Configure printformer templates in the backend

Overview of the functions for configuring templates in printformer.

Create new template in printformer

Settings

*menu ( = mandatory field)**	Description
General
Name*	Template name
Template Type* Note: the type can't be changed after the template has been created.	Customizable (default): Template with customisable areas
	Customizable Bundle: "Empty template" that can be filled with page templates (e.g. for leaflets)
	Free format: Empty template with user-defined format, completely customisable
	Group: Several existing templates can be defined for a group (e.g. format or colour variants). When editing in the editor, it is possible to switch between these templates. (The attribute "content-identifier" in the IDML can be used to transfer adjustments of a block to all of these templates).
Clients	If several clients exist in the system, the template must be assigned to at least one client.
Usage*	Customize: Editing and designing in the editor: Possibility to adapt or insert texts, shapes and images (depending on powers, see editor)
	Personalize: By uploading a CSV table, a predefined field can be filled with different contents (e.g. wedding cards with different names).
	Upload: In combinations with template type Free format, own print data can be uploaded
	Upload and editor: Possibility of 2D and 3D preview of print data
PDF/X Standard (only for Template Type Free format and Customizable Bundle)	Selection of the desired PDF/X standard
Template
In the Template menu, an IDML or PDF file is uploaded as well as a background PDF. These are layered on top of each other so that the background remains static/unchangeable and only the areas defined in the .idml file can be changed.
Photo	optionally, an alternative preview image (e.g. for group templates) can be uploaded (permitted data format .png/.jpg).
Template format	Selection PDF or IDML
x3dom model fileformat: .x3d	optionally, an x3dom model can be uploaded to enable a 3D view later on
Contour SVG fileformat: .svg	Optionally (per page) contour SVG (CCA) can be uploaded (depending on the application, this includes a cutting die, hidden areas, overlays or cutting) (currently only appears after saving)
The Contour SVG describes the shape/outline (cutting die) of an object, which can consist of editable areas, folding areas as well as gluing areas. For example, in the case of packaging, the areas that can be edited are included. At the same time, the areas that are outside the cutting die or are intended for gluing the packaging or cannot be printed are excluded from editing. x3dom model is an open source JavaScript framework that is used to create descriptive 3D animations on websites. It is used in the editor to display 3D animations as a preview.
the following menus vary depending on the template type
Template Type: Customizable
Template Format*	PDF: predefined, unchangeable design
	Block rotation origin	Selection of the reference point (center of rotation)
	Template* file format: .pdf	PDF file selection via file manager
	IDML: editable design
	IDML import settings	only_text: only text fields are transferred and can be edited (also untagged) (all other elements outside the background layer will be deleted)
		none: the file is transferred completely, all existing elements (outside the background layer) can be edited without restriction
		xml_tags: everything that is tagged in the IDML file is taken over (incl. the predefined attributes)
	Template: file format: .idml*	IDML file selection via file manager
	Background PDF: file ormat: .pdf*	Selection of the corresponding background PDF file. Note: the background PDF must have the same format as the IDML file, incl. bleed. No marks or info areas may be activated during export.
Template Type: free format
Bleed*	Here the required bleed is assigned to the pages (left, right, top, bottom).
Template Type: Group
Group templates*	Selection of the relevant templates, definition of the preselected template (in the editor).
Content
Content	Selection of menus available in the editor sidebar.
	catalog	preview/selection of the article templates (assigned to the template)
	userMedia	preview/selection of all media that the user loads into the editor
	systemMedia	preview/selection of all media available for the template via a media Set
Media sources	Set media sources for DataKeys found in the template.
Container Prefilling	The containers contained in the template are listed here (page by page), as well as the article templates assigned via catalog-template-identifier, if applicable. Existing article templates can be assigned here or already assigned article templates can be exchanged. The individual containers can be identified via identifier (attribute on the container in the IDML file).
DataKeys	View and order the DataKeys contained in the template
Single product page planning	Selection of data sources for single product page planning
Used fonts
Displays the fonts contained in the template. (If one of the fonts contained in the IDML is not included in the system, this is indicated as an error. Via the link to the Fonts menu, the font can then be loaded directly into the system).
Used colors
Overview of the colors used in the template. (If one of the colors contained in the IDML is not yet available in the system, it can be created via the link to the Colors menu and assigned to a color set or color profile). Note: Spot colors are also imported from the IDML file and are included in the print PDF in addition to the CMYK separations.
Custom attributes
Overview of the available (template-) user-defined attributes. The defaults for filling the placeholders can be individually adapted here for the template.
Editor
In the Editor area, configurations for the editor layout can be defined, such as allowing or restricting functionality ^xThese fields are predefined in the general Settings (depending on the client, if applicable), but can be adjusted here for individual templates.
Preview	If this checkbox is deactivated, it is not possible to view and download the draft as a preview PDF. In addition, a checkbox can be used to select whether the preview including bleed should be displayed and whether there should be a download button in the sidebar. If the background PDF of the template contains spot colors, CMYK or RGB must be selected in the dropdown under Color space conversion for the preview PDF. (Otherwise the spot color is not displayed in the preview PDF).
3D model	Here you can activate the 3D view and determine whether it should appear automatically or be opened via the toolbar in the editor, as well as other settings for activating overlays and highlights of the 3D controls and paper colour.
Toolbar	Here you can define which functions are available to the user (button to save the template, possibility to add texts, assets and forms) and the layout (width of the sidebar^x, page info, media providers).
Toolbar	Standardtab in sidebar*	Here you can select which sidebar menu is to be activated by default (when opening). Note: If the template has only one block and is configured that no images, texts and shapes can be added, the available block is always selected. In this case, the setting in the standard tab is overridden. However, for a template with only one text block that is to be filled using the Form editor, the standard tab Form editor must be selected and the attribute block-disable-interactions must also be assigned to the text block in the IDML.
Sidebar columns^x	Here you can set the number of columns for the respective menus of the sidebar (and thus define the size of the thumbnails displayed there): 1-4 columns.
Form editor	If the form editor is activated, placeholders contained in the template (PFPlaceholder) can be filled in or overwritten (by activating "Activate formatting in the form editor", locked text blocks can also be formatted).
Additional data keys in the form editor	If DataKeys from custom attributes that are not contained in the IDML are to be displayed in the form editor, they can be inserted here (Enter + Enter).
Block settings	Here you can activate BlockSetting presets and set a maximum number of blocks (per page). Note: this setting does not apply if adding texts/assets/shapes is deactivated.
Article templates^x	Display and filter options for templates with assigned article templates.
Page planning^x	Always create a page planning: Here you can optionally define if the template should always be opened with a standard feed (also selectable).
	Single product page planning: This checkbox displays the feed (list of all titles) in the form editor. A single data record can be selected in the editor to fill the appropriate placeholders. (Containers and article templates are then not necessary in this template). Note: to use this feature, you must also select Content > Use with data sources: Possible data source(s): All or Article must be selected.
	The selection of visible control elements is predefined in the general Settings (depending on the client, if applicable), but can be adapted here for the current template. Note: If Update product images is activated, all images from the feed can be re-imported from Crossmedia later in the editor (by clicking on the button) (the image references of the products are deleted and rewritten, e.g. necessary if image files were updated in Crossmedia).
Edit pages	Here you can define whether the user can edit (change order or duplicate), delete or add pages. In addition, a divider for the amount of pages and a limiting number of pages can be specified.
Rulers and guide lines^x	Show rulers and guides in the editor
Media types^x	Limit allowed file formats (PDF, EPS, JPEG, PNG, SVG, TIFF)
Image quality^x	Set minimum and recommended image resolution (dpi).
The following menu points only appear if the corresponding items (e.g. article template, variants, ...) have already been created or the template has already been saved.
Page template assignment (only for template type: customizable bundle)
Select the Page templates and adjust the page order if necessary. (The plus symbol determines the number of pages the template should contain. The page templates available below can then be assigned to the individual pages by clicking on them).
Article template assignment
Selection of article templates that are provided for filling the containers.
Avail template assignment
Selection of avail templates from which the combined form is to be generated.
Variant assignment
Selection of (available) variants (colour variants or rules) to be applied to the template.
Color assignment
Selection of (available) colour sets (predefined colour fields) and colour profiles to be available in the editor.
Font assignment
Available fonts	one or more records of Font group can be selected to limit available fonts for a template
Available font sizes	one or more records of Font sizes can be selected to limit available font sizes for a template
Page preview overlays
Upload a PNG file to be placed on top of the template for viewing in the editor (visible in the editor and preview, but not included in the print data).
Preflight plan
Only the Preflight plan for the template usage Upload and Upload & Editor and the Workflow can be selected here. (The preflight for PDF uploads in the editor can be selected in the general settings).
Block effect assignment
Via the plus symbol, (already created) block effects can be assigned to the template. The checkbox Assigned automatically can be activated for an effect. In this way, the asset(s) newly inserted in the editor receive this effect. (For existing image blocks, the attribute block-effects-active must be set in the IDML file).
Derivatives
Selection of derivatives (output of the draft in the editor as PDF, JPG or PNG)
Meta data
Creation of metadata fields, which are filled by custom attributes, data sources or DataKeys (editor).
Versioning
Active version	Selection of the wanted template version (default latest version)
Reorder blocking version	By selecting a version, the drafts created in ClosedShop with an older template version are blocked for ordering (Order overview: Repeat order button; Projects: Use as template and Edit buttons are disabled). The user has no possibility to edit already created drafts and has to select and design/save the product again. (Default without blocking version)

Create Page, Avail or Article templates

The creation of a page, avail or article template is done in the same way as Upload and configure default templates (the files can be uploaded as a ZIP archive or individually into the printformer).
In the General menu the name is given and files are uploaded and assigned under Template.
Tags can be entered that can later be used for article template search or to specify which article templates may be inserted into which container.
To get a preview of the template later in the editor, a PNG or JPG file can be uploaded under Photo.

Create new template in printformer

Settings

General

Template

Content

Used fonts

Used colors

Custom attributes

Editor

Preview

3D model

Toolbar

Sidebar columnsx

Form editor

Additional data keys in the form editor

Block settings

Article templatesx

Page planningx

Edit pages

Rulers and guide linesx

Media typesx

Image qualityx

Page template assignment (only for template type: customizable bundle)

Article template assignment

Avail template assignment

Variant assignment

Color assignment

Font assignment

Page preview overlays

Preflight plan

Block effect assignment

Derivatives

Meta data

Versioning

Create Page, Avail or Article templates

Sidebar columns^x

Article templates^x

Page planning^x

Rulers and guide lines^x

Media types^x

Image quality^x