Packaging & Uploading Files
Complete a final preflight, package native artwork correctly and collect all supporting files before sending your project to Southwestern. Proper packaging helps prevent missing fonts, broken links and avoidable production delays.
Binding Options & File Setup
Binding, folding and specialty finishing can affect page counts, margins and the placement of important design elements.
Common Binding Options
- Saddle Stitching — commonly used for booklets, programs and catalogs.
- Perfect Binding — commonly used for thicker catalogs, manuals and books.
- Coil or Wire Binding — allows pages to open and lay relatively flat.
Saddle-Stitched Projects
Saddle-stitched booklets generally require a page count in multiples of four. Submit individual pages in normal reading order. Do not create printer spreads or manually impose pages.
Allow for Binding
Keep important text, logos and other critical elements safely away from the binding edge. Perfect-bound, coil-bound and wire-bound projects may require additional inner margin.
Folds & Specialty Finishing
Projects containing folds, pockets, die cuts or other specialty processes may require additional setup. Contact Southwestern before completing the artwork if you are unsure about the required dimensions or production setup.
Complete a Final Preflight
Review the completed artwork before packaging or uploading your files. A careful final check can prevent missing artwork, font problems and production delays.
Confirm the Following
- The document matches the final finished size.
- Required 0.125-inch bleed is included.
- Images have sufficient resolution for the final reproduction size.
- Process colors and intentional spot colors are set up correctly.
- Fonts display and output correctly.
- There are no missing or modified links.
- All pages, images and content are final and internally approved.
- Specialty production elements are clearly identified.
Review the Final PDF
Open and carefully review the final PDF before uploading it. Check page order, orientation, images, text, colors and all requested corrections.
Do not apply passwords, encryption or other security restrictions to production PDFs.
Package Native Adobe Files
When supplying native Adobe files, use the application’s Package feature to collect the original document, linked graphics and permitted fonts into one organized folder.
Package an InDesign Project
- Open the final InDesign document and confirm that all pages and revisions are complete.
- Choose File → Package.
- Review the summary, fonts, links and images for warnings.
- Correct missing fonts, modified links and missing graphics before continuing.
- Choose a clearly named folder for the packaged project.
- Include linked graphics and fonts when licensing permits.
- Include an IDML file when the option is available.
- Include a PDF of the final approved artwork.
Package an Illustrator Project
- Open the final Illustrator document and confirm that all artwork is complete.
- Check the Links panel for missing or modified graphics.
- Choose File → Package.
- Select a clearly named folder for the package.
- Copy linked graphics and collect them into the package.
- Relink the document to the packaged graphics when that option is available.
- Copy permitted fonts and create a package report.
- Include a PDF of the final approved artwork.
Before uploading: Open the completed package folder and confirm that it contains the original native file—InDesign .indd or Illustrator .ai—all required linked graphics, permitted fonts and a PDF of the final approved artwork.
Place everything into one clearly named project folder and compress the folder into a ZIP file before uploading. After packaging, do not rename, move or delete files inside the package.
Ready to Send Your Files?
Everything checked and ready to go? Upload your artwork and supporting files securely, or contact Southwestern if you need help before submitting.
Submitting native files? Please include a PDF of the final approved artwork with your packaged files as a visual reference for our prepress team.
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