Adobe InDesign has officially entered the era of generative design — and it’s powered by Adobe Firefly. With tools like Text to Image, Generative Expand, and Content Credentials, InDesign users can now create stunning visuals without leaving the layout environment.
Whether you’re a designer, marketer, or publisher, this guide will walk you through how to access and use these new generative AI tools inside InDesign.
What Is Generative AI in InDesign?
Generative AI in InDesign refers to a new class of tools powered by Adobe Firefly, Adobe’s ethical AI model trained on licensed and public domain content. These tools let you create images from text prompts, expand content borders, and automatically embed attribution metadata — all within your InDesign layout.
📌 Note: These features are available to Creative Cloud members with Firefly credits. You can track your usage in your account panel.
How to Access Firefly Tools in InDesign
As of the latest InDesign release (2025), the generative AI features can be found here:
1. Text to Image Panel
- Go to Window > Text to Image
- Or click Create Image in the contextual taskbar when an image frame is selected
2. Right-Click on Image Frame
- Choose Generate > Text to Image or Generate > Expand Image
You’ll need to be signed in to your Adobe account and have generative credits available.
How to Use Text to Image in InDesign
This feature lets you generate images directly from text prompts.
Steps:
- Select or create an image frame
- Open the Text to Image panel
- Enter a descriptive prompt (e.g., “A minimalist bookshelf in soft lighting”)
- Choose an aspect ratio, style, or lighting preset
- Click Generate
You’ll receive 3–4 image variations. Pick the one you want, and it will be placed into your frame.
✅ Pro Tip: Use detailed, visual language for better results — e.g., “A surreal floating city at golden hour, cinematic lighting, wide shot”
What Is Generative Expand?
This tool lets you “uncrop” or extend the background of an image beyond its current bounds.
To use:
- Select an image
- Increase the image frame size
- Right-click and choose Generate > Expand Image
Firefly will fill in the new space with plausible content based on the image’s context.
This is perfect for adapting images to different page sizes or bleed margins in print design.
What Are Content Credentials?
Whenever you generate an image using Firefly in InDesign, it automatically embeds Content Credentials.
These are metadata tags that include:
- “Generated with AI” notice
- Original prompt (if enabled)
- Timestamp and tool version
This ensures transparency and builds trust in creative outputs — especially for commercial use.
Can You Use Firefly Images for Commercial Projects?
Yes — Adobe Firefly images generated in InDesign are safe for commercial use, provided they’re made using generative credits from your Adobe account.
Firefly was trained on licensed and public domain data, not scraped content — making it legally safer than many other AI tools.
💡 Use Cases for Generative AI in InDesign
Here are a few ideas for how designers are already using generative AI tools in layout workflows:
- Generating cover images for reports and books
- Expanding product shots for brochures
- Creating filler artwork for pitch decks and templates
- Rapidly visualizing layout concepts in the wireframe phase
Final Tips for Working with AI in InDesign
- Always edit or refine AI-generated content — it’s a starting point, not a final product
- Combine with layer effects or object styles for polished results
- Track your Firefly credit usage regularly to avoid running out mid-project
- Embed alt text and check accessibility when using AI imagery in exports
Conclusion
Generative AI in InDesign isn’t just a novelty — it’s a practical, integrated design assistant. By learning how to use Firefly’s text-to-image and expand tools, you can work faster, ideate freely, and add a whole new dimension to your page layouts.
So go ahead — type a prompt, hit “Generate,” and see what happens. Your layout just got smarter.
👉 Try Adobe InDesign free for 7 days — Start your trial today.
