A package in InDesign is a neat way to hand over all the work files for someone else to work on. Indesign creates a folder with all the images, fonts and other resources needed for someone else to work on.
However – don’t unnecessarily create packages – if you for example share the same server space/cloud service with your colleagues, there is usually no need. Your colleague can open the InDesign document (.indd file) just as it is. Just be sure your document links are accessible to everyone else – i e don’t link to images locally on your computer. If you do, your colleagues will still be able to work in the document but they will get broken links warning, and not able to render a full resolution PDF.
How to create a package
- In InDesign, go to the menu File -> Package.
- Click Package, then continue.
- You will get a window like this:
- (image above) Here you place the folder where all the files will be packaged together. The standard settings are fine to use. Click Package.
- Warning dialogue. You may get a warning text about typefaces being copyrighted. Click OK.
- InDesign will work for a moment to create the package.
- Now, in Explorer on Windows or Finder on Mac, you can choose to put this folder either in a shared folder with a collegue, or to zip the file (Right click the file and choose Send to -> Compressed folder) and send it.
- Do you want to send the file away? You can send the zipfile via email, or if it’s too large, use a service such as wetransfer.com or sprend.com
