Double sided menu insert.....

so I can design side by side or do they have to be separate? the first time I did them side by side and saved as a pdf it was only one image....

Make your page size the exact size of the insert. Add a page. Do the front on page 1, the back on page 2.

Mike

so then when I publish to PDF it will save both pages?? Sorry I am so new at this and have been trying to figure it out for 3 days. this whole thing is foreign to me as I have had no training on this.

No worries.

Yes, by default each page will be a separate page in the PDF. The only way to muck that up is to specifically choose Current Page or a page range of just one page.

Again, though, make sure the job is communicated with the printer. They may want a PDF/X-1a file (always the safest) or maybe a PDF/X-3 file. So make sure to find out their requirements if at all possible.

Does any of your design extend to the edge of the page? If not, you do not need to set a bleed amount, nor include crop marks, etc., in the PDF. If any part of the design extends to the edge of the page, you have to include bleed AND extend those elements beyond the page edge to the bleed guides.

Also, there will always be what is called the "Safe Area." This is the amount of space between the edges of the page and any what are called "Live Elements." So your text, design elements that do not bleed, need to be kept inward from the page edge by an amount. Your printer will have recommendations as to that amount, but it likely will be 0.125" or more (3mm or more). So imagine a rectangle inside the page edge where nothing that does not bleed should be kept within. I usually drag and set ruler guides onto the page for this.

Mike