Preflight - Document Component

Preflight - Document Component

Preflight Tool

The Preflight tool automatically checks your document for production‑critical issues before printing. It compares each file against a selected Preflight Profile—created in Editor → Preferences → Errors and synchronized to your Cloud Hub—and can optionally fix defects that are safe to correct automatically.

Overview

  1. Loads the chosen Preflight Profile.
  2. Analyzes every page/image against the profile’s checks (resolution, color, overprints, fonts, layers, cut contours, etc.).
  3. If enabled, Fix defects applies safe, automatic corrections.
  4. Writes detailed results to the job log and routes via OK, Fixed, or Fail.

Opening the Tool

  1. Open Workflow Editor.
  2. Add or select the Preflight step.
  3. Click Configure to open the setup dialog.

Setup Dialog (Static tab)

  • Profile — Select a Preflight Profile (synced from the Editor). The list shows all profiles available to your organization.
  • Fix defects if possible — Enable to auto‑correct fixable problems detected by the profile.

Variable tab

Use variables to switch profiles or flags dynamically per job. Type “{” to insert keys.

  • Profile Id — GUID of the Preflight Profile to use.
  • Fix defect — True/False to enable or disable auto‑fixing.

What a Preflight Profile checks

Profiles are authored in Editor → Preferences → Preflight. Typical checks include:

  • Resolution: low image resolution; text size too small
  • Color: RGB/CMYK/Gray without profiles; spot color objects; missing output intent (no PDF/X reference profile)
  • Overprint: white objects set to knock‑out; overprints & blend; spot blends
  • Cutting: open/intersecting/duplicate cut contours
  • Layers: layers not printable; layers hidden
  • Misc: fonts not embedded; multi‑page document

How it works

  1. Profile load — the selected profile’s GUID and rule set are validated.
  2. Scan — each document is checked against the rule set; findings are collected per page.
  3. Auto‑fix (optional) — where safe, corrections are applied and recorded as Fixed.
  4. Routing — results determine the connector used: OK (no defects), Fixed (corrected), or Fail (unfixable).
  5. Logging — a Preflight journal entry lists checks performed and any defects or fixes.

Using Preflight in workflows

  1. Create/maintain your profiles in Editor → Preferences → Preflight (they sync to Cloud Hub).
  2. Add the Preflight step and choose a Profile.
  3. Optionally enable Fix defects.
  4. Route Fail to an operator queue for review; route Fixed back into automation.

Tips & best practices

  • Maintain separate profiles for Proofing and Production.
  • Use the Variable tab to switch profiles by customer, printer, or media.
  • Review failed preflight logs periodically and refine your profiles to reduce recurring issues.
  • Enable auto‑fix only for corrections you’ve validated visually in your environment.

Summary

The Preflight tool enforces your print standards early in the workflow. With profiles synced from the Editor and optional auto‑fixing, it ensures only compliant, press‑ready files move downstream—and gives you clear pass/fail/fixed routing for efficient handling.