The full automatic workflow is available with PrimeCenter package   

The semi-automatic workflow is available from PrimeCenter package   

With PrimeCenter software, you can set up an automatic workflow by:

	retrieving image files from defined folders automatically,
	applying recipes automatically with nesting, cut marks, bleed and other options depending on your needs,
	generating print files and cut files automatically.

PrimeCenter can be part of a workflow with upstream applications like an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or a Webshop, and a RIP software as downstream software.

This article is an application case that will show you the steps to follow to configure your software using one input folder per recipe and metadata extraction from file names. We will not go into detail in the configuration of the different modules by leaving some parameters by default, to focus on the steps directly related to the automation process. To get further information about each module, please refer to the Software modules section.

Prerequisites

Before starting this application case, be sure you are familiar with metadata extraction and hotfolder concepts. Check our dedicated articles:

• How to extract metadata from a job file name
• How to set up an input folder

Objectives

At the end of this application case, you will:

	Know how to automatically retrieve jobs from several entry points
	Understand how to retrieve the information of the orders with metadata extraction
	Know how to generate print files and cut files automatically

Context of the application case

We are in the case of a workflow with a Webshop, PrimeCenter and a RIP.

The webshop sends jobs to be processed in folders that are already sorted by recipe. The information of the orders is directly written in the file names.

We received 5 jobs from 2 different clients: Karl Dera and John Doe.

One wants to make double-sided printed stickers, the other one wants to make Point-Of-Sale displays (POS).

These jobs will be processed by PrimeCenter in 2 different recipes: one recipe for stickers and another one for point-of-sale displays.

We want to nest these jobs and add cut marks. We want to generate print files and cut files sorted by clients.

An error has slipped into one of the jobs, we want this file to be set aside to be repaired later.

Preparation outside of PrimeCenter

Download jobs to be processed

To perform this example with your proper software, please download the following ZIP file:

• Useful files for the application case.zip

Unzip the file, it contains 5 images. File names are ready for metadata extraction, no need to change them.

Choose/create specific folders

• Choose a folder that will be the input folder for sticker files. Put only the provided images, named with "sticker", in it. We will name it "Stickers".
• Choose a folder that will be the input folder for point-of-sale display files. Put only the provided images, named with "POS", in it. We will name it "POS".
• Choose a folder where you want to generate the print files. We will name it "Ready_to_print".
• Choose a folder where you want to generate the cut files. We will name it "Ready_to_cut".
• Choose a folder where the processed jobs will be moved if the recipe process was successful. We will name it "Success".
• Choose a folder where the processed jobs will be moved if the recipe process was a failure. We will name it "Fail".

You can now open PrimeCenter.

General settings

Cutters

In the Settings menu, go to the Cutters tab to choose/create a PDF cutter. In the Output hotfolder field, select the folder you have chosen, named "Ready_to_cut".

For more information on this Cutters tab, please refer to this article.

Recipe 1 configuration: stickers

Create a new recipe named "Stickers".

For more information on recipes, please refer to this article.

Input module

1. In the Input folder field, select the folder you have chosen, named "Stickers".

2. For File action when success, select Move to, and choose the folder named "Success".

3. For File action when failed, select Move to, and choose the folder named "Fail".

4. The Extract properties from file name field allows to retrieve information linked to the job like the number of copies, the name of the customer, etc... Images used for our application case have the same naming convention:

jobID-orderID-customerID-jobName-copies.format

Thus, write the following template in the Extract properties from file name field:

jobID-orderID-customerID-jobName-copies.anyText

For more information on metadata extraction, please refer to this article.

Double-sided printing module

1. Enable Double-sided printing.

2. As our input files are simple-page PDFs without backside B, we enable Mirror images.

For more information on Double-sided printing module, please refer to this article.

Nesting module

Select "Customer ID" as Ganging parameter to sort the layouts by client.

For more information on the Nesting, please refer to:

• How to set up nesting
• How to gang

Cutter options module

1. Select the PDF cutter that you have created/chosen in the general settings, configured with the right output folder named "Ready_to_cut".

2. Enable Add edge cut marks.

For more information on Cutter options, please refer to this article.

Print file options module

1. Select the Output folder where print files will be generated, the folder named "Ready_to_print".

For automatic print file generation

Enable Automatic Print file export.

For more information on Print file options, please refer to this article.

Cut file options module

Enable Automatic cut file export.

For more information on Cut file options, please refer to this article.

Recipe 2 configuration: POS

Duplicate the "Stickers" recipe to retrieve the same settings and rename it "POS".

Input module

Replace the Input folder with the one dedicated to point-of-sale displays, named "POS".

Double-sided printing module

Disable Double-sided printing, we don't need it for the jobs processed by this recipe.

Run the recipes

The recipes are now ready to process the jobs. 

For our case study, we have kept the recipes simple to give you an overview of the automation process. In reality, the recipe parameters vary by setting the media, the format, adding check/fix, automatic file naming and so on...

Run the 2 recipes by clicking .

Results

Beware, you will see an error message about cut contours, but this is part of the application case. A cut contour has been intentionally opened to show the behavior of File action when success/failed.

	Recipes retrieve jobs in their appropriate folder.
	They are processed with the right number of copies specified in the job names.
	Layouts are generated, sorted by customer ID.
	Success jobs are placed in the "Success" folder.
	Failed jobs are placed in the "Fail" folder. In our case, the one with the opened cut contour.
	Print files are automatically generated in the "Ready_to_print" folder.
	Cut files are automatically generated in the "Ready_to_cut" folder.

With a Pro package, for each recipe, click on Print & Cut to generate print files and cut files in their defined folders.