PDF for Print with PrinceXML

Introduction

The PDF generating engine for IGP:Digital Publisher is the PrinceXML rendering engine.  The overall approch is that PDF is just another format (JAF).

There are other options to produce PDF from XHTML and CSS such as the very competent Antenna House Formatter.

PrinceXML stands alone in simplicity, with a focus on CSS (rather than cumbersome XSLT) and reasonable cost.

It is a third-party library and it needs processing support to make it work to required presentation and typographical standards.

The fact is the PrinceXML renderer is capable of addressing most layout issues but the calling application has to carry out content processing to use them. This is when a well designed XHTML specification like IGP:FoundationXHTML shines. The investment in optimized pre-flow processing can be made for a lot of complex layout paradigms. 

Just some of the Genres IGP:Digital Publisher is designed to deliver standard trade, complex trade, academic, textbooks, technical manuals, Questions & Answer, hobby/gardening/cookbooks.

Summary

This article is an introductory stub. Print PDF packaging is relatively straight-forward. Designing a production environment, tagging strategy and processing environment is not. Much of the information on this format will be covered in the Digital Production Wing where it is more appropriate to examine the detailed decisions needed for the highest quality print products generated from a digital content management system.

References

PrinceXML Website http://www.princexml.com/

Antenna House Formatter 6 http://www.antennahouse.com/