JDF (Job Definition Format) is a technical standard developed by the graphic arts industry to facilitate cross-vendor workflow implementations of the application domain.
JDF is managed by CIP4, the International Cooperation for the Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress Organization.
JDF was initiated by Adobe Systems, Agfa, Heidelberg and MAN Roland in 1999 but handed over to CIP3 at Drupa 2000.
It defines both JDF files and JMF, a job messaging format based on XML over HTTP.
As is typical of workflow applications, the JDF message contains information that enables each "node" to determine what files it needs as input and where they are found, and what processes it should perform.
The goal of CIP4 and the JDF format is to encompass the whole life cycle of a print and cross-media job, including device automation, management data collection and job-floor mechanical production process, including even such things as bindery, assembly of finished products on pallets.
In finishing and binding, and printing there is a tradition of automation and few large enough dominating companies that can steer the development of JDF system.
In addition, there is a huge amount of large-capital production machinery already existing in the trade which is incompatible with JDF.
The underlying incentive to adopt JDF is not sufficient in most cases to cause owners to abandon "acceptable" machinery that they presently have in favour of a large-capital purchase of somewhat faster, JDF-compliant capital goods.
Input data to the proofing combined process usually required both interpreting (with the exception of JDF ByteMap) and rendering.