There are several reasons you’d want to package your InDesign file at the end of the project. Your printer may have requested it for print production reasons. Or, maybe you’re sending assets to a vendor or freelancer outside of your organization and want to provide a comprehensive collection of everything they need. Or, perhaps you’d like to create an archival copy of your project that you can pick up later without having to worry about updating or missing links.
Regardless of your incentive, the steps to package your InDesign file are the same. Follow these four easy steps below to quickly collect your files.
1. Practice Good File Hygiene
Don’t rely on software functions for a no-fuss project hand-off. The first step to a smooth transition is keeping yourself organized. Start by cleaning up your files, and removing any potential for confusion and delay.
- Make sure your InDesign filename is descriptive enough to know what you’re looking at in a glance. Avoid acronyms and internal lingo. A format that I swear by is: ClientName-ProjectName-Deliverable-YYMMDD.indd. In action, this looks like Shutterstock-Blog-InDesignPackageTutorial-210517.indd.
- Remove all unnecessary layers, unused swatches, and extraneous objects outside your pasteboard.
- Ensure that the fonts you’re sharing are available and okay to share with an additional party. Outline type as necessary.
- Check your Links panel to confirm that all assets are accounted for. Broken links will not magically transport themselves to your package.
- If your printer provided a preflight checklist, or your department has its own preflight process, now is the time to use it.
2. Time to Package
First, go to File > Package in the main menu, or hit Option+ Shift + Command + P. Next, you’ll see a window containing a summary of your file information.
Read through this because an error at this stage will cause headaches down the line. You also have the option of reviewing your file information in more granular detail in the menus on the left. Hit the Package button to proceed to the next step.
3. Add Instructions as Necessary
If you checked the Create Printing Instructions box on the previous menu, the Printing Instructions window will appear. Depending on the project and who is receiving these files, you may want to provide additional instructions at this stage. You might even include your contact information. Whatever you enter here will export as a plain text file alongside your project files.
4. Save and Send Your Project
In this final window, you’ll select a destination folder for your collected files. You may feel bombarded with options, but you may not need everything offered in this menu. Here’s a quick rundown of the most important must-use options:
- Copy Fonts allows you to include the typefaces you used in your design.
- Copy Linked Graphics means that every image and asset you’ve linked to is included in the package.
- Include IDML is useful if you’re sharing files with someone using older software. IDML stands for InDesign Markup Language and any version of InDesign can open these files.
- Include PDF will automatically export a PDF of your project as-is for a quick proof/preview of the contents of your package.
Click Package and marvel at your organized, ready-to-go files!
Chances are that even when zipped (right click < compress to make a .zip file), this package folder may be too large to email. Today, most vendors and outside recipients should be able to accept files via any of the major file transfer services such as WeTransfer.com, Dropbox.com, or Hightail.com. Send your files in accordance with your vendor’s preferences and pat yourself on the back for packaging your first InDesign file.
Put It All Together (Again)
Now any time you need to send a packaged InDesign file (or “Collect” if you’re working with an old school vendor), just follow these four easy steps. This function in InDesign seldom changes with software updates. You’ll be packaging files on autopilot in no time.
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For more InDesign tips, tricks, and advice, check out these articles:
- 5 Adobe InDesign Hacks Every Designer Should Know
- Learn How to Make Book Covers in This Comprehensive InDesign Tutorial
- The Simple Way to Create a Bauhaus-Inspired Poster in InDesign
- How to Create a Kalamkari Stationery Set in Adobe InDesign
- A Beginner’s Guide to Creating Gate Fold Flyers in Adobe InDesign
Cover image via ker_vii.
