Spin processing typically takes place during the execution phase, however because of processing alternatives, which could occur during execution, the spin phase could happen immediately after the execution phase, but always before the output phase. Spin processing consists of processing the unspun queue and building Job Out Elements ($JOEs) for each unspun spool data set.

The output phase follows the spin phase processing and is sometimes confused with the hardcopy phase. Output phase processing scans the job's $IOT chains and if there are $PDDBs representing non-held output, these $PDDBs will be grouped into $JOEs. Held output data sets are grouped into $JOEs which are the elements representing output groups (spool data sets with like characteristics). $JOES are queued by class in the Job Output Table ($JOT) and are ordered FIFO, within priority, by route code.

After all $PDDBs have been assigned output groups the job's $JQE is placed on the hardcopy queue to await print, punch, transmission, or canceling of job output. The following describes the Spin Phase processing.