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juliannz
juliannz
Inspiring
August 17, 2019
Answered

Indesign file won't package

  • August 17, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 40541 views

Hi, I have have a large indesign file that won't turn into a package.  When I try and package it, it says it can't make the PDF file. What's wrong? How do I fix the problem. Here is the file: Dropbox - Julians book on Oke Bay Lodge 1.indd - Simplify your life

      Correct answer Geоrge

      Hi Peter, when I turned off PDF and IDML, the package worked. But then how do I create a PDF for printing?


      >> when I turned off PDF and IDML, the package worked.

      Here the next workaround about corrupted export/print of PDF - Re: Closure of Indesign when I try to export a file

       

      https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign/error-background-pdf/m-p/10674466#M156981

      3 replies

      juliannz
      juliannzAuthor
      Inspiring
      January 11, 2020

      Hi George, please can you send me (again) what to do when Indesign won't export to a PDF file? You said originally "here is a workaround" and I tried it and it worked, but when I click on the link now, it goes somewhere else and not to tthe work around! So annoying....thanks

      tjasak1993
      tjasak1993
      Known Participant
      April 27, 2020

      Hii, 

      I don't know if it's common to use old similar topics or to create new ones with exact questions?

      anyway, I am using the existing one, cuz I also have some issue with packaging an InDesign file.

       

      It was packaging for a few hours and stopped at composing all text ...

       

      The InDesign file is extremely big, so do you think I should wait further and will actually proceed with the full Package or we have an issue here? I've tried to package it 2 times and it always stopped here and didn't move further even after 30 hours.

       

      Thank you for any advice

      BobLevine
      Community Expert
      BobLevineCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      April 27, 2020

      Start a new one with full details. Version of ID, O/S, system specs.

      maxwithdax
      Community Expert
      maxwithdaxCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 17, 2019

      It packaged fine for me. But since you didn't include the linked files, it was not really a true test. Also, I noticed that your file names have coma in them. Not sure if it is affecting anything, but just as a best practice, you should really avoid any punctuation in your file names. At this point, since it worked for me, I don't have a clear answer. I would try renaming some of those files first and package again. Then if that doesn't work then you are gonna be hunting for the image that is corrupting your pdf process.

      -Dax

      juliannz
      juliannzAuthor
      Inspiring
      August 17, 2019

      Hi Max,

      You are so helpful. Can you supply your email address so I can send you a drop box link to the linked files? I have to solve this problem.

      Mine is j.batchelor@barfoot.co.nz

      maxwithdax
      Community Expert
      maxwithdaxCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 17, 2019

      try renaming your files that have comas in them first. Can you take a screenshot of the error it is giving you?

      Cannot copy necessary linked file(s).

      if that is the case then it is almost certainly your file naming. Make sure you only have letters and numbers in your file names. Spaces are fine too (although the hairs on my neck stand up just saying it.) Make sure you have no slashes or comas or any punctuation.

      -Dax

      Randy Hagan
      Community Expert
      Randy HaganCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 17, 2019

      Does your InDesign document file contain the entire book you're trying to publish? If so, I would suggest separating the steps:

      First package the job with the InDesign document file and all its intrinsic components. Close the originating InDesign document file.

      Next, navigate your way to the packaged folder and open the InDesign document file stored inside the packaged folder.

      Make a PDF document from the InDesign document file inside the packaged folder.

      You may get the same result generating the PDF file, but you will at least have a packaged folder containing all the intrinsic components to forward to someone w2ith industrial-strength equipment to accomplish the job.

      You may also try producing bite-sized chunks of pages in multiple PDFs, then bundling them into one piece with Acrobat.

      Good luck,

      Randy

      Peter Villevoye
      Community Expert
      Peter VillevoyeCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 17, 2019

      I'd also go for Randy's first tip:

      Package the file without these two extraneous files, that PDF and IDML.

      (The dialogue is in Dutch, and on a Mac, but I guess you'll get the idea...)

        juliannz
        juliannzAuthor
        Inspiring
        August 19, 2019

        I can answer that one.

        With the InDesign document file open, use the File>Adobe PDF Presets>[choice of PDF settings you want to use] menu command, then follow the directions to export your PDF file. I'd suggest you use the PDF/X4 settings for starters, unless you have specific settings from your printer that they'd prefer you to use.

        Easy-peasy.


        I just tried to create a pdf file. This is the error message:

        Dropbox - Screenshot 2019-08-20 06.45.31.png - Simplify your life

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