Embedded vs Linked Files
The main difference between embedded objects and linked objects is their location and ability to be updated.
The definitions of each term are as follows:
Linked Object A linked object is created and stored in a separate source file and then linked to a destination file. If the source file is revised in any way, these changes update automatically in the destination file.
Embedded Object An embedded object is created in a spearate source file and then inserted into a destination file. It becomes part of that file. If the original source file is revised in any way, these changes will not update in the destination file as they are not linked in any way.
How does this relate to the artwork you receive from your customers?
Here is an example: Your customer has placed his logo into an illustrator file and has added text for his contact details.
If he has placed his logo as a linked file, when you open it on your PC or Mac, there will be an error message saying that a file is missing. This is because his logo file is resident on his machine and not yours. The destination file automatically looks for its associated links when it opens.
To summarise, embedding the image means that the file is not relying on any link information and is completely independent of source files. It can be opened on other PCs and Macs without an error message occuring.
Identifying whether the image is embedded or linked
If you click on the image with the selection tool, the bounding box for a linked file has two diagonal lines crossing in the middle. Embedded files have an empty bounding box. See diagram below (bounding boxes are shown in light blue).
