How To Package An InDesign File

Have you curated a masterpiece in the form of a document, but it needs printing? Being concerned about how the document would turn out, what the quality would be like, and if it would reflect all the work you put into it is quite normal. We have been there, and we learned from our mistakes. It is time we give you some insight into them and how to do this properly by adequately packaging your files. 

To package a file in InDesign, you will check the file for errors, go to File, and click Package. Now you will choose everything you wish to include in the folder containing all the information about the document. Once done, save the folder. 

To get a guided tour of the process, continue reading. 

What Is Packaging In Indesign?

Packaging in Adobe InDesign is a feature that allows you to collect all the linked files and fonts used in a document into one folder. This makes it easier to collect all the components for a project, such as images, logos, and fonts, and send them to a printer or other service provider. Packaging can also be used to create a PDF file of your document.

For a detailed description of how to prep the file before you begin the packaging process, watch this Youtube video: 

Check That There Are No Errors

The first step of packaging a file is to ensure that the file is free of any errors. It would help if you were thorough here because any small error left could mean you would have to repeat the process. To make this easier for you, Indesign checks for errors itself. 

Make sure that on the bottom of your window, it says “No Errors” with a green dot next to it. This indicates that the file is good to go. 

This tool helps to ensure that everything in the file is perfectly aligned. It checks for alignments, font consistency, general spelling, and grammatical errors. Moreover, the links’ usability and the images’ quality are also ensured through this. 

If it shows that there are errors or shows a red dot, click on the icon. In the window that opens, the error is shown. Clicking on this will take you to the error and help you locate and fix it. 

Package The File

This is the step where you shift gears. Normally you would save your file as an INDD file, but not anymore. Preserving everything that you put into the document packaging is important. 

To package your file: 

  1. Save all the changes in your file.
  2. Go to File in the top control menu, and choose Package.
  3. A dialog box with all the necessary information will appear; this is a summary of the entire document.
  4. Go through this to ensure everything that you need to add is there.
  5. Click Package. 
  6. A new window will appear asking for Printing Information.
  7. You can add any necessary information or any comments you would like the printer to receive. 
  8. Click Continue.

Make A Folder

When a file is packaged, all the data is saved. As we mentioned earlier, all the documents, links, fonts, and images get saved in a folder along with the Indd file. To make this folder, follow the instructions below. 

  1. In the previous step, after you click Continue, a window will appear. 
  2. In this window, the following options will appear:
    • a. Copy Fonts
    • b. Copy Linked Graphics
    • c. Update Graphic Links In Package
    • d. Use Document Hyphenation Exceptions Only
    • e. Include Fonts And Links From Hidden And Non-printing Content
    • f. Include IDML
    • g. Include PDF
    • h. Select PDF Preset
  3. Select Option a,b,c,f, and g. When you select g, you would have to set the pdf preset to your liking in option h. 
  4. Once you choose, name the folder in front of Save As.
  5. Now click Package. 
  6. A warning appears if you include fonts. Ignore the warning and click OK. 

Conclusion

It was not that hard now. This includes a few extra steps to your regular file-saving steps, but it saves you from so much future hassle. 

Trust us when we say that the satisfaction of seeing your document turn out exactly how you wanted it at the printers is worth putting in the tiny effort that goes into packaging a file in InDesign.