PreparePDFOutputForFinishing

A step based on the PreparePDFOutputForFinishing step template lets you select page layout options for the job in preparation for post-processing, such as finishing. For example, if you are printing a continuous forms job that is placed onto a roll as it exits the printer, you can use this step to change the print direction and page order so that the paper is oriented correctly when it enters the finishing equipment. You can also prepare your printer output for 1-up or 2-up printing as required by finishing equipment such as a cutter or folder.

These examples show some possible settings, followed by their results. In the diagrams, the larger number represents the page number of the front sheet; the smaller number represents the page number of the back of the sheet.

Table 1 example property values:

  • Duplex: Yes
  • Leading edge into finisher: End of print job
  • N-up: 1
  • Finisher order: Not set
  • Additional page rotation: 0

1-up output where the end of the job enters the finisher first

Original Result
Duplexed job before using roll to roll option Duplexed job after using roll to roll option

Table 2 example property values:

  • Duplex: Yes
  • Leading edge into finisher: Start of print job
  • N-up: 2
  • Finisher order: Left to right
  • Additional page rotation: 0

Two column left-right output where the start of the job enters the finisher first

Original Result
Duplexed job before using 2-up left-right option

Table 3 example property values:

  • Duplex: Yes
  • Leading edge into finisher: End of print job
  • N-up: 2
  • Finisher order: Right to left
  • Additional page rotation: 0

Two column right-left output where the start of the job enters the finisher first

Original Result
Duplexed job before using 2-up right-left option

Table 4 example property values:

  • Duplex: Yes
  • Leading edge into finisher: End of print job
  • N-up: 2
  • Finisher order: Right to left
  • Additional page rotation: 90

Two column output where the end of the job enters the finisher first, with additional rotation

Original Result
Duplexed job before using 2-up right-left option Duplexed job after using 2-up right-left option rotated 90 degrees

Job property defaults

  • Duplex: Yes
  • Leading edge into finisher: End of print job
  • N-up: 2
  • Finisher order: Left to right
  • Additional page rotation: 0

Usage notes

  • If you use step based on the PreparePDFOutputForFinishing step template in your workflow, you do not need to use step based on ReversePDFPageOrder in the same workflow. PreparePDFOutputForFinishing reverses page order as needed, depending on the options you select.
  • If you use a step based on PreparePDFOutputForFinishing in a job that prints on a continuous forms printer, the system expects that the printer is configured for 2-up, left to right printing, with no page rotation. If you use different settings on the printer, the page layout of the job is incorrect. We recommend printing a few pages of your job as a test to confirm that your printer settings are correct.
  • If you get unexpected results when you process a PDF 2.0 file with a step based on the PreparePDFOutputForFinishing step, do one of these:
    • Upgrade the control file to the latest version.
    • Place a step based on the OptimizePDF step template in the workflow before the PreparePDFOutputForFinishing step.
  • Use the version of the RICOH ProcessDirector Plug-in for Adobe Acrobat supplied with RICOH ProcessDirector version 3.6 and above to update the control file. Remember to copy the control file to the correct location for RICOH ProcessDirector to use it.
Parent topic: Supplied step templates