How to Add a Gradient in Adobe InDesign: 1-Min Guide

How to Add a Gradient in Adobe InDesign

Updated on:

April 6, 2026

By:

Madhav Bhandari

Use this interactive demo to learn how to add a gradient in Adobe InDesign.

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Here’s a simple and quick guide on how to add a gradient in Adobe InDesign:

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To add a gradient to your project, go to the left sidebar and click the 'Rectangle' tool.
Draw a rectangle on your document, then go to the properties section in the right sidebar and click 'Fill' to open the color swatches and fill your shape.
Select the third icon—the Gradient icon—to apply a gradient as the fill color for your shape.
You can see the gradient applied to your project in real time.

📌 Why this matters

Adding gradients transforms flat designs into visually engaging layouts that guide readers' eyes naturally across your pages. You can create depth and hierarchy without cluttering your design with additional elements.

Gradients work particularly well for backgrounds behind text blocks, creating subtle emphasis that makes content more readable while maintaining professional aesthetics. They're also invaluable for branding consistency—matching corporate color schemes while adding sophisticated visual interest that elevates your documents from basic layouts to polished, print-ready materials.

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