Apply a linear gradient

How to apply a (linear) gradient

Select an object

Click the shape frame you want to apply the gradient fill to.

Open the Color panel → choose Linear gradient

From the fill control, switch from Solid color to Linear gradient.

Fill color panel

Adjust stops

A new gradient starts with 2 stops. Select a stop to set its color:

Choose Custom or Colors (Brand Kit definition) as the source.
Pick a color space: RGB, CMYK, HEX.
When a color is defined using Brand Kits, you can also use a Spot color.

2 Color Stops Gradient

Click in the gradient in the color panel to add a stop.

3 Color Stops Gradient

With the stop selected, you can change the color (type)

3 Color Stops Gradient colored

To delete: select a stop in the gradient (in the color panel) and hit the backspace / delete button.

Set direction on canvas

Drag the on-canvas gradient handles to define the angle and extent of the transition.

Select the frame
Select the fill color / gradient to see the handles

Tip: Blend an gradient over an image

Place the gradient above other content and experiment with blend modes to tone imagery or create subtle vignettes.

Result

Your object is filled with a linear gradient that follows your chosen direction and uses colors from Custom picks or Brand Kits. When exporting to PDF, Spot stops remain spot for print separations.

Learn more: Concept of Gradients

PDF output for mixed color types in stops

In the template designer workspace, each gradient stop can use a different color type. The exported PDF behaves as follows:

If all stops use the same color type, the gradient stays in that color space.
If the gradient mixes color types, it is converted to RGB in the PDF.

Examples:
- RGB -> RGB -> RGB spot → RGB
- CMYK -> CMYK -> CMYK spot → CMYK
- CMYK -> RGB -> CMYK → RGB