In this article, you will learn
- which Fixups are available in Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates related to PageBoxes and dimensions, and
- for which use cases these Fixups are suitable.
1. Introduction
When print files are uploaded to the application $PRODUCT_NAME_WORKFLOW, the documents are checked using Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates, corrected if necessary, and converted into a normalized state. Normalizing print data therefore represents a key step in prepress production, as it saves time, reduces errors, and automates parts of the workflow.
Not all Fixups are available in a "Check-in Preflight and Fixup Template"
The application clearly distinguishes between normalizing print data and preparing print data for printing. During the normalization step, print data is brought to a standard state for further data preparation that serves as the basis for subsequent data preparation. The corresponding data preparation for production takes place at a later stage by applying individual Fixups or Fixup Chains.
2. Available Fixups for PageBoxes and Dimensions
In order to take full advantage of a Check-in Preflight and Fixup Template, these templates must first be created. A template essentially consists of Fixups and Checks. The application $PRODUCT_NAME_WORKFLOW currently provides more than 48 different Fixups. For better overview, the individual Fixups have been divided into different categories.
This article provides a detailed description of all Fixups that can be used to adjust the PageBoxes and dimensions of print files.
2.1. Derive TrimBox from Crop Marks
Category: Color, PageBox
Description: This Fixup derives the TrimBox from the crop marks. In addition, the BleedBox can be set to the desired values.
Application: Crop Marks typically define the final trim size and thus determine the exact cutting dimensions. Deriving the TrimBox from the Crop Marks ensures that the final product size is precisely taken from the defined marks.
Figure 1: The activated Fixup Derive TrimBox from Crop Marks
What do the individual options mean?
The effects of enabling each option are described in detail in the article Derive PageBoxes from Crop Marks. This article provides a comprehensive explanation of the Fixup of the same name.
2.2. Derive TrimBox from a Technical Spot Color
Category: Color, PageBox
Description: This Fixup sets the TrimBox to the selected Technical Spot Color. If the Technical Spot Color is available as a filled area, the filled object can be converted to an outline, and optionally the BleedBox can also be set. The Fixup can additionally be configured so that it is not executed if a TrimBox already exists in the print file.
Application: If a Dieline already exists in the print file, the TrimBox should be set accordingly to ensure that the TrimBox of the product is correctly defined.
Figure 2: The activated Fixup Derive TrimBox from a Technical Spot Color
2.3. Adjust Sizes
Category: Document, Page, Page Content
Description: The Fixup checks the size of the print file and adjusts it to the required production size if necessary. Bleed and additional areas can be added automatically when required. If multipage files with different dimensions are processed, the individual parts can be defined and adjusted separately.
Application: Use this Fixup to scale print data to the required size, including Bleed, already during upload. A detailed description of this Fixup can be found here.
Figure 3: The activated Fixup Adjust Sizes
2.4. Apply Rotation Factor
Category: Object, Page, Page Content, PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, PDF/X-4, PDF/X-5
Description: This Fixup applies an existing rotation factor and then resets it to 0°.
Application: Even if content appears visually correct, differing rotation information can lead to errors in downstream processing steps. Applying the rotation factor ensures a consistent alignment of the data and provides a stable, reproducible basis for further processing.
Figure 4: The activated Fixup Apply Rotation Factor
2.5. Remove page scaling factor (User Unit)
Category: Page, Page Content
Description: This Fixup removes all page scaling factors (User Unit entries) from all pages, provided that the page dimensions for width and height do not exceed 5,080 mm (200 inches).
Use Case: In multipage PDF files, each page can have an individual page scaling factor assigned. These factors are only available in PDF files version 1.6 or higher. Use this Fixup to remove existing scaling factors when you later need to apply a specific scaling factor for enlarging print data. This Fixup is also required when creating PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-3-compliant print data.
Figure 5: The activated Fixup Remove page scaling factor (User Unit)
2.6. Set User Unit
Category: Page, Page Content
Description: This Fixup sets the page scaling factor (User Unit) of a PDF page to a selected value. The selection of the factor is based on a string detected in the file name. Note that the dimensions and resolutions displayed in the application $PRODUCT_NAME_WORKFLOW already reflect the effective values, as the applied scaling factor is already included.
The following scaling values are available:
- 1:1 – 100 mm remains 100 mm
- 1:2 – 100 mm becomes 200 mm
- 1:4 – 100 mm becomes 400 mm
- 1:5 – 100 mm becomes 500 mm
- 1:10 – 100 mm becomes 1,000 mm
- 1:25 – 100 mm becomes 2,500 mm
- 1:50 – 100 mm becomes 5,000 mm
- 1:100 – 100 mm becomes 10,000 mm
Application: Use this Fixup when customers consistently deliver reduced-size data that must be scaled to the effective production size within the Workflow. The scaling factor to be applied can be derived from the file name based on a predefined naming pattern.
Figure 6: The activated Fixup Set User Unit (Scaling Factor)
2.7. Auto-correct nesting of PageBoxes
Category: Page, PageBox
Description: This Fixup ensures that the TrimBox, ArtBox, BleedBox, CropBox, and MediaBox are correctly nested. If necessary, adjustments are made to achieve the correct nesting. However, the ArtBox is removed when a TrimBox is present, ensuring that the print file complies with PDF/X standards.
Application: Add this Fixup to a Check-in Preflight and Fixup Template when PDF/X-compliant print data must be generated in the application.
Figure 7: The activated Fixup Auto-correct nesting of PageBoxes
Article Update: $PRODUCT_NAME_WORKFLOW 2.0.0 – 04/2026