User Manual

Release – 1.21.0 (Description)

Updated on

Release Date: 09/30/2025

This article provides a detailed description of

  • The new features in version 1.21.0 and the
  • The improvements that have been implemented for users.

An overview of the new features can be found in the article Release 1.21.0 (Major Release).

1. New Features

This section provides a detailed description of the new features that have been implemented in the Impose Editor, Automation of processes, Approvals, the user interface, and in Data Preparation.

1.1. Impose Editor

In version 1.21.0, existing functions in the Impose Editor have been expanded and optimized. The following new features and improvements have been implemented:

1.1.1. Impose Multipage Print Items

From this version onward, it is possible to use Multipage Print Items in the Impose Editor. This eliminates the need to split Multipage Print Items into individual pages prior to the Imposition. Instead using the complete Print Item, the individual pages of a Print Item can now be used as Impose elements.

The following areas are affected by this improvement:

  • Preparation of Multipage Print Items: To use Multipage Print Items in the Impose Editor, the individual pages of a Multipage Print Item must be prepared. Preparation extracts all metadata of each individual page, generates Preview Images for each individual page, and identifies errors and warnings so that they can be displayed in the user interface. This ensures that all Preview Images are displayed correctly in the Imposition.
  • To prepare multiple pages automatically upon upload, set the desired number of pages in the default setting Prepare Multipage Files during Check-in under Administration > Settings > General > Multipage Files.
  • Add Print Items from the File Manager: Prepared pages are displayed in the dialog, with the option to prepare any missing pages – see Figure 2.
  • Tab "Print Items": Displays Preview Images of the each page of a Print Item, indicating the page number relative to the total number of pages – see Figure 4.
  • Backside Assignment: For double-sided Nesting, the option "Backside Assignment" can be used to assign the Frontside and Backside of Multipage files automatically. The following options are available from this version onwards:
    • A/A – The same page is used on both Frontside and Backside.
    • A/B – Frontside and Backside are assigned alternately (odd/even).
    • Manual – The Backside can be freely selected, as before.

Not yet available for Production Configurations

Please note that fully automated processing of Multipage files using the Operations Create Impose and Create Production Job is not yet possible in this version. This feature will be available staring with version 1.21.1.

1.1.2. Double-sided Nesting – Backside Assignment

As previously mentioned, enabling the use of Multipage Print Items in the Impose Editor, especially when creating double-sided Impositions, opens up new production possibilities. With the option Backside Assignment, double-sided products can now be created quickly and efficiently by the user.

Follow these steps to prepare a Multipage Print Item and assemble it in a double-sided Nesting with the desired Backside:

Step 1: Prepare Multipage Print Items

  1. Navigate to Automation > Impose Editor.
  2. Select the Impose Mode Nesting – you can also work with Step & Repeat – and create a new Imposition.
  3. Add the desired Multipage Print Item [1]  to the Imposition by dragging it from the File Manager [2] to the Artboard area.

Figure 1: The empty Artboard area with the Multipage Print Item in the File Manager

  1. The dialog Add Print Item opens.
  2. In the column Prepared / Total Pages [3], you can see how many pages of the Multipage document have been prepared.
  3. Click Start Preparation [4] if not all pages of the document are prepared and you want to use all pages in the Imposition.
  4. The dialog Prepare Pages of Print Items opens – here you can specify in the field Prepare up to and including page [5] how many pages should be prepared.
  5. Click Apply [6] to start the preparation process.
  6. Once the preparation is complete, enter the number of copies [7] to be imposed for the Print Item, and hide the pages you do not want to use by clicking the eye icon [8].
  7. Then click Apply [9].
  8. In the tab Print Items, the pages selected for the Imposition are now displayed.

Figure 2: Left: The dialog Add Print Item; Center: The dialog Prepare Pages of Print Item; Right: The dialog Add Print Item with prepared pages

Different Copies per Page

Please note that it is possible to add different copies for each page within an Imposition. However, all calculations – such as the status – are performed for the Print Item as a whole, not for the individual page. This may result in incorrect calculations regarding whether the ordered quantity has already been reached.

Advice: Enter the number of copies for the entire Print Item, not for individual pages. This allows you to keep an accurate overview of the pages to be printed in production. If you still need to assign different copies, split the Print Item into separate Multipage Print Items and enter the adjusted number of copies for each individual Print Item.

Step 2: Backside Assignment

To assign the desired Backside to your Print Items, proceed as follows:

  1. Navigate to the tab Artboard [10].
  2. Open the Settings [11] settings area.
  3. Activate the button Double-Sided Output [12].
  4. In the now active Backside Assignment [13] selection field, you can choose from the following options:
    1. A/A – The same Print Item will be placed on both the front and the back (A side) for all Impose elements.
    • A/B – The Impose elements are used alternately: the first Impose element is used for the front (A side) and the second Impose element is used for the Backside (B side).
    • Manual – This option allows you to freely assign the Backside for each individual Print Item. This is the default setting.
  5. If you do not want to use the A/A or A/B Backside Assignment and instead want to assign Backsides manually, select the option Manual.

Figure 3: The tab Artboard with the selected setting Double-Sided Output and the Backside Assignment

  1. Then navigate to the tab Print Items [15]. Here, the Print Items are displayed with their Frontsides and Backsides.
  2. Select the desired Print Item or Print Items from the list and click Edit Selected Print Items [14].

Figure 4: The tab Print Items with the option to Edit selected Print Items

  1. In the dialog Edit selected Print Items that opens, go to the tab Backside [17].
  2. Using the selection menu, you can either assign the Backside to all Print Items [18] or define it individually for each Print Item using the respective selection menu [19]. If you need to mirror or rotate the Backside, these settings can also be saved in a Print Item Template [16].
  3. Click Apply to confirm the settings.

Figure 5: The tab Backside in the dialog Edit selected Print Items

1.1.3. Nesting – Grouping Print Items

The feature introduced in version 1.20.1, which allows adding a caption for a group of Print Items along with a surrounding line around the group, has been enhanced in this version.

To do this, navigate to the Settings area and select the entry Group / Sort  under the option Placement Order, then choose the desired criterion for the group. Next, expand the settings area [22] for the selected criterion.

The following improvements have been implemented:

  • You can now define the Font Size [21] and Stroke Width [20].
  • The caption is now placed inside the line [23].

Figure 6: Left: The dialog Group and Sort with Stroke Width and Font Size; Right: The Artboard with grouped Print Items and captions placed inside

1.1.4. Captions – Placeholders Impose Editor Options

New placeholders are now available for creating Captions – Sheet Height, Sheet Width, and Total Impose Length.

Figure 7: The dialog Placeholder select with the new options

1.2. Approval Projects

In this version, extended capabilities for managing Approval Projects have been implemented.

1.2.1. Multipage Print Items in an Approval Report

The functionality introduced in version 1.20.1 to use Multipage Print Items in an Approval Report has been expanded with a new Report Template in this version. This allows the Frontside and Backside of a two-page Print Item to be displayed in a single report.

Customizing Report Templates

Use this new template for Multipage Print Items as a basis for creating your own Report Templates. Following the same logic, you can also create Report Templates for multi-part products – for example, a cube with six different designs.

1.2.2. Resending a Notification

Starting with this version, the functionality to resend an e-mail notification is provided as soon as a new version of an Approval Report for a Print Item has been created. This notification is sent to all e-mail addresses listed under Approval Options > E-Mail Recipients [26] for the respective Approval Project.

The following requirements must be met for this function to work:

  • Single-page Print Items – The Print Items to be approved must be single-page. The ability to approve Multipage Print Items via the Approval Portal will be provided in a future version.
  • Publish to Approval Portal [24] – The Approval Project must have been created via the Approval Portal.
  • E-Mail Template [25] – The desired E-Mail Template must be selected.
  • E-Mail Recipients [26] – All recipients who should be informed about the progress of the Approval Project must be listed here.
  • Upload and Send E-Mail [27] – The option must be enabled.

Figure 8: The dialog Edit Approval Project with the list of E-Mail Recipients

1.2.3. Using Annotations

Starting with version 1.21.0, it is possible to work with Annotations in the approval process. A system setting is provided to either allow or prevent the use of Annotations in the process. Annotations can be created and displayed in the Approval Portal using various configuration options and can also be viewed in the comment timeline.

Enabling the Use of Annotations

To enable Annotations in the approval process, proceed as follows:

  1. Navigate to Administration > Settings > Reports.
  2. In the settings area, Information to be transferred to the Approval Portal, activate the option Allow to use Annotations [28].
  3. Click Edit [29] and enable the use of Annotations.

Figure 9: The settings area Information to be transferred to the Approval Portal with the option Allow to use Annotations

Authorization to use Annotations

Authorization to work with Annotations in the Approval Portal is tied to access to the Approval Portal itself. If you do not have access to this function, please contact your sales partner.

Adding Annotations in the Approval Portal

Annotations can only be added in the Approval Portal. Once one or more Print Items have been uploaded to the Approval Portal, Annotations can be added there.

To do this, proceed as follows:

  1. First, create an Approval Project from Print Items/Articles that will be published via the Approval Portal, and then navigate to Dashboard > Approval Projects.
  2. Wait until the synchronization of the Approval Project with the Approval Portal and the sending of e-mails is complete.
  3. Open the Approval Project in the Approval Portal. For testing purposes, the fastest way to do this is by clicking Open Approval Project in Portal [30].
  4. The Approval Portal will open.

Figure 10: The Dashboard with an Approval Project

  1. In the Approval Portal, all Print Items now have the status Pending [31].
  2. Select the desired Print Item and click the button Open Viewer for Analyze [32].
  3. The dialog Analyze will open.

Figure 11: The Approval Portal with the button Open Viewer for Analyze

  1. In the now opened dialog Analyze, you can select the Annotation Tool [33] from the toolbar.
  2. The toolbar offers three different shapes – Rectangle, Circle, and Freehand / Line – which can be used to add an Annotation.
  3. Select the desired shape and drag it over the area on the Print Item where you want to add the Annotation.
  4. In the tab Annotations [34], you can choose the desired color [35] for the Annotation to improve the contrast with the background or Print Item.
  5. Enter the corresponding Annotation in the input field [38]. The text can still be edited [36] or deleted [37] as long as the status of the Print Item remains Pending.
  6. Click Save [39] and Close the dialog.

Figure 12: The dialog Analyze with the Annotations

Rejecting the Print Item

Once the Print Item has been annotated as described in the steps above, the Overview will indicate that Annotations [41] are present for the Print Item. To transfer the Annotations into the Workflow, you now need to reject the Approval. To do this, proceed as follows:

  1. Select the desired Print Item in the Approval Portal.
  2. Click Reject [44].
  3. In the now opened dialog Reject, enter a Reason for Rejection [40] and your Signature [42] or initials. Optionally, you can also Upload New Artwork [43], though this is usually unnecessary if you have only added an Annotation.
  4. Click Reject [45] again in this dialog.
  5. Then navigate back to the Dashboard.

Figure 13: The Approval Portal with the dialog Reject

Displaying Annotations in the Workflow

  1. Navigate to the Dashboard or switch to the tab Approvals for the Print Item.
  2. In the Dashboard, open the respective Approval Project by clicking on the Print Item Preview [46].
  3. Click Display Annotations [47] – this option is only active if the Print Item has previously been rejected in the Approval Portal.
  4. In the now opened floating window Annotations - [Name of Print Item], you can view all Annotations. The window can be freely positioned on your screen.
  5. Review the Annotations and perform the required corrections, either by applying a Fixup or Fixup Chain, or by using the PDF Editor.
  6. Click Mark as done [50] once the Fixup has been finished. If multiple Annotations exist, you can easily show or hide them using the provided filters: All, Done, and To be done [49].

Figure 14: Left: The dashboard with an opened Approval Project containing Annotations; Right: The opened dialog Annotations – [Print Item Name] with filters

  1. Click on the icon Timeline of Comments [48] (Figure 14).
  2. The dialog History of all Approval Report Versions will opens.
  3. In the column Actions of the Users, you can track whether the user has added any Annotations.

Figure 15: The Timeline of Comments with Annotations

1.3. Fixups and Fixup Chains

As part of the development of version 1.21.0, a new Fixup has been added, the functionality of three existing Fixups has been expanded, and improvements to Fixup Chains were made:

1.3.1. New Fixup

In this version, the Fixup Add Grommets/Drillholes along Irregular Shape has been added.

Add Grommets/Drillholes along Irregular Shape

The Fixup Add Grommets/Drillholes along Irregular Shape can be used to add grommets/drillholes along irregular shapes. You can choose whether to set a specific number of grommets or specify the spacing between them. The size and color of the grommets/drillholes can be specified in the "Advanced" tab.

A detailed description of how this Fixup works can be found in the article Add Grommets/Drillholes along Irregular Shape.

Figure 16: The Basic Settings and Advanced tabs of the Add Grommets/Drillholes for Irregular Shape dialog

1.3.2. Improvements in Existing Fixups

Improvements were made to three existing Fixups.

Add Caption

The Fixup Add Caption allows you to add text to the selected edges in the specified position, font, size, and color. In addition, you can add a custom Dieline to this caption in the advanced settings.

For a detailed description of how this Fixup works, see the article Add Caption.

The following improvement is available for this Fixup in version 1.21.0:

  • Provides the option of generating the unit of measurement (e.g., millimeters) and the number format (e.g., 1,234.00) for labels in the respective length unit and the defined number format that are set on the system.

Figure 17: The Basic Settings tab and the Advanced tab of the Fixup dialog Add Caption

Create Bleed

The Fixup Create Bleed can be used to create a Bleed at the selected page edges by repeating pixels, mirroring, or stretching the document content starting from the ImageBox or the ImageBox + Bleed.

A detailed description of how this Fixup works can be found in the article Create Bleed.

The following new feature is available for this Fixup in version 1.21.0:

  • The Fixup has been renamed from Create Bleed by Mirroring to Create Bleed. The reason for this is that the Fixup offers various options that go beyond mirroring.
Flatten Transparency

The Fixup Flatten Transparency can be used to flatten all transparent objects as well as all objects affected by them based on the values set in the Transparency Reduction settings.

A detailed description of how this correction works can be found in the article Flatten Transparency.

With version 1.21.0, the following improvement is available for this Fixup:

  • Spot Colors that have been assigned to a Processing Step Group or Processing Steps Type are automatically excluded from flattening. These include Technical Spot Colors, OAS colors, and Hybrid colors.

Figure 18: The dialog for the Fixup Flatten Transparency

1.3.3. Improvements in Fixups

The user interface for Fixup Chains has been modernized and simplified, making it easier to create a Fixup Chain and providing a better overview.

To access the changes, proceed as follows:

  1. Navigate to Administration > Fixup Chains.
  2. Select the desired Fixup Chain from the list.
  3. In this dialog, there are no changes to the Fixup Chain except for a wider header [51].
  4. Now, click on Edit [52] in the Added Fixups area.
  5. The Edit [Name of Fixup Chain] dialog opens.

Figure 19: The menu Fixup Chains

  1. In the dialog that opens, configure the following settings:
    • Add [53] – Add further Fixups by simply clicking on the Fixup Chain.
    • Display Fixups – Starting with this version, Fixups are displayed in their own box [54] with the corresponding category icon (Image, Layer, Color, LFP, Object, Font, Page, Page Content, Page Box, Text, Packaging) to which they belong. A Fixup can be deleted by clicking on the x [55].
    • Advanced functions [56] – By clicking on the three dots, you can duplicate the respective Fixup, Move to the Beginning, or Move to the End of the Fixup Chain. You can also move Fixups to any position by dragging and dropping them with the mouse to any position in the Fixup Chain.
    • Select Fixup settings [60] – The specific settings for the Fixup can be made by clicking on the Fixup in the same dialog. There, more detailed information about the individual Fixups is available:
      • Description [57] – A brief description of the Fixup can be displayed by moving the mouse over the icon.
      • Article in the manual [58] – Clicking on the icon displays the article on this Fixup in the manual in a separate window.
      • Show variables [59] – Clicking on the icon displays all variables contained in the Fixup. This function is important for integrators if they want to address and use corresponding parameters in a Fixup.

Figure 20: The dialog for a Fixup Chain to be edited with the new user interface

1.3.4. General Information and Errors

The following general information on Fixups should also be mentioned here:

  • EOL for XML-based Fixups –Very old Fixups from versions prior to 1.7.5 (XML-based) will be set to "Outdated" in this version due to migration. This means that they can no longer be used in the application. XML-based custom Fixups must be updated to at least the current description logic for XML. Find relevant information on how to do this and which parameters are available to you in the articles related to the article Creating and Uploading Custom Fixups.
  • Fixup "Add Edge Reinforcement" – Up to this version, the Fixup caused the CropBox and MediaBox to be set ten times larger than entered. Starting with this version, the position of both PageBoxes is now set correctly for the entered value.

1.4. Automation

Since version 1.19.0, users with the appropriate license have the option of creating Automation Jobs. This enables the definition and automatic processing of individual Production Configurations for the manufacture of print products.

1.4.1. Operations

Four new Operations have been added in version 1.21.0 –Export Print Item | Export Imposition Report | Export Ink Consumption Report | Export Spot Color Report.

Operation "Export Print Item"

The Export Print Item operation allows for automatically saving Print Items to a file server in a specific directory. The Operation can be used, for example, to store Print Items on a data server in a freely definable folder structure once they have reached a certain status.

The process can be added multiple times in a Production Configuration as a sub-step for a Print Item. Please note that the process cannot be used after the Operations in the Processes for Impositions, Processes for Production Jobs, and Processes for Output groups.

The following options are available for using the Operation:

  • Target Directory [61] – Select the target directory in which the Print Item should be saved. Please note that a corresponding directory must first be shared via Administration Shares.
  • Hierarchical Archiving [62] – By entering a "/" determine the directory hierarchy of the directories that should be created in the file system.
  • Example: ${global.year_4digit}/${global.month_2digit}/${contact.display_name} creates the directory "Four-digit year" in the selected target directory, and within it a directory "Two-digit month" and within that the directory "Customer Name". This allows you to store all print data that goes through the Production Configuration by year and month in the customer directory. Add the desired placeholders for the directory to be created by clicking on Add Placeholder [63].
  • File name after export [64] – Enter the desired file name that the Print Item should receive after export. Add a placeholder for the file name –by clicking on Add placeholder [65] the placeholder ${motif.name} is inserted by default.
  • Apply Fixups to Print Items during export – The configuration in this area allows you to apply any available Fixups in the system to the exported Print Item. Please note that the Print Item that is transferred to another operation in the Production Configuration cannot be modified with the selected Fixups! To apply one or more Fixups to the exported Print Item, you must
    1. Select the Fixup in the Add Fixup and select Template [66] drop-down list and
    2. Then select an available Template.
    3. Add further Fixups in the same way and determine the order of the Fixups.

Figure 21: The Export Print Item Operation

Placeholder for Hierarchical Archiving and File Name after Export

Clicking on Insert Placeholder [63] [65] (Figure 21) opens the Select Placeholder dialog with the available placeholders for the options Hierarchical Archiving and Filename after Export. The same placeholders can be selected for both options.

The following placeholders are available:

Figure 22: The Select Placeholder dialog

Useful placeholder configurations for hierarchical archiving

The variety of placeholders does not make it easy. Below, we would like to show you some useful placeholder configurations:

  • ${global.year_4digit}/KW ${global.week_2digit}/${print_order.order_number} – stores the Print Item per year and calendar week and creates a subdirectory for each order number.
  • ${contact.display_name}/${global.year_4digit}/${print_order.order_number} – stores the Print Item per customer and year and creates a subdirectory for each order number.
  • ${print_order.external_id}/${production_job.production_date} – stores the Print Item per external order ID and creates a subdirectory for the production date within it.

Useful placeholder configurations for file names

The variety of placeholders does not make it easy. Below, we would like to show you some useful placeholder configurations:

  • ${global.random_guid} – generates a Print Item name with a unique number – e.g. a3328987-ac65-4a48-a29d-82c89ee1d471
  • ${factory_job.file_ref.plain_name} – generates a Print Item name that is the same as the file name but without the file extension – e.g., Inaccurate_TrimBox_End
  • ${global.random_guid}_${factory_job.file_ref.name} – generates a Print Item name consisting of a unique number and the current file name with file extension – e.g. a3328987-ac65-4a48-a29d-82c89ee1d471_Banner.pdf
  • ${factory_job.file_ref.plain_name} #${factory_job.quantity} – generates a Print Item name that is the same as the file name but without the file extension, followed by the number of copies – e.g. Inaccurate_TrimBox_End #30
Operation "Export Imposition Report"

The Operation Export Imposition Report allows you to create an Imposition Report for Operations that include an Imposition – Create Imposition with Auto-Nesting, Create Imposition, or Create Production Job from Imposition, Create Production Job – and save it to a file server in a specific directory.

For a description, see the article Operation "Export Imposition Report".

Figure 23: The Operation Export Imposition Report

Operation “Export Ink Consumption Report”

The Operation Export Ink Consumption Report enables the automated calculation of ink costs for a Print Item and the creation of an Ink Consumption Report for a Print Item. This report can then be saved on a file server in a specific directory.

For a description, see the article Operation "Export Ink Consumption Report" which will be available soon in this chapter.

Figure 24: The General, Report Settings, and Color Settings tabs of the Export Ink Consumption Report Operation

Operation "Export Spot Color Report"

The Export Spot Color Report Operation enables the automated creation of a Spot Color Report for a Print Item. This report can then be saved on a file server in a specific directory.

For a description, see the article Operation "Export Spot Color Report" which will soon be available in this chapter".

Figure 25: The dialog for the Operation Export Spot Color Report

1.4.2. Print item Detail View for Automation Jobs

The Print Item Detail view for Automation Jobs, available since version 1.20.2, has been enhanced in this version. This includes the following enhancements:

Automation Jobs – Open in PDF Editor

Users now have the option of jumping [67] from the application to the PDF Editor, where they can analyze and edit Print Items.

Figure 26: Print item detail view of an Automation job with the option to jump to the PDF Editor

Displaying ∆E Values

If no Color Policy is assigned to the Article or Print Item, the Color Policy that is set system-wide will be used as a fallback starting with this version.

1.4.3. Display of Error Messages – Improvements

Several improvements have been made in this version for the display of error messages, including the following:

Display of Validation Results

When creating an Automation Job, all parameters used in the Production Configuration are validated to ensure that the print file does not get stuck somewhere in the process. Information about any problems found is available in an easily readable format and is displayed prominently.

Figure 27: The Add Production Configuration dialog with a validation

Validation for "Quick Print", "Batch Processing" and "Hotfolder"

Starting with this version, the system checks whether the Operation "Check-in Artwork and Normalize" is available in the selected Production Configuration [68] in Quick Print, Batch Processing, or Hotfolder. Only then is the Production Configuration selectable.

Figure 28: The Batch Processing menu item with the list of Production Configurations, all of which include the Operation Check-in Artwork and Normalize

Operation "Create Impose" – Error Messages

Starting with version 1.21.0, the following error messages that may occur in the "Create Impose" Operation will be displayed in an easily readable form when:

  • The Cutter Device in the Operation does not match the value in the Operation "Create Production Job from Impose"
  • The Height in the Operation does not match the value in the Operation "Create Production Job from Impose"
  • The width in the Operation does not match the value in the Operation "Create Production Job from Imposition"
  • The roll length in the Operation does not match the value in the Operation "Create Production Job from Imposition"
  • The optimal length of the roll in the Operation does not match the value in the Operation "Create Production Job from Imposition".

1.4.4. Improvements in Print Item Detail View for Automation Jobs

The following two improvements will be implemented in this version for the Print Item detail view for Automation Jobs.

Display of the Print Item Name

Starting with this version, the Print Item name is displayed in full length in the Print Item detail view of an Automation Job.

Figure 29: The Print Item detail view with the full name of the Print Item

Side Navigation

In this version, a Page Navigation [69] has been added to the Print Item detail view for Automation Jobs, allowing you to navigate through a Multipage Print Item. The Page Navigation can be easily moved by using the Pin [70] or fixed in the position shown in the illustration.

Figure 30: Print item detail view of an Automation Job with page navigation

1.4.5. Search Option When Adding Operations

Starting with this version, a search field [71] is available in the selection menu when adding Operations. This allows users to search the list for the desired Operation. The user interface will be further customized in the next version due to the already large selection of Operations.

Figure 31: The list of Operations with the new search option

1.4.6. Creating Automation Jobs From Selected Print Items

Version 1.21.0 provides an asynchronous call for validating the Print Items that should be produced. Previously, it took a very long time to complete the validation of all Print Items and generate the first Automation Job.

1.5. API

The following extension has been provided in the API for version 1.21.0.

1.5.1. Production Job – Status Change

Using PATCH, it is now possible to change the status of a Production Job itself in addition to the existing metadata of a Production Job.

An example of a corresponding API call:

PATCH pms/api/v1/productionJobs/{jobId}

{

"status": "PRINTED"

}

1.6. New User Interface

With version 1.21.0, various enhancements and some long-planned improvements have been implemented in the new user interface:

1.6.1. Measurement Devices

Starting with this version, the Measurement Devices can be created and managed under Administration in the new user interface. No new functions have been integrated compared to the old user interface; there are only improved options for searching and setting parameter sets.

The user interface is designed as follows:

  • Header [73] – Allows users to quickly see which menu item is currently selected. The display of breadcrumbs [72] can be optionally deactivated in the system settings.
  • Devices [74] – This area displays all Measurement Devices created in the system and an action bar with the functions Add [80], Edit [81], and More functions [82] for Delete and Set as default.
  • Parameter sets [75] – This area displays the parameter sets created for the selected Measurement Device. Here, too, there is an action bar with Add [76], Edit [77], and More functions [78] for Delete and Set as default.
  • Parameters [79] – This area displays the parameters for the selected parameter set. The parameters can be easily edited using Edit [83]. The structure of this area has changed significantly, as can be seen in Figure 33.

Figure 32: The Measurement Devices menu item

Figure 33: The Edit Parameters dialog

1.6.2. Production Jobs – Change Output Template

Starting with this version, the Output Template for multiple Production Jobs can be changed simultaneously in the new user interface.

To do this, proceed as follows:

  1. Navigate to Production Jobs > Production Jobs.
  2. Select the desired Production Jobs from the list.
  3. Click on Edit [84].
  4. In the Edit Production Job dialog that opens, select the icon [85] to specify that the changes should be applied to all Production Jobs.
  5. Then navigate to the Template [86] settings area and select the desired Output Template.
  6. Click Save [87] to apply the settings to all Production Jobs.

Figure 34: The Edit Production Job dialog

1.6.3. Measuring Spot Colors

In this version, the option to measure Spot Colors in the new user interface has been implemented. In addition, manual positioning for the Barbieri Spectro LFP qp Measurement Device is now possible using the control arrows.

1.6.4. List of Production Jobs

If a Production Job is currently being rendered, the entry in the Production Jobs list is dimmed and marked with a progress icon [88], which means that this Production Job can no longer be changed in the new user interface.

Figure 35: The list of Production Jobs during the transfer of a Production Job to the printer

1.6.5. Substrate – Substrate Definitions

Starting with this version, Comments [89] are displayed in the list of Substrate Definitions under Administration > Substrate. This was not the case in previous versions.

Figure 35: The menu item Substrate Management with a Substrate Definition with a Comment

1.6.6. Dark Mode

All areas where dark mode for the user interface had not yet been optimally implemented have now been correctly implemented. This includes the preview for an Imposition in Production Jobs > Impose, as well as the background in the tabs Page Geometry, Barcode/QR Code, and One-Up in the Print Item Editor.

Figure 36: Left: Preview of an Imposition Right: The Barcode / QR Code tab

1.6.7. Display of Extensive Lists

Extensive lists are now displayed quickly, which has been achieved by dynamically reloading the subsequent entries. The speed losses criticized by customers have thus been remedied.

1.7. Enfocus Switch Connector for Workflow

Please note that version 1.21.0 is the minimum requirement for connecting the connector which is available in the Enfocus Switch App Store to the application. The following processes can be mapped:

  • Transferring individual or multiple print data files, as well as the contents of entire directories
  • Transferring meta information such as Expected Size, Bleed Size, Number of Pages, and Number of Copies
  • Transferring print data to Production Configurations available in the Workflow

Prerequisites for using the connector

The Enfocus Switch app is free for users. However, certain prerequisites are necessary to use the app:

  • Use of a Workflow version greater than or equal to 1.21.0
  • The function of using an XML/Job Ticket Hotfolder must be included in your license.

2. Improvements

Further improvements have been implemented in version 1.21.0 of the Workflow.

2.1. Print Item Editor – Barcodes / QR Codes

In the Print Item Editor, the Barcodes/QR Codes tab now offers the option of obtaining additional information by extracting the barcode content. The following additional information is now displayed:

  • Color of the QR/ Barcode [91] – Display of the color values for the barcode, as well as the color space or Spot Color Names. This allows you to quickly identify whether, when using CMYK color values, the legibility of a barcode might be compromised by the print output.
  • Color of the QR/Barcode background [92] – Display of the color value or color space for the background of the barcode. This allows you to see whether there is sufficient contrast to ensure readability.
  • Quiet zone [90] – Display of the size of the safety zone and assessment of whether this quiet zone is sufficient according to the specification.

Figure 37: The Barcodes / QR Code tab with the new overview

2.2. Quick Print – Simplified User Guidance

The Quick Print function under Automation > Quick Print has been equipped with simplified user guidance in this version to ensure fast processing of the Print Items.

Quick Print consists of the following areas:

  • Upload Artwork [93] – Nothing has changed here compared to previous versions. Specify the following information here:
    • Choose Files
    • Change Print Item name – Please note the options available by using the variables $ and #
    • Enter the number of copies
    • Select the User Unit
    • Enter the external ID for the Print Item
    • Determine the order of the Print Items
    • Select the Preflight and Fixup Template that should be used
    • Select the Metadata Extraction Template that should be used
  • Production Job [95] – Specify entries for creating a Production Job here. Additional settings such as Order Name, Comment, and Ext. ID can be displayed for entry via the Additional functions [99] menu. The menu also offers users the possibility to create a Production Job via the button Create Production Job [97] and to store it in the list of Production Jobs. Additionally, the possibility to directly send the Quick Print to the selected printer [98] is provided.
  • Imposition [96] – Specify selections for creating an Imposition here. The Additional Functions [99] menu can be used to display settings such as Plate Template, Sheet Template, and Print Item Template for selection.
  • Tab "History Quick Prints" [94] – This tab provides an overview of all Automation Jobs that have been created in the Quick Print environment. It displays the progress for each Print Item, allowing you to view user-defined processes and any errors that have occurred.

More information about the newly integrated menu is available in the chapter Quick Print – Sending Print Data to the Printer.

Figure 38: The Quick Print menu item in the new version

Quick Print processes Files as Bundles

Quick Print Print Jobs are always processed as Bundles. This means that when creating an Imposition or Production Job, the system always waits until all Print Items have been processed correctly in all previous steps.

2.3. Batch Processing

The menu item Batch Processing under Automation > Batch Processing has been added in this version.

The purpose of this menu is to process print data as automatically as possible as Articles or Production Jobs. The data can be normalized and prepared for printing depending on the license. In addition, a fully defined Production Configuration can be applied to the uploaded files via this menu.

Batch processing thus offers more flexibility for your daily work. The configuration options are extremely extensive and therefore somewhat more complex in structure. Once you have defined the desired configuration, you will not want to do without this option.

Batch processing consists of the following areas:

  • Upload Artwork [101] – Nothing has changed here compared to Quick Print. Specify the following information:
    • Add files
    • Change Print Item names – Please note the options available by using the variables $ and #
    • Enter the number of copies
    • Select the User Unit
    • Enter the external ID for the Print Item
    • Determine the order of the Print Items
    • Select the Preflight and Fixup template that should be used
    • Select the Extracting Metadata Template that should be used – The availability of this option depends on your license.
  • Production Configuration [103] – This function represents the biggest difference to the Quick Print described in section 2.2. You can
    • select all Production Configurations that include at least the operation Check-in Artwork and Normalize, as well as modify the selected operation for the subsequent process [104]. Changing and saving an entire Production Configuration must be done in the Automation > Production Configurations menu.
    • Add any Operation available in your license.
    • Create a new [105] Production Configuration.
    • Determine whether the individual print data should be processed as a Bundle [100] or continuously.
  • Output Template [108] – When the selected Production Configuration includes and Operation for creating a Production Job, the currently selected Output Template is displayed here. Furthermore, also temporarily carry out the desired modifications to the Output Template for the subsequent process.
  • Display of printer name [106] – If the Operation Send to Printer is used in the Production Configuration, the name of the selected printer is displayed in the button.
  • Batch Processing History [102] – Here you can view all Automation Jobs that have been generated via Batch Processing and also monitor their progress. View a general overview of the Automation Jobs in the Automation > Automation Jobs menu and quickly filter for Automation Jobs [109] (see Figure 40) that were created in the selected context – via Quick Print, via Batch Processing, via Hotfolder, etc.

For more information, see the article Batch Processing – Quickly Processing Print Data.

Figure 39: The Batch Processing menu in the new version

Figure 40: The Batch Processing filter in Automation Jobs

2.4. PDF Printer – Extending the Print Configuration

This version provides the option to save the print PDF created using a PDF printer to a target directory with a hierarchical folder structure.

To save the print file in a desired folder structure when exporting a PDF using the Send to Printer command, proceed as follows:

  1. Navigate to Administration > Printers.
  2. Select a PDF Printer from the list.
  3. Open the detail view.
  4. In the Print Configuration settings area, click Edit.
  5. The Edit Print Configuration dialog opens.
  6. In the Store hierachically [110] area, determine the directory hierarchy of the directories that should be created in the file system by entering a "/". Example: manual/${global.current_date} creates the directory manual in the selected target directory and a directory with the "current date" inside.

Figure 41: The Edit Print Configuration dialog with the Store hierarchically option

  1. Add a placeholder for the directory that shoul be created by clicking on Insert Placeholder [111].
  2. Select the desired placeholders.

Figure 42: The placeholders available for hierarchical file storage

2.5. Extracting Metadata Template

The function for creating and applying Templates for extracting metadata, which was made available in version 1.20.1, has been further expanded in this version. This includes the following functions:

2.5.1. Expected Bleed

In version 1.21.0, the option to extract the expected Bleed [112] for the Print Item from the File Name was added. This extracted value is subsequently accessible n the Fixups as well as in the Check-in Preflight and Fixup Templates.

Figure 43: The dialog Add template for extracting metadata with the option to specify the Expected Bleed

Expected Bleed –Further Changes

During development, the option to set the Expected Bleed when adding Articles and Print Items was implemented. In addition, the Expected Bleed can now also be set in the system settings and in the Print Item detail view.

2.5.2. Export / Import

In version 1.21.0, the option to export or import templates for extracting metadata was also added.

To do this, proceed as follows:

  1. Navigate to Administration > Settings.
  2. Open the Extracting Metadata Templates menu.
  3. Select the desired template.
  4. Click on More functions [113].
  5. Select Export [115] or Import [114] from the drop-down list.

Figure 44: The menu Extracting Metadata Templates with the option to Import and Export

2.6. User-defined Fields – Numeric Fields

In this version, the option to select the unit for input and display has been added for the Numeric type. The type of user-defined field cannot be changed retrospectively.

To do this, proceed as follows:

  1. Navigate to Administration > Settings.
  2. Open the User-defined Fields settings area.
  3. Select the desired Category for which the custom field should be created.
  4. Click Add to create a new custom field.
  5. In the Add Custom Fields dialog that opens, select all the desired settings.
  6. Set the Field Type [116] to Numeric and select the desired Numeric Type [117].
  7. In the Unit entered Value [119] field, specify which unit is entered or transferred. This function is particularly useful for integrations – for example, enter inch for the length of a roll.
  8. In the Display Unit [118] field, specify the unit in which the user-defined field should be displayed in the user interface. This allows, for example, the length of a roll to be displayed in feet in the user interface.

Figure 45: The Add User-defined Fields dialog with the new fields

Field type of the User-defined Field

Please note that the type of the User-defined Fielde.g., Numericcannot be changed afterwards.

3. Small Improvements

In addition, several minor improvements have been made in this version.

3.1. Substrate – New Fields

The two columns Substrate UUID and Substrate Type have been added to the printer Substrates in the Workflow in this version. The information in these two columns is obtained from Analytics and is also stored in the two columns in the application.

Subsequently, when the Substrate is used in a Production Job and sent to the printer, this information is written to the Job Ticket of the Production Job.

3.2. Create Production Job – Resolve References

From version 1.21.0 onwards, it is possible to remove references from an Article when creating a Production Job, so that there is no longer any connection between the Article and a Production Job.

To do this, proceed as follows:

  1. Navigate to Articles > Articles.
  2. Select the desired Article from the list of Articles.
  3. Click on More Functions [120] and select Create Production Job.
  4. In the Create Production Job dialog that opens, activate the Split Article Reference [121] function.
  5. Click on Save to apply the settings and create a Production Job with a separate article reference.

Figure 46: The Create Production Job dialog with the Split Article Reference function

3.3. Printer Name in "Send to Printer" Dialog

In version 1.21.0, the option to display the printer name [122] is available in all dialogs where data is transferred to the printer. This affects the following areas:

  • Quick Print
  • Batch processing
  • Send to Printer dialog
  • Transfer Color Book
  • Transfer Grid Chart

Figure 47: The Print Grid Chart dialog showing the used Printer

3.4. Cutter Devices – Importing Substrates

This version provides the option of using user-defined IP addresses to import materials/recipes from Zund and Optiscout Cutter Devices.

To set up the IP addresses, proceed as follows:

  1. Navigate to Administration > Cutter Devices.
  2. Select a Cutter Device of the type Zund or Optiscout
  3. Navigate to the tab Cutter Material [123].
  4. In Additional functions [124], select the entry Import Cutter Materials [125].
  5. In the Import Cutter Material dialog that opens, activate the Use custom »IP« to import Materials [126] option.
  6. Enter the desired Host [127] and Port [128].
  7. Then click Import – the materials/cut recipes will be imported.

Figure 48: The Cutter Device menu item with the Import Cutter Material dialog

3.5. Approvals – Selection of Approvals

This version provides the option to select multiple Approvals in the Approvals list and add them all to the Approvals list in one go.

Figure 49: The Add Share dialog with multiple shares selected

3.6. Ink Consumption Calculation – Volume Unit

Starting with this version, it is now possible to change the volume unit [129] from milliliters to liters when calculating ink costs and subsequently use this value in a report.

Figure 50: The Create Ink Consumption Report dialog with the Volume Unit

3.7. Ink Consumption Report – ml/m2

In version 1.21.0, the Ink Consumption Report was extended to include the information "ml/m2" [130].

Figure 51: An Ink Consumption Report with the new unit

3.8. Spot Color "White Over" – System-Wide Spot Color

In this version, the Spot Color "White Over" is provided in the standard installation as a system-wide [131] Spot Color.

Figure 52: The Spot Colors dialog with White Over

3.9. Fluo Inks – Color Configuration and Standalone Separation

This version also offers the option of using Fluo inks (fluo pink and fluo yellow) in a Color Configuration. Fluo inks can also be output as a standalone separation.

This function can be selected for the print heads when setting up the printer. Here, users must decide whether the Fluo inks should be used as Process Color or output as separation colors.

Figure 53: The Print Color Configuration for a printer with Fluo ink

3.10. Color Setup – Total Ink Coverage Chart

Some fields in the chart for Total Ink Coverage were incorrectly set up. Incorrect color patches have been corrected in this version.

3.11. Print Item Detail View – Prepare for Shape Nesting

This version provides the option of applying Shape Nesting [132] to multiple selected Print Items in an Order or Production Job in the new user interface.

Figure 54: Multiple Print Items from a Production Job that can be prepared for Shape Nesting

3.12. Information – Zunicomm Version on Render Satellite

Starting with this version, a warning is displayed in the Interfaces [133] tab of the Information dialog when the Zunicomm version on the render satellite is not identical to the main instance.

Figure 55: The Interfaces tab with the Zunicomm instances that are valid and active

3.13. Ink Update

The list of available inks for Durst printing systems has been updated again with version 1.21.0.

Previous Article Release – 1.20.0 (Major Release)
Next Article Release – 1.20.2 (Description)

Release Notes – Workflow

Release Notes 1.21 versions 1
Release Notes 1.20 versions 3
Release Notes – Detailed Description 4

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