JDF

CIP4 (The International Cooperation for the Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress) is responsible for administering the Job Definition Specification (JDF). JDF is an XML-based print workflow specification. As an open standard, JDF will benefit print buyers and print service providers by simplifying the job specification process, insuring cross-vendor system communication, and by automating many of today's manual production processes with a flexible, universal Job Ticket (JDF).  JDF further promises to integrate authoring, production, management, manufacturing, delivery and MIS control. This will allow system and software developers to extend existing high performance systems, to develop new, highly-configurable systems and to create a new level of process integration in the industry. E-procurement companies will also be able to directly integrate this production workflow into print management systems, accessible via online web sites. End users can look forward to more cost-effective workflow automation." 

In this specification, a  job "describes the entirety of a JDF project. Each job is organized in a tree structure containing all of the information required to complete the intended project. The information is collected logically into what is called a node. Each node in the tree structure represents an aspect of the job to be executed. The nodes in a job are organized in a hierarchical structure that resembles a pyramid.  JDF nodes are encoded as XML elements. Nodes, in turn, contain various attributes and further sub-elements including nested JDF nodes. A node is a construct, encoded as an XML element, that describes a particular part of a JDF job. Each node represents an aspect of the job, either in terms of a process necessary to produce the end result, such as imposing, printing, or binding; in terms of a product that contributes to the end result, such as a brochure; or in terms of some combination of the two. In short, a node describes a product or a process.