Package InDesign Files

How to package all the necessary elements (document, fonts, graphics) of an InDesign file and send it to somebody else to work on.

First, it is a good idea to make sure that both ends can open and save the InDesign file. Transfers between PC and Mac should not cause any issues, but different versions may. The workaround for this is to create an .idml file, which is automatically generated in the Package procedure. This is a back-saved version which should be able to be opened by previous versions. Email a small test file back and forth to be sure. This example is created using the latest version from the Adobe Create Cloud subscription and performed on a MacBook running El Capitan. Some of the screens may look slightly different on PC or on older versions of InDesign, but this procedure has been used for years.

This is not a necessary step, but it may help to check, and know, your version of InDesign by going to the menu bar on the top of the screen with an InDesign file open and pulling down: InDesignCC >> About InDesign… The result should look like this:

About InDesign

Then, pull down File >> Package …

File >> Package…

The Package window. Click on Package…

Instructions Window. Irrelevant, just click Continue

InDesign creates a folder for everything using the document’s name. Make sure the boxes at bottom are checked as shown.

The folder that is created with the Packaged items inside

Zip (compress) the entire folder to make a smaller file for transport

The contents of the Packaged folder