How to Import Artwork from Illustrator to InDesign

[vivianecustodio]

Hi everyone! I primarily use Illustrator to create my designs, but I often have difficulties when it comes to transferring these designs to InDesign, especially in maintaining the quality and integrity of the editable vector artwork. Could anyone help me with tips or an efficient workflow to make this transition smoother and problem-free? Thanks in advance!

[Anubhav M]

Hello @vivianecustodio,

Thanks for reaching out. Are you exporting your work from Illustrator as a JPEG/PNG and then placing it in InDesign? If so, could you please try placing your Ai file directly in InDesign and checking if it helps? Also, check if your AI file contains raster effects/files, flatten them before exporting or embedding them in InDesign, and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Monika Gause]

AI files can only be placed in InDesign if you save them with "PDF editability" turned on.

It's important to have the Document Raster effects resolution in Illustrator set to an appropriate value. I would not necessarily flatten the artwork before placing it in InDesign, since that will ruin editability. 

Can you tell us more about the typical contents of the files and which current results are giving you issues?

[Ton Frederiks]

You can place your Illustrator files in InDesign (when saved, as mentioned, with PDF compatibility) as Links.

This will allow you to edit and update the files.

Make sure that your preview is set to best quality: Object > Display Performance > High Quality (but you can change your view settings in the InDesign preferences).

[Bill Silbert · Accepted solution]

However the placed artwork might look in InDesign the original integrity of the Illustrator file should stay the same when reopened in Illustrator if it has been saved as an .ai file and "placed" in InDesign using the File>Place command. Please also keep in mind that the view that you get in InDesign of a placed graphic is determined by what screen view that you are using in InDesign. In InDesign go under the View menu to Display Performance and make sure that High Quality is chosen. Please also understand that all editing of a placed Illustrator file can only be done in Illustrator. What you are actually seeing in the InDesign file is as if you are looking through a window from InDesign to Illustrator. It is possible to copy and paste an Illustrator vector file into InDesign and then edit it in InDesign but then you lose the use of Illustrator's superior drawing and editing capabilities for vector objects.

[vivianecustodio]

Thank you very much, that was exactly what I needed to understand.