Select Window > Output > Preflight to open the Preflight panel.
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn how to share profiles across Adobe InDesign documents or back them up by embedding, exporting, and loading profile files.
Create or customize preflight profiles
Preflight profiles define which document conditions InDesign flags as errors during quality checks. By creating custom profiles, you can tailor preflight settings to match specific production needs, such as print, digital, or internal workflows. Many prepress providers supply required profiles, which you can import directly into InDesign for consistent results.
Create a new preflight profile
Select the panel menu icon, and then select Define Profiles.
Select the New preflight profile icon in the Preflight Profiles dialog box and enter a descriptive name for your profile.
Select the preferred settings for General, LINKS, COLOR, IMAGES and OBJECTS, TEXT, and DOCUMENT.
Select Save to preserve changes, and create another profile or update an existing one.
Select OK.
After creating a profile, you can apply it immediately to your current document or embed it for use when sharing the document with others. To apply a profile, select it from the Profile menu in the Preflight panel.
Customize a preflight profile
Select Window > Output > Preflight to open the Preflight panel.
Select the panel menu icon, and then select Define Profiles.
Select a profile in the Preflight Profiles dialog box.
Select the preferred settings for General, LINKS, COLOR, IMAGES and OBJECTS, TEXT, and DOCUMENT.
Select Save to preserve changes and then select OK.
Embed a profile in a document
Select Window > Output > Profile to open the Preflight panel.
Select the profile you want to embed from the Profile list.
Select the Click to embed selected profile icon. Once embedded, a profile will travel with the document, but doesn't force others to use it. Recipients can select a different profile when they open the document.
Export a profile for sharing or backup
Exporting creates a standalone IDPP file that you can share with colleagues or use to restore your profile settings after resetting preferences.
Select Window > Output > Profile to open the Preflight panel.
Select the Preflight panel menu icon, and select Define Profiles.
Select the profile you want to export from the Preflight Profiles dialog box.
Select the Preflight profile menu icon and then select Export Profile.
Specify a filename and location, then select Save.
Remove an embedded profile from a document
Select Window > Output > Profile to open the Preflight panel.
Select the Preflight panel menu icon, and select Define Profiles.
Select the profile you want to unembed from the Preflight Profiles dialog box.
Select the Preflight profile menu icon and then select Unembed Profile.
Select OK to confirm that you want to unembed the selected preflight profile.
Select OK.
Load an imported profile
You can load profiles that others have shared with you, either as IDPP files or as profiles embedded in InDesign documents.
Select Window > Output > Profile to open the Preflight panel.
Select the Preflight panel menu icon, and select Define Profiles.
Select the Preflight profile menu icon and then select Load Profile.
Select the IDPP file and then select Open. You can now view the imported profile in the Preflight Profiles dialog box.
Select OK.
Delete a preflight profile
Select Window > Output > Profile to open the Preflight panel.
Select the Preflight panel menu icon, and select Define Profiles.
Select the profile you want to delete from the Preflight Profiles dialog box.
Select the Delete preflight profile icon.
Select OK to confirm deletion.
Select OK.
Note
You cannot delete the [Basic] profile or recover deleted custom profiles. Export profiles before deleting them, in case you may need them later.
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