Loading

Define the [Layout] settings

The [Layout] tab allows you to specify the imposition of the pages. Optionally, you can configure additional layout settings. For example, you can add print marks like registration marks, barcodes and colour strips to your document. Not all settings are available for all printer models.

[Cover media]

Option [Cover media] is disabled if your document has no cover.

  • You can select a default media size from the drop-down list, for example 'A4' and 'Letter'.

  • You can create a custom media size. Select [Custom] from the drop-down list and change the [Width] and [Height]. Define the unit for the custom media.

The [Portrait] and [Landscape] settings allow you to specify the sheet orientation.

The following settings are disabled when your document contains both portrait and landscape media: [Width], [Height], [Portrait] and [Landscape].

[Document media]

  • You can select a default media size from the drop-down list, for example 'A4' and 'Letter'. This sheet size is applied to the whole document.

  • You can create a custom media size. Select [Custom] from the drop-down list and change the [Width] and [Height]. Define the unit for the custom media.

The [Portrait] and [Landscape] settings allow you to specify the sheet orientation.

The following settings are disabled when your document contains both portrait and landscape media: [Width], [Height], [Portrait] and [Landscape].

[Imposition template]

Imposition consists of the arrangement of the pages on the sheet, in order to obtain faster printing, simplify binding and reduce paper waste. Correct imposition minimizes printing time by maximizing the number of pages per impression. To achieve this, the printed sheet must be filled as fully as possible.

You can select an existing imposition template. Optionally, you can configure additional layout settings. For example, you can add print marks like registration marks, barcodes and colour strips to your document. The value of option [Imposition template] becomes [Custom] to indicate that you are no longer using a default imposition template. You can save the combination of imposition template and additional settings to create a custom imposition template.

The default imposition templates offer basic imposition. For example, the template [2-up (1-sided)] places two pages on one sheet side. No additional layout settings are applied to the document. A subset of the imposition settings is available when different media sizes are used in the document. The different imposition types are grouped and explained below.

[Imposition template] - [General]

  • [None]

  • [Custom]

    Use option [Imposition type] to create a custom arrangement of the pages on the sheets. The value of option [Imposition template] becomes [Custom].

  • [2-up (1-sided)] / [2-up (2-sided)]

    Two pages are placed on each sheet side in the (left to right) reading order.

  • [16-up (1-sided)] / [16-up (2-sided)] / [4-up (1-sided)] / [4-up (2-sided)] / [9-up (1-sided)] / [9-up (2-sided)]

    4, 9, 16 pages are placed on each sheet side in the (left to right and top to bottom) reading order.

  • [VDP 4-up]

    4 pages with variable data are placed on one sheet side in the (left to right and top to bottom) reading order.

  • [Folio]

    Four pages per sheet are placed in a way that each sheet can be half folded. All the folded sheets are stacked.

  • [Octavo]

    Generates the same imposition as the [Octavo signature book] document type.

  • [Quarto]

    Generates the same imposition as the [Quarto signature book] document type.

[Imposition template] - [Cut and stack]

The Cut & Stack imposition enhances printer productivity when printing large documents. For example, two pages are printed per sheet side. The sheets are cut in two parts. The left stack is stacked on top of the right stack to form a perfect sequential order.

  • [Cut and stack]

    The left and right pages are printed in the same orientation.

  • [Cut and stack with binding edge inside]

    The left pages are rotated 180 degrees compared to the right pages. The binding edges of the pages are on the inside of the sheet.

  • [Cut and stack with binding edge outside]

    The right pages are rotated 180 degrees compared to the left pages. The binding edges of the pages are on the outside of the sheet.

  • [Cut and stack - 4 stacks]

    Four pages per sheet side are placed in a way that, after cutting the paper in 4 parts, the piles are stacked to build the full document.

  • [VDP cut and stack - 4 stacks]

    Four pages with variable data are placed on one sheet side in a way that, after cutting the paper in 4 parts, the piles are stacked to build the full document.

[Imposition template] - [Same-up]

  • [Same-up with binding edge inside]

    The same page is printed twice per sheet side. The left pages are rotated 180 degrees compared to the right pages. The binding edges of the pages are on the inside of the sheet.

  • [Same-up with binding edge outside]

    The same page is printed twice per sheet side. The right pages are rotated 180 degrees compared to the left pages. The binding edges of the pages are on the outside of the sheet.

    For example, use this option when pre-punched paper is used with the punched holes on both ends of the paper.

  • [VDP same-up]

    The same page with variable data is printed twice per sheet side. The pages are printed with one edge attached to each other. For example, use this option when you want to print a ticket with ticket stub.

[Print content]

  • You can select which PDF box should printed. The content of the selected PDF box will be printed. Or use a custom print area.

  • [Custom bleed area]

    Click the edit icon to the right to enter a distance from the page edges.

    That distance will be taken inward from the largest PDF box to determine what the printed page content will be.

[Imposition type]

Use option [Imposition template] to select an existing arrangement of the pages on the sheets.

Use option [Imposition type] to create a custom arrangement of the pages on the sheets. The selected [Document type] determines which values are available in the drop-down list. The value of option [Imposition template] becomes [Custom] to indicate that you are no longer using a default imposition template.

  • [Horizontal] and [Vertical]

    Define the number of pages that must be imposed on one sheet side.

  • [Impose]

    Option [Impose] becomes available when you have selected value [Cut and stack] for option [Imposition type].

    • [Pages per stack]

      Arrange the pages in stacks. The stacks are created in the order of the value of option [Arrange pages on sheet]. The first page is imposed on the first sheet, the second page on the second sheet until you have reached the last sheet. These pages form the first stack. The second stack starts again on the first sheet and moves down until the last sheet is reached. Et cetera.

      For example:

      Your document is 1-sided and contains 40 pages. You have selected [Cut and stack] with two pages horizontal and two pages vertical. So, four pages are printed per sheet. The value of option [Arrange pages on sheet] is [From left to right and top to bottom]. The application starts arranging the pages in four stacks. The first stack starts with the page in the left-top, The second stack starts with the page in the right-top. Left-bottom the third stack and right-bottom the fourth stack. The first 10 pages are arranged in the first stack, the next 10 pages in the second stack, et cetera. The sheets are cut in four parts. The stacks are stacked on top of each other according to the value of option [Arrange pages on sheet]. The four stacks form a perfect sequential order of the pages.

    • [Pages per sheet]

      Arrange all pages for the first sheet, then move one sheet down to arrange the pages for the next sheet, etc. Arrange the pages per sheet in the order of the value of option [Arrange pages on sheet].

  • [Arrange pages on sheet]

    Option [Arrange pages on sheet] becomes available when you have selected value [Cut and stack] for option [Imposition type].

    The value of option [Arrange pages on sheet] determines the arrangement of the pages on the sheets.

  • [Rotation]

    Option [Rotation] becomes available when you have selected value [Cut and stack] for option [Imposition type].

    Rotate pages 180 degrees.

    The value determines which pages will be rotated. For example, 3x3 pages are imposed per sheet side in three horizontal rows and three columns. Select [Vertical odd] to rotate all pages in the first and third column.

[Same-up]

Use option [Same-up] to repeat the imposed pages as defined by the [Imposition type]. The imposed pages will be repeated per sheet side.

For example, you have selected [Cut and stack] with two horizontal and two vertical pages per sheet side. Then, you select [Same-up] with value two for horizontal and two for vertical. Now, the four imposed pages as defined by [Imposition type] will be repeated two times horizontally and two times vertically.

Select how you want to repeat the imposed pages as defined by [Imposition type]:

  • [1]:

    No repetition. Use the imposed pages as defined by [Imposition type].

  • [Maximum]:

    The application calculates the maximum repetition of the imposed pages as defined by [Imposition type] that fit on one side of the sheet.

    The calculation takes several settings into account. For example, only one A4 page on one A3 sheet if a bleed area is needed.

  • [Custom]:

    Define the repetition of the imposed pages as defined by [Imposition type] yourself with the [Horizontal] and [Vertical] settings.

[Gutters and alignment]

Gutters

Define the distance between the pages on the sheet with the horizontal and vertical gutter. You cannot define a negative gutter.

[Automatic gutters]

[Manual gutters]

  • [Gutters for imposition type]

    Use option [Imposition type] to create a custom arrangement of the pages on the sheets. For example, you have selected [Cut and stack] with two horizontal and two vertical pages per sheet side. Use option [Gutters for imposition type] to define the gutters for the pages imposed on the sheet by option [Imposition type].

  • [Gutters for same-up]

    Use option [Imposition type] to create a custom arrangement of the pages on the sheets. For example, you have selected [Cut and stack] with two horizontal and two vertical pages per sheet side. Use option [Same-up] to repeat the imposed pages as defined by the [Imposition type]. For example, you have selected [Same-up] with value two for horizontal and two for vertical. Now, the four imposed pages per sheet side defined by [Imposition type] will be repeated two times horizontally and two times vertically. Use option [Gutters for same-up] to define the gutters between each repetition of the four imposed pages.

  • [Use bleed]

    Use the bleed box instead of the trim box of each page. The bleed box may contain a bleed area in addition to the page content. Usually, the bleed area is 3 to 5 mm larger than the trim box.

Alignment

Define the position of the page on the sheet with the shift and the horizontal and vertical settings. You can define a negative shift.

Use option [Same on both sides] to put the page on the same position on the front side and back side of the sheet.

Disable [Same on both sides] to handle the position on [Front side] and [Back side] separately.

[Print marks]

You can define which marks are printed on the output media. You can define if the selected marks must be printed on all sheets or only on the first sheet.

  • [No marks on binding edge]

    You can select to not print any marks along the binding edge, for example, when your document is a booklet.

  • [Corner trim marks]

    These marks are lines printed in the corners of the sheets to indicate where to trim the paper.

    You can define the size, location and the stroke of this print mark.

  • [Centre marks]

    Centre marks are vertical lines used to indicate the centre of the printed page. For example, the centre of the spine of a booklet.

    You can define the size, location and the stroke of this print mark.

  • [Fold marks]

    Fold marks are vertical lines used to indicate where the printed page must be folded. The fold marks overwrite centre marks.

    You can define the size, location and the stroke of this print mark.

  • [Job integrity marks]

    You can add the sheet number and the sheet side to the printed pages.

    You can define the location of this print mark.

  • [Collating marks]

    Use this option to print black marks on the outside fold of each signature in bookbinding.

    The black marks are positioned differently on the outside fold of each signature in bookbinding to aid in collating.

    Any [Collating marks] are removed when you select value [Dutch cut] for option [Same-up].

  • [Barcode]

    You can add only one barcode to the same page. You can create an automated workflow for finishers by using a barcode and a registration mark for finisher. For example, the automated workflow can be used for the Duplo DC-646. See topic "Automated workflow by using barcodes for finishers, for example, the Duplo DC-646" in the technical service manual.

    The barcode and readable text are always black when you define a barcode in the [Production] workspace.

    • Readability of the barcode

      Four settings ensure the readability of the barcode: checksum for [1D barcode] or error correction for [2D barcode], minumum size of the barcode, quiet zone and resolution.

      • Quiet zone

        In barcode technology, a quiet zone is the blank margin on either side of a barcode that's used to tell the barcode reader where a barcode's symbology starts and stops. The purpose of a quiet zone is to prevent the reader from picking up information that does not pertain to the barcode that is being scanned. The blank margin will not send a scanning signal, hence the name "quiet".

        Configure the margin to set the quiet zone.

        The horizontal and vertical margins form the non-printable area, or quiet zone, around the barcode. The default value is 3 mm. The horizontal and vertical margins both use the same value. When the barcode is rotated, the minimum values for the quiet zone are rotated accordingly.

        • [1D barcode]

          A 1D barcode should have a quiet zone of at least 6 mm on each horizontal side and at least 1,6 mm on each vertical side.

        • [2D barcode]

          A 2D barcode should have a quiet zone of at least 2 mm on each side.

      • [Resolution]

        You have to configure the resolution in the configuration file. Browse to the config file and open it using a text editor, for example, Notepad:

        C:\ProgramData\Oce\PRISMAcore\Configuration\PRISMAcore.Plugin.PBE.AppSettings.config

        See the following key: <add key="BarcodeResolution" value="300"/>

        The default value for the resolution is 300. Possible values: 300 or 600. An unsupported value is ignored and 300 is used instead.

    Create a barcode

    1. Expand [Imposition template].

    2. For option [Print marks], you can select value:

      • [On all sheets]

        Select this value when you want to assign a barcode to all sheets.

      • [On first sheet only]

        Select this value when you want to assign a barcode only to the first sheet.

    3. Expand [Print marks].

    4. Enable option [Barcode].

    5. [Text]

      The typed text and any variables are encoded as a barcode. The barcode type determines whether you can use digits, text, variables or a combination of these in the text. You can add the sheet number, the total number of sheets and the job name to the text of the barcode. Finishers can use this information to check if the order of sheets is correct and to check if the job contains all sheets.

      Icon

      Description

      Click this icon to add the sheet number as a variable to the text for the barcode. The actual sheet number is automatically added for each sheet that contains a barcode.

      Click this icon to add the total number of sheets as a variable to the text for the barcode. The actual number of sheets is automatically added for each barcode.

      Click this icon to add the job name as a variable to the text for the barcode. The actual job name is automatically added for each barcode.

    6. [Minimum number of digits]

      Some finishers require a minimum number of digits for the sheet number and/or total number of sheets. The maximum value is 10. "0" is used as padding character.

    7. [Type]

      • [1D barcode]

        Linear or 1D barcodes use a series of variable-width lines and spaces to encode data. Linear barcodes hold just a few dozen characters, and generally get physically longer as more data is added.

        1D barcodes are dependent on database connectivity to be meaningful. If you scan a UPC code, for instance, the characters in the barcode have to relate to an item in a pricing database to be useful.

      • [2D barcode]

        2D barcodes use patterns of squares, hexagons, dots, and other shapes to encode data. They can be much smaller while holding more data (hundreds of characters) than 1D codes. Data is encoded based on both the vertical and horizontal arrangement of the pattern, thus it is read in two dimensions.

        A 2D barcode doesn't just encode alphanumeric information. These codes can also contain pages, website addresses, voice, and other types of binary data. That means you can make use of the information whether you are connected to a database or not. A large amount of information can travel with an item labeled with a 2D barcode.

    8. [Encoding]

      The selected barcode type determines which barcode encodings are available to you.

    9. [Checksum] or [Error correction]

      • [1D barcode]

        Checksum information can be stored in the barcode to verify the barcode is correct.

      • [2D barcode]

        There are four error correction levels used for QR codes. Each level adds different amounts of "backup" data to the QR code. The selected level depends on how much damage the QR code is expected, and hence how much error correction may be required:

        • Level L - up to 7% damage

        • Level M - up to 15% damage

        • Level Q - up to 25% damage

        • Level H - up to 30% damage

    10. [Human readable text]

      Enable this option to add the text of the barcode directly under the barcode. Or disable this option to only show the barcode. This option is available for [1D barcode].

    11. [Minimum size]

      Some finishers require a minimum barcode size. The minimum size encompasses the barcode, the margins and the readable text under the barcode.

    12. [Position on sheet]

      You can define the location of the barcodes. Use the options [Position on sheet] and [Shift].

    13. [Margin]

      The horizontal and vertical margins form the non-printable area, or quiet zone, around the barcode. The default value is 3 mm. The horizontal and vertical margins both use the same value.

      When the barcode is rotated, the minimum values for the quiet zone are rotated accordingly.

    14. Click the pencil icon of each barcode to configure the barcode.

  • [Colour strip]

    You can add a colour strip to the front side of the printed sheets. The colour strip will not be added to the back side. Colour strips are used in PRISMAdirect as colour proofing strips on the printed output.

  • [Registration mark for finisher]

    Select a registration mark and configure the position of the registration mark on the sheet.

    You can create an automated workflow for finishers by using a barcode and a registration mark for finisher. For example, the automated workflow can be used for the Duplo DC-646. See topic "Automated workflow by using barcodes for finishers, for example, the Duplo DC-646" in the technical service manual.

  • [Registration marks]

    Registration marks print outside the trim area of the page. They can include bulls-eye targets, corner trim marks, etc. These marks allow the operator to accurately align printed pages and better align cuts when trimming.

  • [File name]

    Print the file name on each page.

  • [Print date]

    Print the print date on each page.

  • [Remarks]

    Print the remarks on each page.

[Creep compensation]

Use [Creep compensation] to make sure that the margins on all pages are equal after the booklet is folded and trimmed. The [Creep compensation] factor is calculated from the [Thickness] of the media.

For example:

You have 30 sheets which you fold to make a booklet. The sheets in the middle of the booklet stick out compared to the cover of the booklet. When you trim the sheets that stick out, the distance between the page content and the sheet edges is changed. This means that the page content creeps towards the edge of the sheets due to the trim action.

  • [None]

  • [Outside]

    Shift the page content to the outside of the booklet.

  • [Inside]

    Shift the page content to the inside of the booklet.

  • [Computed thickness] / [Computed thickness of first booklet]

    PRISMAdirect automatically recalculates the thickness of the booklet when the number of sheets or the thickness of the media changes.

    • In case of a booklet, the computed booklet thickness is the spine size.

    • In case of a multi-booklet, the computed thickness is:

      • The thickness of one output group when each output group contain a constant number of sheets. If the last booklet has less sheets, its thickness is calculated but not displayed.

      • The thickness of the first output group when the output groups contain different numbers of sheets. The thickness of the other output groups is calculated but not displayed.

  • [Booklet thickness] / [Thickness of first booklet]

    You can increase or decrease the creep compensation by changing the booklet thickness. The maximum difference is 5 mm compared to the computed thickness.