How to Package Your InDesign File for PC and Mac
If you’re working on an InDesign project and need to share it with a printer, colleague, or client, packaging your file ensures that all fonts, images, and links are included. This guide will walk you through the process step by step on both PC and Mac.
What Does Packaging Mean?
Packaging your InDesign file means collecting all related assets—like fonts, images, and the document itself—into one organized folder. This helps prevent missing files or font issues when opening the project on another computer.
Steps to Package Your InDesign File (PC & Mac)
- Open Your InDesign File
Make sure your document is complete and ready for sharing. - Check for Errors
- Go to Window > Output > Preflight to check for missing links, fonts, or other issues. If you see errors, fix them before proceeding.
- Save Your File
- Click File > Save to ensure you have the latest version of your document.
- Start the Packaging Process
- Click File > Package (or use the shortcut Shift + Ctrl + Alt + P on PC or Shift + Command + Option + P on Mac).
- A Package window will open with a summary of any issues. If all looks good, click Package.
- Set Packaging Options
- Choose a folder location where you want to save the packaged files.
- Make sure the following options are checked:
- Copy Fonts (except Adobe fonts)
- Copy Linked Graphics
- Update Links in Package
- Include IDML (InDesign Markup Language) (this ensures compatibility with older versions of InDesign)
- Include PDF (if needed for previewing)
- Click Package and Confirm
- A warning may appear about font usage. Click OK to proceed.
- The packaging process will create a new folder containing your InDesign file, fonts, links, and any included PDFs.
Final Checks
- Open the packaged folder to confirm everything is inside.
- Zip the folder before sending it via email or file transfer to keep all contents together.
By following these steps, you ensure that your InDesign file is properly prepared for printing at Streeter Printing – without missing assets. Happy designing!
And don’t forget that you can upload your art files directly to Streeter Printing by visiting us at: https://streeterprinting.com/uploader/
