VDP templates with theme-driven layer variants

ABSTRACT

Many graphic artists and designers have adapted their skills to the use of tools that extend static layout applications, allowing the creation of Variable Data Print template documents. These connect text and image placeholders to database fields, allowing creation of a set of instances at job time. Much of the VDP work flowing through digital presses originates this way. However, in the field we have observed limitations to simple approaches which make it hard to create templates that do much more than can be achieved with mail merge and variable backgrounds. In this paper we describe two examples which illustrate the problems. Solutions have been developed but a frequent drawback is that they move the graphic artist out of the loop, either because they do not support the fine layout control creative professionals expect to use, or because they are aimed at programmers and database professionals. Agencies and PSPs however, are so keen to keep creative professionals in the loop that we have seen ingenious but fragile and inefficient in-house solutions which support complex VDP outputs while still keeping the designer in the team. We have developed tools for creative professionals that extend standard layout applications and allow designers to go a step beyond simple VDP. This paper describes the application of these tools to real use cases. We show that the tools can replace custom solutions giving improvements in VDP job creation, database simplification and resilience to changing requirements.

REFERENCES

• 1: Bennett, Penny K. The Handbook for Digital Printing and Variable-Data Printing. PIA/GATF Press, Pittsburgh, 2006.
• 2: Giannetti, F., Sellman, R. Anvil Segmented Workflow Toolset. HPallLabs Tech Report HPL-2007-18. Available at: http://www.hpl.hp.com/techreports/2007/HPL-2007-18.pdf
• 3: Groom, S. A. Story-centered Marketing: A Communicative Turn. PhD Thesis. Duquesne University, 2005. Available at: http://etd1.library.duq.edu/theses/available/etd-04012005-114933/. URN: etd-04012005-114933
• 4: HP Indigo Yours Truly Designer for Quark Xpress. See http://www.hp.com/digital_press/workflow/yours_truly.html
• 5: PPML Templates: Methods and Workflows. Version 1.0.2002 http://www.podi.org/

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  J. Computer Applications
  J.7 COMPUTERS IN OTHER SYSTEMS
      Subjects: Publishing

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Standardization

Keywords:
PPML-T, VDP