JDF

When the batching method is JDF, the hot folder or SFTP input device submits one or more files as a group, based on the contents of the job ticket.

The hot folder or SFTP input device looks for a job ticket containing a list of all the files that make up the job. When the hot folder or SFTP input device finds a job ticket, it reads the ticket and looks for all the files; as soon as it finds all the files, it submits them as a single job. The files print in the order specified in the job ticket.

The file name of the job ticket must match the pattern specified in the JDF patterns property. The default pattern matches files that have the extension .jdf.

The list of files in the job ticket might look like this:

myfile1.pdf
myfile2.pdf
myfile3.pdf
another.pdf

The job ticket might also contain information that is used to set job properties.

When you use the JDF batching method, set these input device properties as indicated:

  • Workflow: ParentNoPrint
  • Child workflow: The workflow that is appropriate for the print files in the job.
  • Submit step: SubmitInputFiles
  • Create .zip file: If this property is set to Yes, all input files that match the value set in the Data patterns property are combined as a ZIP file and submitted as a single job. If this value is set to No, all input files are submitted as child jobs. If the job ticket specifies different settings for different input files and the Create .zip file property is set to Yes, the settings for the first input file name in the job ticket are used for all input files.
  • JDF patterns: A pattern that matches some part of the file name of your job tickets.

    For all input devices except HotFolderJDF the default value is null. For HotFolderJDF this value is the regular expression .*\jdf$.

  • Data patterns: A pattern that matches some part of the file name of your print files. For hot folder or SFTP input devices, the default value is the regular expression: .*$. That pattern matches all file names.

Parent topic: Batching methods