4.2 Create a Fixup Chain

Updated on Apr 22, 2025

In this article, you will learn

where Fixup Chains are created and managed and
how to create Fixup Chains.

1. Introduction

To apply Fixup Chains to Print Items in the Workflow or via external system calls, they must first be created and configured with the appropriate parameters. A dedicated menu item, Fixup Chains, is available under Administration for this purpose. Within this section, Fixup Chains can be created, edited, and managed. However, note that Fixup Chains cannot be applied directly from this menu.

2. Creating a Fixup Chain

To use Fixup Chains in your Production Workflow, they must first be created. Fixup Chains can be defined by the user, assigned with the desired values, and then saved. Once created, these Fixup Chains can be applied to one or more Print Items in production, significantly increasing the level of automation.

The following section describes in detail how to create a Fixup Chain using the example «Irregular Shape». This Fixup Chain includes two Fixups: Add a Dieline for Irregular Shapes and Create Bleed on Irregular Shape.

2.1. Creating a New Fixup Chain

To create a new Fixup Chain, proceed as follows:

Navigate to Administration > Fixup Chains.
Click the + Add button[1] to create a new Fixup Chain.
The dialog Add Fixup Chain opens. Enter a Name [2] for the Fixup Chain and optionally add a Comment [3] to describe its purpose or contents.
Click Save [4] to create the empty container for the new Fixup Chain, allowing you to now add individual Fixups to it.

Figure 1: Left: The tab Fixup Chain in the menu Administration; Right: The dialog Add Fixup Chain

2.2. Add Fixups to Fixup Chain

After saving the Fixup Chain, the newly created entry appears in the Fixup Chains configuration area. The next step is to select, add, and configure the required Fixups. To do so, follow these steps:

Select the newly created Fixup Chain «Irregular Shape» from the list in the Fixup Chains area[5].
Click the Edit button [5] in the Added Fixups area. This will open the dialog Edit Fixups, where you can add and configure the Fixups included in this chain.

Figure 2: The tab Fixup Chain in the menu Administration with the selected Fixup Chain container

In the Fixups section, search for the Fixup Add a Dieline for Irregular Shapes. The quickest way to find it is by entering the desired term in the search field [9]. The number of search results is displayed in the yellow circle [7]. By enabling the Show Favorites option [10], the search is further limited to the Fixups you have marked as favorites.
Next, select the Fixup «Add a Dieline for Irregular Shapes».

Figure 3: The initial dialog Edit Fixup Chain for the selected Fixup Chain at the initial stage

Click the + Add button [8] to add the selected Fixup to the Added Fixups area [12].
Next, search for the Fixup «Create Bleed from Irregular Shape» and add it to the Fixup Chain in the same manner by clicking + Add [11].

Figure 4: The dialog Edit Fixup Chain for the selected Fixup Chain, after the Fixups have been added

2.3. Parametrize Fixups

After you have added all the required Fixups to the Fixup Chain, the final step is to configure them with the desired parameters. To do this, proceed as follows:

First, select the Fixup Add a Dieline for Irregular Shapes in the Added Fixups area [12] (Figure 4).
In the right-hand area of the dialog, define the required values for this Fixup. Select the appropriate parameters. A functional example is shown in Figure 5 (left figure).
Then, select the Fixup Create Bleed on Irregular Shape in the Added Fixups area [12] (Figure 4).
In the right-hand area of the dialog, define the required values for this Fixup as well. Select the appropriate parameters. A functional version is displayed in Figure 5 (right figure).
Finalize the process by clicking Save [13] (Figure 4). You have now successfully created the desired Fixup Chain for your production process.

Figure 5: Left: Tab Basic Settings for the Fixup Add a Dieline for Irregular Shapes. Right: Tab Basic Settings for the Fixup Create Bleed on Irregular Shape

Detailed description of Fixups

A comprehensive description of each individual Fixup and all available options in the dialog can be found in the chapter Standard Fixups.

Arrange Fixups in desired order

Ensure that the Fixups are arranged in the correct order. In a Fixup Chain, the individual Fixups are applied step-by-step in the selected order. An incorrect order can result in unintended or incorrect outcomes during processing.

The following section explains how you can modify the order of Fixups afterwards.

3. Options in the dialog «Edit Fixup Chain»

The following options can also be selected in the dialog Edit Fixup Chain:

Search bar [14] – use the search function to quickly find a Fixup by entering the Fixup name or relevant keywords.
Show favorites only [15] – when this option is activated, the search is limited to Fixups you have marked as favorites.
Mark as favorites [16] – by clicking on the star icon, you can mark individual Fixups as favorites. Clicking the icon again will remove the Fixup from your favorites. Favorites are indicated by the colored icon.
Duplicate [18] – this option allows you to duplicate selected Fixups with all their set values, enabling you to use the same Fixup twice within a Fixup Chain.
Delete [17] – this option allows you to delete selected Fixups from the Added Fixup area, thereby removing them from the Fixup Chain.
Move [19] – by clicking on the Move icon, you can change the order of the Fixups in the Added Fixup area. This order is particularly important because the Fixups in the Fixup Chain are processed in the specified order.