• Unleash the power of intelligence: decades of print intelligence built in
• Effortless high-speed handling of large documents, gigabytes of data and millions of pages
• Extended gamut support and precision color management
• Unify development across multiple Page Description Languages (PDLs)
• Your trusted partner in ISO standards compliance
• Unlock savings and streamline operations: consolidate your document processing
• Simplify integration with Mako’s APIs across multiple programming languages
• Cross-platform development for cloud, mobile, and desktop
• Simple price and licensing with Mako Core's partner-centric approach
• Seamless PDL Conversion
• Rapid, high-quality rendering on CPU with the Jaws renderer
• Turbo-charged rendering on GPU, with optional Apex technology
• Innovative graphics engine
• Add flow text using the built-in Layout Engine
• PDF viewing with overprint simulation
• Comprehensive PDL analysis
• Flawless transparency flattening using raster and vector techniques
• Streamline PDLs through preflighting and optimization
• Generate new documents from scratch, or with templates and data for VDP applications
• Create accurate master images for camera- and scanner-based vision systems

Mako Core with Apex: intelligent document processing, accelerated

The role of PDLs in printing

Apex Acceleration Technologies

Apex GPU Rendering (AGR)

Apex PDF Output (APO)

Mako features a highly efficient, multithreaded, and thread-safe architecture for processing PDFs and other fixed-format PDLs. It is built to handle very large documents, including PDFs with millions of pages and files spanning multiple gigabytes.

With Apex acceleration technologies, high performance extends to the stages of the workflow where speed can have the greatest impact: rasterizing pages and writing PDF output. Mako with Apex enables developers to build solutions that are faster, more scalable, and suited to modern high-volume print environments.

At the heart of Mako is the intelligent Document Object Model, or iDOM. The iDOM gives developers comprehensive access to the elements inside a document, including fonts, images, vector art, layers, metadata, color information, and more.

This deep document access allows developers to build print and document workflows without needing to write separate logic for every supported format. Mako can work across multiple PDLs through a consistent development model, reducing complexity and helping developers focus on the value of their own applications.

For example, developers can use Mako and the iDOM for:

• Seamless PDL conversion: convert between supported document formats as part of automated workflows

• Accelerated rasterization and output: render supported PDL pages at high speed with Apex GPU Rendering, and write complex PDFs faster with Apex PDF Output

• Document analysis: inspect PDF and other supported PDLs to understand structure, color use, resources, fonts, images, transparency, metadata, and more

• Print workflow optimization: preflight, optimize, normalize, and transform PDLs for downstream production

• PDF viewing with precision: build viewing applications with accurate rendering behavior, including print-critical requirements such as overprint simulation

• Transparency handling: flatten transparency using vector and raster techniques where required by production workflows

• Advanced color operations: support complex color handling, including extended gamut color workflows

• Dynamic document creation: generate new documents, including new PDFs from variable data

• Vision-system development: create accurate master images for camera- and scanner-based inspection systems

• Large-document handling: process very large documents, including gigabyte-scale PDFs and documents with very high page counts

Mako provides APIs that apply specifically to PDF, but many of its capabilities are common across supported PDLs. This makes it easier to use the same development techniques across PDF, XPS/OXPS, PostScript, PCL5, PCL/XL, IJPDS, PPML, and other supported inputs.

For example, a developer may need to determine how many pages in a document use color, convert documents to a target format, rasterize pages for inspection, or optimize a file before output. With Mako, these capabilities can be implemented through one SDK rather than by combining multiple libraries or tools.

Mako is built for deployment across Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, Windows 10 UWP, and Raspberry Pi. Linux support includes common distributions and lightweight environments suitable for containerized deployment.

This flexibility allows developers to build everything from interactive applications to high-volume server-side workflow components.

• Cloud: Mako’s small footprint makes it well suited to containerized and scalable cloud deployments on platforms such as AWS and Microsoft Azure. Mako-based components can be deployed as microservices that scale in and out to process high document volumes.

• Mobile: Mako supports platform-tuned rendering for iOS and Android, enabling fast and fluid document viewing experiences on mobile devices.

• Desktop: Mako can be used to create robust Windows, macOS, and Linux applications that load, view, edit, process, and save documents. The Mako PDF Editor provides a practical starting point for building branded viewer/editor applications or dedicated workflow tools.

Mako gives developers the flexibility to work in the programming language that best fits their application. APIs are available for C++, C#, Java, and Python, with sample code to help developers get started quickly.

By providing ready-made examples and a consistent SDK model, Mako reduces the amount of boilerplate code required and helps teams focus on the unique requirements of their own print and document solutions.

Extended gamut support and precision color management

Mako’s color management module, powered by ColorLogic CMM, supports ICC profile compatibility and consistent color rendering. Its APIs allow developers to evaluate, transform, and correct color properties as part of automated workflows.

Mako also supports extended gamut color, helping print applications reproduce vibrant color beyond conventional CMYK where supported by the production environment. Whether working with PDF, XPS, PostScript, PCL, or other supported formats, Mako provides the color control required for professional print applications.

Conform with confidence: standards-aware output for print workflows

Mako helps developers produce documents that conform to important PDF and print standards, including PDF 2.0 and established PDF 1.x based ISO standards. It includes options for saving PDFs to standards such as PDF/X-4 and PDF/X-1a for print production, and PDF/A formats for archiving.

Both the Jaws (CPU) and Apex (GPU) renderers have achieved Ghent Workgroup accreditation, demonstrating their ability to meet rigorous expectations for quality, reliability, and compliance in professional PDF workflows.

Follow these instructions to see the results of Mako’s rendering and produce compliant output from the Ghent PDF Output Suite 5.

Consolidate document processing with one SDK

Many organizations license multiple libraries and SDKs to process digital documents. Over time this can increase cost, complexity, and maintenance effort, especially when different tools are required for different formats or capabilities.

Mako helps simplify this landscape by providing broad PDL support, deep document access, high-quality rendering, standards-aware output, and performance acceleration in a single SDK. For organizations maintaining several document-processing components, consolidating with Mako can reduce complexity and create opportunities for cost savings.

Simple licensing for OEM and ISV partners

Mako is supplied to OEM and ISV partners whose products require professional print and document technology. The licensing model is designed to support partners who need flexibility in how they package, sell, and protect their own solutions.

The standard approach is a straightforward annual payment that includes access to the technology, SDK, support, and maintenance. This avoids royalties that need to be passed on to end customers. Where a different commercial model is required, alternative purchasing options can be discussed to better align with a partner’s go-to-market plan.

Apex technologies are available as performance acceleration options for Mako, enabling partners to add GPU-native rendering and CPU-based PDF output acceleration where maximum performance is required.