: How can i get better crop marks in InDesign CC so they are simpler to cut? I know how to add regular crop marks to a design, my issue is when I go to cut out my prints on a paper

@Yeniel278

You could also just add an extra page in the beginning of the document, create a rectangle the size of that page (probably with a fill for even easier handling) and print that with your other page(s).
Then you just have that extra sheet on top of your actual sheets, just use it for cutting and throw it away after you're done cutting.

I actually like the idea of turning this into a script, maybe I'll give it a try when I find the time.

What I always do, when I need to cut prototypes or tests in a quick way, is to cut the sides off clock-wise (or counter-clock-wise, doesn't matter) and then when I come to the last cut and have no crop marks anymore, I grab the strip of paper that I cut off in the previous (the third) cut – this one still has a crop mark on it –, put this on top of my stack, so the crop mark lands where it needs to go and then cut. Sounds complicated, but if you have the paper strip in front of you, you will know what I mean. ;)

For production cuts I just use crop marks on two sides (long edge and short edge) and cut the other side off by measuring.

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@Nimeshi706

My personal workflow for down-and-dirty "in-house" branded "gallery wall labels" which vary in size is to use an extra box that has a dotted rule at 1pt, set to black @ 20% tint/opacity. Vary the tint value so they are barely visible (I often work on gray laid paper).

I still use a straight edge, but all I need to do is drop the edge on the line and cut, which speeds things up quite a bit.

Note that unless you have a high-quality (read: professional) paper cutter, you will never get good straight edges. I have tried many types: guillotine, rack & slide etc and they all wiggle and nudge. Some paper cutters I have had to use can vary by 1/8 inch over 11 inches dues to curvature. Not helpful.

If you have a large number of identical sizes to cut, consider:


making the box a locked object on a master page or;
making some sort of jig to attach to your cutter so you can "cut and turn" without needing to measure or align. A few minutes of prep with some matte board can save you an hour or more at the other end of the job.


I would never use any sort of cut guides as described above for a professional (aka "out-of-house" or out-house) job.

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