Fotoba Marks Tool

The Fotoba Marks tool adds Fotoba registration marks and barcodes to printed jobs. These marks are read by Fotoba cutters to automatically align, trim, and finish media without manual setup. It supports the Fotoba V2 barcode system used on the latest Fotoba XLD and XLA series cutters.

Overview

Use the Fotoba Marks tool when your job will be trimmed on a Fotoba automatic cutter. The tool prints registration marks and a machine-readable barcode to ensure every cut line is positioned precisely and automatically recognized by the device. You can select your preferred marker design, alignment, and black density to suit your workflow and media.

Before You Start

• Ensure your Fotoba cutter supports the Fotoba V2 barcode system.
• Confirm that your marker definitions are uploaded to your Cloud Hub → Resources → FotobaMarks area. These define the layout, barcode style, and alignment marks for your workflow.
• Refer to the official Fotoba V2 overview article for setup guidance.

Opening the Tool

1. Open the Workflow Editor in PrintFactory.
2. Add or select the Fotoba Marks step.
3. Click Configure to open the Fotoba Marks setup dialog.

Fotoba Marks Setup Dialog

The setup dialog lets you select the marker definition and control how it’s printed on the job.

• Marker — Choose a Fotoba marker from the drop‑down list. These definitions come from your Cloud Hub resources and contain barcode and mark layouts for specific Fotoba cutter models.
• Align — Sets the horizontal alignment of the marks on the page: Left, Center, or Right. Choose the alignment that matches your printer and cutter configuration.
• Marker Black — Controls how the black in the marks is printed:
  • Black Only — 100% K ink only.
  • Weak — 50% K ink (lighter barcode for thinner materials).
  • Rich — 100% CMYK (strong, dense black for reliable scanning).
• Media Size — Select the media width or size you are printing on. This helps ensure the barcode and alignment marks are positioned correctly on the sheet or roll.
• OK — Save your settings and close the dialog.
• Cancel — Close without saving changes.

How It Works

When the workflow runs, the Fotoba Marks step prints the selected registration pattern and barcode along the edges of the job. The barcode encodes job and alignment information that the Fotoba cutter reads automatically to determine cut length and position. The marks guarantee that each sheet or frame is trimmed accurately, even when printed rolls are spliced or contain multiple jobs.

Using Fotoba Marks in Workflows

1. Add the Fotoba Marks step after layout or tiling, and before color management or output.
2. Click Configure and select your desired Marker.
3. Set the Align position that matches your cutter’s input orientation.
4. Choose the Marker Black setting appropriate for your media and printer.
5. Select the correct Media Size.
6. Click OK and run the workflow to produce output with Fotoba marks and barcodes.

Tips & Best Practices

• Match the Marker type to your Fotoba model (e.g., XLD‑170, XLA‑320). Custom markers can be uploaded to Cloud Hub if required.
• Use Rich Black for dark or glossy materials to ensure barcodes scan correctly.
• Align marks consistently with your printer’s origin — use Left alignment for right‑feed printers.
• Preview the output to verify barcode placement before production.
• Watch the short training video Fotoba Barcode Setup for a visual walkthrough.

Summary

The Fotoba Marks tool adds precise registration marks and barcodes for automated cutting on Fotoba devices. By selecting the right marker definition and alignment, you ensure accurate trimming, minimal waste, and a seamless link between PrintFactory and your Fotoba cutter.