Preflight, Export, and Packaging
The work is not done when the layout looks right on screen. It is done when a clean, verified package and a correct PDF have been produced and checked.
Why this step matters
A layout that looks correct in InDesign can fail at export for reasons invisible on screen: missing image links, text overflowing out of frames, fonts not recognized, color profiles mismatched. Preflight is InDesign's automated check for these conditions. Running it before exporting is the difference between submitting a file you know is correct and submitting a file you hope is correct. The distinction matters when someone else is opening your package.
Preflight
Preflight runs continuously in InDesign as you work — a green dot at the bottom-left of the document window means no errors; a red dot means problems exist. Click the dot (or Window → Output → Preflight) to open the Preflight panel and see what's wrong.
| Error type | What it means | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Missing link | A placed image file cannot be found at its stored path | Open the Links panel, find the missing file (red question mark), and click Relink to navigate to the file's current location |
| Modified link | A placed image has been changed since it was placed | Click Update Link in the Links panel to refresh the placed version with the current file |
| Overset text | A text frame contains more text than is visible — the overflow is hidden | Resize the text frame, reduce the text, or link the frame to an additional frame to accommodate the overflow |
| Missing font | A font used in the document is not installed on this machine | Replace with an available font, or install the missing font |
A clean preflight — zero errors — is the baseline requirement before exporting any deliverable. Do not export and submit a file with preflight errors assuming they won't matter in the output.
PDF export
File → Export → Adobe PDF (Print). The PDF export dialog offers several preset options:
| Preset | Use for |
|---|---|
| High Quality Print | Large-format pin-up printing and digital sharing — preserves full image resolution, embeds fonts, appropriate for Assignment 05 PDF submission |
| PDF/X-1a | Professional print production — converts colors to CMYK, embeds all fonts, strict compatibility for commercial printing. Beyond LA117 requirements but worth knowing for professional contexts. |
| Smallest File Size | Never for submission — aggressively compresses images and degrades quality for email sharing. Not appropriate for graded work. |
In the Export dialog: under Compression, verify image resolution is not being reduced below your working resolution. Under Output, confirm the color profile matches your document. Under Advanced, ensure fonts are embedded. Export, open the PDF, and visually verify at least the first and last pages before submitting.
Packaging the document
File → Package collects the InDesign file, all linked image files, and any embedded fonts into a single folder. This is the working file submission for Assignment 05 — a complete, self-contained project folder that opens correctly on any machine.
In the Package dialog: check "Copy Fonts" and "Copy Linked Graphics." The package folder will be named after your document — rename it to your standard naming convention before submitting. Verify the folder contents after packaging: it should contain the .indd file, a Links folder with all placed images, and a Document Fonts folder.
Submission protocol
| Deliverable | What it is |
|---|---|
| Poster PDF | 24×36" High Quality Print export. Filename: LastName_A05_Poster.pdf |
| Project Pages PDF | Multi-page High Quality Print export. Filename: LastName_A05_Pages.pdf |
| InDesign Package (folder) | Complete package folder with all linked files and fonts. Folder name: LastName_A05_Package |
What breaks
Packaging from the wrong folder — if your InDesign document and its linked images were in disorganized locations (desktop, downloads, different drives), the package will collect them but the resulting folder structure may be messy. Build a clean project folder structure before placing images and the package will collect cleanly from organized source locations.
Opening the PDF and not checking it — a PDF that looks correct at page 1 can have a missing image on page 4. Open the PDF and scroll through every page before considering it reviewed. Look specifically for grey boxes with X marks (missing image placeholders) and any text that appears in a substitute font.