Captura Workflow offers two primary job types—Pre-Order Jobs and Proof Jobs—to support different sales workflows. Understanding how each job type works will help you choose the best experience for your customers and manage orders more efficiently.

Whether you're collecting orders before picture day or selling images after they're available, Workflow gives you the flexibility to support both approaches.

In this article, you'll learn:

• The difference between Pre-Order and Proof Jobs.

• How each job type works.

• How to configure a job as Pre-Order or Proof.

• When to use each workflow.

• Whether you can use both job types for the same event.

Understanding these workflows will help you choose the right ordering experience for your studio and your customers.

When creating a new job, you'll choose whether it will be a Pre-Order or Proof job.

To configure the job type:

1. Open Jobs.

2. Select New Job.

3. Enable Pre-Order to create a Pre-Order Job, or leave it disabled to create a Proof Job.

You can change a job from Pre-Order to Proof later by updating the Job Settings.

💡 PRO TIP: If you're using Smart Workflow, consider using Stages to automatically transition from Pre-Order to Proof once your images are ready.

A Pre-Order Job allows customers to purchase products before images are available.

This workflow is commonly used before picture day to collect orders in advance.

1. Customers sign in using a Global Online Code.

2. Customers select and purchase products before images are available.

3. Images are captured and uploaded after picture day.

4. The studio matches each order to the correct subject.

5. Workflow adds the subject's images to the existing order for fulfillment.

Related Article: Assigning Subjects and Images to Pre-Orders

A Proof Job allows customers to view images before placing an order.

This workflow is ideal when customers need to select their favorite images before purchasing.

1. Customers sign in using their unique Online Code.

2. They view their available image proofs.

3. Customers customize their order by selecting images and applying options such as cropping or retouching.

4. Images are automatically added to the order for fulfillment.

Once your Pre-Order period has ended and images have been uploaded:

1. Open the job.

2. Navigate to Job Settings.

3. Disable the Pre-Order setting.

4. Save your changes.

Your job will now function as a Proof Job, allowing customers to view and purchase available images.

If your studio uses Smart Workflow, you can automate the transition from Pre-Order to Proof using Stages.

Stages help streamline your workflow by automatically moving customers through each phase of the ordering process.

Related Article: Using Stages in Captura Workflow

A: Yes. Many studios collect Pre-Orders before picture day and then switch the job to Proof once images are available. This allows customers to place additional orders after viewing their images.

A: No. Pre-Order and Proof orders are separate. For Pre-Orders, the studio matches the subject's images to the existing order. Customers cannot return later to select images for that original Pre-Order.

A: Yes. Customers can place multiple orders. For example, they may purchase before picture day and then place another order after images are available. This can be a great opportunity to offer additional products or promote new items from your Price Sheet.

A: Use a Pre-Order Job when you want to collect payments before picture day and fulfill orders after images have been captured and matched to subjects.

A: Use a Proof Job when customers should be able to view, select, and customize their images before completing their purchase.