A ready check is something that has to be done before a step may start: the proof approved, the stock in, the die here. The Schedule keeps each job's checks up to date from your other apps, and operators tick the rest at the machine. A job whose checks all pass is Ready; one that still waits for a check sits in the tray's Waiting section, and its icons show which check it waits for.
The checks#
| Check | How it passes | Passes when | Holds back |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layout | Automatic | A layout is selected in Imposition, up to date with its items, with no overlapping pieces. | The first step |
| Proof | Automatic | Every item's current version is approved; an item with no proof request passes. | Plates and printing |
| Preflight | Automatic | No item's latest preflight report has errors. Warnings pass. | Plates and printing |
| Print-ready file | Automatic | Every item's print-ready file is up to date with its die, bleed and trim. | Plates and printing |
| Plates | Automatic, or ticked | The plates are screened, or ticked. Offset jobs with no Plates step. | Printing |
| Stock | Ticked | Someone ticks Stock arrived, at the station or on the job. | The first print step |
| Die | Ticked | Someone ticks that the die is here. On when the route has a die-cut step. | Die cutting |
| Custom check | Ticked | A check your team adds, such as Deposit received. | The step you choose |
Automatic checks update themselves: approving or rejecting a proof in Approvals, a new preflight report, a new print-ready file in the 1-up editor or finished plates in Screening change the check within seconds. A check that has passed goes back to waiting when its reason no longer holds: a new artwork version, a new preflight report, a layout that changed, or a print-ready file that is out of date again.
The job's panel lists its checks on the Ready checks tab, each with its state: Passed, Pending, Failed or Not needed. An automatic check says where its state comes from, for example "Updates itself from the items' proof approvals".
Tick a check#
Stock, Die and your own checks are ticked by hand, because receiving happens on the floor. Any team member can tick them:
- at the station, with the button on the step that waits for it, such as Stock arrived or Die ready;
- in the job's panel, on the Ready checks tab, with the tick next to the check;
- on the job's card in the tray, with the check's own button;
- on a phone, in the job's details on the Today view.
Unticking a check makes the step wait again.
Failed checks#
A rejected proof or a preflight report with errors fails its check. The job's bars turn red and hatched, planners get a Ready check failed alert, and Place all ready leaves the job alone until the check passes again.
Starting before a check passes#
An operator can't start a step while a check that holds it back is waiting or failed: the Start button says why, for example "Waiting for: Proof". A check that is ticked by hand can be ticked right there. An automatic check needs a planner: Start anyway starts the step and records who overrode which check.
Choose your checks#
Team admins choose the checks on Schedule › Setup › Ready checks.
There they can:
- switch each built-in check on or off for the team;
- add your own checks, such as "Deposit received", with the step each one holds back;
- require a proof for every item: items without a proof request then fail the Proof check instead of passing it (see Schedule settings).
Expected dates#
A check ticked by hand can carry an expected date: set Expected next to it on the job panel's Ready checks tab. The step is then planned from that time, hatched on the board, and Place all ready includes the job while Schedule settings is on. A job that waits for a check with no expected date stays in the tray, and the panel says "Set an ETA to plan it". An expected date that passes without the check being ticked raises a Ready check failed alert ("Stock ETA passed") until the check is ticked or gets a new date.
Approve by#
Planned: Approve by
A job that waits for its proof shows the latest time the proof can be approved and the job still finish on time, worked out against everything else on the board: "On time if approved by Tue 10:00". The same deadline shows on the proof's page in Approvals, as "Needed by Tue 10:00 to ship on time".