How do I send a file I've created in InDesign to someone else, so they can open it up in InDesign and work with the file too?

Question

I'm kind of in a pickle and took on a project involving indesign/illustrator. It's been a long time since I was really familiar with InDesign so I feel a bit overwhelmed right now and as though I've overestimated my design abilities.I need to design a label from scratch, that copies the original label, so that it will be editable and we can alter the info such as prices, etc.It will likely require Illustrator to create the shapes, but ultimately I want a file in Indesign that I can send to my project manager so he can add in the information himself and alter as needed. The shapes seem to be quite simple aside from several icons I'll need to somehow create so do I need to use both programs or will just InDesign be sufficient? What's the best way to do this? If he does have InDesign installed as well, and also in the case that he does not? Is creating an editable PDF adviseable?How can I send the file I've created so that he too can open it in InDesign and edit it himself? I.E. in which format does the file need to be for him to edit it (if he has access to InDesign) and if he does not?My question is probably simple to answer but I've been searching and searching online and finding really different answers so I just wanted someone to clarify and let me know what is best in this situation. Thank you.

Answer 1

An editable PDF is a good idea for design consistency. Only the fields that need to be changed should be editable.

As for saving your InDesign file for someone else to work on, under the File menu scroll down to Package.

Select Package and make sure to checked the following boxes Copy Fonts, Copy Linked Graphics, Update Graphic Links in Page, Include IDML (this is helpful if the person you're sending the file to does not have the same version of InDesign that you do), and Include PDF (High Quality Print).

It may be a good idea to send an editable PDF as well as the package InDesign file.

www.wetransfer.com is a good way of sending the file.