Manually completing an imposition from raw JDF data

If a signature fails to be autogenerated, nothing is displayed in Workshop Job Manager. Business Link sends a notification e-mail according to your settings on the Administration Client Configuration tab. You must locate and open the raw JDF stripping file, and use it to manually complete the imposition. When Business Link sees that the resulting imposition matches the original JDF requirements, the job is successfully completed.

Manual completion must be enabled on the Configuration tab before a failure occurs. If it is not enabled, you can still use this procedure to create, resolve, and import a suitable imposition. However, the original MIS signature ID is not retained. Business Link adds a new JDF node for the new Preps signature ID, and Business Link marks the original node and MIS signature ID as aborted.

The following procedure assumes that manual completion is enabled. It describes how to resolve a signature to achieve a green Preps signature icon, which indicates that the original MIS signature ID was retained.
Note: Depending on the situation, you might use a different method to manually complete an imposition.

For example, you might use the Signature Selection dialog box to apply a template signature that is structurally different, such as to accommodate a change in page count. In the Signature List, a yellow icon will then indicate a new template reference. When you import the imposition into the job, Business Link creates a new JDF node for the new Preps signature ID and aborts the original node.

1. From within Workshop, start the full-access integrated Preps Pro Preps Pro 6.x or Preps 7.x software.
2. Select Setup > Load Profile, and select the same Preps profile and settings that the Prinergy Preps engine uses.
   Note: Be aware that starting full-access Preps from within Prinergy Workshop copies the PrepsPrinergy profile from the server to your client computer. If you switch profiles, Preps uses the local Profiles folder, which might contain profiles that are differently configured from those on the server.
3. Select File > Open Job, and locate and open the JDF stripping file from the job's \System\ImpositionPlans\Link subfolder.
   Tip: If a job contains multiple parts with impositions, you'll find multiple stripping files, each named according to its part type, typically cover or text. (Copies of successfully completed files are also moved into the job's System\ImpositionPlans\Preps folder.)
4. In Preps Press Run View, click the Resolve button.
5. From the Resolve Placeholder Signature dialog box that appears, write down the Signature Characteristics that are listed for the JDF Placeholder.
6. Click Cancel.
7. In the Preps Template Editor, create an imposition with characteristics that match the stripping requirements that you noted.
   For more information about creating templates and signatures, see the Preps user documentation.
8. Save and close the template that you created.
9. Print the imposition job to JDF output using the Press Sheet Size device, to any desired folder location.
10. Close the Preps software to automatically import any resolved signatures from the Preps imposition job into the Prinergy job.