In this article, you will learn
- which Fixups are available in Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates in the area of Layers, and
- for which Use Cases these Fixups are suitable.
1. Introduction
When print files are uploaded into the Workflow, the documents are checked and partially corrected using Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates, thereby bringing them into a normalized state. Normalizing print data is a key step in prepress, as it saves time, minimizes errors, and automates part of the process.
Not all Fixups are available in a Check-in Preflight and Fixup Template
The Workflow clearly distinguishes between normalizing print data and preparing print data for printing. The normalization step brings print data to a consistent standard for data preparation. The corresponding data preparation for production is takes place at a later stage through the application of individual Fixups or defined Fixup Chains.
2. Available Fixups for Layers
To take full advantage of a Check-in Preflight and Fixup Template, these templates must first be created. A template essentially consists of various Checks and Fixups. Currently, more than 44 different Fixups are available in the Workflow. To maintain clarity, the individual Fixups are divided into different categories.
This article provides a detailed description of all Fixups that can be used to remove or reduce invisible or empty layers.
2.1. Remove Control Characters in Spot Color Names
Category: Document, Object, Page Content, Layer
Description: This Fixup removes all objects on hidden layers. Additionally, all layers – including invisible ones – are reduced and removed from the document.
Use Case: Use this Fixup only if your print data does not require layers and you want to prevent conflicts caused by layers with the same name but different visibility during Imposition.
Figure 1: The activated Fixup Remove Control Characters in Spot Color Names
Conflict with Processing Steps
Please note that this Fixup may conflict with the goal of mapping of all Technical Colors to layers according to the ISO standard Processing Steps. In this case, all other layers will be removed, leaving only the layers required for compliance with the ISO standard.
2.2. Remove Empty Layers
Category: Document, Object, Page Content, Layer
Description: This Fixup deletes all currently empty and therefore unnecessary layers in the print file.
Use Case: Removing empty layers reduces the complexity of a PDF file and minimizes uncertainties during the visual check of the print file. Add this Fixup to every Check-in Preflight and Fixup Template. This Fixup can be safely applied to all print data.
Figure 2: The activated Fixup Remove Empty Layers
2.3. Remove Hidden Layers
Category: Document, Object, Page Content, Layer
Description: This Fixup removes all currently hidden layers in the print file, including all objects contained within those layers.
Use Case: By removing hidden layers and their contained objects, you reduce the number of objects that need to be checked. Additionally, this prevents hidden layers from being accidentally activated when print items are imposed together in the Impose Editor.
Figure 3: The activated Fixup Remove Hidden Layers
Article update: Workflow 1.20.1 – 05/2025