Linked Images Pixelated in PDF and INDD File After Packaging in InDesign 19.5 on Mac OS Sonoma

[interesting_observer7064]

Indesign CC2024 (19.5)

MAC OS Sonoma 14.4.1

When I open an indesign file that I have used many times on my desktop from a packaged folder, it wants to look for the images on another user's computer where the file was originally packaged. 

I also have the issue when I package a file. All links are there and nothing is pixelated. I package the file and generate a PDF. The PDF has pixelated images, like the links are missing. I open up the indesign file in the newly packaged folder and the images are pixelated but it shows the links are there. I relink the images and the images look great. 

This is happening with multiple files, not just one. Is anyone else having this issue or have a solution? 

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[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @interesting_observer7064,

I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble with pixelated images after packaging your files. I understand how frustrating this must be, especially when the links seem to be intact.

Could you please confirm if this issue is limited to a particular file or if it’s happening with multiple files, as you mentioned? It would also be helpful if you could share a screen recording of your workflow, showing the steps leading to the pixelation issue. This will help us understand what might be causing it.

As a solution, please try the following steps:

1. Make sure you’re using high-quality settings (like Press Quality or High Quality Print) in the Export to PDF window to avoid downsampling images.
2. When packaging, ensure the images are relinked from the packaged folder, not the original location.
3. Relink missing files manually: If needed, manually relink the files in the packaged folder to refresh the links.
4. In InDesign, go to View > Display Performance and set it to High Quality Display to ensure images are not previewed at a lower resolution.

Let me know if this helps, and feel free to share the recording so we can dig deeper into the issue!

Best,
Abhishek Rao

[interesting_observer7064]

It is happening with mulitple files, not just one. 

I am using HQP for the PDF. 

I am unable to share a screen recording due to confidentiality of the projects I have. 

Images are all linked in the original file. I package the file and open the indesign file from the newly packaged folder and the links are missing. They are all in the newly packaged folder but the preview in indesign is pixelated. It is fixed after I relink the images within the same folder.

My Display Performance is set to HQD

[leo.r]

Just in case: do you have the 'Update graphic links' option selected:

[interesting_observer7064]

Yes. All the links will be in the packaged folder. 

[leo.r]

As a test, try to move the links out of the Links folder into the package folder (so they're in the same folder with your packaged InDesign file). Will InDesign find them then and export properly?

[interesting_observer7064]

I opened the indd file that was packaged in the new folder with the links. The links show they're linked but they appear pixelated. 

[leo.r]

I opened the indd file that was packaged in the new folder with the links. The links show they're linked but they appear pixelated. 

By @interesting_observer7064

Do I understand correctly that when you opened the InDesign file, the links were located in exactly the same folder as the InDesign file?  

Also, do the links only appear pixelated in the InDesign file itself? Or do they also appear pixelated when you export a PDF?

[BobLevine]

Update Sonoma to 14.6