In this article, you will learn
- which tools and functions for Data Preparation using Fixups are available in the Workflow
- which Fixup options are provided in the Workflow
- how to create and provide Fixups within the Workflow
- how individual Fixups can be combined into Fixup Chains
- how to find and apply Fixups
- how to create and apply Fixup Chains
- how Fixups and Fixup Chains can be accessed via the REST API in the Workflow
1. Introduction
Print data is sometimes created by the data originator without knowledge of the specific intended use or the final output channel. When these files are later checked, a variety of issues may be identified, including:
- The print data is not prepared for digital printing, e.g., the Separation "White" is missing.
- The print data has not been delivered at the correct size, for example, because many content creation programs cannot create files larger than five meters (16.4 feet).
- Cutting information for print data is provided in a separate file, whereas in digital printing, it is often better to include print and cutting data together in a single file.
- The print data was created for offset printing, whereas digital printing requires, for instance, Rich Black for black areas to compensate for the typically lighter black tones in digital printing.
- Spot Colors have been converted to CMYK, although digital printing allows for more precise color control when Spot Colors are retained.
- The required Bleed may be missing in the original file, which often needs to be added manually by prepress specialists.
In many cases, it becomes necessary to correct print data – either using a single Fixup or by executing multiple Fixups in sequence via a Fixup Chain. A Fixup refers to an instruction that searches for specific constellations of objects and corrects them according to predefined parameters. A Fixup Chain is the process of stringing together Fixups in a specific sequence. Within the Workflow, Fixup Chains are composed, parameterized, saved and applied to selected Print Items or Articles based on the available Fixups. Using Fixups and Fixup Chains allows for the automated optimization of print products and targeted preparation for output and further processing – all without requiring external tools. This automation not only saves time but also significantly increases efficiency in the prepress stage – an advantage you won't want to miss in the future.
2. Accessing Fixups
Fixup options for print data are available in various areas of the Workflow as well as via external tools. The following provides an overview of the available options for using Fixups within the system.
2.1. Tab "Print Data"
The tab Print Data [1] is available in the menu item Article, Job, and Production Job. A simple click on the title of the Print Item or Article in the respective list of Print Items/Articles will take you directly to its detail view. This detail view consists of multiple sections, each containing specific information related to different topics. Each section includes a footer bar that provides the most important Data Preparation [2] options, organized by category for quick execution – giving users fast access to the most commonly used Fixup options.
Figure 1: The tab Print data of an Article
2.2. Tab "Data Preparation"
The tab Data Preparation [3] is available in the menu item Article, Order, and Production Job. By double-clicking an entry in the respective list, you can access the tab Data Preparation. In this section, all predefined Fixups as well as user-uploaded Fixups are available for targeted application to your Print Items and Articles.
Figure 3: The tab Data Preparation in the detail view of an Article
The tab Data Preparation is divided into the following sections:
- Filter [5] – Used to search for specific Fixups. For more information on how to search for Fixups, refer to the article Finding Fixups.
- Fixups [6] – This section lists all Fixups available in the Workflow, sorted alphabetically by default. Detailed descriptions of each Fixup and their application areas can be found in the articles within the section Standard Fixup – Technical Description.
- Custom Fixups [4] – When the filter "Custom Fixups" is enabled, the list displays all Fixups you have uploaded. Instructions on how to create and upload your own Fixups can be found in the articles under Creating and Uploading Custom Fixups.
2.3. Uploading Print Data via the Command «Add»
When uploading a print file as an Article or Print Item within an Order or Production Job using the command Add from the action bar, you have the option to apply a predefined Fixup Chain during the upload process. In the tab Print Item [7], simply select the desired Fixup Chain [8] from the available dropdown list.
Figure 4: The tab Print Item in the dialog Add Production Job
Applying a Single Fixup?
Selecting a single Fixup is not possible during the print data upload process. However, if you still want to apply just a single Fixup, you can create a custom Fixup Chain that contains only that Fixup.
2.4. In the operation "Apply Fixups"
When creating a Production Configuration under Automation > Production Configurations, the user can select the operation Apply Fixups [9]. This operation allows one or more Fixups to be applied to a Print item. Production Configurations are used within the Workflow in the context of Quick Print, Hotfolder, and when creating Automation Jobs.
To apply Fixups as part of Automation, add the operation Apply Fixups to the desired Production Configuration using the operation Add Fixup and select Template [10].
Figure 5: The dialog Add Production Configuration with the selected operation Apply Fixups
2.5. In the operation "Apply Fixup Chain"
When creating a Production Configuration under Automation > Production Configurations, the user can use the operation Apply Fixup Chain [11] to apply a Fixup Chain – consisting of multiple Fixups – to a Print Item. Saved Production Configurations are used within the Workflow in the context of Quick Print, Hotfolder, and when generating Automation Jobs.
To apply Fixups as part of Automation, add the operation Apply Fixup Chain to the desired Production Configuration and select the corresponding Fixup Chain [12].
Figure 6: The dialog Add Production Configuration with the selected operation Apply Fixup Chain
2.6. Creating "Fixup Chains"
If you want to configure a Fixup Chain, navigate to Administration > Fixup Chains. Click the button Add [13] to create and save a new Fixup Chain. Then, you can open the dialog Edit by clicking the button Edit [14] in the area Added Fixups and add the desired Fixups using the familiar button "+" [15]. On the right-hand side, you can configure the required settings [16] for each individual Fixup.
Figure 7: The dialog Fixup Chains and the dialog Edit Add Bleed and Thru-Cut for Posters for a Fixup Chain
2.7. Menu "Action"
When one or more Articles or Print Items are selected in a list, the commands Apply Fixup [17] and Apply Fixup Chain [18] become available in the action bar.
Figure 8: The menu functions of the Fixups in the action bar for a selected Article
After selecting Apply Fixup [17], the dialog Apply Fixup to selected Article(s) opens, allowing you to search for, select, and apply Fixups. This dialog provides the same filter functions you are already familiar with from the tab Data Preparation.
Figure 9: The dialog Apply Fixup with a selected Fixup
2.8. Hotfolder XML Job Ticket
If Production Jobs are created via a Hotfolder based on an XML job ticket, Fixups and Fixup Chains can be applied to individual Print Items within the Production Job by passing the corresponding automationKey. For more detailed information, please refer to the article Hotfolder – Jobticket Documentation.
Fixups Not Fully Parameterizable
Please note that although multiple Fixups or a Fixup Chain can be applied to individual Print Items via an XML job ticket, it is not possible to define custom parameters for the execution of each Fixup. The following rules apply:
- A Fixup Chain is always executed using the parameters defined and saved with that Fixup Chain.
- In some Fixups, selected parameters can be saved as a template. If the GUID of this template is passed in the XML, the parameters stored in the template will be used at runtime.
- If a single Fixup is passed via the
automationKeyin the XML file, the default values defined in the internal XML file of the Fixup will be applied at runtime.
2.9. REST API
If Fixups or Fixup Chains are to be applied to Articles or Print Items by a leading system (ERP/MIS), this action can be performed via corresponding REST calls by passing the appropriate automationKey. Individual parameters of the Fixups can, of course, also be overridden in this process. Further more information, please refer to the section Fixups in the Rest API Documentation.
3. PDF Editor
Print data can also be analyzed and edited using the PDF Editor. To learn about the available Fixup options in this tool, please refer to the article Feature Set.
Article update: Workflow 1.20.1 – 05/2025