Variable Data Printing (FS400 and later)

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Compatible VDP languages for Fiery server

Variable data printing on a Fiery server requires a compatible VDP language.

The following VDP languages are compatible with the Fiery server:

  • Fiery FreeForm Plus - Is the file format produced using Fiery FreeForm Create. Fiery FreeForm Create combines all of the resources needed for a job (both master and variable content) into a single FreeForm Plus (FFP) file package, which can be sent to the Fiery server.

    You can use either the variable data workflow or the file merge workflow in FreeForm Create to combine variable text, images, or barcodes with master content. You can print FFP jobs directly to the Fiery server from FreeForm Create, or submit FFP jobs to the Fiery server using Fiery Hot Folders or Command WorkStation.

  • Traditional Fiery FreeForm - Processes static reusable content only once, which can result in faster and more efficient printing.

    You can use the printer driver to create FreeForm master and variable files. You can also assign PDF and PostScript files as FreeForm master and variable data files from Command WorkStation.

  • Personalized Print Markup Language (PPML) - Is an industry standard that allows the printer to store text elements and graphic elements and reuse them as needed, making variable data jobs print faster.

    The Fiery server accepts zipped and non-zipped PPML jobs. To print documents in PPML format, use a third-party software application that is compatible with PPML format. You can send the PPML job to the Fiery server or download the PPML file using Command WorkStation or Fiery Hot Folders.

    The Fiery server does not support PPML files created using the IMPOSITION or PRINT_LAYOUT commands specified from the PPML application. You must specify these options from Command WorkStation, using Fiery Impose.

  • Creo Variable Print Specification (VPS) - Is Creo's extension of the PostScript language. A Creo VPS file consists of a Header section and a Booklet section. The Header section contains the global objects for the entire job. The Booklet section contains one copy of a personalized document. Page elements are reusable objects as defined in the Creo VPS format. You must package all the page elements inside the Creo VPS file.

    You can import a VPS file to the Fiery server using Command WorkStation or Fiery Hot Folders.

  • Xerox Variable Data Intelligent PostScript Printware (VIPP) is a proprietary page description language developed by Xerox. To print documents in Xerox VIPP format on the Fiery server, you must first install a third-party interpreter application that is compatible with Xerox VIPP format. Import the Xerox VIPP file to the Fiery server using Command WorkStation or Fiery Hot Folders.

  • Portable Document Format/Variable Transitional (PDF/VT) - Is an Adobe format based on PDF technology. PDF/VT enables reliable document exchange for variable data and transactional printing. Transactional documents include invoices, statements, and documents that integrate billing information with marketing information. PDF/VT uses object-based technology.

    A VDP application generates the PDF/VT files. You can import these PDF/VT files to the Fiery server using Command WorkStation or Fiery Hot Folders. The PDF/VT files can be processed through PostScript or Adobe PDF Print Engine.

  • PS, PDF, and Quick Doc Merge files when Define Record Length is set to On in Job Properties - Lets you process a PS, PDF, or Quick Doc Merge file like a variable data job. With this option selected, you can define a fixed subset record length for variable data processing.

    Define Record Length is available for non-VDP PostScript, PDF, and Quick Doc Merge jobs.

Note: Not all Fiery servers support all VDP languages. Please refer to your Fiery server support documentation.
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