How to package IDML files

• Last updated on December 29, 2023
• •
• 2-3 minutes to read

A package allows you to save your design with fonts and linked images. It allows you to prepare your fonts and linked images for uploading to BackOffice.

Preparation

To export a package, click File > Package. In the Package dialog box, click the Fonts and Link and Images tabs to verify that fonts and images are available. Then, click Package.

Saving an original file

Before creating a package, you need to save your file.

When you save your file, you can select any format because you don't need to upload this file to BackOffice.

Saving a package

Now you can save your package. In the Package Publication dialog box, you need to select the following checkboxes:

• Copy Fonts (Except activated from Adobe fonts and non-Adobe CJK fonts)

• Copy Linked Graphics

• Update Graphic Links in Package

• Include IDML

• Include PDF (Print)

Finally, click Package.

Now let's see what files you have saved in the package.

Files in a package

InDesign will create a folder with the following structure.

My design-name Folder

• My design-name.idml

• My design-name.indd

• My design-name.pdf

• Documents fonts

  • Font 1.ttf
  • Font 2.otf

• Links

  • My image.png

Let's look at each of these files in detail.

IDML file

The file in the IDML format is the design file that you can upload to Customer's Canvas.

Note

In Customer's Canvas, you can upload only an IDML file. The INDD format isn't supported.

If you have an account in the Customer's Canvas cloud, read the Importing from InDesign article to learn how to import a design. If you are using an on-premises instance of the Design Editor, put the design in the assets/designs folder. You may create a subfolder, if needed.

PDF file

You may use this file, if you need to send your design somewhere or to print your design.

Fonts

In the Document fonts folder, you can see all the fonts used in your design. You need to upload these fonts to Customer's Canvas as follows:

• If you have an account in the Customer's Canvas cloud, read the Fonts article about uploading fonts.

• If you are using an on-premises instance of the Design Editor, you need to put them in the assets/fonts folder.

In the Document fonts folder, you may see a file in the LST format. This is a file containing some metadata about the fonts in the folder. You don't need to copy it to Customer's Canvas.

Links

The Links folder contains the images referenced from your design file. You need to upload these images to the Image section to Customer's Canvas as follows:

• If you have an account in the Customer's Canvas cloud, you need to upload the linked images to the Images folder. To learn more, read the Importing from InDesign article.

• If you are using an on-premises instance of the Design Editor, you need to put the Links folder in the same location with your design file in the IDML format.

Other files

Other PDF and JPG files contain a preview that is not used in Customer's Canvas.