Link & Embedded Images

When creating print data that includes images, Illustrator offers two main ways to place image files. Understanding these methods will help prevent issues such as missing images, data errors, or the need for resubmission.

Both methods are acceptable, but each requires different handling when preparing files for print.

When you place an image into Illustrator, it will be in one of the following states.

1. Linked Images (Link)

A linked image is not stored inside the Illustrator file itself. Instead, Illustrator only keeps a reference to the image’s file path on your computer. (An easy comparison: it is like carrying a note with an address written on it; ethe actual house exists somewher else.)

Benefits:

• Keeps the Illustrator file size small.

Important Note:

If you submit a file that uses linked images, you must send:

• the Illustrator file
• all linked image files used in the artwork

If any linked images are missing at the time of printing, they will not display correctly and may cause critical output errors.

How to check in Illustrator:

1. Open the Links panel (Window → Links) to confirm which images are linked.
2. If you choose to link images, ensure all listed files are included when you submit your artwork.

2. Embedded Images (Embed)

An embedded image is fully stored inside the Illustrator file.

Benefits:

• No risk of missing images or broken links during printing.
• You only need to submit the Illustrator file.

Points to note:

• File size becomes larger because image data is included inside the file.

How to embed in Illustrator:

1. Select an image and click Embed in the Links panel.
2. The chain-link icon in the Links panel will disappear once the image is embedded.

Illustrator allows you to place images either as Linked or Embedded.

If you want to ensure there are no missing images at print time, embedding is the safest option. You can embed images when placing them or after they have been placed.

Embedding when placing an image

1. Go to File → Place.
2. In the Place dialog, uncheck “Link.”
3. Click Place.

With “Link” unchecked, Illustrator imports the image directly into the file—it becomes embedded automatically.

Embedding an image after it has been placed

1. Select the image.
2. Open the Links panel (Window → Links).
3. Click the panel menu (▼ at the top right).
4. Choose “Embed Image(s)”.

When the embed is complete, a small icon (a square with a triangle) will appear next to the file name in the Links panel. This icon indicates the image is successfully embedded.

If you must submit files with Linked Images

If file size is too large or you prefer to keep images linked, please check the following very carefully:

• Make sure no linked images are missing
  Place all linked images in the same folder as your Illustrator file before submitting.
• Do not rename or move linked files
  If you change the file name or move the image after placing it, Illustrator will show a “missing link,” and the image will not print correctly.

Please avoid submitting linked image files in these formats:

• AI (.ai)
• Illustrator EPS (.eps)
• PDF (.pdf)

Using these formats as linked images can cause problems such as:

• Text corruption (garbled characters)
• Unexpected image resizing
• Line-width distortions
• Output errors that cannot be corrected on our side

For this reason, linked images in these formats are not eligible for data checking.
We recommend standard raster formats such as JPEG, TIFF, or PNG for linked images.

Creating Data with Embedded Images

To ensure stable and reliable print quality, we strongly recommend embedding images when placing them in your Illustrator file. “Embedding” means the image is stored inside the Illustrator document itself, instead of referencing an external file.

By embedding images:

• The file no longer depends on metadata (such as camera rotation or orientation).
• The image will always appear in the exact direction and layout you intended.
• There is no risk of “missing links” or rotated images during printing.

This results in a more predictable and trouble-free print output.

Creating Your Print File as a PDF

Saving your final artwork as a PDF helps lock in your layout, fonts, image positions, and orientation.

PDF has the following advantages:

• The design and layout are fixed, preventing unexpected shifts or rotation.
• Images retain the correct orientation regardless of camera metadata.
• PDF files generally produce more consistent results in the printing workflow.

For these reasons, if possible, please consider submitting your print data in PDF format, especially when your artwork contains photos or images that must remain in a specific orientation.