N_UP Partitions and Partition Arrangement

A key concept in N_UP printing is the partition. In both basic and enhanced N_UP, each sheet of paper is divided into equal-size areas called partitions. Pages are placed in these partitions in sequential order in basic N_UP. Pages are placed in relation to one or more of these partitions in enhanced N_UP. Knowing the partition arrangement is critical to designing applications using N_UP.

Note: If you are using basic N_UP printing with PSF set to DATACK=BLOCK, data must fall within the boundary of the partition. Any data placed outside the edge of the partition boundary is not printed, and no error message is generated. However, enhanced N_UP printing allows pages to overlap partitions. The only limits are that the pages must not extend beyond the boundaries of the physical sheet, and the pages must not exceed the total number of N_UP partitions specified for the sheet.

The number, size, and position of partitions are determined by three things:

The N_UP value (1, 2, 3, or 4)
The size and shape of the sheet of paper
The form definition presentation options, PRESENT and DIRECTION

When printing in duplex mode, the same number of partitions is also defined for the back of the sheet. For normal duplex, back partitions are placed as if the sheet were flipped around its right side or y-axis. For tumble duplex, they are placed as if the sheet were flipped around its top edge, or x-axis. See Figure N_UP 2 Partition Numbering, Front Sheet-Side and Figure N_UP 3 Partition Numbering, Front Sheet-Side for illustrations of duplex partitions.

The figures on the following pages show the partition arrangement that results from every combination of N_UP value, paper size, and presentation option. The hex values (X 00, X 01, X 04, X 05, X 02, X 03) indicate how the Medium Orientation Triplet (X'68') specifies the position and orientation of the medium presentation space on the physical medium.

Use these figures to determine how your N_UP application is formatted by the printer. In the figures, each equal-sized partition has a number indicating its default presentation sequence. The origin for each partition is in the same relative position as the origin point shown for the medium. This point serves as the top left corner for a page printed in the ACROSS (or 0°) printing direction.