callas software releases pdfToolbox 17

callas software, a leading provider of PDF automation technology for print and document workflows, today announced the release of pdfToolbox 17, the newest version of its flagship product line. The release expands the automation capabilities of pdfToolbox and introduces a range of improvements designed to solve real‑world production challenges and streamline complex workflows.

pdfToolbox is widely used by printers, online print platforms, and workflow integrators to analyze, correct, and process PDF files automatically. The new version focuses on improving automation, usability, and performance in production environments while adding tools that help customers solve increasingly diverse workflow requirements.

“pdfToolbox is the backbone of many automated production systems,” said Dietrich von Seggern, CEO of callas software. “Our customers continuously push the limits of what can be achieved with automated PDF processing. With pdfToolbox 17, we focused on enabling those workflows to run faster, more reliably, and with greater flexibility.”

David van Driessche, Chief Evangelist at callas software, added: “Sometimes the most valuable improvements are not the most spectacular ones. Production environments deal with imperfect files every day, and even small improvements can make a big difference. At the same time, we continue to make powerful functionality more approachable, for example, through the new Imposition Wizard.”

Product highlights

Whitespace detection

A new preflight check identifies available space within PDF documents. In print‑and‑cut workflows, this allows systems to automatically locate suitable areas for marks or identifiers based on available whitespace and distribution rules.

Optimizing VDP files

pdfToolbox 17 can separate static and dynamic content in PDF files used for variable data or transactional printing. This optimization enables significantly faster processing in high‑volume output workflows.

Bleed creation for repeating patterns

For textile, wallpaper, decor, and industrial printing workflows, pdfToolbox can seamlessly extend repeating patterns and generate bleed without disrupting the pattern structure. This makes it easier to prepare files for large‑format or continuous production.

Imposition Wizard

A new wizard makes it easier to create simple impositions such as step‑and‑repeat, fill‑page, or booklet layouts. A live preview shows the effect of settings immediately, and configurations can be saved for use in automated workflows. Imposition experts can use the Imposition Wizard to quickly build imposition configurations that can be further modified to fit their specific use cases.

Additional improvements

pdfToolbox 17 also introduces numerous other enhancements. These include new features for working with technical lines (cutlines), improved PDF inspection capabilities, additional JavaScript functionality for automated workflows, improvements to Process Plans, support for WebP image conversion, and expanded options for analyzing and correcting problematic PDF content.

Additional OEM-oriented functionality

In this new release, OEM partners are not forgotten. pdfToolbox 17 includes the option to export preflight profiles together with the XML sidecar file needed by pdfToolbox Portal. New Docker images that provide a REST API and support queueing are downloadable from DockerHub.

In parallel with the release of pdfToolbox 17, callas software is also introducing a separate nesting technology module designed for OEM partners building automated production systems. More information about this technology will be released separately.