ISO 19593-1

ISO/DISPRF 19593-1:2026(en)
ISO/TC 130
Secretariat: SAC
Date: 2026-05-2708-11
Graphic technology — Use of PDF to associate processing steps and
content data —
Part 1:
Processing steps for packaging and labels
Technologie graphique — Utilisation du PDF pour associer les étapes de traitement et les données de
contenu —
Partie 1: Étapes de traitement 2016
PROOF
ISO/PRF 19593-1:2026(en)
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication
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Published in Switzerland
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ISO/PRF 19593-1:2026(en)
Contents
Foreword . iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Notations . 3
5 Conformance . 3
6 Storing processing-steps data in PDF — Generic requirements . 3
6.1 Processing-step optional content groups . 3
6.2 Processing-step OCG metadata . 3
6.3 Colouring and positioning of processing-step PDF objects . 5
6.4 Limitations on processing-step PDF objects describing paths and surfaces . 6
6.5 Evaluating processing steps . 6
7 Storing processing-steps data in PDF — packaging and labels requirements . 7
7.1 Groups of processing-step OCGs . 7
7.2 Values for GTS_ProcStepsGroup . 17
7.3 Values for GTS_ProcStepsType . 18
7.4 Colouring and positioning of processing-step PDF objects . 21
7.5 Limitations on processing-step PDF objects . 22
7.6 Evaluating processing steps . 22
8 Example of a processing-step OCG . 24
Bibliography . 25

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ISO/PRF 19593-1:2026(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of
ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights
in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s)
which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not
represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 130, Graphic technology.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 19593-1:2018), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— — additional processing-step groups and types have been defined;
— — allowance for usage of the GTS_Metadata dictionary has been given for OCGs that are not processing-
step OCGs;
— — processing-step PDF object membership of multiple processing-step OCGs, that have different group
and/or type, has been prohibited;
— — a recommendation to include PDF objects, that are not processing-step PDF objects, in one or more
OCGs has been added.
A list of all parts in the ISO 19593 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
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ISO/PRF 19593-1:2026(en)
Introduction
It is common practice in the packaging segment, and other segments of the printing industry, to work with
PDF files that contain PDF graphics objects to be used for printing and additional PDF graphics objects and
metadata to be used for other steps in the production of the final product. These nonprinting PDF objects and
metadata correspond to additional processing steps, for example die cutting or creasing. In this way a PDF file
can serve as a container for all production data, printing and nonprinting, of a printed product, such as a
package or a label.
These processing-steps data are used in various steps of the production chain:
— — a graphic designer may use them to correctly position graphical elements;
— — a quality controller may use them to verify correctness of the design before producing the printed
element;
— — a system performing layout of the printed products on a substrate may use them to determine an
optimal layout with minimal waste of substrate;
— — they can be used to manufacture tools for production;
— — they can be used directly by digitally controlled finishing devices.
In a typical example workflow:
a) a) all PDF graphics objects are rendered for proofing and viewing purposes;
b) b) in the final production printing, only PDF graphics objects intended for printing are used and
the PDF graphics objects intended to describe additional processing steps are ignored;
c) c) in a finishing step of the final production workflow the PDF graphics objects intended for
printing are ignored while a set of PDF graphics objects corresponding with this processing step are used.
Without an established standard, multiple ad hoc methods are used to store, such data in a PDF file, depending
on the application used to generate the PDF file and the preferences of the user. For example, in a PDF file the
cut line can be stored in a layer called “CAD” using a contour with a stroke in spot colourant “coupe”, or the
cut line can be stored in the same layer as the graphics and represented as a contour with a stroke in spot
colourant “cut”.
The use of multiple ad hoc methods leads to problems of interoperability between companies and systems.
When a PDF file is sent from one participant in the packaging supply chain to another, the recipient needs to
know how processing-steps data are stored in the PDF file and his or her workflow (often automated) must
be able to handle the particular mechanisms used by the sender. When the recipient receives files from
multiple senders that all use different mechanisms, this becomes complex and error-prone. For example, if a
converter has configured RIPs to ignore separations with spot colourant “cut” in incoming PDF files and the
recipient subsequently receives a PDF file with a spot colourant “coupe”, he or she risks wasting a printing
plate or, even worse, erroneously printing the die line on the package.
This document defines standardized mechanisms to store graphics objects and metadata corresponding to
processing steps in a PDF file. These mechanisms are intended to be generic and applicable not only to
packaging and label production but also to other segments of the printing industry.
Besides metadata identifying processing steps, requirements are defined describing how objects related to a
particular processing step may interact with the content of other processing steps or regular print content.
For example, objects related to a cutting processing step should not knock out regular print objects. Additional
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ISO/PRF 19593-1:2026(en)
requirements define which objects can reasonably be part of certain processing steps. For example, halftone
images do not make sense for a cutting processing step.
This document defines the syntax for defining processing steps and technical rules for possible
interdependencies between certain processing step information and other content.
This document defines a set of processing groups and types that are applicable to the packaging and label
segment of the printing industry. Although defined specifically for packaging and labels, these groups and
types may also be applicable to other segments of the printing industry such as sign and display or commercial
print.
Subsequent parts of the ISO 19593 series mightcan either extend the list of defined processing groups and
types to address the needs of other segments of the printing industry or define new groups and types needed
in the packaging and labels segment.
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ISO/PRF 19593-1:2026(en)
Graphic technology — Use of PDF to associate processing steps and
content data —
—
Part 1:
Processing steps for packaging and labels
1 Scope
This document describes a method for storing data in a PDF file that correspond to the processing steps of
printed products. This method has three parts:
1) 1) metadata identifying processing steps;
2) 2) limitations on the interaction between PDF graphics objects that are part of a processing step
and other PDF graphics objects;
3) 3) limitations on PDF graphics objects in processing steps.
This method is intended to be generic, i.e. not specific to packaging and labels.
In addition, this document defines the following packaging- and label-specific groups of processing steps data:
— — data corresponding to finishing steps, such as cutting, folding or glueing;
— — braille;
— — information panels;
— — indications of physical dimensions;
— — indications of intended positions of graphical elements;
— — printed white, for example on transparent or metallic surfaces;
— — printed varnish;
— — primer;
— — printing plate making.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 32000--1:2008, Document management — Portable document format — Part 1: PDF 1.7
ISO 32000--2:2020, Document management — Portable document format — Part 2: PDF 2.0
ISO/PRF 19593-1:2026(en)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— — ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— — IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1 3.1
processing step
step in production of print products other than regular printing of colour on the print surface
EXAMPLE Cutting, printing of white, varnish or similar.
3.2 3.2
contour
path or text PDF graphics object with path-based glyph descriptions
3.3 3.3
processing-step PDF object
PDF graphics object that is a member of a processing-step OCG
3.4 3.4
processing-step OCG
optional content group grouping PDF objects that are intended to be used for the purpose of performing a
processing step
EXAMPLE An OCG with 2 circular paths that are used to define the geometry of circular piece of carton with a hole
that will be cut from a sheet.
3.5 3.5
surface of the printed product
area of the printed substrate that will be used for the final printed product
Note 1 to entry: Each part of the ISO 19593 series contains a precise definition of the surface of the printed product. For
this document this definition can be found in 7.4.17.4.1.
3.6 3.6
spot colourant
colourant that is not a process colourant
3.7 3.7
printing colourant
colourant of a printing device
3.8 3.8
station
specific location in cutting die from which an individual packaging or label item will be cut from the roll or
sheet of material
3.9 3.9
evaluator
software application capable of using processing-step PDF objects in the context of a processing step
ISO/PRF 19593-1:2026(en)
EXAMPLE Front-end software of a digital cutting table that can generate cutting instructions for the digital cutting
table from cutting processing-step PDF objects.
4 Notations
PDF operators, PDF keywords, the names of keys in PDF dictionaries and other predefined names are written
in bold; for example, the key BM. Operands of PDF operators or values of PDF dictionary keys are written in
italic; for example, the multiply value for the BM key.
5 Conformance
This document defines the use of processing step PDF graphics objects for the exchange of processing-steps
data.
A PDF file conforming to this document shall be one in which processing-steps data are included in the PDF
using a method that adheres to this document. Such a PDF file shall conform with the requirements of both
Clause 6Clause 6 and Clause 7Clause 7. A conforming file may also use additional methods to describe
processing-steps data. If used, these alternative methods shall not contradict the data stored using the method
described in this document.
A conforming file shall conform to at least one of the following International Standards: ISO 32000-1 or ISO
32000-2.
A conforming reader is a software application that shall be able to read and appropriately process all files
conforming to this document and conforming to at least one of ISO 32000-1 or ISO 32000-2.
6 Storing processing-steps data in PDF — Generic requirements
6.1 Processing-step optional content groups
The use of optional content groups (OCGs) allows labelling graphics objects throughout a PDF file in such a
way that they can easily be included or excluded from output. While an OCG can easily be used to group
graphics objects together, there is no standardized mechanism to store identifying information in such an OCG.
A processing-step OCG shall have a GTS_Metadata key in the OCG dictionary, as described in 6.26.2,, where
the value of this key is a dictionary containing standardized identifying information for the processing step
which this processing-step OCG corresponds to.
NOTE The Name key of the OCG cannot be used for identification because its values are a) not standardized and b)
often used for display in user interface which conflicts with the possibility of standardizing them. Although it might be
acceptable for an English user, for example, to work with an OCG called “Die cut” and learn to standardize on it, the same
would likely not be true for a Dutch or Chinese user.
A processing-step OCG shall only contain PDF graphics objects whose intended usage is consistent with the
processing step defined by GTS_Metadata.
Processing-step PDF objects shall only be member of multiple processing step OCGs for the same kind of
processing step (see 6.2clause 6.2).).
To allow an evaluator to evaluate a specific processing step using OCG state controls, all PDF objects, that are
not processing-step PDF objects, should be member of an OCG that is not a processing-step OCG.
6.2 Processing-step OCG metadata
The optional content group dictionary of a processing-step OCG shall contain the GTS_Metadata key, the value
of which shall be a dictionary, as indicated in Table 1Table 1.
ISO/PRF 19593-1:2026(en)
Table 1 — Additional GTS_Metadata entry in an optional content group dictionary
Key Type Value
GTS_Metadata dictionary (Required for a processing-step OCG) GTS_Metadata dictionary
containing keys defined in Table 2Table 2
It is often necessary to preserve hierarchical information about processing steps. For automated tools, for
example, it might not be enough to know that graphics objects are related to a “Structural” processing step;
one might need to be able to discern the difference between cut and crease lines. To enable this, the
GTS_Metadata dictionary contains enough information to preserve such hierarchy.
Table 2 — Entries in a GTS_Metadata dictionary
Key Type Value
GTS_ProcStepsGroup name (Required for a processing-step OCG)
Name of the processing step group this processing step belongs to.
The value of this key shall be taken from a list of predefined values in
the relevant part of the ISO 19593 series when such value is
applicable.
If the relevant part of the ISO 19593 series does not define an
applicable value, a custom value may be used in a conforming file. All
custom values for this key shall be either second class or third class
names as described in ISO 32000-2:2020, Annex E, though second
class is strongly recommended.
GTS_ProcStepsType name (Optional; required for some values of GTS_ProcStepsGroup)
Name of the type of processing step within the group defined by the
value of GTS_ProcStepsGroup.
The value of this key shall be taken from a list of predefined values in
the relevant part of the ISO 19593 series when such value is
applicable.
If the relevant part of the ISO 19593 series does not define an
applicable value, a custom value may be used in a conforming file. All
custom values for this key shall be either second class or third class
names as described in ISO 32000-2:2020, Annex E, though second
class is strongly recommended.
GTS_ProcStepsColorant name (Required for some combinations of the value of GTS_ProcStepsGroup
andProcStepsGroupand GTS_ProcStepsType)
The value of this key shall be either a name of a printing colourant or
the value Default. Values All and None shall not be used.
When the value is a printing colourant name, the processing step is
applicable for that specific printing colourant.
When the value is Default, the processing step is applicable to all
printing colourants for which there is no explicit
GTS_ProcStepsColorant entry and the same combination of
GTS_ProcStepsGroup and GTS_ProcStepsType.
The GTS_ProcStepsGroup key defines the group of processing steps the graphics objects in this OCG belong
to. The GTS_ProcStepsType key optionally defines the type of processing steps for the graphics objects in the
OCG. The GTS_ProcStepsColorant optionally indicates that a particular processing-step is related to a specific
printing colourant.
ISO/PRF 19593-1:2026(en)
For a processing-step OCG, the GTS_Metadata dictionary shall contain the GTS_ProcStepsGroup key. For an
OCG, that is not a processing-step OCG, the GTS_Metadata dictionary, if present, shall not contain the
GTS_ProcStepsGroup key.
For some values of the GTS_ProcStepsGroup key, the GTS_ ProcStepsType key shall also be present. The
combination of the value of the GTS_ProcStepsGroup and the value of the GTS_ProcStepsType key uniquely
define the processing step. (see 7.3clause 7.3))
For some combinations of the value of the GTS_ProcStepsGroup and the value of the GTS_ProcStepsType
key, the GTS_ProcStepsColorant key shall also be present. (see 7.3.3clause 7.3.3))
A PDF file may contain multiple OCGs with the same combination of values of GTS_ProcStepsGroup and
GTS_ProcStepsType. These OCGs correspond with the same kind of processing step.
A processing-step PDF object shall only be a member of processing step OCGs that have identical values for
GTS_ProcStepsGroup and identical values for GTS_ProcStepsType when present.
6.3 Colouring and positioning of processing-step PDF objects
6.3.1 Overview
This subclause defines alternative sets of requirements for processing steps. The relevant part of the
ISO 19593 series indicates which set of requirements is applicable to which groups or types of processing
steps and may specify alternative requirements that differ from these.
The purpose of the sets of requirements is to guarantee that rendering of the device colourants within the
surface of the printed product on the intended final printing device (i.e. the printing device that will be used
to print the content of the conforming file in production) are not affected by the presence of processing-step
PDF objects in the PDF.
6.3.2 Colouring and positioning of processing-step PDF objects in off-bleed areas
This set of requirements is applicable to processing-step PDF objects that are not allowed to overlap with the
actual print content.
— — These processing-step PDF objects may have any PDF-conforming colouring, overprint or
transparency blending.
— — These processing-step PDF objects shall be positioned in an “off-bleed” area, i.e. they shall not overlap
geometrically with the surface of the printed product. Determination of overlapping shall use areas
marked by the actual graphics objects and shall not be defined by a rectangular bounding box or similar
method.
The specific definition of the surface of the printed product to be used shall be taken from the relevant part of
the ISO 19593 series.
6.3.3 Colouring and positioning of processing-step PDF objects allowed to overlap with print
content
This set of requirements is applicable to processing-step PDF objects that are allowed to overlap with print
content.
— — These processing-step PDF objects may appear anywhere on the PDF page.
— — These processing-step PDF objects shall be coloured using a spot colourant. Colourants used for page
content that does not form part of a processing-step OCG shall not be used to colour these processing-step
ISO/PRF 19593-1:2026(en)
PDF objects. Colourants with the name All, None, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow or Black shall not be used to
colour these processing-step PDF objects.
— — The graphics state for these processing-step PDF objects shall have the overprint parameter set to true
for stroke when the object is painted with a stroke. The graphics state for these processing-step PDF
objects shall have the overprint parameter set to true for fill if the object is painted with a fill. These
processing-step PDF objects shall not use PDF transparency, either directly or through membership of a
transparency group other than the page-level transparency group. The method to determine if a PDF
object uses transparency shall be as described in ISO 32000-2:2020, Annex Q.
— — Page content that does not belong to a processing step shall be placed in the appropriate order of the
content stream such that no PDF graphics objects are drawn on top of and overlapping with these
processing-step PDF objects. Determination of overlapping shall use areas marked by the actual graphics
objects or within the area of a soft mask and shall not be defined by a rectangular bounding box or similar
method.
6.4 Limitations on processing-step PDF objects describing paths and surfaces
The purpose of this set of requirements is to limit the types of PDF objects in certain processing steps
describing paths or surfaces. The relevant part of the ISO 19593 series indicates for which group or type of
processing steps these requirements are valid and may specify alternative requirements that differ from these.
— — These processing-step OCGs shall only contain PDF path objects, PDF text objects and form XObjects.
PDF objects in these form XObjects shall follow the requirements of 6.46.4.
— — Processing-step PDF objects in these processing-step OCGs describing paths shall have a stroke. They
should not have a fill.
— — Processing-step PDF objects in these processing-step OCGs describing surfaces shall have a fill or a
stroke or both a fill and a stroke.
— — The Pattern colour space shall not be used
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