This FAQ is designed to guide users through the features of the GelatoConnect Imposition Editor, explaining key terms, workflows, and UI behavior.

FAQ

Q1: How do I get started with building a new imposition?

Answer:
You almost never start from scratch. Gelato provides standard templates for common products such as:

Gelato Calendar Saddle Stitch
Gelato Calendar Soft Book Cover
Gelato Soft Book Inner
Gelato Flat Product

To begin:

Navigate to the Imposition Templates screen.
Click the three-dot menu (⋯) on the desired template.
Choose “Duplicate” or “Copy.”

From here, you can begin modifying as needed for your use case. Only create a new template if there is a highly custom requirement.

Q2: Where do I enter the height and width of the plate or sheet?

Answer:
These values are available under Variables in the Imposition Configuration. You can define:

Sheet Height
Sheet Width

This allows for dynamic substitution in the workflow builder.

Q3: How do I test a configuration?

Answer:
To test:

Open the Imposition Configuration.
Enter a PDF or design URL.
Specify quantity and the number of print jobs.

This simulates how the template would behave in a real environment.

Q4: What are “steps” and how do they work?

Answer:
Steps are the building blocks of an imposition template. They represent actions like adding pages, merging jobs, placing barcodes, etc.

Hover over a step to see its purpose.
Most titles and elements include tooltips for added clarity.
You can rename steps to reflect specific actions, e.g., “Add Barcode to Last Page.”

Each step, when selected, displays its configuration panel and contributes to the final layout.

Q5: How do I edit a page or add elements like barcodes and images?

Answer:
To add visual or data-driven components:

Use the “Edit Page” step.
On the left panel, select the type of element (e.g., barcode, image, text).
On the right panel, configure the properties such as:
- Size (width/height)
- Margin / Padding
- Color
- Value / Data Source

Each element behaves dynamically depending on its type.

Q6: How do I design a layout or info/setup page?

Answer:
To design an info page, batch sheet, or setup sheet:

Use elements such as:
- Text
- Horizontal Layout (HBox) – arranges items left to right.
- Vertical Layout (VBox) – arranges items top to bottom.
Control formatting using:
- Alignment
- Margins
- Padding

This lets you build clean, structured pages suited for operators or print prep teams.

Q7: How do I use variables for data like quantity or substrate type?

Answer:
The imposition editor itself is static, but it supports placeholders via variables, which get populated during actual print workflows.

To use them:

Create variables (e.g., product_size, quantity, substrate) in the editor.
Use these in text fields or barcodes.
Later, in the Workflow Builder, you’ll bind actual values to these variables.

Just make sure:

Variable names are unique.
Values in the editor are mock/test values for layout visualization.

Q8: How do I add trim marks or registration marks?

Answer:
Use dedicated steps like “Add Cut Lines” or “Add Registration Marks.”

You can configure:

Type of mark (e.g., short-side flip or long-side flip indicators)
Position (e.g., top-left, bottom-right)

These help operators orient and cut sheets correctly.

Q9: What is “Dev Mode” and should I use it?

Answer:
Dev Mode is a JSON-based editor view intended for advanced users. It allows:

Direct editing of layout definitions via JSON
Bypassing the UI for power users

⚠️ Not recommended for regular users. Use the visual UI unless you have specific requirements.

Q10: How do I manage multiple print jobs in a single layout?

Answer:
By default, the editor operates on one print job at a time. However, you can add external content to the plate like:

Info Pages
Setup Sheets
Batch Summary Sheets

To do this:

Use “Add Page” for each new section.
For double-sided printing, always add a blank back page for every new front page.

This ensures correct pagination and sheet alignment in two-sided workflows.

Q11: How do create a job ticket without any input file or pdf_url?

You can use the step “create input from jobs” where you don’t need to use the input file or provide any URL in the job variable. This way you start your job ticket imposition with a blank page and you can mention the width and height of the page in the same step.

Q12: How can I add batch sheet (top sheet) in the editor?

You can easily add batch sheet by either add new page (“Insert Page” step) or using Gelato template by importing the ready-to-use batch template by clicking on “Add Step” option and then selecting “Import from existing template” button where you can search for the available templates under the “Gelato” tab.

Please note that if you add a page and update the batch sheet from scratch then you must include another page (back of the batch sheet) to support duplex (double side) printing. This is not required if you are working with simplex or single side printing. In case of imported template the system by default assumes duplex printing.

Q13: How can change the template to support only one side printing (simplex mode)?

By default the template uses “duplex” mode of printing which means both the sides of the sheets are printed. However if you want to only print one of the sides and don’t want any artwork or ink on the back of the sheet then you can use the Print mode setting “simplex” mode under “cut&stack” imposition.

Please note that you would still have to manually delete any pages that you have might added like back of batch sheet or back of info page.

Glossary

Section/Action	Current Name	Suggested Name	Suggested Description
Add Step	Add cut marks to the pages	Add Trim Marks	Apply industry-standard trim marks to define cutting boundaries for finished pieces
Add Step	Add a page to the layout	Insert Page	Add new pages at specified positions with precise control over placement and pagination
Add Step	Add register marks to the pages	Add Registration Marks	Apply color registration marks, color bars, and print control elements per industry standards
Add Step	AdjustPageMargins	Adjust Page Margins	Modify page margins with precision control for trim, and safety areas
Add Step	Define the pages for the layout	Define Page Specifications	Set precise page dimensions, orientation, and content areas for production
Add Step	Impose the pages directly	Direct Imposition	Create immediate imposition layouts from product specifications without preprocessing
Add Step	Duplicate the job pages by amount	Duplicate Pages	Replicate pages with specified quantities for multi-up printing and step-and-repeat layouts
Add Step	Edit the page	Add/Edit Elements on the page	Modify existing pages by adding or adjusting content elements, marks, and metadata
Add Step	ImportPagesFromCollection	Import From Collection	Import pre-defined page layouts from your saved collection of templates
Add Step	ImposeCustom	Custom Imposition	Create advanced imposition layouts with precise coordinate positioning for specialized production
Add Step	Impose the cut and stack	Cut & Stack Imposition	Apply cut and stack imposition method for efficient high-volume production workflows
Add Step	ImposeNUp	N-Up Imposition	Create multiple-up layouts with optimized page arrangement for efficient press utilization
Add Step	Merge the grouped pages	Merge Page Groups	Consolidate multiple page groups into a single unified group for streamlined processing
Add Step	MergePages	Merge Selected Pages	Combine specific pages from different groups with precise control over positioning and spacing
Add Step	RawCutMarks	Add Dashed Cut Lines	Apply customizable dashed cut marks around content boundaries and between content blocks
Add Step	RearrangePages	Booklet Imposition	Rearrange pages in reader spreads for signature-based booklet production
Add Step	ReplaceWithBlankPages	Insert Blank Pages	Replace selected pages with blank pages of specified dimensions and properties
Add Step	SelectPages	Select Page Range	Define specific page selections using advanced range notation and mathematical expressions
Add Step	Transform the pages	Transform Pages	Apply rotation, scaling, and positioning transformations to optimize page layout
Add Step	ImportJobs	Import Production Jobs	Import external job specifications and PDF assets into the current workflow
Add Element	Layout	Page Layout	Container for arranging and organizing page elements. Acts as the root canvas structure.
Add Element	Barcode Elements Barcode DataMatrix QR Code	Supports various barcodes including data matrix and QR code	Barcode supports multiple codes including code128 (default), Ean, Upce, Isbn etc Data matrix Supports all standard values , default is 8x18 QR code can be added separately or can be selected as one of the code from Barcode element.
Add Element	Horizontal Stack	Horizontal Stack	Arranges child elements side-by-side in a horizontal line.
Add Element	Vertical Stack	Vertical Stack	Arranges child elements top-to-bottom in a vertical column.
Add Element	Shapes Circle Rectangle Line	Support various shapes like circle, rectangle and line elements	Circle shape uses radius input to draw circle of particular size, users can use absolute position to specify the X and Y co-ordinates of the center of circle. Rectangle shape creates a default rectangle and you can specify the width and height along with other attributes like colours, thickness etc Line element draws a line between two points (X and Y coordinates) with customizable length, orientation, and thickness.
Add Element	CmykFrame	CMYK Frame	Displays a CMYK reference frame for print calibration and visual checks. User can define the position, thickness, width and height etc.
Add Element	Grid	Alignment Grid	Shows a non-printing grid overlay to assist with element alignment.
Add Element	Image	Image Element	Embeds an image from a file or URL (e.g. logos, product visuals).
Add Element	MatchingIcon	Matching Marker	Visual icon used to assist with post-processing alignment (e.g. foiling or cutting).
Add Element	PagePreview	Page Thumbnail	Renders a miniature preview of a page for navigation or visual reference.
Add Element	RegisterMark	Register Mark Auto (Default) Manual	Adds print registration marks to align plates and ensure color precision. If you select auto then system will use the flip direction (short edge [Vertical] vs long edge[Horizontal]) to add register marks appropriately. In case you want to have custom marks then you can select manual.
Add Element	Text	Text Box	Adds editable text content with support for fonts, styles, and alignment.