In this article, you will learn
- which functions are available in the Operation,
- for which processing steps this Operation should be used, and
- a description of a use case.
1. Introduction
As described in the article Create a Production Configuration, you can add various Operations to a Production Configuration. This article describes in detail the prerequisites and options offered in the Operation Export Imposition Report.
The Operation Export Imposition Report is used downstream in Production Configurations that cover the entire process – from uploading print data into the Workflow to final output – in conjunction with the following Operations:
- Create Impose in combination with Create Production Job from Imposition.
- Create Impose with Auto Nesting in combination with Create Production Job from Imposition.
- Create Production Job, provided that an Imposition is also created within it.
Whether this Operation needs to be used or not, can be explained as follows:
- When an Imposition Report should be automatically generated from the Imposition so that finishing staff are informed about which Print Items are included on the Imposition Sheet.
- When a Mounting Instruction for an Imposition should be automatically created and saved in the defined format from a Tiling, before the individual Tiles are assembled in subsequent Nestings.
2. Function and Purpose of the Operation
The main function of the Operation Export Imposition Report is to create a summary for Impositions or to generate a Mounting Instruction for Tiles, providing Imposition information to speed up Finishing or Panel Imposition.
The goal of this step is to automatically export the Imposition Reports to a local folder, from where they can be retrieved or automatically printed on photocopiers.
Before you can export the data, you must create a Share of Type Other Servers under Administration > File Management. For more information, see the section Setting Up Shares of the article Set up System.
2.1. Set Up Operation
After adding the Operation Export Imposition Report, the desired parameters for the Production Configuration must still be selected.
Figure 1: The dialog Add Production Configuration with the Operation Export Imposition Report selected
The following options are available for configuring the Operation:
Export Imposition Report [1] – the following settings are available in this section:
- Destination [2] – select the destination directory where the Reports should be saved. Please note that a corresponding directory must first be shared via Administration > File Management.
- Hierarchical Archiving [3] – enter "/" to define the directory hierarchy to be created in the file system. For example, Mein Name/${global.current_date} will create a folder "Mein Name" in the selected target directory, with a subfolder containing the "Current Date". Add a placeholder for the folder to be created by clicking Insert Placeholder [4].
- Filename after Export [5] – enter the desired file name for the Imposition Report after export.You can add a placeholder for the file name by clicking Insert Placeholder [6].
Report Settings [7] – the following settings are available in this section:
- Paper Size [8] – select the desired paper size–A4 or US Letter (8,5" x 11").
- Paper Orientation [9] – the default orientation for an Imposition Report is Portrait. This setting cannot currently be changed.
- Language [11] – select the desired language for the Imposition Report. You can choose from all languages available in the Workflow. Please note, however, that labels you have assigned to a User-defined Field will not be automatically translated.
- Comment [10] – optionally, enter a comment for the Imposition Report.
2.2. Placeholder for "Hierarchical Archiving" and "Filename after Export"
By clicking the button Insert Placeholder [4] [6] (Figure 1), the dialog Select Placeholder opens, showing the available placeholders for the options Hierarchical Archiving and Filename after Export. The same placeholders can be used for both options.
The following placeholders are available:
Figure 2: The dialog Select Placeholder for dynamically naming the Print Item Name
Meaningful Placeholder Configurations for Hierarchical Archiving
The wide range of available placeholders can make configuration challenging. The following examples illustrate useful placeholder configurations:
${global.year_4digit}/KW ${global.week_2digit}/${print_order.order_number}– stores the Imposition Report by year and calendar week, and creates a subdirectory for each Order Number within it.${contact.display_name}/${global.year_4digit}/${print_order.order_number}– stores the Imposition Report by customer and year, and creates a subdirectory for each Order Number within it.${print_order.external_id}/${production_job.production_date}– stores the Imposition Report by external job ID and, within it, in a subdirectory based on the Production Date.
Meaningful Placeholder Configurations for File Names
The wide range of available placeholders can make configuration challenging. The following examples illustrate useful placeholder configurations:
${global.random_guid}– creates a Print Item name with a unique number – e.g., a3328987-ac65-4a48-a29d-82c89ee1d471${factory_job.file_ref.plain_name}– creates a Print Item name that is identical to the file name but without the file extension – e.g., Inaccurate_TrimBox_End${global.random_guid}_${factory_job.file_ref.name}– creates a Print Item name consisting of a unique number followed by the current file name including its extension – e.g., a3328987-ac65-4a48-a29d-82c89ee1d471_Banner.pdf${factory_job.file_ref.plain_name} #${factory_job.quantity}– creates a Print Item name that is identical to the file name but without the file extension, followed by the number of copies – e.g., Inaccurate_TrimBox_End #30
3. Use Case
In the following example, print data is to be imposed via Automation Batch Processing in the Workflow, an Imposition Report is to be generated, and the Imposition Report is to be saved in a specified directory.
To implement this process, a Production Configuration must be created with three Operations – Check-in Artwork and Normalize, followed by Create Production Job, and finally Generate Imposition Report – in the defined sequence.
To do this, proceed as follows:
- Select the menu item Automation Batch Processing.
- Create a new Production Configuration using the icon Add [12].
Figure 3: The Batch Processing area at the start
- The operations Check-in and Normalize print data, followed by Create production job, are already selected. Assign a Name and optionally a Comment for this Production Configuration.
- Select the Operation Check-in Artwork and Normalize and choose at least one Check-in Preflight and Fixup Template [13]. If you want to make further settings, configure this Operation according to your requirements.
Figure 4: The dialog Batch Processing Production Configuration with two Operations that are inserted by default
- Select the Operation Create Production Job and specify the following:
- Job Name [14] – insert the desired placeholder(s) to provide a clear and unique description of the Production Job within the Automation process.
- Ext. ID [15] – insert the desired placeholder(s) to include, for example, a reference to the Order number within the Production Job.
- Impose Mode [16] – select the Impose Mode to be used.
- Impose Template [17] – then select the Imposition Template to be used for the chosen Impose Mode.
- Output Template – finally, by selecting the Output Template, you define for which Printer, on which Substrate, in which Color Policy, and in what Impose size the Imposition will take place.
- If the parameters of the Output Template are not correct, you can modify them as needed. All other options in this Operation can then be user-defined and saved according to your requirements.
Figure 5: The dialog Batch Processing Production Configuration with the Operation Create Production Job selected
- Use the icon Add [18] to insert the Operation Export Imposition Report.
- Select at least the Directory [19] where the Imposition Report should be saved.
- If you want to store the Imposition Reports in subdirectories within the selected Destination, define the corresponding folder structure under Hierarchical Archiving [20] by adding static text and placeholders.
- After configuring the final step, save the settings of the Production Configuration by clicking Save.
Figure 6: The dialog Batch Processing Production Configuration with the three Operations required for the example
- In the tab Execute Batch Production [21] use Select Files [22] to add the desired files from your local computer. Enter the required number of copies for each Print Item in the field Quantity [25].
- Ensure that the previously created Production Configuration is selected in the selection list for the Production Configuration [23] and activate the option Use Print Item Name from Operation "Check-in Artwork and Normalize" [24] so that the selected pattern is used for the Print Item Name in this Operation.
- Click Start [26] to begin the Batch Processing Operation.
Figure 7: The settings area of the menu item Batch Processing
- In the now opened dialog Batch Processing, check the settings once again.
- Click Start Batch Processing [27] to start the Operation.
Figure 8: The dialog Batch Processing to confirm the execution
- You can track the progress of individual Automation Jobs either in the tab Batch Processing History of the menu item Automation > Batch Processing or via Automation > Automation Jobs.
- Once the order is complete, navigate to the specified Destination on your local computer.
- There you will find the saved Imposition Report [28].
Figure 9: The Destination with the Imposition Report
Exercise Files
To replicate the example described, you can download the Print Items.
Article Update: Workflow 1.21.1 –10/2025