Personalized Print Markup Language (PPML)

Personalized Print Markup Language (PPML) Version 2.0 Supports Digital Print Job Ticketing. A communiqué from Tracy Burkovich announces the release of the Personalized Print Markup Language specification version 2.0. This version of the specification includes support for digital print job ticketing, and has been endorsed by several key industry partners. PPML is designed for "XML-based, efficient printing of documents with reusable and variable content. It was developed through a special program of PODi (The Digital Printing Initiative), a consortium of leading companies in digital printing. The main purpose of the PPML language is to provide object-level addressability and reusability; it provides an open, XML-based architecture for digital print projects. PPML was first introduced to the market at the worldwide 'drupa' exhibition in Dusseldorf in May, 2000, and has become the first widely-adopted print stream based entirely on an open standard. The PPML version 2.0 architecture includes generic printer control. This means PPML 2.0 jobs, including advanced printer features such as duplexing, finishing, and paper selection, can be created without knowing what machine will print them. Any PPML-compliant printer with the appropriate features will accept the same print file, no matter what software created it and what printer does the output. The PPML job ticketing architecture is designed to support ticket data in any format." [Full context]
[January 12, 2002] "The Personalized Print Markup Language is a new, XML-based, industry standard print language developed by the world's leading manufacturers of print technology for high-speed production of reusable page content. It has been developed through a special program of PODi - the Digital Printing initiative, a consortium of leading companies in digital printing. The purpose of this language is to provide a fast, industry-standard way to print documents that have reusable content. The language uses XML, the Extensible Markup Language, as its syntactical base, giving it an affinity to many Web-based applications... PPML is an open, interoperable, device-independent standard that will enable the widespread use of personalized print applications. It is a standard developed with commercial intent, to create commercial impact - to genuinely change the economics of personalized printing." [From the PODi information server, 2002-01.]
[January 12, 2002] Pageflex Persona Publishing Application Supports Personalized Print Markup Language (PPML). The version 1.5 release of 'Pageflex Persona' from Pageflex, Inc. offers enhanced support for the Personalized Print Markup Language (PPML) specification, providing [one of] "the first variable publishing solutions to use XML as the intermediate data format between a profile database and the page composition process." The Persona desktop application offers improved optimization for PPML and for CreoScitex VPS (Variable Print Specification) output drivers. [Full context]
PPML description from Dave deBronkart: "PPML is a new printer language gaining widespread support in variable data printing applications. PPML uses XML as its syntactical base, and can access page content files generated in many different formats. Applications will ultimately range from desktop to high-end digital printing presses. PPML output is being integrated into a variety of complete workflows, several of which can use other XML methodologies. We envision a fully automated workflow of the future, in which data may flow directly from its source to automated production equipment, untouched by human hands, with every aspect of the process expressed in XML. In such a workflow, PPML will be the printer language by which content and page layout are delivered to the output system." [Paper presented at XML Europe 2001]
Hierarchical structure of PPML: "PPML is a hierarchical structure, in which the properties and resources of an element are inherited from its enclosing ('parent') structure. The contents of the child element may temporarily override (or mask) the parent's properties and resources; when the child element ends, the previous state is restored. [1] A PPML element (the highest level) can contain resource definitions and JOB elements. [2] A JOB element (a set of personalized documents) can contain resource definitions and DOCUMENT elements. [3] A DOCUMENT element (which prints one complete document, of one or more pages) can contain resource definitions and PAGE elements. [4] A PAGE element can contain resource definitions and MARK elements. MARK elements are what actually cause page content to be printed onto a page, using ink or toner. PPML, JOB, DOCUMENT and PAGE are known as levels in the PPML hierarchy. [5] A MARK element (which places image marks on a page) can contain two kinds of content elements: OBJECT and OCCURRENCE_REF. (Each of these content elements contains smaller elements as well.)..." [v1.5 spec]
PPML and printer languages. "PPML is independent of printer language: PPML can be used to create output that will support any printer language. Manufacturers will decide which languages a particular machine will support. PPML machines have already been announced that will support PostScript, PDF, TIFF, and JPEG. We expect to see support for numerous other languages in the future. For information on a specific product, contact the manufacturer. This is comparable to choosing a laser printer today: if you want, you can buy a printer that supports PostScript, PCL, or some other combination... PPML is a meta-language. It describes the structure of jobs, documents, and pages. It places 'marks' on a page via PPML elements, which point to content data, such as EPS files [Encapsulated PostScript]. PPML itself does not describe page content; rather, it selects content elements, to be placed on a page. For instance, there is nothing in PPML that says 'Go to this point on the page and draw a three inch circle filled with red.' Instead, the PPML code might say 'At this point on the page, place file ThreeInchRedCircle.EPS.' [from the FAQ]
PODi "offers a free Developer Support discussion forum for PPML. Additional specification information available through the forum includes (1) A PPML Quick Reference Card, which summarizes the PPML language on a Single page, and (2) Errata document (list of known errors in the current specification)."
PPML origins: "PPML 1.0 grew out a combined proposal approved in July 1999 by the PPML Working Group. This proposal was a merger of proposals from Scitex, Barco and Pageflex: Scitex, by way of its VPS language, contributed the foundation for the basic object model, object-level granularity, and job structure of PPML; Barco contributed the foundation for the production-centric parts of the specification, including major work on imposition; PageFlex contributed the original proposal for an XML-based language called PPML. NexPress contributed substantial work from its proposed vPDF specification, and Xerox presented additional information at the July conference based on its substantial experience with its VIPP PostScript-based variable data software..." [from the May 2001 specification]
PODi PPML Working Group [v1.5]. In alphabetical order: Adobe Systems: John Green; Agfa: Roger Baeten and Marcus Delhoune; Barco: Dirk De Bosschere; EFI: Margaret Motamed; HP: Bob Taylor; IBM: D. R. Palmer; Indigo: Sigal Krumer and Ouri Poupko; NexPress: David Blaszyk, Tim Donahue, and Wayne Minns; Pageflex: Peter Davis; Scitex: Jacob Aizikowitz, Israel Roth, and Reuven Sherwin; Xeikon: Anthony Porter; Xerox: Steve Strasen.

Pageflex Persona

The version 1.5 release of 'Pageflex Persona' from Pageflex, Inc. offers enhanced support for the Personalized Print Markup Language (PPML) specification, providing [one of] "the first variable publishing solutions to use XML as the intermediate data format between a profile database and the page composition process." PPML, developed by a working group of the Digital Printing Initiative (PODi), "is a new XML-based printer language gaining widespread support in variable data printing applications. PPML is an open, interoperable, device-independent standard designed to enable the widespread use of personalized print applications. PPML uses XML as its syntactical base, and can access page content files generated in many different formats. Applications will ultimately range from desktop to high-end digital printing presses. PPML output is now being integrated into a variety of complete workflows, several of which can use other XML methodologies." The Persona desktop application offers improved optimization for PPML and for CreoScitex VPS (Variable Print Specification) output drivers.
"The Personalized Print Markup Language is a new, XML-based, industry standard print language developed by the world's leading manufacturers of print technology for high-speed production of reusable page content. It has been developed through a special program of PODi - the Digital Printing initiative, a consortium of leading companies in digital printing. The purpose of this language is to provide a fast, industry-standard way to print documents that have reusable content. The language uses XML, the Extensible Markup Language, as its syntactical base, giving it an affinity to many Web-based applications... PPML is an open, interoperable, device-independent standard that will enable the widespread use of personalized print applications. It is a standard developed with commercial intent, to create commercial impact - to genuinely change the economics of personalized printing." [From the PODi information server, 2002-01.]
From the announcement:
Pageflex, Inc. announced today the release of Pageflex Persona 1.5. Persona is Pageflex's desktop application for variable content publishing. Persona 1.5 provides improved optimization for PPML (Personalized Print Markup Language) and CreoScitex VPS (Variable Print Specification) output drivers. In addition, Persona supports other vendor specific output drivers, such as, Indigo JLYT and Xeikon Intellicache. The VPS driver for Persona is available through Xerox. PPML and all other vendor specific output drivers may be purchased separately from Pageflex.
Persona provides page layout and composition tools, including the ability to design page templates and modify composition settings, such as leading, kerning, justification, and hyphenation. Persona users can create conditional rules that determine which content is used in each copy of a document based on a database of customer profiles. Text and image containers then "flex" (resize) based on the size or orientation of the dynamic content that flows into them. In addition, surrounding containers move in concert to adjust with the change, maintaining the page design integrity. Persona is the first variable publishing solution to use XML as the intermediate data format between a profile database and the page composition process.
PPML is a new XML-based industry standard print language for high-speed production of reusable page content. It is an open, interoperable, device-independent standard that will enable the widespread use of personalized print applications. PPML was developed by the world's leading manufacturers of print technology (including Pageflex) as part of the Print on Demand Initiative (PODi).
Principal references:
Announcement 2002-01-08: "Pageflex Releases Persona 1.5. New Release Provides Enhanced Support for PPML and VPS Output."
PPML web site
PPML v 1.02 XML DTD
"The PPML Print Language in XML Workflows for Digital Print." By Dave deBronkart. Paper presented at XML Europe 2001, May 21-25, 2001, Internationales Congress Centrum (ICC), Berlin, Germany.
Related:
"Job Definition Format (JDF)."
printcafe eProduction eCommerce eXchange (PCX)
Printing Industry Markup Language (PrintML)
PML: Markup Language for Paper and Printing
PrintTalk Consortium
XML for Publishers and Printers (XPP)
"Personalized Print Markup Language (PPML)" - Main reference page.

Pageflex

Pageflex is a variable publishing platform that provides the flexible capabilities you need to produce all things variable. Pageflex offers unparalleled design control with powerful graphic design features created specifically for variable publishing. You can produce rich, creative, award-winning document designs that look like they were given the individual attention of a graphic designer but were, in reality, created on-the-fly with Pageflex variable publishing technology.
Pageflex provides a flexible, scalable platform to meet the demands of a broad spectrum of variable data projects, regardless of the media used to deliver them. No third-party software dependencies dictate your workflow. One application supplies all functionality you need to produce all things variable. You can produce a wide variety of printed materials including direct mail, business cards, signage, packaging, and custom books. You can extend a campaign to include personalized URLs, microsites, and HTML e-mail.
Pageflex has the server support you need to run small and large installations. The queue-based architecture lets you add new servers quickly. Automatic failover and backup options make sure your system is running all day every day.
Flexible Modules
The flexible modules offered by Pageflex mean this is a technology that grows with you as your business grows. Simply choose the features you need, and start producing results immediately. You can continue to turn on new features and expand your capabilities over time.
Data Merge—Direct mail documents: postcards, brochures, flyers, forms
Form-Driven Customization—Stationery, business cards, marketing collateral
Online Design and Editing—Design or edit documents through a Web browser such as postcards, business cards, and other collateral
Cross Media Campaigns—Personalized URLs, Web sites, and personalized e-mail

PPML Introduction

	PPML is the industry's first open, interoperable, device-independent standard that enables the widespread use of personalized print applications in high volumes. This XML-based print language enables personalized print to be more flexible, easier to use and more affordable to produce. It supports a full range of on-demand printing ranging from the office environment to high-speed production environments.. First introduced in 2000, and now in its third generation, PPML is supported by dozens of companies across different market segments. “New PPML applications are being announced every few months,” observes Rab Govil, president of PODi. “PPML is the fastest and most versatile language of its kind, substantially changing the value proposition for digital print. It’s ideally suited for direct mail and fulfillment applications in the graphic arts, and is today the most widely adopted variable data language.” PODi’s standards development group wrote the PPML specification. The team consists of twenty-four leading technical and marketing figures from the digital print industry. Rapid development has continued to increase capabilities, and enhance interoperability across the digital print spectrum.
	To learn more about the PPML and what the PPML family of standards offers, download the Introduction to PPML now. [PDF file. 8 pages/478K/Jul-2003]
	To download the PPML specifications, click here