How to Package Adobe InDesign Files

These instructions will show you how to use the built-in features of InDesign to easily provide all the necessary parts of the design to us at Printing Services.

When sending a job for printing, please include:

  • Final layout file
  • Linked images and graphics
  • Fonts used in all project files
  • Any used third-party application plug-in’s
  • Printed disk directory (if sending a disk)
  • A hard-copy (or PDF) go-by so that we know how your project should look

These instructions will show how to use InDesign’s Package feature to collect the necessary components so that we may produce your project.

Download File Packaging Instructions [PDF]

  1. Open an InDesign file and select "Package..." from the File menu.
  2. In the window that appears, if any yellow triangle warning signs appear, you can choose to stop here and address the issue(s) indicated, or you can proceed by clicking "Package..."
  3. If a window appears stating that the document must be saved before continuing, click "Save."
  4. A window appears. Click "Continue."
  5. A dialogue box will open, allowing you to create a new job package in any location on your computer. Navigate to the desktop and name the package folder "Collected." This is where all parts of your project will be saved. Checkmark the following items, and click "Package.":
    • Copy Fonts (Except CJK)
    • Copy Linked Graphics
    • Update Graphic Links in Package
    • Include Fonts and Links From Hidden and Non-Printing Content
  6. Click OK on the next dialog box.
  7. Your project will now be packaged, including the InDesign file, linked images and graphics, fonts and an instruction file (report) into the Collected folder you created in step 5.

Please note that InDesign *may* not collect every font used in placed graphics created by Adobe Illustrator or Macromedia Freehand.

The Instructions.txt file contains the information you completed in step 3 above in addition to such things as a summary of the InDesign file, full font information, and full graphic and color information.