When you step and repeat an element using the settings on the S&R tab of the Info palette, you can define the gap between the repeated elements. A gap is the space that exists between elements in a step‑and‑repeat instance. There are two ways of indicating the gap: Gap Size or Displacement Offset. These options are available on the S&R tab only after you define how many times an element is repeated.

Negative gap values can be used, but they will be treated as nested jobs (such as are used in packaging).

Gap Size

Gap size is the distance between two neighboring elements.

Displacement Offset

Displacement offset is the result of the element's height/width plus the vertical/horizontal distance between each element.

Defining the gap between repeated elements:

1. On the S&R tab of the Info palette, from the list, select either Gap Size or Displacement Offset.
2. If you selected Gap Size, specify values for the distances:
   1. In the  box, type the horizontal gap you want between the elements.
   2. In the  box, type the vertical cap you want between the elements. 
3. If you selected Displacement Offset:
   1.  Calculate the horizontal/vertical distance.
   2. Add the element's width/height to the distance you want between each horizontal/vertical element.
   3. Type the resulting values in the  and boxes.
4. Press Enter.