Form definitions

A form definition is an Advanced Function Presentation (AFP) resource object that defines the characteristics of the physical form to be printed on.

Form definitions define these characteristics:
  • Overlays to be used
  • Position of page data on the form
  • Rotation
  • Duplexing
  • Input drawer
  • Formfeed type
  • Print quality
  • Number of copies of each page and the modifications that apply to each set of copies
  • List of Color management resources (CMRs) that might be used

Whenever you are printing to a printer configured as AFP(*YES), a form definition is required. If you do not specify a form definition on the printer file, an inline form definition is built from the printer file parameters. If you specify a form definition, no inline form definition is built from the printer file parameters. In this case, if you send the data to an AFP printer, Print Services Facility (PSF) ignores some printer file parameters.

AFP-related form definitions can be:
  • Provided with IBM® i
  • Created with the IBM Infoprint Designer for iSeries licensed program
  • Downloaded from zSeries
  • Included inline from zSeries
  • Created automatically from printer file parameters