Methods for improved on screen creation for the Graphical User Interface (GUI) of an MFP (Multi-Function Product) by providing Java Virtual Machine (JVM) applications control of MFP built-in functions such as copy, scan, fax, e-mail and FTP. Flexible means of controlling the flow of application-user interaction are enabled to provide highly customizable sets of one or more MFP functions known as workflows, as well as scripting the GUI of an MFP to provide highly customized GUI screens that are presented to an MFP user to invoke such workflows. GUI screens that may be assembled through the use of VLML described screen components located in Java application programs processed through a JVM module and converted and rendered by the back end of the GUI.