I was going to suggest using the Insert Pages component to make the job the required multiple
For example, a multiple of 4
Then you can use split to divide the document in half
You can then route by the Job Number in Group and reverse the cards in the second document before joining for the final imposition
You can reverse the postcard order using 1up imposition and the following page order
The above will reorder pages as follows:
- Second to last page
- Last Page
- Fourth to last page
- third to last
- etc.
It should reverse the order of duplex postcards while also ensuring they are imposed face up.
This can be implemented in a single imposition template.
Additionally, this template can support documents of any size, it can crate layouts with a varying number of pages and it can support selection of multiple press sheet sizes. In other words, you should be able to use a single template for all jobs that need this layout.
The overall approach is to define a template with 2 imposition stages.
- The first imposition stage will impose pages into rows
- The second imposition stage will impose rows into press sheets
Note: You can simplify this implementation if you do not need to handle documents of any size or if you do not need automated press sheet size selection.
For this example, we will build a template that will impose documents of any size into a press sheet of one of the following sizes
- 11 x 17
- 12 x 18
- 14.33 x 26
Primary Imposition Stage - Impose Pages Into Rows
Press Sheet configuration
This stage will impose into a "semi-automatic" press sheet. These are press sheet sizes for which one of the dimensions is "automatic". In this case, the press sheet height will be based on the selected PDF box's height plus margins and gutter distances.
Add a semi-automatic press sheet sizes for every final press sheet size that's required.
Once that's done set the Press Sheet Size to Automatic and select the newly added semi-automatic press sheet sizes in the size options
Also ensure the Orientation is set to portrait
The above will allow the imposition to select the optimal press sheet width (and hence the final size) for any given input document.
Layout configuration
Set the imposition to Cut & Stack with 1 sheet per stack
Note: This assumes all records have a fixed number of pages. If that's not the case, there's a separate HOWTO that covers this imposition for PDF/vt jobs with records that have a variable number of pages
Set th Rows and Columns to Auto Columns, FIxed Rows and specify 1 Row.
This will allow the imposition to put as many columns in the layout as will fit (while also selecting between the semi-automatic press sheet sizes).
If the documents have bleed then there are other settings that also need to be configured.
First, ensure the imposition is done relative to the Trim Box
Gutters configuration
If the documents contain bleed, add Margins and Column gutters
The margin distance will not affect the gutters in the second layout since FFCore sets up trim and bleed boxes in imposed documents to the perimeter of the placed PDF pages.
Cut Marks configuration
Add cut marks around the trimbox
The imposition to this point will create a single row layout on one of the semi-automatic press sheet sizes
Secondary Imposition Stage - Impose Rows Cut & Stack
Add a Secondary Stage to the imposition template
This imposition stage will use the output from the first imposition as the input.
Press Sheet configuration
This stage will impose into the final press sheet size. As before the Press Sheet Size should be set to Automatic. The Size Options should use the final press sheet sizes
Layout configuration
Set the imposition to Cut & Stack. Do not enable the sheets per stack option.
This will flow the imposed rows vertically through the stack before adding a second row to the first layout
Set th Rows and Columns to Auto Rows and Columns
Since this imposition stage is imposing the imposed layout from the first stage, this imposition stage will place one column and multiple rows in the layout.
As before, ensure the imposition is done relative to the Trim Box
Gutters configuration
Add margins and row gutters to the layout (column gutters are not needed)
Sample imposed file
