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

[Studioted]

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.

[federico platon]

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.

[JointyJr]

HiYa

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

[Danny Whitehead. · Accepted solution]

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.

[Studioted]

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

[Studioted]

One problem I encounter with this process is that when I change the layer visibility in the copied and pasted layer, the position of the image changes. I am using InDesign 2018 and there is no "content-aware fit" option. Do you know how I can avoid this happening?

[Studioted]

Disregard this question--I figured it out on my own. In my import options, I did not have ALL LAYERS bounding box selected for cropping, so each import was cropping to the bounding box of it's individual layer.

[Bill Silbert · Accepted solution]

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.

[Studioted]

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]

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.

[federico platon]

I told you: ...Images placed on Illustrator file should better be converted to CMYK in Photoshop before.

As you go to print (only), The best way to convert and control the process and preview it even before is in Photoshop.

If you let Ai or ID convert an RGB you are driving blind. The auto conversion can be non-optimal, probably,

Another factor can be, as also pointed, if you rescale (upwards) and lose resolution=quality.

Your intial question, if you do not make mistakes, using a linked or embeded image makes no difference.

Linked has the flexibility or later editing in PS, and does not increase the size of the Ai or ID douments. They will generate de very same PDF.

But keep in mind all we have talked about.

[Monika Gause]

The color management based conversion of images is the same in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

Only if you want to apply specific color curves or want to remove black or what ever, Photoshop has an advantage, but that workflow is so 90ies.

[federico platon]

Hi Monika,

I  meant that a correct Color management with correct selection of options, profiles, intent, etc, will keep us in control and preview the changes or outcome. And in Photoshop converting to CMYK must use Convert to profile, where we have a preview, also on View>Proof Colors in an specific CMYK even without converting to final CMYK is possible.

PS also warns about areas where the colors will change (off gamut). Adjustments layers can be used to tame the conversion before/after. On a conversion to Black&white there are a lot of options that improve the straight methods. All of this (trimming) we know, not possible in AI or ID.

IF we make a straight (convert to profile) conversion with the same, right, profiles, etc. the outcome will be identical in Ai, PS, or ID, of course*. 

(*) Leaving aside the likely need of some sharpening (in Photoshop, only) at some stages in the process.

[Danny Whitehead.]

Personally, I'd agree with Monika, and recommend a 'late-binding' workflow. I'd only recommend converting in PS when you need to work with specific plates, and when you have exactly the right output profile. The 'taming' adjustments can still be done to the RGB images, using 'Proof Colours' and 'Gamut Warning'.

[federico platon]

Yes, I said the "taming" is available only in Photoshop, what I wished to point is that there are more cards in Photoshop, and using linked images has its advantages of anytime editing. Early binding to an specific CMYK and embedding is safe but it is a close enviroment where the target is fixed. 

I think we all have the same opinions about it all.

The question signal the need to avoid missing links and reduced resolution if the (raster) originals are increased in size.