Work with Photoshop files in InDesign

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Things to know when moving files to InDesign

Try the following workflows that suit your design objectives:

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Import Photoshop files to InDesign

The Place command is most frequently used to import Photoshop files to InDesign. Click Place graphics in InDesign to learn more about adding files to your InDesign document. 

You can also drag and drop Photoshop files to InDesign and maintain their attributes and editing capabilities. 

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Use layer comps in Photoshop to improve InDesign workflows

Layer comps (or compositions) are a neat way to create, manage, and view multiple versions of your layouts or content in one Photoshop file. They reduce the need for redundant layers when importing a Photoshop file to InDesign.

You can save more than one design idea using layer comps.

Layer comps are the snapshot of a state of the Layers panel and record layer visibility, layer position, layer appearance, and layer comp selection. 

With layer comps, you can experiment with layer styles, visibility, opacity, colors, effects, and placement using attributes and states while toggling between layers in the same Photoshop file. Click Layer comps to learn more about using them in Photoshop. 

When you import this file to InDesign, you can choose from different states in the Layer Comp dropdown menu, instead of having to adjust the visibility of layers. This way you can import only one file and use layer comps as part of the file.

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Avoid Photoshop files from looking pixelated in InDesign

To avoid your Photoshop file from getting pixelated in InDesign, go to File > Place to select the file, instead of simply copying and pasting it.

Also, make sure you choose the right display settings to view files at full resolution in InDesign. (Click Graphics display to learn more about controlling graphics display performance.)

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Prevent oversaturation of colors when placing images from Photoshop to InDesign

To prevent your Photoshop image from looking oversaturated in Indesign, ensure your color profiles match between both the applications (tagged images). Go to Edit > Color Settings to adjust settings for both. 

Use your CMYK image in an InDesign document created with the default North American General Purpose Color Settings. The color settings set US Web Coated SWOP as the assigned CMYK profile and the policy is set to ignore linked profiles. 

Use Assign Profile to tag your images with specific profiles or untag them by removing the profiles.

Select a different profile and assign it without converting colors to the profile space. This can change the appearance of the colors as displayed on your monitor.

Click Work with color profiles to learn more about assigning or removing a color profile in Photoshop and InDesign.