Media Selection Logic

PlotWorks provides robust and configurable media selection logic. For example, in an attended environment such as a central print room, you probably want a 36" x 24" sheet to always print on a 36" roll, and to prompt you to add media if a 36" roll is not currently loaded. On the other hand, in an unattended enviroment, you might prefer that this sheet print on another roll size if a 36" roll is not currently loaded in the printer. These behaviors are configured in the Printer Interface module under Media Inventory.

The Media Inventory is a record of the media you have in stock. When PlotWorks is installed, a preconfigured inventory containing commonly used sizes and types is provided.

From the Printer Interface main menu choose Setup > Media Inventory. Add, edit or delete entries from this list as needed. For example, if you do not stock 17" rolls, delete this entry from the Media Inventory.

For attended or actively-managed printers (example: print room, central reprographics department), the "Availability" parameter for each entry in the media inventory should be set to "Yes, always." Operators will be prompted when the ideal size (based on speed and least waste) is not currently loaded in the printer.

For unattended printers, the "Availability" parameter for each entry should be set to "Yes, but only when loaded in the printer." This will allow images to print on larger rolls when the ideal size (based on speed and least waste) is not currently loaded.