Every method splits an item across forms or plates when that saves sheets: part of Postcard A's quantity on one sheet layout and the rest on another. Splitting items across forms lets you control this, and every layout shows where each item went.
The job setting#
- Allow (the default)
- Items may be split whenever that saves sheets, as before.
- Avoid
- A plan that splits an item wins only when it saves more than a minimum percentage (5 % by default, 0–50). At 5 %, an 84-sheet plan that splits an item loses to an 85-sheet plan that doesn't (84 ÷ 0.95 = 88.4); at 1 % it wins. Both plans are kept, so you can compare them.
- Never
- Every copy of an item is printed from one form (one plate on offset).
Each item can also be set to Keep together on its own, for a colour-critical item that must stay on one plate, or to Allow whatever the job says.
How each method keeps items together#
- N-up: whole plans are built with each such item on one form; plans that split it are dropped.
- True shape and strips: items are laid out as repeated forms (a form printed several times). This takes longer: allow at least 30 s, and at most 40 items per gang group in True shape.
- Offset: plans keep each such item on one plate. When no plan fits the caps, the run explains which items would have to split and still offers that plan, marked as breaking keep-together.
- Rolls print one continuous layout, so the setting doesn't apply to them (a run note says so).
Where every item went#
The left Artworks list shows a form count beside each split item in the layout on screen, such as 2 forms. This follows the layout you are previewing. The Production tab's Item distribution gives the full breakdown for the job's selected layout, or the best layout when you have not selected one.
Repeated identical sheets count as one form. A true-shape run with 42 identical full sheets and one different remainder sheet has two forms and 43 sheets; the distribution multiplies each form's pieces by its repeat count.
Each layout lists every item with its ordered quantity, the forms it is on (pieces per sheet × copies), what it produces and any spare. Split items are marked "Split · 2 forms". Editing a saved layout so that a keep-together item lands on a second form gives a warning; once you chose a plan that breaks keep-together, the item shows "Keep together waived" instead.
Changing the setting marks existing sheet layouts out of date, because they may split an item the new setting keeps together.