The Next-Gen Imposition Editor is a powerful self-serve tool designed to empower GelatoConnect customers to create and manage their own imposition templates. This initiative is part of Gelato's ongoing mission to streamline and automate production workflows across the print industry.
The unique feature of this tool is the live preview capability, allowing you to see your imposition changes in real-time as you make adjustments. This immediate visual feedback makes template creation more efficient and accurate.
Key Benefits
Self-service capability: Create and manage templates without dependency on Gelato support
Live preview: See changes instantly as you edit your templates
Flexibility: Design templates for any press or post-press machines
Efficiency: Streamline your production workflows with optimized templates
Accessing the Imposition Editor
You can access the Imposition Editor directly through Gelato Connect. Upon entering the "imposition templates" page, you'll see a curated list of templates for commonly used products.
This list includes default Gelato templates tailored to specific product types:
Flat products
Photo books
Calendars
Folded brochures
These pre-configured templates enable you to quickly begin working without having to start from scratch, saving valuable setup time.
Getting Started with Templates
Using Default Templates
The default templates provided by Gelato are optimized for standard requirements. With only minor modifications, you can adapt these templates to meet the specific needs of your production lines.
Each default template comes with:
A ready-to-use info page
Pre-configured batch sheet with basic information
Standard layouts for common product types
The default templates can be found under "Configuration > Imposition Templates".
Template Customization Options
From the templates list, you have multiple options to begin your own versions:
Option 1: Duplicate an Existing Template
This is the recommended approach for most situations. When you duplicate a template:
Navigate to the template list
Find the template closest to your needs
Click the "Copy" button
The system creates a duplicate that you can modify without affecting the original
Option 2: Create a New Template
To create a completely new template:
Click the "Create Template" button
You'll be presented with two options:
Start from Scratch: Ideal for creating a job ticket that doesn't require an input file
Use an Input Document (PDF): Suitable when the template should be based on an existing input file
The "Use an Input Document" option will be your most common choice, as it allows you to define how the imposition should look for a given design file from your customers.
Template Configuration Basics
When you create a new template using an input file, you'll enter the Imposition Editor interface. Here, you'll find three primary sections on the left panel:
1. Template Configuration
This section allows you to configure basic settings such as:
Template name
Description
Template type
Testing parameters (quantity or additional jobs)
Best practices:
Name templates clearly so any user can search or select the right template later
Add detailed descriptions to differentiate similar templates (e.g., "Photobook with setup pages" vs. "Photobook without setup pages")
2. Jobs Configuration
The Jobs section allows you to mimic real-world scenarios by:
Specifying input file URLs that represent customer designs
Setting quantities for different print jobs
Adding multiple print jobs to test complex impositions
For example, if you have 3 print jobs on a plate with quantities of 5, 10, and 15, you can reproduce this exact scenario in your template testing.
3. Variables
The Variables section (which we'll explore in greater detail in a later article) allows you to define dynamic elements in your template.
Want to learn more?
Now that you understand the basics of accessing and setting up templates in the Imposition Editor, you're ready to dive deeper into creating and customizing templates. In our next article, [Imposition Engine - GCW] Creating and Customizing Imposition Templates, we'll explore how to work with steps, pages, and layout elements to build powerful impositions for your specific needs.
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