What's New in CHILI GraFx

Canto Connector for GraFx Studio: Automated Creative Production for your Canto DAM assets

Managing assets in Canto has always been easy. Now putting them to work in your visual content automation is too!

The new CHILI GraFx Connector for Canto is a direct pipeline between your DAM and design automation – bringing approved assets and metadata straight into GraFx Studio.No downloads. No rework. Just seamless, on-brand production at scale.

Real-World Use Case
Here’s how it works when your team manages assets in Canto (think product photos, logos, and lifestyle imagery, etc.):

• A designer opens a Smart Template in GraFx Studio and pulls in approved visuals directly from Canto
• Metadata, like SKUs or promo dates, flows automatically into the layout
• Local teams personalize the template for their region in just a few clicks

That’s self-serve design, powered by your DAM-approved assets.

Release Highlights

• Direct Asset Access – Browse and place Canto assets in GraFx Studio
• Smart Metadata Sync – Automatically map SKUs, pricing, categories, and more
• Localization Support – Serve the right content by market or region
• Seamless Collaboration – One connected source for designers and marketers

Already using Canto? Try the Canto Connector for GraFx Studio in a free CHILI GraFx Discovery Environment – we’ll set you up to test how seamlessly your assets and metadata flow into Smart Templates, using your own instance of Canto.

Not using Canto? No problem. CHILI GraFx supports a growing ecosystem of community-created Connectors for other leading DAM platforms and data sources too.

From Google Sheets to Personalized, On-Brand Assets at Scale

Got a massive dataset? Want to automate asset production at scale for a digital shelf, direct mailing campaigns, or high-volume personalized marketing? The Google Sheets Connector for GraFx Studio makes it possible to generate tens of thousands – even millions – of graphical assets at unprecedented speed.

Linking Google Sheets to your GraFx Studio Smart Template happens automatically. Each column header instantly matches a template variable – like customer details, product data, pricing, or even personalized QR codes. And, just like that, you're ready to generate millions of personalized, on-brand assets.

Release Highlights

• Easy Data Connection: Link a Google Sheet to your template with just a URL.
• Automation Options: Run batch output from either the UI or via the API for fully automated workflows.
• Smart Preview Mode: Preview and check individual records before running large-scale batch output.
• Build Your Own Connectors: The CHILI GraFx open-source Connector Framework makes it easy to create custom integrations from any dataset source.

The Google Sheets Connector for GraFx Studio is the first example of our new Data Connector Framework – an open-source foundation that allows developers to build custom Connectors for any data source. That means Google Sheets is just the beginning!

Test it yourself in a free CHILI GraFx Discovery environment! With ready-to-use content to explore, you can experience the true meaning of graphics production at scale.

GraFx Studio Connector for Sitecore Content Hub

Stop drowning in static asset management – start generating visuals dynamically. With the new Sitecore Content Hub Connector for GraFx Studio, your creative and marketing teams can instantly access and use on-brand, approved assets from your DAM in CHILI GraFx. No bottlenecks, no outdated assets – just high-impact graphics, ready to go.

Once again, CHILI GraFx has solidified its position as the go-to Creative Automation platform, seamlessly connecting with DAMs, PIMs, and other essential content supply chain systems. Boost your workflow efficiency and maximize your return on creative tech investments with CHILI GraFx!

Release Highlights

• Direct Access to Assets: Template Designers as well as end-users can browse and select assets from Sitecore Content Hub without leaving GraFx Studio.
• Metadata Synchronization: Stay consistent with automatic synchronization of asset metadata, ensuring accurate information across platforms.
• Localized Metadata: Indicate your locale and the Connector will automatically load asset metadata in your language.
• Better Team Collaboration: Empower designers and marketers with a unified workspace for asset use and Smart Template creation.
• Increased Asset Use: Maximize the impact of your Sitecore Content Hub by making approved assets instantly available in your creative production workflows.

Setting up the CHILI GraFx Connector for Sitecore Content Hub is quick and secure – just configure authentication, and you're ready to instantly access assets .

Looking for more integrations? The CHILI GraFx Connector Framework enables partners to build Connectors between their technologies and CHILI GraFx, expanding connectivity across the content supply chain.

Find out more about Sitecore and how to set up the Connector using the following links.

Smart Crop: AI That Knows Exactly Where to Focus

Adjusting images for different channels is time-consuming, but Smart Crop eliminates the hassle. Powered by purpose-built AI, CHILI GraFx now instantly identifies the subject and the Point of Interest (POI) within the image then automatically crops it to fit the frame – whether for social media, digital ads, or print.

And while Smart Crop automates precision at scale, you stay in control: You can fine-tune the subject position within the frame, crop manually, or override the image's AI-generated data with your preferred adjustments.

Release Highlights

• Effortless Multichannel Adaptation: Automatically adjust image crops for any channel—social, digital, or print.
• AI-Driven Precision: Keeps the focus where it belongs, enhancing every design.
• Customizable Controls: Easily refine or override the POI to fit your exact needs.

With Smart Crop, GraFx Genie delivers another AI solution to make creating at scale faster and smarter. Say goodbye to manual versioning and hello to precision-driven automation.

Faster Smart Template Creation: The InDesign® Plugin Is Here!

GraFx Studio now integrates seamlessly with Adobe® InDesign®, making it easier than ever to transform your designs into dynamic, multichannel templates. Whether you're working on print, digital, or animated projects, this plugin will streamline your workflow while enhancing creative efficiency.

From designers leveraging familiar tools to teams automating scalable template production, the InDesign plugin bridges the gap between creativity and powerful automation.

Release Highlights

• Seamless Importing: Effortlessly transition your InDesign designs into GraFx Studio, unlocking advanced scaling and personalization capabilities.
• Preflight Functionality: Prepare your designs for multichannel output with a clear overview of compliance or potential issues in GraFx Studio.
• Designed for Print Experts: Purpose-built to meet the high standards of print professionals, while also expanding capabilities for digital and animated outputs.

The InDesign plugin accelerates Smart Template creation, combining the best of both worlds – creative flexibility and powerful automation. Ready to see it in action? Request access to your CHILI GraFx Discovery environment today!

Grow With Ease! With Text Frame Auto-grow in GraFx Studio

Our new Auto-grow feature simplifies managing dynamic text content in your templates by ensuring your text frames are always optimally visible, with no manual adjustments needed! It's an incredible feature that gives you full flexibility to decide how your text frames behave as layouts change.

With Auto-grow, the text frame itself automatically resizes when needed, all while respecting a maximum height limit. This means the text frame resizes correctly for your design then copyfitting can step in to ensure that the content of the frame also resizes. Both methods make sure no part of your text gets cut off... or shrinks into obscurity!

Auto-grow also works seamlessly with anchoring to a frame. When a text frame expands, any anchored frames automatically adjust, keeping your layout intact as content shifts.

Release Highlights

• Dynamic frame adjustment: Text frames auto-expand as content grows, up to a preset limit.
• Complete text control: Changes in text, font size, and style are applied automatically based on your variables.
• Anchored Content: Layout spacing and frame sizes adjust automatically as text frames resize.

With Auto-grow, you can stay focused on your design and content, while GraFx Studio handles the text frame adjustments for optimum content visibility.

GraFx Studio Upgraded Its Status – From Single to Multi!

GraFx Studio now supports multi-page layouts, unlocking new possibilities for your designs. Create brochures, folders, and other multi-page documents – all seamlessly within one design workflow.

From creative agencies designing high-quality brochures to retailers producing localized promotions, multi-page layouts are perfect for creating impactful, multichannel designs that maintain brand consistency.

Release Highlights

• Easy Page Management: Add, delete, and reorder pages with simple click and drag functionality.
• Visibility Controls: Hide or show pages as needed – only visible pages appear in the final output.
• Streamlined Editing: Variables update across all pages instantly for total consistency.

With multi-page layouts, along with AI-driven resizing features like Auto-grow and advanced anchoring, GraFx Studio delivers unmatched efficiency and simplicity – making it the ultimate tool for creating professional, dynamic, multichannel-ready designs. Start exploring the possibilities today!

PDF Crop Marks – Cut to the Good Stuff

GraFx Studio now offers PDF Crop Marks for your print production workflows. This essential addition ensures accurate page trimming when preparing your designs for print. PDF page boxes, configured for print production, are also fully supported as part of this update.

What are Crop Marks?

Crop marks are lines printed in the corners of your artwork that indicate to a printer where the paper should be trimmed. They ensure the final print product is cut to size and eliminate unwanted fringe areas around your designs.

**How it Works in GraFx Studio: **

Enabling crop marks is simple. Toggle the "Crop marks" option in the PDF output settings, and customize the offset and weight of the crop marks to match your specific requirements:

• Offset: Control the distance between the crop marks and the edge of the (Media) page.
• Weight: Adjust the thickness of the crop marks for optimal visibility.

GraFx Studio uses default settings recommended by the Ghent Workgroup (GWG) of offset (3mm) and weight (0.25pt).

Benefits:

• Accurate trimming: Eliminate errors and ensure your designs are cut with precision.
• Streamlined workflow: Reduce time spent on manual adjustments and communication with your printer.
• Professional results: Deliver polished and print-ready artwork at any scale every time.

Technical Details:

• PDF Page Boxes: Setting crop marks also sets PDF page boxes (Media, Trim, Bleed, Crop, and Art) for print production, ensuring compatibility with industry-standard print workflows.
• Registration Color: Crop marks are printed in "Registration color" (100% of all process and spot colors) to guarantee visibility on all color plates.
• White Background Offset: Crop marks include a white background offset for enhanced visibility on darker backgrounds.

**Ready to cut to the chase? **

Start using PDF Crop Marks in GraFx Studio today and experience a more efficient and accurate print production process.

Anchors Away! Introducing GraFx Studio’s Powerful New Smart Anchoring

Our latest CHILI GraFx release is all about giving you more control over your design elements – say hello to GraFx Studio Smart Anchoring!

GraFx Studio’s advanced, Smart Anchoring gives you total control over how frames react to page size changes or the movement of other frames in your design. You can choose to keep frames fixed at a precise location in your layout or let them adapt automatically to changes in your template.

Anchoring is incredibly versatile and easy to use. You simply link frames to the page or other elements then let GraFx Studio’s AI do the magic as you modify your template. Linking position to another frame? Choose specific edges for more control, and visual anchor lines will appear to make the positioning clear. Plus, a reset button lets you restore anchors and settings with ease.

Release Highlights

• Anchor frames to template elements: Anchor a frame to page size or another frame’s position with ease.
• Move and resize frames: Offsets adapt automatically as you adjust your design.
• Automatic sync: Move a frame, and its anchored elements follow, maintaining your design perfectly.
• Visual anchor lines: See anchor lines with clear offsets to better understand your frame positioning.
• Easy reset: A reset button lets you quickly revert your anchor settings to those of the parent layout.

With GraFx Studio’s Smart Anchoring, no matter what template changes you make, your content will always be perfectly positioned. Just anchor, move, and let GraFx Studio handle the rest!

Layout Presets – Design Once, Deliver Everywhere

With Layout Presets, creating multichannel content is a breeze. Add layout versions under your default layout and choose the format that fits – whether it’s for print, Digital or any other channel. Layouts are organized by type for better workflow.

Starting a new template? Select your preferred layout preset as the default, then effortlessly add more layout versions in your design, keeping your designs consistent across all channels with minimal effort.

Release Highlights

• Design once, adapt everywhere: Create different layouts within a single template for all your print and digital output needs.
• Organized by type: Layouts are grouped into categories
• Seamless setup: Start with a default layout preset when creating new templates, then add new versions for each channel – all within GraFx Studio.
• Streamlined workflow: Quickly adjust your designs for various platforms, saving time while ensuring your brand and content maintain consistent formatting across channels as business rules are applied.

Introducing Design & Run mode: Validate Your Templates Before Going Live

We're excited to introduce a powerful update to GraFx Studio – Design & Run mode, developed to streamline your template testing process. This new feature gives you complete insight into how your templates behave in a safe environment before going live.

Design & Run mode lets you validate how your design will look when populated with data without first having to deploy your template. This works for new templates or existing templates that you have already put live and now wish to modify with the risk of disrupting your existing deployments. Create your template in Design mode then visualize your template with data in Run mode. GraFx Studio’s UI will even switch to dark mode to provide a distinctive, attractive environment to assess your work in.

Release Highlights

• Test template data population in real-time: Quickly switch to Run mode to see how your templates adapt to data entry without having to deploy.
• Safe validation: Easily test templates without leaving the design environment so you don’t need to alter live templates. It’s risk-free template testing!
• Dark Mode for Studio UI: A sleek, comfortable way to work while testing and validating designs.

With Design & Run mode, you can ensure your templates will populate with data perfectly before deployment – all within a streamlined, user-friendly interface.

PDF Error Handling: Catch Issues Before They Disrupt Your Workflow

Our new PDF Error Handling feature can be enabled via output settings in the CHILI GraFx platform and is designed to keep your batch output running smoothly, even when things don’t go as planned.

Now, when handling large batch outputs, you’ll have the control you need to manage errors without disrupting your workflow. Simply toggle on “Continue batch output after failure”, and CHILI GraFx will automatically skip any failed records, while allowing the output process to continue. Prefer to address errors immediately? No problem. Toggle the setting to “Off” and the process will abort on failures, giving you the chance to intervene.

All errors are tracked in real-time through the Environment API, which logs any failed outputs, so you can review them later or download the error report immediately from your Output tasks, so you can see what needs fixed without delay.

Release Highlights

• Smooth batch processing: Keep large PDF jobs on track, even when errors occur.
• Toggle flexibility: Choose to skip errors or pause the process for more control.
• Real-time error tracking: Easily find failed outputs using the Environment API.
• Quick output access: Download your PDF output files directly from the Environment API.

Spot-on Color Precision with Spot Colors in GraFx Studio!

Looking for perfect color precision? Meet Spot Colors in CHILI GraFx! This allows you to achieve unmatched accuracy, especially for brand logos, unique hues, and special finishes like metallics or fluorescents. Spot colors use pre-mixed, standardized inks, ensuring consistency that CMYK alone can’t deliver.

You can define a spot color by name – including PANTONE® colors – making it appear as a separate "ink" in your PDF output. This not only provides precise color control but also helps indicate specific finishing steps like varnishes, embossing, or die-cutting. It’s all about making sure your designs look exactly how you envisioned.

Release Highlights

• Perfect color matching: Define spot colors to match specific brand colors or special hues, ensuring consistency in every output.
• Enhanced finishes: Use spot colors to indicate areas for special finishes like varnishes, cold foil, or embossing.
• PDF precision: Spot colors are treated as separate inks in your PDF output, providing greater control during production.
• Simplified setup: Easily define and manage spot colors directly within GraFx Studio as part of a style kit, ensuring that your color choices and design intent translate perfectly into the final print.

Connect the Dots with the Connector Hub

The new Connector Hub makes connecting your essential tools a breeze. Whether it's linking your DAM or other go-to platforms, our Connector Hub makes setting it up easy and streamlines the entire process. No more jumping between systems – just smooth, automated workflows that keep your creativity flowing.

For example, connect your DAM to automatically sync assets into your GraFx Studio templates, ensuring everything stays up-to-date. With the Connector Hub, you can focus more on creating and less on managing.

Today we offer the possibility to connect with any media provider (from DAMs to generative AI tools). Our open-sourced Connector Framework allows everyone to build and share their Connectors. Soon you’ll be able to connect any data connector as well, such as a CRM, PIM or any other data system.

Release Highlights

• Effortlessly connect to your most-used DAM systems through a user-friendly interface.
• Intuitive UI makes setup and management a breeze, even for complex integrations.
• Test authentication easily to ensure secure connections and seamless access.
• Send metadata with your setup connection using runtime settings for tailored flows.
• Automate asset syncing for smoother workflows and reduced manual tasks.
• Future-ready: As new tools emerge, the Connector Hub will evolve to keep your integrations up to date.