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 an use case.
1. Introduction
As described in the article Creating a Production Configuration, you can add various Operations to a Production Configuration. This article provides a detailed description of the prerequisites and the options available in the Operation Export Imposition Report.
The Operation Export Imposition Report is used in Production Configurations that represent an entire process – from uploading Print Data to the Workflow through to Final Output – is applied after 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 this Operation.
Whether or not this Operation must be used or not, can be explained as follows:
- When an Imposition Report should be generated automatically from the Imposition, ensuring that the finishing staff are informed about which Print Items are placed on the Imposition Sheet.
- When a Tiling should automatically generate and store a mounting instruction in the defined format before the individual Tiles are assembled in subsequent Nestings.
2. Function and Purpose of the Operation
The primary 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. The chapter Quick Reference contains additional information on this topic.
2.1. Setting Up the 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 options 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 created as a Share under Administration > File Management > Shares.
- Hierarchical Archiving [3] – by entering a "/", you can define the directory hierarchy for the folders to be created in the file system. For example, My Name/${global.current_date} creates a folder named "Mein Name" in the selected target directory and a subfolder with 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 options 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 page 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 defined for a User-defined Field will not be translated automatically.
- 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, displaying the placeholders available 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 variety of available placeholders can make configuration challenging. The following are recommended useful placeholder configurations:
${global.year_4digit}/KW ${global.week_2digit}/${print_order.order_number}– stores the Imposition Report by year and calendar week, creating a subdirectory for each Order Number.${contact.display_name}/${global.year_4digit}/${print_order.order_number}– stores the Imposition Report by customer and year, creating a subdirectory for each Order Number.${print_order.external_id}/${production_job.production_date}– stores the Imposition Report by External Job ID, with a subdirectory for the Production Date.
Meaningful Placeholder Configurations for File Names
The wide variety of available placeholders can make configuration challenging. The following are recommended useful placeholder configurations:
${global.random_guid}– generates a Print Item name with a unique identifier number – e.g., a3328987-ac65-4a48-a29d-82c89ee1d471.${factory_job.file_ref.plain_name}– generates a Print Item name identical to the file name but without the file extension – e.g., Inaccurate_TrimBox_End.${global.random_guid}_${factory_job.file_ref.name}– generates a Print Item name consisting of a unique identifier number combined with 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}– generates a Print Item name identical to the file name without the file extension, followed by the quantity of copies – e.g., Inaccurate_TrimBox_End #30.
3. Use Case
In the following example, print data is going to be imposed via Automation > Batch Processing in the Workflow, an Imposition Report is generated, an the Imposition Report is saved to a directory.
To implement this process, a Production Configuration with three Operations must be created – Check-in Artwork and Normalize, followed by Create Production Job, and then Export 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 beginning
- The Operations Check-in Artwork and Normalize, 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 adjust additional 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 describe the Production Job as clearly as possible in the Automation process.
- Ext. ID [15] – insert the desired placeholder(s) to, for example, reference the Order number also for the Production Job.
- Impose Mode [16] – select the Impose Mode to be used.
- Impose Template [17] – select at least the Imposition Template to be used for the chosen Impose Mode.
- Output Template – By selecting the Output Template, you finally define for which Printer, on which Substrate, in which Color Policy, and in what Impose Size the Imposition will take place.
- If any parameters of the Output Template are incorrect, they can still be modified. 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 add the Operation Export Imposition Report.
- Select at least the Destination [19] where the Imposition Report should be saved.
- If you want to store the Imposition Reports in subdirectories within the selected Destination, define the desired folder structure in Hierarchical Archiving [20] by adding static text and placeholders.
- After configuring this 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 this example
- In the tab Execute Batch Production [21], add the desired files from your local computer using Choose Files [22]. Enter the desired number of copies for each Print Item in the field Quantity [25].
- Ensure that the previously created Production Configuration is selected in the dropdown of the Production Configuration [23], and enable the option Use Print Item Name from Operation "Check-in Artwork and Normalize" [24] so that the chosen pattern is applied 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, review the settings once more.
- Click Start Batch Production [27] to start the Operation.
Figure 8: The dialog Batch Processing for confirming the execution
- You can monitor the progress of each Automation Job 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 on your local computer to the specified Destination.
- The saved Imposition Report [28] is stored there.
Figure 9: The Destination with the Imposition Report
Sample Files
To reproduce thee example described, you can download the Print Items.
Article Update: Workflow 1.21.1 – 10/2025