ISO 19593-1

Use of PDF to associate processing steps and content data

This document describes a method for storing data in a PDF file that correspond to the processing steps of printed products. This method has three parts:

• metadata identifying processing steps;
• limitations on the interaction between PDF graphics objects that are part of a processing step and other PDF graphics objects;
• limitations on PDF graphics objects in processing steps.

This method is intended to be generic; it is not specific to packaging and labels. In addition, this document defines the following packaging- and label-specific groups of processing-steps data:

• data corresponding to finishing steps, such as cutting, folding or glueing;
• Braille;
• information panels;
• indications of physical dimensions;
• indications of intended positions of graphical elements;
• printed white, for example on transparent or metallic surfaces;
• printed varnish.

It is common practice in the packaging segment, and other segments of the printing industry, to work with PDF files that contain PDF graphics objects to be used for printing and additional PDF graphics objects and metadata to be used for other steps in the production of the final product. These non-printing PDF objects and metadata correspond to additional processing steps, for example die cutting, creasing, clear varnishing, white underprint, areas for gluing, Braille, etc. This data must be encoded in PDF in a commonly agreed manner so that it may be excluded during printing and only applied during the correct processing step. In this way a PDF file can serve as a interoperable container for all production data, printing and non-printing, of a printed product, such as a package or a label.

ISO 19593 standardizes the use of PDF layers (technically the PDF optional content group (OCG) feature) for communicating a wide variety of processing steps applicable to the packaging industry.

For more information, refer to the PDF Association’s Technical Resources.

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