Job Definition Format

Job Definition Format (JDF ) is an open file format to be accepted as the industry standard for the graphical industry. It is based on XML and allows direct data exchange between different computer systems and the underlying machine, ranging from product design through pre-press, printing, finishing up to e -business applications and management information systems (MIS). Using JDF are management and production data merged. Order-related data are stored and exchanged between all areas of the manufacturing process. JDF contains the functions of the previous formats Portable Job Ticket Format ( PJTF ), Print Production Format ( PPF) and IFRAtrack and networks the horizontal ( production oriented ) and vertical ( commercial ) processes.

JDF basically consists of the specification of the job ticket that contains the order data, a format for message exchange (Job Messaging Format, JMF) and a protocol for exchanging messages. The exchange of information is bidirectional: setting data transmitted from the supervisory authority for the executive device and actual values ​​are sent back from the device to the Supervisory Body.

Currently, the standard is available in version 1.5. This was in addition to numerous detail improvements, the description of nestings added, and enables dynamic integration of finishing modules in digital printing. Compared to version 1.3, 1.4, in addition to numerous detail enhancements, safe JMF messages, die creation with CAD and automated imposition in digital printing have been added to JDF.

Responsible for specification and documentation is the CIP4 consortium.