Preflight is the final quality-control pass before a file leaves the studio. InDesign can continuously flag common document problems such as missing links, overset text and profile violations, but it cannot replace reviewing the exported PDF, printer instructions or a physical proof.
Build the preflight profile around the job: expected page size, bleed, image resolution, colour spaces, spot colours and output requirements. A generic “no errors” badge is useful only if the profile knows what the job is supposed to be.
Use live preflight while you work
Open Window → Output → Preflight and turn on the document profile. Set checks for the issues that matter to the job, such as missing or modified links, overset text, low effective resolution and unwanted colour spaces. Correct problems in the source document rather than hoping the export will repair them.
Export a controlled PDF
Use the printer’s requested PDF or PDF/X preset. InDesign’s PDF export separates choices such as compression, marks and bleeds, colour conversion and output intent. Include bleed only as specified; add crop or registration marks only when the printer asks for them.
The exported PDF is its own production object. Open it in Acrobat or the agreed PDF-inspection tool and use output preview to check separations, spot colours, overprint and page boxes. A placed PDF inside InDesign may conceal issues that document-level preflight cannot inspect fully.
What to check by hand
- Final page size, page count, orientation and facing-page order.
- Bleed and safe area against the printer’s template.
- Names, URLs, QR destinations, legal copy and version date.
- Image crop, effective resolution and visual sharpness at final size.
- CMYK, RGB and spot-colour handling; total ink coverage for relevant work.
- Overprint, rich black, white knockout and transparency behaviour.
- Fonts are embedded in the final PDF or handled as the printer requires.
- Finishing layers, dielines, varnish or foil are correctly named and separated.
Package native files only when requested
If a printer asks for native files, use File → Package after preflight. Review the package report, linked assets and font-licence constraints. Still provide the approved PDF as the visual and production reference unless they tell you otherwise.