Open the Swatches panel (Window > Color > Swatches).
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Text styles
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Add graphics and media
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Transform and arrange objects
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Add and edit graphics
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Add tables and data
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Interactive elements and forms
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Create lines and shapes
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Apply color
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Define and manage color assets
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Advanced color techniques
- Apply opacity and transparency effects
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- Create and name gradient swatches
- Modify and adjust gradients
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Define and manage color assets
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Edit with InCopy
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Save, export, and publish
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Export to EPUB
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Print
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Color output and separations
- About color separations
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- About ink trapping
- Trap a document or a book
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- Set the trap width for colors next to black
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- Overprint strokes and fills
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Create and name gradient swatches
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn how to use the Swatches panel to save gradients for consistent reuse across your Adobe InDesign document.
Save gradients as swatches to reuse them and maintain consistency. Gradient swatches appear in the Swatches panel and can be applied to fills and strokes. Editing a swatch updates all objects that use it.
Create a new gradient swatch
Select the panel menu icon, then select New Gradient Swatch.
Enter a name in the Swatch Name field.
Select Linear or Radial from the Type drop-down menu to define the gradient direction.
To add color stops, select the Gradient Ramp slider where you want to position a new color.
Select a color stop, then define its color using Stop Color.
Drag color stops along the Gradient Ramp to adjust color transitions or adjust the Location percentage value.
Select OK. The gradient swatch appears in the Swatches panel, with an icon indicating whether it's a linear or radial gradient.
To create a variation of an existing gradient, drag the gradient swatch to the New Swatch icon at the lower-right of the panel, then edit the duplicate.
Edit an existing gradient swatch
Open the Swatches panel (Window > Color > Swatches).
Double-click the gradient swatch you want to modify.
Adjust color stops, positions, or gradient type in the Gradient Options dialog box.
Select OK to apply changes. All objects that use the gradient swatch update automatically, keeping the gradient consistent throughout your document.
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