packaging Indesign files for the printer

[rschlegel]

I am ready to package my Indesign chapter files for the printer. I have corrected all issues and am ready to package it and generate a PDF file. What is the procedure to do this?

[rob day]

Is your printer asking for the InDesign files, or are they going to output the PDF you provide?

If it’s the latter then you don’t need to package. Export to  PDF (Print) using one of the PDF/X presets—PDF/x-1a if the printer wants all CMYK with no live transparency, or PDF/X-4 if they prefer to flatten transparency at output.

[rschlegel]

This is for a professional printer.

[BobLevine]

That is not what was asked. Why does the printer need InDesign files?

Send the PDF unless there's a good reason to send native files.

[rschlegel]

I believe I stated that I am ready to package my Indesign files for sending
a PDF file to the professional printer.

Ron

[rob day]

You only need to package if you are expecting the printer to find and correct errors—the actual output would be from a PDF.

[BobLevine]

Those are two different things. Packaging collects the links and fonts (depending on licensing) and puts it all in a folder. PDF is final output file format that when created with the proper settings is ready to be printed without worrying about fonts and links.

[Thunder-Lightning]

You do not need to package you InDeesign file in this instance if you are providing a PDF file to the printer. You simply export your file as a press-ready PDF file.

[D. Schulte]

The remarks made a very valid, yet what you asked for goes as follows:

1. Open your file in InDesign.
2. Go to File > Package.
3. Click the Package button at the bottom of the summary window.
4. You will be asked to save your file.
5. Click continue on the “Printing Instructions” window. We do not use the information on this page so you don’t need to fill it out.
6. Browse to where you’d like to create the package folder (desktop would be fine) and enter the name of the folder. At the bottom of this window, make sure that the “Copy Fonts”(if licensed), “Copy Linked Graphics,” “Update Graphic Links in Package,” “Include Fonts and Links from Hidden….”, “Include IDML” are all checked. Other boxes should be unchecked unless you also need a PDF.
7. Click the package button.
8. Find the new folder that InDesign created and verify that it contains copies of all required files.
9. Zip your files.