What is the Preflight Workflow Action?

The Preflight action in Navigator Server uses PitStop Preflight profiles and PitStop actions to check PDF files for errors or inconsistencies before they are processed further in the workflow.

Purpose and Benefits

  • Ensures that incoming PDF files meet production requirements.
  • Identifies and corrects potential issues (such as missing fonts, incorrect color profiles, low-resolution images, etc.).
  • Automates file correction using PitStop Actions, reducing manual intervention.
  • Increases processing reliability and output consistency by catching errors early in the workflow.

How the Preflight Action Works in a Workflow

Example Workflow

  1. Hot Folder → Accepts incoming PDF files.
  2. Preflight → Checks the file against a PitStop Preflight profile and optionally applies PitStop Actions.
  3. PDF Optimizer → Streamlines the internal PDF structure for RIP efficiency.
  4. RIP → Converts the file to a raster.
  5. Output → Sends the job to the output device.

Setting Up the Preflight Action

1. Creating a Preflight Action

  1. Open Navigator Server.
  2. Go to Server Setup → Manage Actions.
  3. Select New Action and choose Preflight from the list.
  4. Name the action (e.g., "PDF Preflight").
  5. Click Configure to set up the preflight options.

2. Configuring the Preflight Action

When you click Configure, the Preflight Configuration window appears.

  1. Enable Printernet Mode – If enabled, this will send preflight reports to the designated folders.
  2. Folder where preflight reports are placed for jobs that pass preflight – Click Browse and select the destination folder for successful preflight reports.
  3. Folder where preflight reports are placed for jobs that fail preflight – Click Browse and select the destination folder for failed preflight reports.

✅ Click OK to save the settings.

Importing and Managing PitStop Profiles and Actions

The Preflight action relies on PitStop Preflight profiles and PitStop Actions for PDF checking and correction.

1. Importing PitStop Preflight Profiles

PitStop Preflight profiles define the rules used to check incoming PDF files (such as color settings, resolution requirements, and font embedding).

To import PitStop Preflight Profiles:

  1. Open Navigator Server.
  2. Go to Server Setup → Import Files.
  3. Select PitStop Preflight Profiles (*.ppp files).
  4. Browse to the location of the profile.
  5. Select the file and click Import.

2. Importing PitStop Actions

PitStop Actions define automated corrections that can be applied to PDFs (such as font embedding, image downsampling, and transparency flattening).

To import PitStop Actions:

  1. Open Navigator Server.
  2. Go to Server Setup → Import Files.
  3. Select PitStop Action Lists (*.eal files).
  4. Browse to the location of the action list.
  5. Select the file and click Import.

Setting the Preflight Profile and Action

Once the PitStop Preflight profiles and PitStop actions have been imported into Navigator Server, you can configure them directly in the Navigator Client under the Workflow Editor.

To assign a Preflight Profile and Action:

  1. Open Navigator Client.
  2. Open the Workflow Editor.
  3. Create or open an existing workflow.
  4. Drag and drop the Preflight action into the workflow (if not already present).
  5. Click on the Preflight action in the workflow.
  6. Go to the Preflight tab (as shown in the screenshot).
  7. Under Profile, select the imported PitStop Preflight profile from the dropdown list.
  8. Under Action Lists, select up to four PitStop Actions from the available dropdown menus.
  9. (Optional) Configure additional settings:
    • On Failure Copy to Workflow – Select a workflow for failed jobs to be routed to.
    • On Success Copy to Workflow – Select a workflow for successfully preflighted jobs to be routed to.
    • Generate Report – Creates a report for preflighted jobs.
    • Certify Output – Marks the file as preflight certified (if supported by the profile).

✅ Click OK to save the configuration.


Common Preflight Checks

The following are typical issues that the Preflight action can identify and correct using PitStop Preflight profiles and actions:

IssueDescriptionFix
Missing FontsFonts not embedded in the PDFEmbed missing fonts
Low-Resolution ImagesImages below production resolutionUpsample or replace with higher-resolution images
Incorrect Color SpacesRGB colors in a CMYK workflowConvert to CMYK using color management
Transparency IssuesLive transparency not flattenedFlatten transparency
Trim Box / Bleed Box IssuesIncorrect page size or bleed settingsAdjust page boxes to meet production requirements
Overprint IssuesIncorrect overprint settingsCorrect or remove overprint settings
Spot Color IssuesIncorrect use of spot colorsConvert to CMYK or merge spot colors

Best Practices

  • Configure separate Preflight actions for proofing and production output if the requirements differ.
  • Keep PitStop profiles and action lists up to date with changes in production requirements.
  • Test the Preflight action on sample files before deploying to production.
  • Set up automated routing for preflight failures (e.g., send to a correction queue).

Troubleshooting

IssueCauseSolution
Preflight action fails to process a jobIncorrect profile or action listVerify the assigned profile and action list
Fonts missing in the outputFonts not embedded during preflightEnsure font embedding is enabled in the profile
Color output incorrectIncorrect color conversion settingsReview color management settings in the preflight profile
Transparency not handled properlyFlattening settings incorrectAdjust transparency flattening settings in the action list

Benefits of Using the Preflight Action

✅ Improves RIP efficiency by catching issues early.
✅ Automates common corrections using PitStop actions.
✅ Reduces processing errors and RIP failures.
✅ Ensures consistent output quality.
✅ Provides detailed preflight reports for troubleshooting and analysis.

Summary

The Preflight action in Navigator Server is a powerful tool for checking and correcting PDF files before RIP processing. By using PitStop Preflight profiles and PitStop actions, the Preflight action ensures that files meet production standards, improving output consistency and reducing errors. Careful configuration of profiles and actions, along with automated routing of preflight failures, will maximize production efficiency and minimize downtime.