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Serene_observer5E99
Inspiring
December 18, 2019
해결됨

Importing Photoshop images to Illustrator for use in an InDesign mechanical for print

  • December 18, 2019
  • 4 답변들
  • 2088 조회

This may be a simple stupid question, but if I import a Photoshop image into Illustrator and then place the Illustrator file containing the photo in an InDesign mechanical, am I likely to run into production problems when I send the file to a printer? Is it better to compile each individual item in InDesign or will it not make any difference as far as the quality of images or  color separations?

 

I'm creating a book mechanical that contains many photos that require a lot of die lines and fold indications and I find it much easier to create all of the vector lines in Illustrator on top of the Photoshop files. I'd like to leave the high-resolution PS file in place in that file and just import the single file into InDesign, but I seem to recall that being problematic, but I can't remember why. It may be addressed somewhere on this site, but damned if I can find it anywhere.

이 주제는 답변이 닫혔습니다.
최고의 답변: Bill Silbert

The only problem that you could run into is over the resolution of the Photoshop images. If you prepare the images and dielines at 100% size with the images at least 300 ppi and then import those into InDesign at 100% you should be fine. My preference has always been to save the Illustrator files as .ai rather than pdf (but including the Create PDF Compatible File option) since that allows for later editing. I also always embed files rather than link as that assures there will never be a missing link.

4 답변

Bill Silbert
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 18, 2019

The only problem that you could run into is over the resolution of the Photoshop images. If you prepare the images and dielines at 100% size with the images at least 300 ppi and then import those into InDesign at 100% you should be fine. My preference has always been to save the Illustrator files as .ai rather than pdf (but including the Create PDF Compatible File option) since that allows for later editing. I also always embed files rather than link as that assures there will never be a missing link.

Serene_observer5E99
Inspiring
December 18, 2019

So my second question would be--is there no difference in the quality of the photoshop image when it is embedded rather than linked? That was always another thing that I guess I heard somewhere and never investigated to find out if it was true or not.

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 18, 2019

Of course there is a difference. For printing I assume your AI document is in CMYK color mode. A linked PSD can be in RGB color mode. An embedded PSD can't. So in InDesign you cannot change the output intent anymore without losing at least some image quality.

Don't know if that matters to your workflow.

Danny Whitehead.
Legend
December 18, 2019

Presuming you'll be delivering a PDF to the printer, I can't see any reason for production problems specific to this workflow. Just make sure you save your AI files with 'Create PDF Compatible File' selected.

 

I tend to keep die lines on a separate layer in both the AI and ID files. When you place the AI files in ID, check 'Show Import Options', and hide the die line layer. Then Copy and Paste in Place, move it to the die line layer, then go to Object > Object Layer Options and make jut the die line layer visible.

Serene_observer5E99
Inspiring
December 18, 2019

I have never heard or thought about doing it this way but it makes perfect sense. Thank you!

Inspiring
December 18, 2019

HiYa

I can't see a problem with your work flow. I've done what you're doing myself many times over the years.

Legend
December 18, 2019

The only problem could be a missing link, if you have everything under control, if you do everything on your computer and don't move files location there should not be a problem.

To be on the safe side yiou may place the Photoshop image -embedded- in Illustrator though it will increase the file size.

From there, save as PDf and place in InDesign, nothing will be missed until here (in InDesign place as linked) . Then export form ID to PDf for the printer.

Regarding picture quality or color separations there should not be a difference. Though care should be taken using color management, Images placed on Illustrator file should better be converted to CMYK in Photoshop before.