Guide to Lorem Ipsum: What It Is, Why It’s Used and How to Use It 

Lorem ipsum… you’ve no doubt seen it somewhere. Those curious, jumbled Latin-like words filling a website mock-up or design template are more than just random filler. But what does lorem ipsum mean? Where did it come from? And how can it be used effectively in your own print or digital projects?

Whether you’re a graphic designer, small business owner or marketing professional, understanding how to use placeholder text properly can help streamline your design process,  especially when working with custom print materials. 

In this guide, we’ll take you through the meaning, the history and the practical uses of lorem ipsum text, with tips on how to avoid common mistakes and how to maximise the impact of your design.

Image Credit: BrianRaudenbushPrint

What Is Lorem Ipsum?

Lorem ipsum – also referred to as dummy text or simply ipsum – is placeholder text used to mimic real content in design mock-ups. Designers and developers use it to focus attention on the structure and visual layout, instead of getting distracted by the written copy.

Instead of repeating “insert text here,” lorem ipsum provides a natural-looking block of text which has the tone and flow of real language. This makes it much easier to evaluate spacing, formatting, typography, and how different content elements interact visually.

Where You’ll See Lorem Ipsum Used

Placeholder text pops up in almost every area of design, and especially in printed materials. 

Here are a few examples:

• Websites and mock-ups: Used to layout headings, paragraphs, and calls to action.

• Leaflets & Flyers and Brochures: Helps strike the right balance between visuals and text.

• Business Cards: Tests positioning of names, job titles and contact info.

• Menus and Magazines: Lays out dish descriptions or product details evenly.

• Packaging design: Checks font size, spacing, and how text looks on labels.

Image Credit: Behance

At Printed.com, we see lorem ipsum used in early drafts of print products like Folded Leaflets and Flyers, Menus and Packaging. It’s a handy way to visualise your ideas before committing to the final copy – and before placing an order.

What Does Lorem Ipsum Mean?

Here’s the classic example you’ve probably come across:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Although it resembles Latin, this string of words is completely gibberish. It’s pseudo-Latin – a scrambled excerpt from a real text which gives the illusion of readable language without being distracting. The goal? To look like real writing without anyone actually reading it.

Where Did Lorem Ipsum Come From?

Believe it or not, lorem ipsum trace back to the 1500s, when a printer took a passage from Cicero’s philosophical work De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum (The Extremes of Good and Evil) and chopped it up to create generic-looking Latin text. The passage was repurposed as filler for type specimen books (an early version of the design mock-up).

Fast forward to today, and it’s become the go-to placeholder text across both digital and print design. Many tools now include a built-in lorem ipsum generator, including Adobe InDesign, while others offer plug-ins or browser-based alternatives like WordPress.

Image Credit: Joannabehar

If you’re designing your next printed product using software like Canva or Figma, which don’t include dummy copy by default, a quick online search for a free lorem ipsum generator will give you plenty of customisable options.

Why Do Designers Use Lorem Ipsum?

If lorem ipsum doesn’t mean anything, why use it at all? Why not copy and paste ‘insert text here’ or use some other nonsensical text? Well, here’s why dummy text remains the design world’s go-to option:

• It mimics natural language: Lorem ipsum includes varied word and sentence lengths, punctuation and rhythm, which helps simulate how real content will appear and flow within a layout.

• It keeps clients focused: When reviewing a design, clients and stakeholders are less likely to get hung up on placeholder text. That keeps attention where it matters — on structure, not semantics.

• It’s universally recognised: Everyone from developers to printers knows that lorem ipsum signifies a work in progress.

At Printed.com, placeholder text is familiar in the early design files we receive. It’s a subtle, industry-standard way of saying, “This layout isn’t finished, but here’s the latest vision.”

Is Lorem Ipsum Still Relevant?

Absolutely. While modern designers have more tools than ever before, lorem ipsum is still relevant. It’s ideal when:

• You’re waiting on the final written copy from a client.

• You need to present multiple layout options quickly.

• You’re testing how headlines, body copy, or pricing details will look across different formats.

Image Credit: CreativeSpaceLab

Some brands use customised placeholder text or on-brand headlines during the design phase – and that can work well, too. But when speed, neutrality and clarity matter, lorem ipsum remains the gold standard.

How to Use Lorem Ipsum Properly

Using dummy text isn’t complicated, but to get the best results, you’ll want to follow a few golden rules:

• Use Only What You Need: Avoid flooding your design with long paragraphs of placeholder copy. For brochures, menus or business cards, just a few lines will often do. The goal is to give a sense of the layout, not to fill every gap.

• Mirror the Final Content: Try to match the formatting and structure of the real content you’ll eventually use. So, if you’re creating a Menu, your lorem ipsum placeholder text should still follow the format of dish name, description, and price.

• Don’t Forget to Replace It: This one’s vital. It might sound obvious, but you’d be amazed how often dummy text makes it into final print jobs. Always triple-check your proofs – or better yet, get a second pair of eyes on them.

Use a Lorem Ipsum Generator: Not all tools include lorem ipsum by default. If yours doesn’t, use a free lorem ipsum generator online. Most let you customise length, format, and even add humorous or themed content.

How to Add Lorem Ipsum in Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Canva

Want to speed up your mock-ups? Most popular design tools make it easy to insert lorem ipsum text directly into your projects. Here’s how to do it in a few clicks:

Adobe Photoshop

1. Select the Type Tool (T) and click or drag to create a text box.
   
2. Right-click inside the box and choose “Fill with Placeholder Text” from the menu.
   
3. Instant lorem ipsum, sized to your text box.

Adobe InDesign

1. Use the Type Tool (T) to create a text frame.
   
2. With the frame selected, go to the menu bar and choose Type > Fill with Placeholder Text.
   
3. InDesign will insert the standard lorem ipsum text for you.

Image Credit: TheNiceDesignShop

Adobe Illustrator

1. Choose the Type Tool (T) and click to add a text area.
   
2. Right-click and select “Fill with Placeholder Text” (available in newer versions).
   
3. Adjust formatting as needed – it behaves just like regular text.

Canva

Canva doesn’t have a built-in lorem ipsum function, but you can still add dummy text easily:

1. Copy and paste lorem ipsum from a free online generator.
   
2. Create a text box and paste it in.
   
3. Format the text as you would with any content.

FAQs About Lorem Ipsum

Can I use lorem ipsum in print?

Yes, but only in draft versions. If you’re printing materials like Brochures, Magazines or Roller Banners, be sure all dummy copy is removed before sending to print. 

At Printed.com, we recommend uploading your files in editable formats and reviewing digital proofs thoroughly before hitting print.

Are there alternatives to lorem ipsum?

Absolutely. Some designers prefer using mock content that reflects the brand’s tone or message. These can be more engaging for clients during the review stage. But lorem ipsum still provides the most flexibility and neutrality for most projects.

Do you have to pay for lorem ipsum?

Not at all. The text is public domain and freely available. Plus, many lorem ipsum generators are completely free and easy to use online.

Print Design Tips for Using Placeholder Text

When designing for print, it’s especially important to handle placeholder text carefully to avoid costly mistakes. Here’s how:

• Label clearly: Use brackets or highlight dummy text to indicate it’s not final (e.g. [Add product description]).

• Review with fresh eyes: During your final proof, look specifically for dummy text, not just typos or layout issues.

• Use checklists: Create a handover process or checklist to make sure all placeholder content has been replaced.

Need help perfecting your print files?

At Printed.com, we understand how crucial that design journey is. That’s why we offer a wide range of fully customisable print products – from professional Perfect Bound Books to creatively designed Folded Leaflets & Flyers and more – to help bring your ideas to life, fast.

Visit Printed.com today to explore our custom print options – and get your project from draft to done with ease.