To set the workflow properties of a PrintFactory Queue
Proceed as follows:
- Double-click the PrintFactory Queue of your choice.
- Make sure that the correct Queue type is selected.
- Click the Workflow tab.
- Set the workflow properties of the PrintFactory Queue:
- Input
- Job name recognition (1-bit proofing queues only)
- Export
Input
1. Enter a unique, descriptive name for the queue in the Queue Name box.
By default, PrintFactory names the queue as follows: queue type + number, for example “Color Proofing 1”. You may wish to rename this queue, so that the name reflects the printer make and model, and printing media, as in Epson7600_SemiMatte. Observe the following when (re)naming PrintFactory Queues:
- The first character of the name must be a letter of the alphabet.
- Use underscore characters (_), not spaces, to separate the elements of a compound name.
- Use only characters which are allowed in file names by your operating system. For example, do not use a backslash (\) in Microsoft Windows or a colon (:) in the Mac OS.
2. If you want to share the PrintFactory Queue across the network, make sure that the option Register as a printer is selected.
If you configure a 1-bit proofing queue, click to clear the Register as a printer check box. Otherwise, people may try to print 1-bit TIFF files by mistake before PrintFactory processes them.
PrintFactory actually prints composite reproductions of 1-bit TIFF files on inkjet printers. The composite reproduction printed for each job integrates the set of 1-bit TIFF files placed in the input hot folder of the queue for processing.
3. Click the Browse button in the Input area and specify the input hot folder.
Every PrintFactory Queue has a hot folder for processing input. Any file which arrives in this hot folder will automatically be processed by the queue, provided that the file format is supported.
By default, the input hot folder:
- Has the same name as the queue
- Is a subfolder of PrintFactory/Hot Folders/
For Mac and Windows XP this folder is located in the PrintFactory installation folder, for Windows Vista and Windows 7 either in the individual user’s folder or in the public folder.
If necessary, you can change the name or path (location) of the input hot folder. This does not have any effect on the name of the PrintFactory Queue. An input hot folder:
- Need not be a subfolder of PrintFactory/Hot Folders/
- Can be located on a server volume mounted before PrintFactory RIP starts
Aurelon recommends setting up queue-specific hot folders for processing input files generated by workflows.
4. If you do not want PrintFactory to monitor subfolders of the main hot folder for incoming files, check No subfolder scan.
PrintFactory should not monitor subfolders if a workflow (for example, Screen TrueFlow) outputs files to temporary folders in the process of producing input files in the main hot folder.
5. In the Timeout box, specify the number of seconds that PrintFactory should allow for ensuring that copying of individual files to the input hot folder is complete.
For 1-bit jobs, PrintFactory uses the timeout period to determine whether each of the files needed for processing the jobs is completely written to the hot folder. The queue can process files as the conditions are met.
Files in the hot folder are checked every three seconds while the specified timeout period is elapsing. The timeout period defines the total number of seconds allowed for each file to comply with all of the following conditions during a periodic check:
- The file has increased in size.
- The file can be overwritten (is not write-protected).
- The file is stable (readable).
PrintFactory assumes that multiple files belong to the same job if:
- The file names are identical except for embedded color (plate) indicators (C, M, Y, K)
- The files appear in the hot folder during the same timeout period.
The composite reproduction includes all files that meet these criteria.
Job name recognition (1-bit proofing queues only)
In the Job name recognition area, you define conventions for identifying the 1-bit files which a RIP outputs to the hot folder.
File name structure: definition
A file name structure is a user-defined sequence that can include:
- Constants
- Variables
- Separating characters
A file name structure does not include an extension (such as “.tif”). The structure is the same for all of the multiple files that belong to a 1-bit job.
The embedded color indicators that vary with the files and offset plates include:
- Cyan or C
- Magenta or M
- Yellow or Y
- Black or K
The file name structure must contain the color indicator, but need not include any other elements. The number of expected files or colors can be preset in terms of the number of offset plates.
PrintFactory uses the matching condition set up for the queue to ensure identification of the color indicator embedded in the file name structure. The color indicator must occur at the same location in the name of each of the incoming files for a job. The placement of the %c variable defines this location in relation to the other elements of the file name structure.
To configure job name recognition
1. Enter the file name structure.
You can combine constants, separating characters, and the following variables in any order:
| Variable | Description |
| %c | Color-specific indicator whose value is different for each file and corresponding plate. |
| %j | Fixed job name. |
| %n | Number. |
| %p | Page number. |
| %x* | Fixed number (x) of sequential, nonspecific characters in the file name that PrintFactory ignores when parsing the name of an incoming file. |
Valid separating characters depend on the imagesetter RIP that generates the 1-bit files. PrintFactory can recognize these characters:
- Space (“ ”)
- Underscore (“_”)
- Period (“.”)
- Left and right parentheses (“()”)
- Left and right curly brackets (“{}”)
For example:
Select the matching condition that is compatible with the file name structure. Options include:
| Condition | Description |
| In between | Expects a color indicators within each file name, in between the character selected from the list. |
| As extension | Expects a color indicator as the extension of each file name. |
| As file name | Expects a color indicator for each file name. |
| As part from name | Expects a color indicator within the section of the file name delimited by the first and last characters selected from the list. |
| Custom name | User-defined. |
3. Enter the number of offset plates (files) submitted for recognizable jobs, in the Number of plates box.
Use this option when the number of plates is constant, as in newspaper printing, which always requires four separations because spot colors are never used. Do not select this option for queues whose jobs’ plates and separations vary in number.
Export
- If necessary, click the Browse button ( ) in the Export area and specify the output hot folder.
PrintFactory Queues do not have export folders by default. Queues for which you do not set up export folders, do not export files for processed jobs.
Multiple PrintFactory Queues can share an export folder. Aurelon recommends setting up queue-specific export folders for generating files for the next application in a workflow, that is, when PrintFactory export folders function as input hot folders of other applications. - Select the export file format: Original, PS or PDF.
1-Bit proofing queues can only export the original file format.