In this article, you will learn
- which Fixups are available in Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates in the PDF/X standard environment and
- which use cases the Fixups are suitable for.
1. Introduction
When print files are uploaded into Workflow, the documents are automatically checked and partially corrected using Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates, ensuring they are brought into a normalized state. Normalizing print data is a critical step in the prepress process, as it saves time, reduces errors, and automates certain tasks.
Not all Fixups are available in a Check-in Preflight and Fixup Template
In the Workflow, there is a clear distinction between normalizing print data and preparing print data for printing. Normalization ensures the print data conforms to a common standard for data preparation. The actual data preparation for production is triggered later by applying individual Fixups or Fixup Chains.
2. Available Fixups for PDF/X Standard
To fully leverage Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates, these templates first have to be created. A template primarily consists of Fixups and Preflight settings. Currently, Workflow offers more than 44 Fixups, which are categorized to provide better clarity and organization.
This article provides a detailed description of all the Fixups that can be used to convert print data to the desired PDF/X standard during the normalization process.
2.1. Apply Rotation Factor
Category: Object, Page, Page Content, PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, PDF/X-4, PDF/X-6
Description: This Fixup applies the page rotation defined in the PDF´s metadata and then resets the rotation factor to 0.
Application: Some PDF viewers rotate pages visually using a rotation factor without actually rotating the page content. This can lead to incorrect print output. Applying this Fixup ensures the page is physically rotated as intended, preventing unwanted surprises during printing and ensuring compliance with PDF/X standards.
Figure 1: The activated Fixup Apply Rotation Factor
2.2. Apply transfer curves
Category: Page Content, PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, PDF/X-4, PDF/X-6
Description: This Fixup applies any existing transfer curves embedded in the PDF and then removes them from the file.
Application: In the past, transfer curves were used to overlay the print characteristic curve during output. By applying them directly to the content, this Fixup ensures a consistent visual appearance across different systems. With this Fixup the transfer curves are not only applied when the file is rendered on the printer, but it also allows to see the changes earlier in the PDF viewing program. It prevents discrepancies between what is seen in the PDF Viewer and what is the output during printing, supporting accurate PDF/X compliance.
Figure 2: The activated Fixup Apply transfer curves
2.3. Discard all JavaScripts
Category: Page Content, PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, PDF/X-4, PDF/X-6
Description: This Fixup removes all JavaScript actions embedded in the PDF. This ensures that the print file is PDF/X-compliant and that the printed output reflects the visual appearance shown in the PDF viewer.
Application: JavaScript commands can dynamically alter the content or behavior of a PDF. To prevent unexpected visual discrepancies during production, this Fixup should be included in your Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates. It also guarantees conformity with PDF/X specifications.
Figure 3: The activated Fixup Discard all JavaScripts
2.4. Discard embedded PostScript
Category: Page Content, PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, PDF/X-4, PDF/X-6
Description: This Fixup removes all PostScript commands from a PDF. This not only ensures PDF/X-compliance but also guarantees that the printed output matches the visual representation seen in the PDF viewer.
Area of application: PostScript commands embedded in a print file can significantly alter the appearance of the Print Item during output. To prevent unexpected results in production, this Fixup should be included in your Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates. It also ensures that the print file adheres to PDF/X standards.
Figure 4: The activated Fixup Discard embedded PostScript
2.5. Discard OPI information
Category: Image, PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, PDF/X-4, PDF/X-6
Description: This Fixup removes all OPI (Open Prepress Interface) references to external original images from the PDF. This ensures compliance with PDF/X and PDF/A standards.
Application: OPI references are placeholders for high-resolution images and must be removed to guarantee that all image data is fully embedded in the print file. This allows accurate validation of image resolution and Color Space. Include this Fixup in all Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates to ensure PDF/X compliance and production reliability.
Figure 5: The activated Fixup Discard OPI information
2.6. Fix glyph width information
Category: Font, PDF/X-4, PDF/X-6
Description: This Fixup corrects the character width information of fonts in the PDF to comply with ISO standards.
Application: Mismatched character width values can lead to rendering issues such as incorrect letter spacing or overlapping glyphs. Applying this Fixup ensures accurate text rendering and helps maintain PDF/X-4 or PDF/X-6 compliance. It´s recommended to include this Fixup in your Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates for reliable, standards-compliant print data.
Figure 6: The activated Fixup Fix glyph width information
2.7. Make document XMP Metadata compliant with PDF/X-4 and PDF/X-6
Category: Page Content, PDF/X-4, PDF/X-6
Description: This Fixup removes XMP metadata entries that are not compliant with PDF/X-4 or PDF/X-6 standards.
Application: Ensuring correct and standard-conforming metadata eliminates potential validation errors during PDF/X-4 or PDF/X-6 compliance checks and helps maintain the integrity of the document's metadata structure.
Figure 7: The activated Fixup Make document XMP Metadata compliant with PDF/X-4 and PDF/X-6
2.8. Remove BX...EX entries
Category: Page Content, PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, PDF/X-4, PDF/X-6
Description: This Fixup removes BX…EX entries in the page description. BX...EX entries are used to bracket new page operators, ensuring compatibility with older PDF programs of a certain level. These programs ignore such operators if they are unsupported. However, many PDF standards prohibit these entries.
Application: This Fixup safely removes suppressed entries from the PDF and can be used without concern. In some cases, the Fixup also eliminates Spot Color entries that are not present.
Figure 8: The activated Fixup Remove BX...EX entries
2.9. Set Output Intent
Category: Color, PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, PDF/X-4, PDF/X-6
Description: This Fixup automatically stores the ICC profile currently defined in the Workflow as the Working Color Space, setting it as the Output Intent in the Print Item.
Application: Synchronizing the Output Intent with the Working Color Space set in the Workflow ensures that CMYK source profiles of objects are disregarded if the source profile matches the Output Intent.
Figure 9: The activated Fixup Set Output Intent
2.10. Set Title to Filename
Category: Document, PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, PDF/X-4, PDF/X-6
Description: This Fixup sets the Title entry in the PDF document metadata to match the file name. A Title entry is mandatory for PDF/X compliance.
Application: Some PDF viewers display the document´s metadata title in the window or tab bar instead of the file name. This Fixup ensures that the Title is correctly defined, preventing PDF/X validation errors caused by a missing or incorrect title entry.
Figure 10: The activated Fixup Set Title to Filename
Article update: Workflow 1.20.1 – 05/2025