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Use the JDF tab in the Preferences dialog box to define how the software automates JDF-based jobs, and optionally save the settings in a custom profile.

In Mac OS: Select Preps > Preferences > JDF.

In Microsoft Windows: Select Edit > Preferences > JDF.

Signature Creation

Choose the automation method used to build the Press Runs List:

Match only

Always attempt to build the Press Runs List by matching the requirements to existing template signatures, and never automatically create press-run layouts. This is also known as auto signature matching (ASM).

Create only

Always build the Press Runs List by autocreating the layouts; ignore any templates that are in the Templates folder. This is also known as auto signature creation (ASC).

Match then create

Always build the Press Runs List by first mtaching the requirements to existing template signatures (ASC), and create a press-run layout only when unable to find a match (ASC).

Matching Criteria

Choose the characteristics that will be used as criteria for matching the source JDF values to the automatically selected or generated template signatures: 

Check sheet size

Matches only to template signatures that use the same press sheet size (stock) as specified in the source JDF

Check work style

Matches only to template signatures that use the same work style as specified in the source JDF

Match finishing properties to fold pattern templates

If the source JDF specifies finishing property values such as trims, matches only to a template signature that uses a fold pattern, and ignores any gutter-based impositions

Check head and foot trim

Available only if Match finishing properties to fold pattern templates is selected. Matches only to a template signature that uses the same head and foot trim values as specified in the source JDF. 

Check fold pattern

Matches only to a template signature that uses the same fold pattern as specified in the source JDF

Check fold orientation

Available only if Check fold orientation is selected. Matches only to a template signature that uses the same fold pattern with the same rotate and flip coordinates as specified in the source JDF. The bindery uses this information to transform the production signature as it comes off the press to its final product orientation.

Match Tolerance

Decrease this tolerance to a stricter level for more precise matching, or increase it to a more lenient level to increase the likelihood of successful matching.

Signature Creation Marks

Add SmartMarks based on mark rules

Select this check box when you are ready to activate your mark rules.

Add JDF error marks

Clear this check box to suppress error messages in text marks, which can appear when the JDF geometry specifications include incomplete or inconsistent information. If this check box is selected, you can manually delete the error marks.

Error Mark Tolerance

If Add JDF error marks is selected, set the tolerance level to "allow" before adding the error mark.

JDF Input

Use bleed values in JDF

The bleed values defined in the JDF will be honored when the JDF is imported into Preps.

Remove all marks

When referencing or matching an existing Preps template in your MIS JDF, you can select this option to remove all marks on the existing template and replace them with SmartMarks based on marks rules.

JDF Output

Format the output based on this specification

• JDF version 1.2 (software default)
• JDF version 1.3
• JDF version 1.4

Use relative paths for marks

If selected, formats the URL for the location of the marks as a path that is relative to the location of the JDF output file. 

Use relative paths for input files

If selected, formats the URL for the location of the content input files as a path that is relative to the current location of the JDF file.