In this article, you will learn
- how to perform Batch Processing,
- which parameters are required for execution, and
- which additional information can be included with the print data.
1. Introduction
Batch Processing enables print data to be processed efficiently and in a structured manner. It allows multiple print files to be uploaded simultaneously, Articles to be created, print data to be prepared, and optionally exported again or forwarded directly to the printer – with or without an Imposition. By using Production Configurations, recurring tasks can be automated and individual settings can be applied for different orders. This reduces manual input, accelerates processes, and ensures the quality of data processing.
Using the selected Production Configuration, all sub-steps that the print file must go through can be automated. You can view which Operations are used in the Production Configuration, as well as the progress of each Operation, either in Automation > Automation Jobs or Automation > Batch Processing History. In these areas, you can also jump to the completed job or intervene if user interaction is required.
The menu item Batch Processing is divided into two main tabs:
- Execute Batch Processing – this tab contains all options required to perform Batch Processing. In this tab, print files are uploaded, the desired Production Configuration is selected, and all additional parameters relevant for processing the print data are defined.
- Batch Processing History – this area displays all Batch Processing Jobs along with their current status. You can view all sub-steps of the processing here and manually edit files during automatic processing.
2. Prepare Batch Processing
Performing Batch Processing essentially consists of two steps:
- Uploading the print data and preparing all relevant parameters – these include, in particular, the number of copies, the external ID, and the desired scaling factor. Ensure that all required information is entered complete and correct to guarantee error-free processing.
- Selecting the desired Production Configuration – choose the configuration that best fits your production scenario from the available options. Individual parameters within the configuration can be manually adjusted if necessary to optimally align the output with the specific requirements of the respective job.
Once these steps are completed, you can start the Batch Processing process. This automatically executes all defined Operations and delivers the results to the respective target area.
2.1. Uploading Print Data
To upload print data for Batch Processing and assign all relevant parameters, proceed as follows:
- Select the menu item Automation > Batch Processing.
- If you want to extract metadata from the file name, select the desired Template [2] before uploading.
- Add the files that should be processed. You can do this either by dragging the files into the drop zone [3] or by clicking on the drop zone and then selecting the files. To upload print data, you can also click on + Add [1].
- This creates a row in the list below for each file. The order of the Print Items can be changed by moving the handle [5]. A preview image with the current file information [4] is displayed for each uploaded Print Item.
- Now specify the Name [7], Quantity [8], User Unit [9], and External ID [10] for each Print Item. By clicking on the Global Changes [6] button, these parameters can be defined globally for all Print Items. The following special characters are also available for naming, which make global naming much easier:
$– by using the$sign insert the file name of the respective Print Item.#–by using the#sign add automatic numbering for each Print Item. The number of#signs entered determines the number of digits in the numbering. With three characters (###), the first Print Item is assigned the number 001, the second 002, and so on.
Figure 1: The menu item Batch Processing with the uploaded print data
2.2. Select Production Configuration
Once the print data has been successfully uploaded and all the necessary information has been added, the desired Production Configuration has to be selected. To do this, proceed as follows:
- Select the preconfigured Production Configuration from the selection menu [12]. In case you want to make temporary changes to the Production Configuration, you can do so by clicking on Edit [13].
- In case you haven't created a suitable Production Configuration yet, you can do so via + Add [14]. For information on how to create a Production Configuration, please refer to the article Creating a Production Configurations.
- Activate the option Use Print Item Name from Operation "Check-in Artwork and Normalize" [11] to do so.
- In case you want to make changes to the selected output template, click Edit [16]. For example, you can select a different substrate at short notice.
Figure 2: The menu item Batch Processing with all necessary settings
Output Template not available
Please note that you can only select and edit a Template [16] if one of the three Operations for creating a Production Job has been used in the selected Production Configuration.
3. Starting and Monitoring Batch Processing
Once all the necessary settings have been configured, you can start the Batch Processing and then monitor the process. To do this, proceed as follows:
- Click Start [15] in the function bar (Figure 2) to start the Batch Processing.
- Confirm your settings and click Start Batch Processing [17] in the Batch processing dialog to start the Operation.
Figure 3: The dialog Batch Processing, where you can confirm your settings and start Batch Processing
- To monitor progress, switch to the tab Batch Processing History [18]. Here you will find an overview of all current and already completed batch processes.
- The quick filter [19] can be used to facilitate the search for the desired Batch Production. The most recently started batch process is displayed as the first entry [20] in the list.
- Select the previously started Batch Production to display which Operations [21] have already been completed and which are still in progress. If an error occurs, this will also be displayed in this list.
- Click the button Go to Detail View [22] to go directly to the corresponding Automation Job.
Figure 4: Overview of the tab Batch Processing History
Article update: Workflow 1.22.0 – 11/2025