Can I preflight and package my pages in Adobe® InDesign®?

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Package, in InDesign CS4, checks your InDesign file for fonts, graphics and other items and lets you save a copy of your file along with the fonts, graphics and text files that were used. Preflight in InDesign CS4 checks your document as you work for any errors. Preflight, in InDesign CS3 and earlier, checks your InDesign file for fonts, graphics and other items. Package saves a copy of your file along with the fonts, graphics and text files that were used.

Save your file

  • Go to the File menu and choose Save as.... (Win: Ctrl+Shift+S, Mac: Command+Shift+S)
  • Keep the same file name and press Save.
  • When prompted, "This 'file name' already exists. Do you want to replace it?", answer Yes.

Preflight

InDesign CS4

  • To preflight your document as you work, go to the Window > Output > Preflight (Win: Alt+Shift+Ctrl+F, Mac: Option+Shift+Command+F).
  • Any Links or Text problems will be identified.

InDesign CS4 Preflight

  • After your document is finished, go to the File menu and select Package (Win: Alt+Shift+Ctrl+P, Mac: Option+Shift+Command+P).
  • InDesign preflights your file and displays a Summary screen. You will be alerted to any problems with your file. Prelfight alert

InDesign CS4 Package file

InDesign CS3 and earlier

  • Go to the File menu and select Preflight (Win: Alt+Shift+Ctrl+F, Mac: Option+Shift+Command+F).
  • InDesign preflights your file and displays a Summary screen. You will be alerted to any problems with your file. Prelfight alert

Preflight summary problem

  • Check Fonts, Links and Images and other information.
    • To view only missing or out-of-date fonts, links and RGB graphics, check Show Problems Only on the Fonts and Links and Images pages.
  • Fonts section
    • If fonts are missing:
      • Click Cancel.
      • Install the fonts.
      • Run Preflight again.
    • To replace a font with another font:
      • Click Find Font.
      • Click on the font to be replaced from the list of fonts in the Fonts in Document section.
      • In the Replace with Section, choose another font. 
      • Click Change All to replace every instance of the font.
      • Click Done.

Font section - problem

  • Links and Images section:
    • Click on a missing graphic.
    • To relink, click the Relink or Repair All button.
      • Scroll to the folder/directory the graphic is in and double click on it.
    • If the graphic is not on the computer:
      • Click Cancel.
      • Copy the graphic onto the computer.
      • Run Preflight again.

Links & Images problem

  • Click Report to save the document information to your hard drive.

Package

  • Click on Package.
  • Fill out the Printing Instructions page, if needed. Click Continue.
  • Create Package Folder dialog box:
    • Use the default folder name (job number page number-page number Folder)  in the Save As field. Example: 15999 024-025 Folder.
    • Scroll to the Finished Pages folder in the Yearbook folder.
      • Check the boxes for Copy Fonts (except CJK)(CS3 & CS4), or Copy Fonts (roman only) (CS & CS2), Copy Linked Graphics, and Update Graphic Links in Package.
      • If you have set up hyphenation rules, check the box for Use Document Hyphenation Exceptions Only.
    • Click Save.

InDesign CS4 Package file Save

  • When the Warning (CS4 &CS3)  or Font Alert (CS2 & CS) pops up, read it and click OK.

InDesign CS4 Package Font Warning

  • After your file is packaged, exit InDesign and copy the folder containing your InDesign file, fonts, graphics and text files to your disk or CD.