This article explains how to create and manage paper substrate definitions in GelatoConnect and link them to your machines in Machine Park. By setting up substrates, you provide your Workflow Builder with the information it needs to automatically select the correct paper for each production job — including dimensions, grammage, and printable margins.
💡 This feature is available for all PSPs using GelatoConnect with Machine Park and Workflow Builder enabled.
Overview
Paper substrates represent the physical sheets and rolls of media you hold in your facility. Each substrate record captures the key attributes of a media type — such as dimensions, weight, thickness, and format (sheet or roll). Once created, substrates can be linked to one or more machines in Machine Park, along with machine-specific settings like printable margins and feed direction.
When a job enters your workflow, the Workflow Builder uses these substrate-to-machine links to determine which paper to use and calculates the printable area for accurate imposition.
Stage 1: Creating Paper Substrates
Navigate to the Paper Substrates page from the main menu.
Adding a Sheet Substrate
Click Add Substrate and select Sheet.
Enter a descriptive name for the substrate (e.g., “150 gsm White Silk”). Including the weight, colour, and finish in the name makes it easy to identify later.
(Optional) Add a brand name if this substrate is specific to a particular paper brand. Leave blank if it applies generically.
Fill in the physical attributes and Save
Field | Description |
Width (mm) | The width of the sheet in millimetres. |
Height (mm) | The height of the sheet in millimetres. |
Grammage (gsm) | The paper weight in grams per square metre. |
Thickness (mm) | The caliper / thickness of the sheet. |
Adding a Roll Substrate
The process is similar for rolls. Click Add Substrate and select Roll. In addition to the standard fields, you can specify the roll type in Media Type:
📝 You can create as many substrate records as you need. Each record should represent a distinct combination of media format, weight, finish, and dimensions that you stock.
Stage 2: Linking Substrates to Machines
Once your substrates exist, link them to the machines that use them.
Navigate to Machine Park and open the machine you want to configure.
Go to the Substrates tab.
Click Link Substrate and select the substrate from the dropdown list.
Set the printable margins (top, bottom, left, right) in millimetres. These margins define the non-printable border area and are passed to the Workflow Builder for imposition calculations.
Select the feed direction: choose Short Edge or Long Edge depending on how the paper is fed into the machine.
Click Link Substrate to save.
Repeat this process for every substrate that a machine supports. Over time, you will build a complete matrix of which substrates are available on which machines.
⚙️ The printable margin and feed direction values are sent to the Workflow Builder at job execution time, so accurate values are important for correct imposition.
Coming Soon: GCP Integration
In an upcoming release, paper substrates will also be available as supplier products within GelatoConnect Procurement (GCP). This means you will be able to:
• Add substrates as products in your supplier catalog with pricing information.
• Track stock consumption of substrates as they are used in production.
• Quickly reorder substrates through the GCP marketplace when stock runs low.
This integration is part of the broader MIS programme and will be communicated via the Help Center when available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link one substrate to multiple machines?
Yes. A single substrate can be linked to as many machines as needed, each with its own margin and feed direction settings.
What happens if I edit a substrate after linking it?
Changes to a substrate’s core attributes (dimensions, grammage) are reflected across all linked machines. Machine-specific settings (margins, feed direction) are stored separately on the link and are not affected.
Do I need to create substrates before setting up workflows?
Yes. Your Workflow Builder references the substrate-to-machine links when determining which paper to use, so substrates should be created and linked before building production workflows that depend on them.