3 Replies Latest reply: Jul 29, 2013 9:10 AM by bobhopfner RSS

    How do I control paper trays with a PDF

    bobhopfner Community Member
    bobhopfner Jul 28, 2013 6:52 PM

      Right now we have to use postscript to specify which page in a document gets pulled from which paper tray on our docutech/IGEN etc. We are able to specify the paper source through InDesign and a third party application but in order for the press to understand the command, we must submit the job as postscript rather than a PDF.

       

      How does one do this with a "modern" PDF workflow, embedding this information in the PDF itself via some means or is there some sort of external control I am missing? Does PDF/VT support this?

       

      thanks,

      Bob

        • 1. Re: How do I control paper trays with a PDF
          Dov Isaacs Employee Hosts
          Dov Isaacs Jul 28, 2013 7:02 PM (in response to bobhopfner)

          PDF was purposely designed such that job control is not placed within the PDF file itself. Such job control including support for which pages are printed on what paper, imposition parameters, finishing, etc. are placed in a job ticket, normally JDF, for PDF print workflows. Some manufacturers have their own job ticket format that specifies such device-dependent job parameters in lieu of JDF.

           

          In the case of Xerox's digital presses such as Docutech and iGen, you should contact Xerox if you are using their DFE (Digital Front End) or whoever is supplying the DFE if not Xerox for instructions on constructing such a job ticket.

           

          With regards to PDF/VT, this PDF subset standards is based on top of PDF/X-4. It does provide support for DPM (DPart Metadata) that can be used to label individual pages as to what type of page they are, such as a cover page, a text page, a post card, etc. This label is then used by JDF (or whatever job ticket mechanism your system uses if not JDF) to provide directions for how such pages should be handled (such as paper source, imposition, duplex/simplex, etc.)

           

                    -     Dov (Chair, ISO TC130 WG2/TF2 - PDF/X;

                                   Co-chair, ISO TC130 WG2/TF3 - PDF/VT)

          • 2. Re: How do I control paper trays with a PDF
            bobhopfner Community Member
            bobhopfner Jul 28, 2013 8:21 PM (in response to Dov Isaacs)

            Thanks Dov, I knew you'd set me straight.

            • 3. Re: How do I control paper trays with a PDF
              bobhopfner Community Member
              bobhopfner Jul 29, 2013 9:10 AM (in response to Dov Isaacs)

              Are there any caveats when applying this to a VDP created pdf? How can you specify which paper (tray) in InDesign?

               

              thanks,

              Bob