Creating a print variant of a Digital article in Studio

In a 'digital first' workflow in Studio, a story is first published to a digital publication channel and later re-used in a print publication.

Because an article for digital output has different requirements than an article for print output (in terms of structure and the content it contains), a variation of the Digital article needs to be created for use in the print workflow.

Note: For more background information, see a description of the concept of creating a print variant of a Digital article.

This article explains how to do this in Studio.

Before you start

To make this feature work, configuration steps are needed. It is assumed here that the system is fully set up and working.

Methods

Creating a print variant is done by placing a Digital article onto a layout. This can be done in different ways, depending on the following scenarios:

1. The layout on which to place the article already exists
2. The layout on which to place the article does not yet exist

Note: Once the Digital article is placed and turned into a Print variant, the Print article can be replaced by another Digital article. For more information, see the end of this article.

Scenario 1: The layout already exists

In this scenario, the layout on which to place the article already exists. A Digital article is dragged onto it, a print variant is created from the Digital article and placed on the layout.

For detailed instructions, see Placing articles on a layout in Studio.

Scenario 2: The layout does not yet exist

This scenario starts with a Digital article. It is turned into a Print article which is then placed on a new layout.

Step 1. Locate the Digital article that you want to place on a layout.

Step 2. Right-click the article and choose Create print variant.

The 'Create print variant' window appears.

Step 3. From the available templates, select the layout on which to place the article.

Step 4. Define the location in which the article should be placed by choosing a location from the list.

Step 5. From the list of Conversion Rules, choose the Rule to use.

Step 6. Click Next.

A Properties window appears.

Step 7. Define the name and location where the Print article and the new layout should be stored by entering all details. When done, click OK.

The following takes place in the background:

• The Print article and layout are created.

• The Print article gets the same Brand and Category assigned as the layout.

• The Print article is placed on the layout.

• When the process was started from a Dossier, the Print article and layout are added to this Dossier.

• When the Print article contained more components than the InDesign Article on which it is placed, any components that cannot be matched are by default placed on the pasteboard of the layout, but Studio can also be configured that they are discarded.

• When the article is placed, the following is automatically added:
• Additional text before and/or after a Digital component.
• A separator between Digital components that are combined into a single Print component. Types of separators include a paragraph return and various types of spaces such as em space, thin space, figure space, and so on.
• Character styles applied to text in bold, italic or italic & bold.

• Using Container components. Container components are processed separately from the components of the main story, meaning that frames will be generated that are separate from the frames of the main story. This makes it possible to use Containers as a side story or breakout story. By default the same mapping as for the main story is used, but a dedicated mapping for Container components can also be set up.

Step 8. Open the Print article and modify the text and/or place or crop images as needed.

Replacing the Print variant with a Digital article

Once a Digital article is placed on a layout and turned into a Print article, there may be a need later to replace it by another Digital article by dragging it onto the placed article.

This Digital article could be an updated version of the Digital article that was originally placed, or a completely different Digital article.

When this action is performed, the existing Print article is updated and a new version of the Print article is created. Use the Article compare feature to view the differences or to revert the changes.