User Manual

User Interface

Updated on

In this article, you will learn

  • which elements of the user interface are important,
  • which display types are available in the central area, and
  • how to work with editors within the application.

This article provides an introduction and a brief guide to the user interface elements, the display types of the central area, and the editors of the application.    

1. User Interface Elements

Using the menu item Production Jobs as an example, the interface elements are described below. The key elements are:

  • Menu Bar [1] (yellow) – central navigation; individual menu items can be accessed here.
  • Header [2] (purple) – this area contains information about activities, system status, the application, and the current user.
  • Breadcrumb [3] (green) – the "path" to the current page is displayed here.
  • Filter Bar [4] (orange) – in this area, you can set, save, and delete filters, as well as perform targeted searches for Articles or Print Items.
  • Function Bar [5] (red) – here you can upload new print data, apply actions to selected Articles or Print Items from the list, and adjust the view of the list.
  • Central Area  [6] (cyan) – this is where the main work with the application takes place; content is displayed as lists, overview pages, or selection areas.

Figure 1: The user interface illustrated using the menu item Production Jobs

The Menu Bar is located on the left-hand side of the user interface and contains key menu items such as Dashboard, Articles, Orders, Production Jobs, Automation, Color and Administration. Depending on the license in use and the role assigned to the user, not all menu items may be displayed in the menu bar.

The following key menu items are available in the menu bar:

  • Dashboard [7] – currently contains only the Approval Projects dashboard. Here, you can quickly see at a glance which Print Items are ready for output and which are still pending approval.
  • Articles [8] – provides a list of all available Articles as well as access to the menu item Collections.
  • Orders [9] – displays a list of all available Orders, along with a list of all Print Items assigned to an order.
  • Production Jobs [10] – provides a list of all Production Jobs.
  • Automation [11] – contains all areas relevant to Automation.
  • Color [12] – contains all areas related to Color.
  • Administration [13] – contains all topics related to Administration of the application.

Figure 2: The Menu Bar with the Automation Menu Items

1.2. Header

The Header is located at the top of the user interface. It provides access to Activities, System Status, Application Information, Notifications, the User Manual, Inline Help, and the User Acccount, which also includes Language Selection. The following information and options are available within the header:

  • Activities [14] – provides an overview of all processes currently being executed by the application. Yellow and red numbers alert the user to issues or warnings during process execution.
  • System Status [15] – displays all system errors and warnings, such as missing configurations, inaccessible file directories, non-functional interfaces for controlling external systems, and licensing issues.
  • Information [16] – contains all information about the hardware in use and its utilization, functioning interfaces, installed application components, license status and contents, as well as a list of active users.
  • Notifications [17] – contains all notifications for the currently logged-in user.
  • User Manual [18] – this button provides access to to the user manual, which is available in German and English.
  • Inline Help [19] – if a manual article is available for the respective area of the user interface, it can be displayed directly in a window here. If no article is available, the button is disabled.
  • User Account [20] – allows the user to log out, change the language, adjust the appearance of the user interface, and configure additional settings.

Figure 3: The Action Bar in the Header

1.3. Filter Bar

The Filter Bar allows users to filter the entries displayed in the central area and search for specific criteria. This section also enables users to define the sorting of entries within the list. A comprehensive overview of all available filter options can be found in the article Filters and Lists.

Figure 4: The Filter Bar

1.4. Function Bar

The Function Bar is located directly below the Filter Bar in the user interface. It allows users to apply selected functions to the marked Print Items or Articles in the list. Depending on the selected menu item, the following functions in the Function Bar may vary slightly. Using the menu item Articles as an example, the following functions are available:

  • Add [21] – creates a new entry in the currently open settings area.
  • Edit [22] – edits the currently selected entry in the settings area.
  • Delete [23] – deletes the selected entry or entries in the settings area.
  • Duplicate [24] – duplicates the currently selected entry in the settings area.
  • Reports [25] – generates the desired report for selected Articles/Print Items – such as an Ink Cost Report, Spot Color Report, or Approval Projects with Approval Reports.
  • Fixups [26] – applies a Fixup or a Fixup Chain to the selected Articles/Print Items.
  • Refresh Display [27] – refreshes the list in the settings area. The displayed number indicates how many new entries have been added since the last update in the settings area.
  • Additional Functions [28] – provides access to additional functions – e.g., creating an Order or Production Job – that can be applied to the selected Articles/Print Items.

On the right-hand side of the Function Bar, users can also define the number of entries per page and control pagination.

Figure 5: The Function Bar

2. Display Types of the Central Area

In the central area, the user primarily works with overview pages, various action columns, settings areas, step-by-step instructions, and lists.

2.1. Overview Pages

Overview pages are available in the menu items Articles, Orders and Production Jobs. They form the central area for viewing, managing, and editing the information of the respective selected menu item. To maintain clarity, the application is structured hierarchically into levels in certain areas.

2.1.1. Header

The first level of the overview page is always the Header, which displays information about the selected Article, Order, or Production Job, as well as several key functions.

Article

If an Article is selected in the corresponding menu item, the following article-related information and functions are displayed in the header:

  • Name [29] – Print Item name and internal ID, shown in parentheses.
  • Duplicate [30] – duplicates the selected Article with the same metadata.
  • Fixups [31] – applies a Fixup or a Fixup Chain to the current Article.
  • Additional Functions [32] – provides access to additional functions – e.g., creating an Order or Production Job – that can be applied to the current Article.
  • Status [33] – displays the current status of the Article. Clicking the desired arrow allows the status to be changes manually.

Figure 6: The Header of an Article

Orders

If an Order is selected in the menu item Orders, the following order-related information and functions are displayed in the first row of the header:

  • Name [34] – order name and internal ID, shown in parentheses.
  • Edit [35] – allows you to edit the Order information – such as Name, Order Number, Customer usw.
  • Show Order Infos [36] – clicking Show Order Infos displays all order details in an overview.
  • Reports [37] – clicking Reports allows you to create an Approval Project with Approval Reports for selected Print Items of the Order.
  • Additional Functions [38] – provides access to additional functions – e.g., creating a Production Job – that apply to the entire order.
  • Status [39] – displays the current order status. Clicking the desired arrow allows the status to be changed manually.

In the second row of the header, the following information and functions related to the Order Items are available:

  • Order Item [40] – allows you to switch between the order items.
  • Name [41] – designation of the order item and internal ID, shown in parentheses.
  • Add [42] – creates a new order item.
  • Edit [43] – allows you to edit the information of the currently selected order item.
  • Delete [44] – deletes the currently selected order item from the order.
  • Additional Functions [45] – provides access to additional functions – e. g., Creating a Production Job – that apply to the currently selected order item.

Figure 7: The Header of an Order

Production Job

If a Production Job is selected, the following production job-related information and functions are displayed in the header:

  • Name [46] – Production Job name and internal ID, shown in parentheses.
  • Edit [47] – use this option to modify the Production Job details – including Name, external ID and Output Configuration.
  • Send to Printer [48] – clicking this buttton transfers the print files to the selected target device or directory. In many cases, this action also initiates the rendering and color procesing workflow, and the resulting output is then transmitted.
  • Show Production Job Infos [49] – clicking this button displays a comprehensive overview of all information related to the Production Job.
  • Additional Functions [50] – this button provides access to further functions – such as deleting the Production Job – that affect the current Production Job.
  • Status [51] – Displays the current status of the Production Job. The status can be changed by clicking the corresponding arrow.

Figure 8: The Header of a Production Job

2.1.2. Print Item Selection

For Orders and Production Jobs, an intermediate level called Print Item Selection is available between the header section and the detail information. This level provides users with an overview of all Print Items contained with the respective Order or Production Job. In addition, it offers further functions that can be applied to multiple Print Items simultaneously.

Not Available for Articles

Since an Article always represents a print file, the Print Item Selection is not available for Articles. Selection is made directly within the Article list!

Order

In the Print Item Selection, all Print Items contained within the current order line item are displayed. To switch between the order line items, click on the corresponding number [39] (Figure 7).

The following information and functions are available in the Print Item Selection:

  • Number of selected Print Items [52] – indicates how many Print Items are currently selected. All Actions performed using the adjacent functions apply to the selected Print Item.
  • Add [53] – use this option to add another Print Item to the order line item.
  • Edit [54] – use this option to modify the information of the selected Print Items – such as copies, tags, etc.
  • Delete [55] – deletes the selected Print Items from the order line item.
  • Reports [56] – generates a report for the selected Print Items – such as Ink cost report or an Approval Project with Approval Report.
  • Fixups [57] – executes a Fixup or Fixup Chain on the selected Print Items.
  • Prepare for Shape Nesting [58] – prepares the selected Print Items for Shape Nesting.
  • Check-in Preflight and Fixup Template [59] – select which Check-in Preflight Template or Metadata Extraction Template should be used when adding a Print Item.
  • Status [60] – displays the current status of the selected Print Item. The currently selected Print Item is highlighted by a colored border in the Print Item Selection.
  • Preview Images [61] – displays preview images of all Print Items contained within the order line item.

Figure 9: The Print Item Selection of an Order

Production Job

In the Print Item Selection of a Production Job, all contained Print Items are displayed. The available functions correspond to those of the Print Item Selection in an order. A detailed description of all functions can be found in Section 2.1.2 Order.

For Production Jobs, the following additional tabs are available in the Print Item Selection:

  • Print Item [62] – displays all Print Items used for the Production Job. The tabs below show detailed information for the currently selected Print Item.
  • Output Configuration [63] – defines on which printer, with which substrate and substrate definition, and at which quality level the ouput should be produced. Assigning an output configuration is mandatory for production.
  • Impose [64] – allows you to create an Imposition for the Print Items of the Production Job using the Impose Editor. An Imposition is not strictly required for a Production Job; however, it is usually created to optimize substrate usage and downstream processes.
  • User-Defined Fields [65] – provides access to all user-defined fields of the Production Job, which are configured under the settings of the menu item Administration > Settings > User-defined Fields.
  • Files [66] – allows you to store additional files required for documentation purposes – such a preview files, Imposition specifications, or specifications for variable data.
  • Protocol [67] – displays all processes that have been applied to the Production Job.
  • Ink Consumption [68] – shows the estimated ink consumption for the Production Job.
  • Print Statistics [69] – contains production-related information for the Production Job, provided that this data is returned by the printing system.
  • Cut Info [70] – displays the cut information for the Production Job. The corresponding cut file can also be downloaded locally here.

Figure 10: The Preview Area of a Production Job

2.1.3. Detail Area

The third and final level of the overview page is the Detail Section. This section is identical for Articles, Orders, and Production Jobs. As an example. the detail information of the tab Print Data is described below.

For an Article of the selected Print Item, the following information is displayed in the tab Print Data:

  • Preview [71] – displays a preview of the print file. Additionally, the ImageBox, the expected Bleed, all PageBoxes, and Technical Colorscan be shown in this preview.
  • Document Information [78] – this tab displays all information about the print file that was extracted during the check-in process.
  • Page Information [79] – this tab provides details such as dimensions, layers, and Check-in Template Preflight Results for each page of the print file.
  • User-defined Fields [80] – this tab shows all available user-defined fields for the selected Print Item. The content of these fields can also be edited here.
  • Pagination [81] – if the print file is a multipage document, you can navigate between pages here.
  • Additional Functions [82] – additional functions for the respective Article or Print Item are also available within the detail section.
  • Production Information [72] – this section displays all information relevant for production.
  • Fonts [73] – lists all fonts used in the PDF file, including their status.
  • Process Colors [74] – displays all Process Colors used in the PDF file.
  • Spot Colors [75] – displays all Spot Colors used in the PDF file.
  • Technical Colors [76] – displays all Technical Colors used in the PDF file. Technical Colors are excluded from color processing for output and are therefore not prinnted.
  • Separations to Print [77] – displays preview images of all separations of the print file – including Technical Colors, Colors output from separations, and Hybrid Colors.

Figure 11: The entire Detail Area of the tab Print Data

2.2. Action Pages

Action Pages essentially consist of a header section and an input section:

  • The header section [83] displays only the title of the respective action area.
  • The layout and structure of the input section [84] are context-dependent and vary according to the requirements of the respective process step. As shown in the example Quick Print, the input section may be divided into additional configuration areas.

Figure 12: An Action Page illustrated using Quick Print as an example

3. Editors

Editors are standalone applications that are integrated into the user interface in such a way that the user is not aware of them while working. The purpose of having separate applications lies in the modularity of applications or even provided as fully independent tools!

Within the application, Editors are used in the following areas:

  • Impose Editor – used for arranging (imposing) Print Items on one or more print sheets.
  • VDP Editor – used for adding variable elements – such as images, text, graphics, color areas, barcodes, QR codes, etc.
  • Print Item Editor – used for analyzing, cropping, and modifying PageBoxes, as well as for transferring selected areas to PDF editing.
  • Die Cut Editor – used for preparing One-Ups and N-Ups. In combination with the Impose Editor, a complete Die Cut layout can be created within the application.
  • PDF Editor (Desktop-Applikation) – zum Analysieren und Bearbeiten von PDF-Dateien.

The description of the structure and functionality of the areas is based on the Impose Editor.

3.1. Overview of All Areas

The interface of the Impose Editor consists of several areas, which may be displayed differently depending on the use case. The following areas are distinguished:

  • Work Area [89] (green) – displays the Artboard as a gray rectangle on the white Imposition surface. This is where you perform the Imposition.
  • Toolbar [87] (cyan) – contains all tools available in the Impose Editor.
  • Control Bar [85] (yellow) – area for selecting the Impose Mode, including the Impose Template and the size of the Imposition Area.
  • Settings Area [90] (magenta) – area for selecting and parametering the options for the chosen Imposition Mode.
  • File Manager [86] (blue) – area used to access print data from the different menu items Articles, Orders and Production Jobs.
  • Information Area [88] (red) – used to select which working frames are displayed.

Figure 13: The Impose Editor in the Mode Step & Repeat

3.2. Work Area

Each Editor provides at least one workspace in which objects can be placed, created, or modified. Depending on the context, the workspace may have different names and may also be displayed differently across the various Editors. Note that, depending on the use case, multiple workspaces may also be available. In the Impose Editor, the workspace is referred to as the Imposition Sheet.

3.3. Toolbar

The tools available in the Editor are grouped in the Toolbar [87]. Depending on the respective Editor, the Toolbar may contain a different number of tools. In the Impose Editor, the Toolbar is located on the left side of the workspace.

3.4. Control Bar

Settings, additional functions, or selection lists within an Editor are provided in the Control Bar [85]. The available functions depend on the current Editor context.

In the Impose Editor, the following functions are available:

  • Imposition – allows you to create a new Imposition, open a different Imposition, as well as duplicate and save the current Imposition.
  • Save – saves the current Imposition and overwrites the existing version.
  • Impose Template – provides access to stored Templates for the Impose Sheet.
  • Impose Mode – enables switching between manual and rule-based Impose Modes.
  • Impose Template – provides access to stored Templates for the seleced Impose Mode.
  • Help – contains keyboard shortcuts available in the Editor.
  • Display – allows you to configure display settings for the preview images used ono the Artboard.
  • Zoom – shows and adjusts the current zoom level.
  • Imposition Warnings – displays potential warnings or errors in the Imposition to the user.

3.5. Settings Area

If settings can be configured within the Editor, they are provided in the Settings Area [90]. Content is typically organized in the form of panels. If a large number of configuration or selection options are available, panels may additionally be distributed across multiple tabs.

In the Impose Editor, using the Impose Mode Step & Repeat as an example, the following five tabs are available:

  • General – in this area, Templates and the dimensions of the Imposition can be selected.
  • Artboard Settings – this area is divided into five panels:
    • Settings – define the margins for the Imposition Sheet as well as the placement order of the Print Items.
    • Grid Settings – define the strategy, number of rows and columns, the rotation, pre-angulation, and spacing between Print Items for Step Repeat.
    • Header Alignment – define the header alignment per row and/or per column, as well as mirroring of rows and columns , horizontal or vertical.
    • Pattern – specify the offset between the columns. A slight offset can facilitate the weeding of stickers.
    • Bleed – define the Bleed applied to all Print Items in the Impose Mode Step Repeat.
  • Print Items – enables the user to activate or deactivate Print Items for the Imposition, and to define the number of copies and scaling per Print Item.
  • Marks – allows the addition of Marks, Captions, Grommets and Lines for Print Items within the Imposition.
  • Finishing – allows Die Lines to be added and cutter devices with stored configurations to be selected.

3.6. File Manager

Via the File Manager [86] – a dedicated area available exclusively in the Impose Editor – it is possible to access Print Items within the application without leaving the Editor. The Print Items may include individual Articles, Print Items from an order or order line item, or even Print Items from a Production Job.

3.7. Information Area

The Information Area [88] displays the most relevant information – depending on the selected Editor or workspace – to enable a quick response in case of undesired results.

In the Impose Editor, the Information Area [88] is available in the display view of the Editor. The following information is shown:

  • Display Quality – when working in the Impose Editor, it is often very helpful to display specific areas of the Imposition or Print Item. To display a particular area, the corresponding letter must be selected. The following display modes are available:
    • IB – displays the ImageBox (visible format) in green for each individual Print Item.
    • IB + A – displays the ImageBox + Bleed (production format) in blue for each individual Print Item.
    • R – displays all frames in cyan, both for the Imposition Sheet and the Artboard.
    • Z – in the Impose Modes Nesting and Step & Repeat displays all Artboards located on the Imposition surface in red.
    • M – displays the Imposition Sheet area in grey.
    • V – displays the Print Items including preview images.
  • Tile Collections – displays an overview of tiles for the tiling mode, where separate Articles are generatedd per tile.

Article Update: $PRODUCT_NAME_WORKFLOW 2.0.0 – 04/2026

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Next Article File Storage in General

Quickstart

Application overview 5
Setting Up the System 2
Creating Color Profiles 1
Storing and Managing Files 4
Quick Print Data Output 2
Preparing Print Data 2
Creating Production Jobs 4
Create Imposition 1

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