FreeForm technology lets you use print options to define master documents and assign them to variable data jobs sent to the Fiery Server.

FreeForm VDP sends the job's master-element data to the Fiery Server and rasterizes it separately from the variable-element data. The master‑element data resides on the Fiery Server in rasterized form as a FreeForm master, and you can used the data as required, with multiple sets of variable-element data. Because the FreeForm master job is preprocessed and stored on the Fiery Server, only the variable-element data requires processing thus reducing the job's total processing time.

You can use FreeForm masters for any fixed-element data you combine with different data from day to day. For example, you can store a letterhead template as a FreeForm master and use it for different letter content (the variable-element data).

FreeForm lets you create the master and variable documents using any application, different applications, or computer platforms. To create the master document, you use a page layout or graphics application. To create the variable document, you use a word processing application that has a mail merge feature, a page layout application that supports scripting, or a database application.

The Create Master and Use Master print options let you control FreeForm functions. You set these options in the printer driver when you send a job, or instruct the operator to set them with job overrides from Command WorkStation. The processed master document appears in VDP Resources in the Device Center of Command WorkStation. Command WorkStation also lets you monitor and manage all the FreeForm masters stored on the Fiery Server.

When you print a variable data job with FreeForm, you create a master document, then create a variable document, and finally use FreeForm to combine the master and variable files.

For information about supported variable data languages and features, see Printing.