28 Creative InDesign Business Proposal Templates (Free Premium for 2022)

An InDesign proposal template can help you showcase your content. In this article, we'll look at some creative proposal templates for your inspiration. Pick up one today.

In this article, we'll look at premium creative business plan InDesign proposal templates. We'll also look at free business plan InDesign templates too. Both have their pros and cons. Sometimes, free is the perfect price. This is especially true when budgets are tight. Other times, the convenience and quality of a premium InDesign proposal template can't be beat. We'll look at both, for your convenience.

So, sit back, and enjoy the design inspiration. Consider picking up a creative InDesign business plan template today.

Unlimited Premium InDesign Proposal Templates for 2022

If you're looking for an InDesign proposal template free download, listen up. When it comes to a business proposal template in InDesign, free might sound appealing. But free InDesign proposal templates often lack options and content. They also might not be free of copyright or license restrictions. You still have things to worry about. You'll probably need to allot time for extensive edits too.

Premium means higher quality than a business proposal template in InDesign for free. But what if you're on a tight budget? Thankfully, there's here's an awesome deal for the cost savvy: Envato Elements.

With Envato Elements, you get a library of professional assets for one, low price. That's unlimited downloads. Download as many premium InDesign proposal templates as you like at a low price.

Any extras you might need would all be included too. So, pick up some fonts, graphics, and other assets. Use them to perfectly customize your proposal template. It's all included. In fact, you can find other Adobe proposal template designs too.

Of course, free is everyone's favorite price tag—but don't forget that your time is worth money too. Sometimes, getting a product done quickly and efficiency is absolutely worth the investment. Working with a premium product can really make a difference in your workflow. 

But what makes the perfect premium Adobe InDesign proposal template? It could mean getting your work done effectively and quickly. An InDesign proposal template free download might not have an initial cost. But the time, effort, and result can add up.

5 Best InDesign Proposal Templates From Envato Elements

Before we look some free finds, let's look at a sample of the premium offerings over on Envato Elements. Consider adding a new premium InDesign business plan template to your collection. Or enjoy the design inspiration:

1. Business Plan Proposal Design Template for Adobe InDesign

2022 calls for creative proposal and business plan templates. That's what this download is all about. There are vibrant colors and a mix of different image masks to frame your photos. You'll find 20 pages to customize in this InDesign proposal template. If you want to impress potential investors and share information about your business, try a template like this one.

2. Stylish InDesign Proposal Template Design

This clean, sophisticated design includes 36 pages for you to customize in any way you like. The creative business plan template also includes files for Microsoft Word, for your convenience.

3. Proposal Template Design for Adobe InDesign

How about a design with a playful layout and a fun pop of color? Jump right into this InDesign proposal template. Customize the colors and the included 12 pages. You'll have a hard time finding InDesign business proposal templates for free with quality this good.

4. InDesign Proposal Template Design

Looking for versatility and options? This Adobe proposal template for InDesign is a perfect choice. It includes 40 pages. The layouts themselves are highly adaptable to a variety of design projects. It's minimal and a top look if you want to use creative business plan InDesign templates.

5. Colorful InDesign Proposal Template Design

Playful use of shapes and color make this design really stand out from the crowd. Remember, the colors here are all customizable. Open this design up in Adobe InDesign and make it your own.

5 Best InDesign Proposal Templates From GraphicRiver

But maybe you're not necessarily looking for a library of content. If unlimited downloads aren't your style, check out GraphicRiver. 

Take a look at GraphicRiver. you get an impressive selection of premium, professionally designed Adobe proposal templates. But only download what you need. Keep things simple! This is an awesome choice if you only want to download a single InDesign business plan template.

If you know exactly what you need, freely browse and stick to one, singular download. No fuss, no subscriptions—but plenty of quality and convenience. Download what you want, when you want it, and keep things simple.

Check out this selection of premium business proposal InDesign templates from GraphicRiver. It's just a taste of all the noteworthy content to see!

1. Minimal Modern InDesign Proposal Template Design

Simple and corporate is the feel of this InDesign proposal template. You get 24 custom pages to use. There are five different color schemes to choose from, as well as infographics and vector icons. The different creative options here are better than in most InDesign business proposal templates that are free.

2. Corporate Business Brochure 16 pages A4 + Letter

This Adobe InDesign proposal template is an excellent choice if you want a modern brochure. You'll find lots of unique layouts and pages with different typography and image placeholders. There are all kinds of paragraph styles and financial tables to complete this creative business plan template.

3. Business InDesign Proposal Template Design & Brochure

Are you a fan of minimal design and layouts? Then check out this InDesign proposal template. It's got an excellent use of white space across its 32 pages. This InDesign project proposal template comes in A4 size and is print-ready. That means that you can get from designing to investors' hands in a matter of clicks.

4. Contemporary InDesign Proposal Template Vol. 9

It's hard to find InDesign business proposal templates that are free and have the quality of this option. It uses its fun colors and typography to create bold layouts on every page. Like other premium business InDesign templates, customization is simple so you won't need to use too much time to make this your own.

5. InDesign Business Proposal Vol.10

Check out this professional InDesign proposal template if you want your photos to be the star of the show. It includes 24 pages and a number of different layouts that blend images and copy. There's both A4 and US Letter sizes here, so it's like having multiple business InDesign templates in one download.

Why Use Premium Proposal Templates?

So, why consider working with business proposal InDesign templates? First, it can save you a lot of time—not only on your current design project, but on future ones, too. Remix and re-purpose your favorite design templates. Use them to jump start a whole host of design projects.

So, why consider premium instead of a free business plan proposal template for InDesign? Well, when you go premium, you get a host of added benefits. This would include things like extended options, help files, updates, and extended licensing. It's easier to find exactly what you need, both quickly and at a professional quality.

You might be looking for a completed design, ready to print and showcase your content. Or you might prefer a design that acts more as a starting point. This way, you can use it as a foundation for a new design. Whichever you prefer, a professional InDesign proposal template can prove to be a valuable asset.

19 Best Free Creative Proposal Templates to Download for 2022

Searching the web for free content can be tough—there's a lot of content out there to sort through! Envato offers a selection of hand-picked, free content every month. That's no cost, high quality content, every month. 

• Did you know that Envato Elements gives out 12 different, selected assets, each month, for free? Create an account today to download this month's free files for yourself.


• Guess what? Envato Market offers a selection of freebies too! Create an account, log in, and download this month's freebies today. Enjoy!

Now, let's dig into even more free content that you can download and enjoy. If you're looking for high quality freebies, these might be right up your alley. Check out these free InDesign proposal templates today.

Remember, free InDesign proposal templates often have less options. They'll likely need a larger time investment for edits. Make sure to allot time for that.

1. Free InDesign Proposal Template Company Profile

Check out this awesome, free creative proposal template InDesign file. The fonts used in this InDesign project proposal template are all free too. 

2. InDesign Business Proposal Templates - Free Layouts

This collection of free InDesign template layouts could be a great fit for your proposal design. Mix them, match them, and use this free download as design inspiration. It's a proposal template InDesign download worth checking out.

3. Free Business Plan Proposal Template InDesign

This creative business plan template is free and super versatile. Customize the pages to suit your proposal template objectives. Or use them for other multi page InDesign projects. 

4. Free Multipage InDesign Layout Template Design

Here's another free business plan template for InDesign. This one designed with a magazine focus in mind. Download and customize this template to meet your project's goals. It's a great choice for a business proposal template InDesign free download.

5. Free Business Proposal Template InDesign

This free InDesign proposal template is free for both personal and commercial use. These layouts have plenty of potential. When it comes to InDesign business proposal templates that are free, this is definitely one to check out.

6. Free Brochure Proposal Template Download

This free business plan template for InDesign has a clean, open, look and feel. It's a versatile, multi-page brochure that could be adapted for a whole host of projects. Use these layouts to craft your proposal design.

7. Free Multipurpose Free InDesign Proposal Template

This free proposal template for InDesign gives you versatile layout designs. It could serve many different design projects. From books to proposals, this could prove to be a free starting point. 

8. Multi Page InDesign Document Template Design

Looking for a creative business plan template that's free with plenty of space for visual content? This InDesign template was designed with photography in mind. It could be remixed and customized to suit your proposal template.

9. Free Business Proposal Template InDesign

Here is a template was designed with business in mind. This is perfect for your next business proposal template. Take this free business plan proposal template into InDesign and add your customizations.

10. InDesign Proposal Company Brochure Template

This design proposal is a beautiful choice. Check out the included layouts—there's so much content here to see. This is a must see when it comes to free InDesign proposal templates.

11. Free Business Plan Proposal Template InDesign

Here's another free InDesign business proposal template download worth checking out. It's completely customizable and it's free for both personal and commercial use. If you're looking for a free jump start to your design project, this is one choice. 

12. Free InDesign Creative Brand Guidelines Template Design

This template was designed with branding guidelines in mind. It's got plenty of potential to be repurposed for many proposal projects. 

13. Free Design Proposal Template Design 

If you're looking for a proposal for your next creative project, this one could be a perfect fit. Customize these creative business plan templates that are free to meet your needs.

14. Free Creative Proposal Template InDesign

This is a colorful, multi-use proposal template with plenty of potential—and it's free, too! Download it today and start making your customizations. 

15. Free Multi Page Bi-Fold InDesign Template

If you're looking for something stylish and artistic, this free template is worth a look. It's got an artistic look and feel and could work for anything from proposals to art books. Not bad for a creative business plan template that's free.

16. Free Proposal Template InDesign

This free business proposal template InDesign file is a versatile one. You could remix and reuse this one for so many different disciplines and projects. 

17. Free Multi Page InDesign Layout Template

If you fancy a magazine look and feel, give this free InDesign document a look. Remember, these templates can be used as a starting point. Take these layouts and adjust them to suit your proposal's needs.

18. Business Proposal Template InDesign Free Download

Looking for a business-oriented design? This creative business plan template that's free is worth a look. These layouts could be repurposed for a host of design situations. They're free to download and use today.

19. Free Bi-Fold Business InDesign Layout Template

Here's another free business proposal template InDesign file. You can download and add to your collection, right now. These layouts have plenty of potential for a variety of projects. 

How to Make Great Business Proposal in InDesign

So, you've found the perfect InDesign proposal template. What's next? 

Or maybe you're looking to create a proposal template from scratch. But you're not quite sure of some of the basics. Let's look at some quick tips to get you started.

In this demonstration, we'll use the following InDesign proposal template. You're welcome to download it and work along with this walkthrough. Or use an InDesign template or design of your own. 

Let's get started:

1. Browse and Sort Pages With the Pages Panel

One of the most important basics in InDesign is the use of pages. This refers to the pages in your document. From here, we can add pages, sort pages, and delete them too. We do this from the Pages Panel.

If you don't see the Pages Panel, go to View > Pages, at the top of the software.

We see thumbnail previews of our pages, in this panel. Double click on one to navigate to that page. You can also click and drag to rearrange your pages. Right click on any page and select Duplicate Page to make a copy of it.

2. Place Images Into Your InDesign Template

Let's say you're working with an InDesign template. You'll likely want to place images into the template's placeholders. To do so, start by selecting the given placeholder using the Selection Tool, as shown below. 

Then, go to File > Place, at the top of your software. You'll then be prompted to select an image file from your computer. Select it, and then click OK to place the file into your layout design.

The result is shown below. The stock image has been inserted into one of the placeholder shapes.

3. Experiment and Change Your Colors

But what if you'd like to change some colors? That's a simple process, too. 

In the example below, we see some colored shapes. These all have a Fill Color—think of the Fill Color as the color within a shape or frame, within Adobe InDesign. For reference, the Stroke Color is more like an outline around these spaces.

In the Tools Panel, the Fill Color is highlighted below. With the shape in question selected, click on the Fill Color to change the color. The outlined color, "behind" the Fill in this example, is the Stroke Color.

4. Add and Adjust your Type

Another essential is the type within your document. Just about every InDesign proposal template is going to have type in it! 

Edit existing type within your document using the Type Tool. It's selected in the example, shown below. 

Then, select the Type Tool. Simply click on a Text Box (the rectangular container holding the type) to edit the text inside it. To create a new Text Box, click and drag with the Type Tool selected.

We can also alter our type using the Character Panel. Notice how, shown below, we can edit things like our font and size here. If you don't see the Character Panel, go to Window > Type & Tables > Character, to open it up.

5. Adjust and Move Layout Components 

But maybe you want to entirely mix up your layouts. Move something around, or maybe make a custom layout, out of an existing one. Use your Selection Tool to select part of your layout. In the example below, a Text Box containing a paragraph is selected.

Now, I can click and drag to reposition it anywhere on the page. You can also use the arrow keys, on your keyboard, to nudge the position of the content.

Move and adjust parts of your layout freely, to craft the perfect layout design for your project.

5 Creative InDesign Business Proposal Tips for 2022

Creating and customizing the perfect InDesign project proposal template can be a challenge. We need to find a balance between creative and interesting visual solutions. The content needs to be easy to read and user friendly. 

Here are five design tips to help you take your InDesign business proposal template from good to great.

1. Visual Consistency Helps Create a Unified Presentation

Think of your InDesign project proposal template as one, continuous presentation. Each page should look related. Take a moment to imagine the opposite. If every page looked dramatically different, your presentation would look confusing. It would look disjointed and disconnected.

Instead, your proposal should look and feel like one, fluid experience. Think of it like a movie: if the tone shifted or the characters didn't have an arc, it would seem strange. Your business plan InDesign template can take a similar approach. Look at it as one, continuous story, all with one goal. 

2. Consistency Doesn't Have to Be Boring!

A great InDesign proposal template isn't necessarily a collection of repeating pages. If every page looked the same, it wouldn't be very interesting, would it? 

Find a balance between consistency and variety. For example, look at the premium InDesign business proposal template below. 

There's twenty pages included in the template, and each two page spread is visually different. There's different use of color. Not the different arrangement of layout elements, and different placement of imagery. But the pages still look related—why?

We can take key elements and use them as a visual anchor. A great example, like we see below, is color. Notice that the color scheme is consistent. The font choices are consistent too. 

3. Use Imagery to Your Advantage

A strong business plan InDesign template incorporates imagery. But it does so in a strategic and communicative way. Strong image choices do more than just "look good". They should also support your narrative—both on the individual page and the entire proposal itself.

For example, do you plan to introduce your team in your business proposal? This can be a great way to further connect with your target audience: let them know who you and your team are! Let them get to know you. Putting a face to the names is even more humanizing. 

Don't just use any old pictures though. The images should be professional, just like you'd expect at a job interview. 

The premium template below is a great example. We see pictures of involved parties. We also see supplemental imagery that supports the ideas on the page.

4. Make the Most of Your Proposal Template InDesign File

Remember, an InDesign business proposal template can be reused. You can use it, reuse it, and remix it any time you want. Take one of your existing layouts and try to mix it up. Try things like moving text boxes or placing imagery in a different space.

Don't throw your layouts away, even if there's some you don't plan to use right now. Instead, keep them for a rainy day—or your next multipage design project. This can be a great way to come up with ideas and spare layouts to use later. Freely experiment with design options. Try duplicating pages and creating your own custom variations.

5. Let Your InDesign Proposal Template Reflect Your Brand

Imagine your target audience opens up your business plan InDesign template. It should feel like an extension and reflection of your brand. What do your other professional materials look like? Take a look at your business card, your website, and other pieces that represent your business. They should all look like members of the same visual family.

That's not to say that things can't deviate. They can but remember the importance of having those anchoring visual elements. What can you incorporate to help keep your proposal looking connected to the rest of your branding?

Top 5 InDesign Business Proposal Template Trends for 2022

Not sure which InDesign business proposal template is right for you? Check out this list of popular Adobe proposal template trends:

1. Emphasis on Vibrant Photography

Visuals can make a big impact in your business proposal. That's why large, striking photography can be such a great direction.

Keep in mind that the subject should vary, depending on your brand. Try a full page photograph here on some of your spreads. Use targeted imagery that resonates with your proposal's goals.

2. Clean Geometric Aesthetics

Geometric aesthetics have remained popular. This is probably due to their versatility. They work well for a wide variety of industries.

Check out this business plan InDesign template. Change up the title, the colors, and the photograph, and the aesthetic could suit a wide variety of goals. This versatility makes it a strong choice for many multi-page document types too.

3. Square Layout Design

Square layouts can be a really trendy design choice. Designs like this are particularly popular in many industries. Fashion, beauty, photography, interior design, and art are some.

Notice below the emphasis on large, striking photographs. But the square layout pushes this in a different visual direction that the previous examples.

4. Color Block Design Elements

Blocks of color can be a great way to make a statement. This is particularly a great idea if you don't plan to focus heavily on photography on your cover.

In this example, it would be a great idea to use your brand's colors. Then, add your logo at the top or maybe at the bottom of the composition.

This isn't limited to angular or rectangular shapes, either. Try out similar approaches with other shapes. Just remember to keep the aesthetic consistent.

5. Playful Layouts That Stay on Brand

As we discussed before, finding that perfect balance between variety and consistency is key. This approach is certainly on trend.

Keep your layouts playful and interesting. There should be something visually engaging about each page in your business proposal. Choose supplemental, consistent elements too.

This example design, below, shows this in action. For example, we see consistent headers on some pages, and consistent font choices.

Discover More Awesome Proposal Templates

Want to check out even more proposal template designs? Check out these collections of inspiring proposal designs for even more design inspiration:

• 
  Proposals
  
  
  35+ Best Business Proposal Templates: Ideas for New Client Projects in 2022
  
  
  Marc Schenker


• 
  Inspiration
  
  
  25+ Top Graphic Design (Branding) Project Proposal Templates (2022)
  
  
  Laura Spencer


• 
  Proposals
  
  
  24 Best Digital Marketing, Social Media, & SEO Proposal Templates for 2021
  
  
  Tomas Laurinavicius

5 Benefits of Using Pro Adobe Proposal Template Designs

Still not sure if you'd prefer a free or professional InDesign business plan template? Here's some food for thought to help you weigh in on the decision:

1. 
   Your time is valuable. A premium InDesign project proposal template can help you finish your project quickly. A free template will likely take a lot longer to customize. Also, it'll likely have less options and limitations too.


2. 
   Commercial use is necessary in the business world. Just because something is free to download doesn't mean it's free of usage limitations. Do your research here. Premium templates take the guess work out of this process. You're good to go.


3. 
   It's easier to find what you need. It's unlikely to find a perfect match when it comes to free templates. Premium templates tend to have a simple, user friendly search. Easily find what you need and proceed, instead of spending lots of time searching and testing free files.


4. 
   Make sure your software fluency is strong. Free templates need more tinkering. Premium files are completed designs, and often come with help files. This means you'll have extra help customizing the design to suit your needs.


5. 
   You get plenty of layout design inspiration. Professional templates include much more content than free templates. Enjoy the wealth of layouts and extras to help inspire your design choices. It helps take the guess work out of which direction is best for you.

If you like DIY solutions, try out a free template. You can even try making your own template, from scratch. If you're looking to save time and money, a premium business plan InDesign template can make a huge difference.

Benefits of Envato Elements (The Power of Unlimited Use)

If you're looking to save money, don't forget to check out Envato Elements. One low fee gets you access to thousands of professional assets. 

This includes a huge library of InDesign business plan template designs. You also get fonts, stock photos, graphics, and much more. With unlimited downloads, you can download as much as you need.

Sign up for Envato Elements today and take advantage of unlimited downloads. Choose from a library of business plan InDesign template designs. Then, download any other assets you need too!

Common InDesign Proposal Questions Answered (FAQ)

Here's a collection of some frequently asked questions for proposal design. From knowing your target audience to coming up with fresh ideas, these answers will likely come in handy:

1. How Do I Write a Great Business Proposal?

We want our business proposals to look good. But they need to sound good too. Your writing is an essential part of your proposal. So, how do you write the perfect content to go with the perfect InDesign proposal template?

There's a lot to it. But the heart of a great proposal is often your target audience. You've got to know them to know how to best communicate with them. 

For example, different audiences may have different background information and preconceived ideas. If we can identify that information, we can use it to craft more strategic writing.

Here are some free walkthroughs to help you create the perfect written content for your proposal.

• 
  Proposals
  
  
  How to Write & Design a Winning Business Proposal in 2021
  
  
  Laura Spencer


• 
  Writing
  
  
  How to Become a Better Writer: 10 Steps (Good to Great)
  
  
  Laura Spencer

2. What's the Best Way to Persuade My Target Audience?

Persuading your audience is a lot easier said than done. This can be particularly tricky when it comes to making a sale, closing a deal, or pitching a concept in your business proposal. 

We don't want to be pushy, but we need to be direct. We also need to be clear and have all our needs, objectives, and outcomes clearly defined. This takes really careful planning. It's difficult to confidently sell a project or goal if you don't have your content outlined. This would be things like steps, funding needs, and resources. Organization and information can be vital when it comes to establishing confidence and trust. 

Check out these articles—they'll help with financial planning and pitching.

• 
  Freelance
  
  
  How Freelancers Can Close the Deal—Without Seeming Too Pushy
  
  
  Laura Spencer


• 
  Estimates
  
  
  6 Budget Planning Steps to Professional Project Estimates
  
  
  Jennifer Stakes Roberts

3. What Kind of Proposal Should I Make? What Should I Include?

Just like not all businesses are the same, not all proposals are the same either. What your proposal includes should vary based on the needs of your business and your project. Start by making a list of what you need and what your target audience needs too. Remember, the target audience is often different from us, the designer or business owner. They won't have the same contexts or motivations. 

Want to know about effective types of business project proposals? Check out this free article today.

• 
  Proposals
  
  
  What Are the 6 Most Effective Types of Business Project Proposals for 2021 (+ Expert Tips)
  
  
  Brenda Barron

4. What's My Target Audience, and How Do I Figure That Out?

We've done a lot of mentioning target audiences—so what's your target audience? What do you do if you're not quite sure who they are?

Research is essential. We can't just haphazardly guess who are target audience is. We'd run the risk of missing the mark as we try to create content to appeal to them. You can figure out who your target audience is by looking at things like user data and habits. You can also look at market trends, and even the audience of your peers or competition. 

Want to learn more about identifying your target audience? These articles can help get you on your way.

• 
  Marketing
  
  
  7 Reasons Why Marketing Research Is Important to a Business
  
  
  Celine (CX) Roque


• 
  Customers
  
  
  How to Define a Target Audience (For Your Marketing Plans)
  
  
  Celine (CX) Roque

5. How Do I Come Up with Creative Proposal Ideas?

There's lots of ways to come up with creative ideas. Here's some ways to help get you started:

• 
  Visual Research. Look at other proposal designs. Proposal design templates can be an excellent means of researching. Think about potential directions you could take your own proposal. Look at work from your peers and other members of your industry, too. The goal is not to copy, but rather to get an understanding of what works well and what does not.


• 
  Try a Sketchbook. Sometimes, we forget that good old fashioned paper and pencil can be a wonderful way to come up with ideas. Take notes. Sketch pages. Roughly try out some layout design ideas. 


• 
  Observe Other Multi-Page Documents. Newspapers, magazines, look books, and other publications can also serve as visual inspiration. Keep an eye out for two page spreads that are visually engaging and try to figure out why.


• 
  Mix and Match Layouts. Jump into Adobe InDesign and experiment. Have fun with it! If you've got more than one proposal template, try mixing them together to come up with something new. It's a great idea to save your experiments too because they might serve as a perfect starting point for a future project.

Looking for some creative ideas and inspiration? Check out this free article today.

• 
  Proposals
  
  
  20 Creative Business Proposal Ideas for Better Sales in 2022
  
  
  Brenda Barron

Learn More About Making Great Proposals in 2022

Or, perhaps you'd like to learn more about making a great proposal. Looking to customize a template? Maybe work on your writing? Or maybe try out some design from scratch? There's plenty of awesome, free content to check out on Envato Tuts+:

• 
  Proposals
  
  
  How to Make Great Business Proposals With Microsoft Word Template Docs
  
  
  Sharon Hurley Hall


• 
  Proposals
  
  
  How to Make a Better Business Proposal (With 15+ Design Tips for 2019)
  
  
  Brenda Barron


• 
  Proposals
  
  
  How to Write & Design a Winning Business Proposal in 2021
  
  
  Laura Spencer

Impress Your Audience With an InDesign Proposal Template in 2022!

What kind of design would be perfect for your next proposal project? Have you decided on a design or a direction, or are you still figuring that part out?

Whether you're sure of your next steps or you're still thinking on it, there's no better time to get started than today. Would you like to sample several proposal design templates? Remember that unlimited downloads are included with Envato Elements. Try out a several InDesign proposal templates without any added cost. Or, if you'd prefer to keep things a la carte, check out the premium selection of proposal templates over at GraphicRiver.

Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Daisy Ein and Nathan Umoh. Daisy is a freelance instructor for Envato Tuts+. Nathan is a staff writer with Envato Tuts+.