Overview - ISO 18565:2015 (Document management - AFP/Archive)
ISO 18565:2015 defines an AFP/Archive (AFP/A) subset of the AFP document architecture tailored for long-term preservation and reliable retrieval of print-oriented electronic documents. The standard specifies a constrained, unambiguous interchange set that eliminates device- and resolution-dependent constructs, enforces page independence, and requires that all referenced resources be carried within the print file. ISO 18565 helps ensure archived AFP files remain renderable and reproducible over time.
Key topics and technical requirements
- AFP/A subset and conformance
- Print files must contain only AFP/A objects, structured fields and triplets and meet AFP/A parameter ranges.
- Begin/End Print File (BPF/EPF) and Begin Document (BDT) fields must identify the MO:DCA Interchange Set (ISid = X’0001’ or X’0D01’).
- Maximum structured field length: X’7FF0’ (32 752 bytes).
- Device- and resolution-independence
- Prohibits device-dependent colours, device-default fonts, and external resource reliance.
- CMYK and Highlight colour spaces are disallowed unless qualified by audit Color Management Resources (CMRs) or indexed substitutes.
- Images without defined resolution (e.g., AFPC JPEG/GIF) must include an Image Resolution (X’9A’) triplet when used with mapping modes other than scale-to-fit/scale-to-fill.
- Page independence and indexing
- Each page must be retrievable and presentable exactly as in the original context. BPG structured fields must include a Begin Medium Map Reference (FQN X’8D’) and either Medium Map Page Number (X’56’) or Page Position Information (X’81’) to locate the page.
- Presentation Control (X’83’) remains optional; if absent the page is viewable and indexable.
- Resources and migration functions
- All referenced resources must be carried in the print file resource group - no external dependencies.
- Migration/obsolete MO:DCA functions are generally excluded (see Clause 9 for exceptions).
Applications and who uses this standard
- Digital archives and records management - ensures print-oriented records remain accessible and legally defensible.
- Software vendors and system integrators - AFP generators, receivers, and archival tools that implement AFP/A conformance.
- Enterprises with high-volume print workflows - financial services, government, utilities that require long-term retention of transactional documents.
- Preservation specialists and IT auditors - validating archive integrity and reproducible rendering over time.
Related standards
- ISO 19005-1 (PDF/A-1) - PDF archival format reference in normative references.
- ISO 12651-1 - vocabulary for electronic document imaging.
- MO:DCA Reference (AFPC) - baseline architecture from which AFP/A is a subset.
Keywords: ISO 18565:2015, AFP/Archive, AFP document architecture, long-term preservation, document management, MO:DCA, page independence, device-independent fonts, archival resources.
