDesign Magazine Template Design (INDD)

There are 20 different pages to work with in this stylish, professional InDesign magazine template. Love one of the spreads? Adapt a page (or two) into a flyer or use these layouts for your multi-page newsletter. There's so much potential here.

4. Landscape Proposal Template (INDD)

How about working with a landscape orientation? This InDesign booklet template is perfect for proposals, but also works great for portfolios, newsletters, and so much more. With 40 different pages included, there's so much to work with and customize. It even includes help files to help you get started.

5. Clean Portrait Multipurpose InDesign Template (INDD)

The best InDesign templates are often the most versatile ones. This multipurpose, multipage InDesign template could be used for so many different projects! This stylish template includes 28 pages. It's perfect for showcasing your eye-catching photos, infographics, and so much more.

Find More Creative InDesign Templates From the Envato Tuts+ YouTube Channel

Premium InDesign templates are great time-savers, and they have high-quality design. There are hundreds to choose from on Envato Elements, so you can find something to fit your projects. If you want to see some of our personal favorites, check out this video from our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:

20 Free InDesign Layout Templates

Before looking for a free InDesign template on the web, check Envato's free offerings first. Try out various premium template files (not always InDesign templates) at no cost to you.

Here's the deal:

Every month Envato Elements offers 12 different hand-selected files, (fonts, InDesign layout ideas, videos, and more). Create a free account to download this month's free premium files now.
Or try Envato Market for free. They offer seven hand-picked monthly freebies. Log in with your Envato Market account to get this month's handpicked premium freebies.

But if you're looking for other free InDesign layouts, we've got you covered. Below, you'll find the result of the best free InDesign layout templates for a variety of purposes:

1. Free InDesign Book Templates

Putting your ebook together doesn’t have to be time-consuming thanks to this free InDesign layout template. Instructions are included, as well as six different layouts for you to choose from.

2. Freebie Quote & Presentation Templates for InDesign

This free InDesign presentation template was designed specifically with freelancers in mind. The sleek and modern design gives a more polished look for normally boring documents.

3. Free Resume/CV Template

With this free InDesign template, choose between an image or color block header to help your resume/CV stand out. Activity icons are also included.

4. Free Brochure Template

The layout of this free Adobe InDesign template is classic. The 20 pages give plenty of room for descriptions and information about employees, services, and products.

5. FREE PROPOSAL template

Floral photos are the theme of this creative InDesign layout. Warm tones are used throughout the 44 pages of this free InDesign layout template.

6. Free Multipurpose InDesign Brochure Template

This easily editable free Adobe InDesign template features a navy and grey theme. It's got plenty of lock graphics and security-related designs. The modern design is great for technological security companies, services, and products.

7. Free Simple Resume

This is another InDesign layout idea for a resume. The modern and minimalist design of this free InDesign template features a large mint green header.

8. Free Booklet Template InDesign

Use this easily customizable free InDesign template for a variety of marketing needs. This template features plenty of InDesign layout ideas that you can quickly add your content to.

9. Free Business Proposal Presentation Template

This creative InDesign layout has a building and renovation theme. The navy and yellow color palette of this free InDesign presentation template also features geometric patterns.

10. Free Instruction Book Template - InDesign Book Template

This instructional booklet has a simple and straightforward layout. The easily editable design of this free InDesign template makes it easy for you to input all necessary steps. It also features cellular and Bluetooth design elements.

11. Free Resume Template

This free InDesign layout template is another minimalist layout option for a resume or cover letter. The icons in this creative InDesign layout add a unique look.

12. FREE Guidelines Template

Floral photos and distinct typography make up this brand guidelines template. Easily use the elements in this free InDesign template or add new elements.

13. Free InDesign Portfolio Templates and Mockup Download

Here's a free Adobe InDesign template that's got a no-fuss design. The main focus of this uncomplicated portfolio is the unique font. Free InDesign portfolio layout templates like this one are a must download.

14. Free InDesign Brochure Template

The trendy and minimal style of this free InDesign template has master pages and layers to make adding content a breeze. Sloping color blocks and lines are prevalent in this InDesign layout template.

15. Free Company Profile Template InDesign

Looking for a free company profile InDesign template that's download-friendly? The cool blue and grey color scheme in this four-page brochure template is suitable for brief company presentations. This free InDesign template features icons, a map, and a paragraph style.

16. Free Invoice Templates

Bold design and stark contrast are used in these free Adobe InDesign templates to bring a creative breath of fresh air to an otherwise drab document.

17. Free InDesign Portfolio Template

This eight-page free InDesign layout template is great for showing off a web, print, or photography portfolio. Large picture boxes and small detail areas give a general overview of your work, as well as a close look at interesting facets of your portfolio.

18. Newsletter Design Free Download InDesign template

Here’s a free InDesign template for putting together your next newsletter. The simple design of this InDesign layout puts the focus on the content of your newsletter.

19. Project Proposal Template

The colorful and modern design of this free Adobe InDesign template features stylish typography. This creative InDesign layout is versatile enough that it could be used for business proposals and startups or academic projects.

20. Photography Magazine Cover Template

This free Adobe InDesign template is bold with its bright and modern text and black and white photography. Use this InDesign layout idea as-is, or you can easily add your own photos.

5 Creative InDesign Layout Design Ideas

In this section, we'll sample the best InDesign layout templates from Envato Elements. As you check out these designs, remember that all of them are included with your flat-rate subscription. They're easily customized and ready for your content.

1. A Global Perspective

In the King Julian brochure, the double-spread on pages 18 and 19 has a slick global map. It's perfect for a design that needs a worldwide perspective.

Global Indesign Layout — A premium global design like this one from King Julian is a perfect creative layout design for worldwide teams.

Here are a few ideas for how you can use this beautiful, globalized slide:

Global locations for your company or organization, showing off the number of sites and offices you've got.
Sources of raw materials that your company consumes.
Employee locations, which is a perfect design for a "work-from-home" culture.

2. A Flexible Flyer

The best InDesign layout templates are flexible! That means that you can reuse them for extra editions or versions. Flyer from Elements fits the bill perfectly. Easy-to-use image placeholders make this easy to customize.

Creative InDesign Flyer Layout — Use a creative premium Flyer template for an easy-to-refresh, brief newsletter.

A flyer like this one would be perfect for a periodic update or newsletter. Departmental updates within your company are easy to create when you use a flyer template like this one.

3. A Timeline Design

Timelines are always a powerful storytelling tool. They're typically used to connect the past to the present, but you can also use them to predict the future. Slides 8 and 9 in Clean & Modern Multipurpose Brochure V2 make for an excellent timeline.

Timeline Indesign Layout — Use a creative premium InDesign layout with a timeline to create a connected series of events.

Use a timeline to tell a story of "how we got here," or chart the course into the future. Either way, using a beautiful creative InDesign layout like this makes it easy to create illustrative infographics.

4. The Team Layout

No matter what type of presentation or print-out you're creating, consider featuring your team. It builds camaraderie and a sense of recognition when your collaborators see themselves.

Team Layout King Julian — Use a creative premium InDesign layout that features your team to recognize your peers.

The layout you see above in the King Julian template is excellent for showing the team members. It's perfectly split between two pages in a double spread. Just drop in your team's photos and descriptions.

5. The Price Proposal

Proposals help you put your "best foot forward" when presenting to a client. In the creative world, the packaging of the project matters just as much as your actual work. Use the template labeled Proposal for creative InDesign layouts while pitching.

Price Proposal InDesign Layout — Use a premium budget template to lay out the pricing of your proposal.

Unfortunately, so many buying decisions come down to price. That's why you've got to meet the issue head-on when presenting to a potential client. This creative InDesign layout helps you lay out the budget to show the cost components effectively.

How to Quickly Customize Creative Layouts in InDesign

Found the perfect InDesign template, but not sure where to start? Whether you've decided to work with a premium template or you've found the perfect free find, your InDesign template is going to need the right adjustments.

We'll use this premium InDesign business card template in this example walk-through. Download it if you'd like to follow along.

Let's look at some helpful quick tips to get your InDesign template edited, customized, and ready for print in a snap:

1. Edit Text in Adobe InDesign

Working with type is an essential part of working in Abobe InDesign. Thankfully, doing so is simple. Select the Text Tool, as shown below, to get started.

In the case of this template, the goal is to edit text that's already been placed in the layout. With the Text Tool selected, simply click on the text box and then make your edits—it behaves much like standard word-processing software.

Prefer to add new text? Using the Text Tool, click and drag to draw a new text box. Then, place your text.

2. Use the Paragraph Panel in Adobe InDesign

But you'll likely want to style your text too—rarely is text perfectly set to our liking, right out of the box! One way we can style our text is by using the Paragraph panel. Find it by looking under Window > Type & Tables > Paragraph.

For example, in the example below, the text alignment has been changed to align right in the Paragraph panel.

3. Change Fonts and Text Styles in InDesign

But how about changing the font or the font size? We can do that in the Character panel. Not sure where to find it? Look under Window > Type & Tables > Character.

In the example below, the name on the business card has been changed to a new font, Open Sans. We can change the style, too—in this case, Light has been selected. Change the size, the line height, and more in this panel.

4. Change Colors in Adobe InDesign

Want to add or change colors in your design? There are multiple ways we can do this. One of the simplest is to select the Foreground Color in your Tools panel—note the small teal square in the example below. Click on this to open up your Color Picker and choose a new color.

We can also use our Swatches panel to choose colors that we've saved—or save a new color here to use it again later in your design process.

5. Move and Arrange Your Layout Design in InDesign

Moving and rearranging entire parts of your design is also simple—use the Move Tool. In the example below, the Move Tool is selected.

Select multiple parts of your design by holding down Shift while clicking, or click and drag while holding down Shift. Then, we can use the Move Tool to move multiple parts of the design at once.

Using the Move Tool is as simple as clicking and dragging with your mouse or using the arrow keys on your keyboard.

Where to Find the Best Resume Templates in 2021 (Envato Elements vs. GraphicRiver)

Premium templates definitely give you an advantage over free InDesign templates, which might not have as many features.

But there are plenty of great premium Adobe InDesign templates out there. Both Envato Elements and GraphicRiver have top-notch InDesign layout ideas. But which one should you choose? Let's take a look at the benefits of each.

1. Key Benefits of Envato Elements

If you're looking for unlimited downloads, Envato Elements is an awesome deal. This is a great choice if you want to try out a whole bunch of different InDesign templates without worrying about an extra price tag.

But the benefits don't stop there. Need imagery? How about fonts? Envato Elements has you covered on all those fronts. Download additional assets to customize your InDesign template.

Choose from thousands of high-quality assets—don't waste your valuable time hunting for what you need. It's all right here, and it's all included for one low price.

2. Key Benefits of GraphicRiver (& Envato Market)

But maybe you're not looking for a large collection of assets—we've all been there. You need one thing, and you know exactly what you want. GraphicRiver is an awesome choice for situations like this.

Browse through the impressive collection of professionally designed InDesign templates (although there's much more to see on GraphicRiver, too!). One simple download, one simple price, and you're ready to go. Pay for what you need and get right down to business.

GraphicRiver InDesign ideas templates — Keep things simple with GraphicRiver—choose from a huge collection of InDesign templates.

Your Choice (What’s Right for You?)

What kind of design work do you do? If you find yourself regularly hunting for assets and you do a lot of creative work, Envato Elements can be a perfect choice. Save time and money—it's a huge bank of content, all ready to use. Just search, download, and get down to business, all for one low fee. Sign up for Envato Elements now.

Or keep things simple with GraphicRiver. Download only the InDesign templates you need: one fee, one transaction, and that's that.

Discover More Creative InDesign Templates for 2021

Looking for even more design inspiration? Check out these collections of InDesign Templates—they're sure to inspire. Or consider picking one up to add to your collection today.

Learn Adobe InDesign on Envato Tuts+

Curious about working with Adobe InDesign? There are so many free tutorials on Envato Tuts+ that you can check out right now! Whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, there's plenty to learn and plenty to see. Check out this sample of our tutorial offerings today:

Create a Document With Creative InDesign Layouts Today

We've shown you some of the top choices for InDesign layout templates in this round-up. Each of these designs will help you quickly create beautiful, printed products easily. You also saw some free options for no-cost InDesign layouts.

The premium InDesign layout templates you saw from Envato Elements are a significant upgrade over the free selections. And don't forget the stunning pay-as-you-go Adobe InDesign layout templates from GraphicRiver.

No matter what you're designing, there's an Adobe InDesign layout template for you. Use a template to create an eye-catching design that's sure to stand out!

Editorial Note: Our staff updates this post regularly—adding new InDesign templates with the best trending designs.

Monday, January 4, 2021