Printer Tool

The Printer tool is the final stage in a PrintFactory workflow. It connects your automated job sequence to the actual printing device or RIP, ensuring color accuracy, correct media setup, and consistent output. The tool applies the selected printer, PMM (Printer Media Mode), and Variant configuration to produce predictable and calibrated results every time.

When to Use It

• As the final step after Layout, Preflight, and color management stages.
• When sending completed, print-ready jobs to a printer or hot folder.
• When ensuring ICC-managed color accuracy and device calibration consistency.

Setup Dialog

The Printer Setup dialog defines which device and media mode are used for output. The interface consists of the Setup and Driver tabs.

Printer

Selects the printer that will receive the job. The list is automatically populated from devices registered in PrintFactory Cloud or the local Printer Manager. Once a printer is selected, its available PMMs (Printer Media Modes) and Variants become available for selection.

PMM (Printer Media Mode)

The PMM defines the color-calibrated combination of printer, media, ink, and printing mode. Choosing the correct PMM ensures that colors are printed accurately, with ink limits and linearization applied for the selected substrate. Each PMM is created and maintained in PrintFactory’s calibration and profiling tools.

Variant

Variants represent specific print conditions within a PMM. For more details on how variants are created and managed, see Profiling Variants for MX and VISU.

Reference

The Reference defines the color target or standard that PrintFactory uses for color management (for example, ISO Coated, GRACoL, or FOGRA profiles). This ensures the color space of the input file is correctly transformed to match the printer’s color gamut defined by the PMM.

Variables Tab

All fields in the Printer tool can be assigned workflow variables. This enables automatic configuration — for example, selecting the printer, PMM, or output path based on job metadata, customer name, or media type.

Driver Tab

The Driver tab displays device-specific parameters defined by the selected printer’s driver. These options determine how PrintFactory writes the job data to the printer or its output folder. The available fields depend on the driver configuration and include device-specific parameters such as media feed, cutter, or finishing settings (where supported).

Most users will not need to modify these parameters, as they are set up by system administrators or when the printer driver is first configured. Use this tab only when you need to adjust file output behavior for a specific device.

How It Works

1. The Printer tool retrieves available printers and PMMs from PrintFactory Cloud or the local Printer Manager.
2. When you select a printer, its PMMs and Variants are automatically loaded into the dialog.
3. A color-managed print file is generated using the chosen PMM and Reference profile.
4. The file is passed to the printer driver.
5. PrintFactory Cloud tracks job details such as ink usage, media consumption, and print status.

Tips & Best Practices

• Always verify that the selected PMM matches the loaded printer media and ink configuration.
• Keep PMMs synchronized across printers and sites via PrintFactory Cloud for consistent color.
• Use workflow variables for automated printer and PMM selection based on job criteria.
• Change Driver tab parameters only if you understand the device’s output workflow.
• Consult the article Profiling Variants for MX and VISU for best practices when managing variants.

Summary

The Printer tool forms the final link between workflow automation and print production. It ensures that each job is sent to the correct device using calibrated color profiles, media modes, and variant settings. Proper configuration guarantees accurate, efficient, and repeatable output for every print.