Out of the box most if not all digital imposition software’s are capable of basic automation, or probably a better way to describe it is semi-automation. Most allow the ability to define templates that are used for any job that conforms to the folding standard defined within that template.
A basic template is created for a 4up A4 press defining the numbering scheme for the first 8 pages. This template is then suitable to be used for any amount of pages equally devisable by 8.
This is extended by allowing multiple templates to be used at the same time. EG: 12 page job that requires a single 8 page sheet-work signature and a single 4 page work & turn signature.
To push the level forward some of the imposition software doesn’t require you to have a fixed page size so the same template can be used for multiple page sizes and multiple amounts of pages.
So what levels of automation are currently available to improve on the semi-automated methods above?
Hot folders can be defined with some software to automatically process the job based on the assigned template. This can be beneficial but can be difficult to manage outside of a Prepress workflow as it becomes difficult to track the status of the job and it’s history. But can work well in some companies depending on the type of work they produce.
Traditionally within print the process imposition has been carried out by the Prepress department. Production planners or estimators would manually fold dummies of how a product needed to be positioned on the sheet to fold correctly defining appropriate gutters between the pages.
Modern systems allow us to move the process of imposition to the production planner or estimator. Impositions can be digitally created based on folding requirements, various jobs can be combined to reduce paper and plate usage and the imposed data can be sent directly to the prepress workflow bypassing manual folding dummies and additional input from prepress staff.
By implementing such systems there are clear savings in time and reduction in errors.