In this article, you will learn
- which Fixups in Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates in the area Layers are available and
- for which use cases these Fixups are suitable.
1. Introduction
When uploading print files into the system, the documents are checked using Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates, partially corrected, and thereby converted to a normalized state. Normalizing print data is a key step in prepress, as it saves time, minimizes errors, and partially automates work processes.
Not all Fixups are available in a Check-in Preflight and Fixup Template
The application makes a clear distinction between Normalizing Print Data and Preparing Print Data for printing. Normalization brings the Print Data to a uniform standard, which serves as the foundation for subsequent Data Preparation. The actual preparation for production takes place at a later stage by applying individual Fixups or predefined Fixup Chains.
Spot Colors are automatically moved to the appropriate Layer
Objects colored with a systemwide defined Technical Spot Color, or a Spot Color, that is Output as Separation, are automatically moved to a Layer whose name corresponds to the respective Processing Steps Type.
The following advantages result from this:
- Technical objects and Spot Colors that are Output as a Separation can be quickly shown or hidden in the PDF Editor.
- In the application, technical objects can be hidden more efficiently, deactivated during rendering, or specifically utilized when exporting technical lines and colors defined as "Output as Separation".
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, the Workflow provides over 47 different Fixups. 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 Hidden Layers
Category: Document, Object, Page Content, Layer
Description: This Fixup deletes all invisible Layers in the print file, along with any objects contained on them.
Use Case: By removing invisible Layers and their objects, you reduce the number of objects that need to be checked. In addition, this prevents hidden Layers from being accidentally activated when multiple Print Items are assembled together in the Impose Editor.
Figure 1: The activated Fixup Remove Hidden Layers
2.2. Discard hidden layer content and flatten to visible layers
Category: Document, Object, Page Content, Layer
Description: This Fixup removes all objects on hidden Layers. In addition, all Layers – including invisible Layers, but excluding the Processing Steps Layers – are reduced and removed from the document.
Use Case: Use this Fixup when no Layers other than the Processing Steps Layers are needed in your print data. This prevents conflicts during assembly caused by Layers with identical names but different visibility settings.
Figure 2: The activated Fixup Discard hidden layer content and flatten to visible layers
2.3. 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 visual inspection of the print file by the user. Add this Fixup to every Check-in Preflight and Fixup Template. This Fixup can be safely applied to all print data.
Figure 3: The activated Fixup Remove Empty Layers
2.4. Move objects that are not assigned to a layer to a layer
Category: Document, Object, Page Content, Layer
Description: By default, objects in a PDF file are not assigned to any Layer. This Fixup moves all objects that are not yet assigned to a Layer onto the Layer with the specified Layer Name.
Use Case: Use this Fixup to move all printable objects in a PDF file to the Layer Artwork, while keeping all other technical objects and separations on their respective Processing Steps Layers.
Figure 4: The activated Fixup Move objects that are not assigned to a layer to a layer
Article Update: Workflow 1.21.0 – 09/2025