This feature is available with PrimeCenter packages
Sorting orders files within a nest using metadata, making it easier to organize customer orders. Unlike Ganging, Sorting does not separate files into different nests: it prioritizes them within the same layout.
Accessing Sorting
PrimeCenter V4.3
- Open the Nesting settings.
- Before V4.3, locate the Sorting option. Starting from V4.3, go to Advanced settings, and locate Sort files in the nesting by.
Sorting options
Multi-level sorting
You can select one or several metadata to define the sorting order. Sorting is applied in the order they are selected, with each metadata acting as a level of priority.
For example, sorting by Customer ID and then Job ID will first group files by customer, and within each group, sort them by job.
For more information on extracting metadata from file names, and for a complete list of available metadata with their definitions, see Automating workflow with metadata.
Warning
Sorting has no effect if all files (or pages) share the same value for the selected metadata. For example, if all files have the same value "John" for Customer ID, sorting will not change the order. The selected metadata must vary across files (or pages).
Collate pages for multipage files
This option is only useful when processing multiple copies of a multipage file. It ensures that pages are grouped by copy (123 123 123) instead of by page (111 222 333). This helps maintain the correct order for easier assembly after printing.
Warning
Collate pages has no effect if you are processing only one copy of the multipage file.
| ❌ Disabled | ✅ Enabled |
| Pages are grouped by page 111 222 333. | Pages are grouped by copy 123 123 123. |
⚠️ Limitations & Recommendations
- Sorting may slightly degrade nesting quality compared to standard nesting.
- Image order is flexible: smaller images may be placed in gaps.
- Automatic mode limitations: Sorting works best with manual nesting. In automatic mode, import speed may affect the final order.
- Sorting is not recommended with roll media and images that have significant differences in size.
Tips & tricks
Increase the Delay from last file imported to allow more images to be included in a single nesting action.
Example: sorting by customer
A printing request includes:
| Customer | Image | Job name | Copies |
| JohnDoe | SMALL_Sticker_Bird_Orange.pdf | 200 | |
| SMALL_Sticker_Bird_Pink.pdf | 200 | ||
| SMALL_Sticker_Bird_Yellow.pdf | 200 | ||
| KarlDera | SMALL_Sticker_USB_Blue.pdf | 100 | |
| SMALL_Sticker_USB_Red.pdf | 100 |
✅ Result: Sorting by Customer ID ensures all JohnDoe jobs are grouped together, followed by all KarlDera jobs.
PrimeCenter V2.4