As described in the article Creating a Production Configuration, various Operations can be added to a Production Configuration. This article provides a detailed description of the prerequisites and options available for the Operation Apply Fixup Chain.

The Operation Apply Fixup Chain is used in Production Configurations that map an entire Workflow – from uploading the print data to the Workflow through to output – but it can also be applied when using Production Configurations on selected Articles or Print Items.

The Operation Apply Fixup Chain can be inserted multiple times and flexibly within a Production Configuration, except for the following restrictions. The following Operations cannot be used before the Operation Apply Fixup Chain:

• Create Impose – can only create a Production Job from the Impose.
• Create Impose with Auto Nesting – can only create a Production Job from the Impose.
• Create Production Job – intended exclusively for transferring data to the printer.
• Create Production Job for Tracks – intended exclusively for transferring data to the printer.
• Create Production Job from Imposition – intended exclusively for transferring data to the printer.
• Send to Printer – no further Operation can be applied to rendered data.
• Export Imposition Report – intended solely for creating and exporting an Imposition Report after creating a Production Job.

The function of the Operation Apply Fixup Chain is to systemically adjust Print Items within the Workflow to meet the intended requirements of the final output.

The goal is to normalize print data and prepare it for further processing by applying Fixups in a predefined sequence. Typical adjustments may include scaling, converting, or modifying Print Item properties. Executing the Fixup Chain ensures that the Print Items meet the technical requirements for subsequent processing and can be handled without interruptions.

In the following example, a banner will be uploaded into the Workflow via Automation > Batch Processing. Additionally, a Bleed, a Dieline for the ImageBox, Grommets or Drillholes, and Edge Reinforcements will be added.

To implement this process, a Production Configuration must be created with three Operations in the following defined order – Check-in Artwork and Normalize, followed by Apply Fixup Chain, and finally Create Production Job. Follow these steps:

1. Select the menu entry Automation > Production Configurations.
2. Create a new Production Configuration. Instructions for this can be found in the article Creating a Production Configuration.
3. In the tab General [4], assign a Name to the Production Configuration and then switch to the tab Operations [3].
4. First, add the Operation Check-in Artwork and Normalize [5] to the Production Configuration. Select the desired Check-in Preflight and Fixup Template. In this example, the Template Workflow Default Preflight was used. No changes were made to the default operation settings.
5. Next, add the Operation Apply Fixup Chain [6] and move it to the specified position.
6. In the selection menu of Fixup Chain [8], select the desired Fixup Chain. In this example, the Fixup Chain contains four Fixups – Add Bleed, Add a Dieline to the ImageBox, Add Grommets/Drillholes and Add Edge Reinforcement.
7. Finally, add the Operation Create Production Job [7]  and assign an appropriate Name for the Production Job and a valid output template. The default settings for this Operation were retained.
8. Complete the process by saving the Production Configuration by clicking Save.

Figure 2: The dialog Add Production Configuration showing the Operations required for this example

9. Navigate to Automation > Batch Processing.
10. In the tab Execute Batch Processing [9], add the desired files from your local computer using Choose Files [10]. In this example, the file Banner.pdf is used.
11. Enter the required number of copies for each Print Item in Quantity [12].
12. Then select the previously created Configuration from the dropdown list of the Production Configuration [11].
13. Click Start [13] to begin the Batch Processing operation.

Figure 3: The settings area of the menu item Batch Processing

14. In the dialog Batch Processing that now opens, review the settings once more.
15. Click Start Batch Production [14] to begin the process.

Figure 4: The dialog Batch Processing for execution confirmation

16. After some time – processing duration may vary depending on the computer system and Workflow load – navigate to Automation > Automation Jobs.
17. The progress of each Automation Job can be monitored both in the tab Batch Processing History under Automation > Batch Processing, as well as via Automation > Automation Jobs.
18. The created Production Job will be displayed in the list of Production Jobs. The Print Item now contains a Dieline, and a Bleed has been added.

Figure 5: The corrected Print Item, opened in the Print Item Editor