10.2

Table Of Contents
Large and complex print jobs provide even more opportunities for error, and the cost
of such errors becomes much greater. Job Jackets prevent unprintable or incorrectly
constructed jobs from being constructed in the first place.
What are Job Jackets?
Technically speaking, Job Jackets are XML structures that include specifications and
rules for creating and inspecting QuarkXPress layouts. Conceptually, a Job Jackets
structure can be compared to a folder containing job tickets that describe various types
of projects and layouts, as well as other types of information.
Job Jackets are based on the latest version of the JDF (Job Definition Format) schema.
In addition to letting you control QuarkXPress related specifications, Job Jackets also
let you set values for various other specifications covered by JDF, such as binding and
crossover settings. When you send a layout to output, you have the option of including
the layout's JDF information, so that downstream systems can use that information
for automation and for informational purposes. And the Job Jackets specification is
extendable, so developers of JDF-compatible systems can embed their own
implementation-specific settings into Job Jackets before passing the Job Jackets upstream
to the layout artist. These settings can then be preserved in the Job Jackets file and
used by XTensions software, by JDF-enabled applications, or by other systems, to
automate and streamline a wide variety of processes.
Job Jackets can also help you to collaborate within a workgroup. Several layout artists
working on layouts that share the same set of specifications can link their projects to
a shared Job Jackets file, so that if one layout artist makes a change to something like
a style sheet, the same change can be automatically propagated to the other artists'
layouts.
The structure of Job Jackets
Job Jackets are XML structures containing specifications and rules. The topics below
describe the way these specifications and rules are organized in Job Jackets.
Resources
Job Jackets contain Resources, which include the following:
1
Project-level Resources: Things that can be applied to a particular project, such as style
sheets, colors, output styles, and color management settings.
2
Layout-level Resources: Things that can be applied to a particular layout, such as:
Layout Specifications: Settings that can be used to assign a particular size, orientation,
and so forth to a layout.
Rules and Rule Sets: Tests that can be run to inspect a layout and verify its adherence
to specifications.
In addition to the Resources described above, Job Jackets can contain certain
informational Resources, including the following:
Job Descriptions: This category includes a job number, revision, instructions, notes, and
keywords.
A GUIDE TO QUARKXPRESS 10.2 | 309
JOB JACKETS