You can place graphics created in Adobe Photoshop 4.0 and later directly into an InDesign layout.

Layers and layer comps

You can adjust the visibility of the top-level layers in InDesign, as well as view different layer comps. Changing layer visibility or layer comps in InDesign does not alter the original Photoshop file.

Paths, masks, or alpha channels

If you save paths, masks, or alpha channels in a Photoshop file, InDesign can use them to remove backgrounds, or to wrap text around graphics. Graphics that contain paths, masks, or alpha channels act as transparent objects when imported.

ICC color management profile

If you place a Photoshop image with an embedded ICC color management profile, InDesign reads the embedded profile, provided that color management is active. You can override the embedded profile for the image using the Import Options dialog box or assign a different color profile to the graphic in InDesign. Overriding the color profile in InDesign will not remove or alter the profile embedded in the Photoshop image.

Spot-color channels

Spot-color channels in Adobe Photoshop PSD or TIFF files appear in InDesign as spot colors in the Swatches panel. If the image uses a spot color that InDesign does not recognize, the spot color may appear gray in the InDesign document and print incorrectly as a composite. (The image will print correctly on color separations, however.) To simulate the graphic as a composite, you can create a spot color with the correct color values, and then alias the PSD color to this new spot color. The graphic will then print correctly as composite and display correctly on‑screen when Overprint Preview is turned on (choose View > Overprint Preview). Be sure to remove the alias before printing separations, so that the image prints on the plate you expect.