ChatGPT Shortcut System for Large Format Printing (Free Starter)
Control ChatGPT like calibrated equipment—not a chatbot. Production-safe commands for troubleshooting, decisions, and daily operations.
The Problem
ChatGPT gives inconsistent answers for production decisions.
Ask about banding and you’ll get theory. Ask about cost per m² and you’ll get estimates instead of calculations. Ask about substrate choice and you’ll get consumer-level explanations.
This command system fixes that.
It gives you operator-level control over ChatGPT—forcing structure, limiting assumptions, and keeping answers safe for real production work.
This free starter covers essential commands for daily shop-floor use. If you need production-safe reasoning, bias checks, and guardrails for critical decisions, the Operator Edition adds 15+ real scenarios and complete command coverage.
What This Command System Does
This is production control language for ChatGPT.
Think of it like RIP software—you’re not having a conversation, you’re executing commands.
Single command:
/CHECKLIST: Daily UV flatbed startup
Stacked commands:
/ACT AS production manager /METRICS MODE /FORMAT AS TABLE:
Compare cost per m² across printers
How to Use (Read Once)
Operator Rules
Commands go first
Short beats verbose
Stack only when needed
Re-apply context in new chats
That’s it. No setup, no plugins, no special ChatGPT version required.
Core Commands (Free Starter Set)
These are the essential commands for daily production use. Copy, test, and adapt them to your shop’s workflow.
🚀 /BRIEFLY — Short Answer Only
Use when you need fast answers without explanation.
Example:
/BRIEFLY: Why does banding appear after cleaning?
Result:
Air in lines (most common)
Incorrect head voltage
Media feed inconsistency
📋 /CHECKLIST — Actionable Steps
Use for startup, shutdown, or troubleshooting procedures.
Example:
/CHECKLIST: End-of-day latex printer shutdown
Result:
Complete current print job
Run cleaning cycle
Cap print heads
Lower platen temperature to 40°C
Power down in correct sequence
Log ink levels and any issues
👶 /ELI5 — Explain for New Operators
Use when training staff or explaining technical concepts simply.
Example:
/ELI5: What does linearization do in a RIP?
Result:
Linearization makes sure that when you ask for 50% gray, the printer actually prints 50% gray—not 45% or 55%. It compensates for how ink behaves on different media.
📊 /FORMAT AS [TABLE | BULLETS | FLOW]
Use when you need structured comparison or decision support.
Example:
/FORMAT AS TABLE: Solvent vs latex vs UV for outdoor signage
Result:
A comparison table showing durability, cost per m², drying time, and environmental considerations.
🎭 /ACT AS [role]
Use to get perspective-specific answers (production manager, installer, shop owner).
Example:
/ACT AS large format production manager:
Reduce banner reprints from color inconsistency
Result:
Focus shifts to process control, profile management, and operator training—not just hardware.
⚙️ /TONE [direct | urgent | neutral]
Use during live production issues to match the urgency level.
Example:
/TONE urgent: Head strike detected mid-run, 50 banners remaining
Result:
Immediate triage steps, no background explanation.
🧠 /STEP-BY-STEP
Use for calculations, cost analysis, or complex decisions.
Example:
/STEP-BY-STEP: Calculate true cost per m² including setup time and waste
Result:
Breaks down ink, media, labor, setup, and waste into clear calculations you can verify.
⚠️ /GUARDRAIL
Critical command. Use when asking about measurements, profiles, or technical specs.
Example:
/GUARDRAIL:
Do not invent DPI, curing temps, profiles, or timings. State when verification is required.
Why this matters:
Prevents ChatGPT from guessing values that must be looked up in your RIP, manufacturer specs, or media profiles.
Production Example: Troubleshooting Under Pressure
Scenario:
Banding appears after head cleaning during a live banner run. You have 30 minutes before the client arrives.
Prompt:
/BRIEFLY /ACT AS large format production manager:
Banding appeared after head cleaning on coated banner media.
List the most likely causes in order of probability.
Result:
Air in ink lines (95% of post-cleaning banding)
Incomplete cleaning cycle
Media tension changed during pause
Head voltage reset during cleaning
Why this works:
Ranked by probability (no wasted time)
Production perspective (not theory)
Fast decision support (no preamble)
Who This System Is For
✓ Production managers making equipment/workflow decisions under pressure
✓ Press operators troubleshooting mid-run with no time for ChatGPT rabbit holes
✓ Shop owners calculating true costs (ink, media, setup, waste, labor)
✓ Anyone who needs ChatGPT to act like calibrated equipment, not a chatbot
What The Free Starter Covers
This free version includes:
✅ Speed & output control (/BRIEFLY, /CHECKLIST, /ELI5)
✅ Basic role control (/ACT AS, /TONE)
✅ Essential formatting commands
✅ Production examples for each command
What’s NOT in the free starter:
❌ Guardrails for critical decisions (DPI, profiles, curing temps)
❌ Bias checks for equipment/workflow decisions
❌ Advanced reasoning commands (/SYSTEMATIC BIAS CHECK, /DELIBERATE THINKING)
❌ Complete command reference (40+ production-tested commands)
❌ Real troubleshooting scenarios from large format shops
❌ Analysis & strategy commands (/SWOT, /COMPARE, /METRICS MODE)
The Operator Edition removes the remaining guesswork.
💡 Real Example
A production manager used /SYSTEMATIC BIAS CHECK to discover their “head clog” reprints were actually media tension issues. Saved 6 hours of unnecessary maintenance and $400 in wasted media.
Get The Operator Edition
The free starter works for daily tasks. The Operator Edition is designed for production decisions where quality, cost, or risk is involved.
What’s Included
Full command coverage — 35+ production-tested commands for speed, analysis, reasoning, and decision support
Guardrails for critical decisions — Prevents ChatGPT from inventing DPI, curing temps, or profile values that must be verified
Bias checks — Catches when you’re blaming hardware instead of workflow, or when familiar thinking masks the real problem
Advanced reasoning — Step-by-step cost calculations, multi-perspective equipment analysis, first-principles troubleshooting
Real scenarios — 15+ large format troubleshooting and decision examples from actual shop-floor situations
Living system — New workflows and decision patterns added as production use cases evolve
Pricing
Regular price: $27
Subscriber bonus: Use code TLDR-SUBSCRIBER for $10 off → $17 final price
⚠️ Critical Reminder
Always use /GUARDRAIL when asking about measurements, profiles, or technical specs. This prevents ChatGPT from inventing values that must be verified in your RIP software or manufacturer documentation.
What This Is NOT
This is not:
❌ Plugins or extensions
❌ Memory-based prompting
❌ Model-specific tricks
❌ Marketing or creative writing prompts
This is operator control language for production environments.
Questions?
Reply to this post or email hello@printingtldr.com
This system is designed for daily production use, not experimentation. If you’re running a large format or DTF shop and need ChatGPT to give you production-safe answers, start with the free commands above.
If you already found the starter useful, the Operator Edition removes the remaining guesswork.
📰 Printing TLDR
printingtldr.com — Weekly intelligence briefing for large format and DTF printing professionals. Real insights, zero hype.
printingtldr.website — AI-powered tools and expert guides for DTF printing professionals.
This is a free resource from Printing TLDR. Share it with your production team, post it in your shop, or forward it to anyone who needs better ChatGPT answers for print decisions.