Sharp MX-PEX1 (serv.man9) User Manual / Operation Manual ▷ View online
I
NTRODUCTION
5
I
NTRODUCTION
This document provides information about variable data printing (VDP) and describes the
variable data printing features supported by the Fiery X3eTY2 including:
variable data printing features supported by the Fiery X3eTY2 including:
• Compatible variable data printing languages such as FreeForm and FreeForm 2
• Imposing FreeForm 2 jobs with Impose
Terminology and conventions
This document uses the following terminology and conventions.
Term or convention
Refers to
Aero
Fiery X3eTY2 (in illustrations and examples)
Fiery X3eTY2
Fiery Print Controller MX-PEX1
Mac OS
Apple Mac OS X
MFP
(multifunctional peripheral)
(multifunctional peripheral)
MX-3500/4500 series
Titles in
italics
Other books in this documentation set
Windows
Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003
Topics for which additional information is available by
starting Help in the software
starting Help in the software
Tips and information
Important information
Important information about issues that can result in physical
harm to you or others
harm to you or others
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NTRODUCTION
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About this document
The document covers the following topics:
• Basic concepts of variable data printing.
• Supported Fiery X3eTY2 features and compatible variable data printing languages.
• Printing variable documents with FreeForm and FreeForm 2.
For example scenarios of popular variable data printing workflows, see
Workflow Examples
.
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VERVIEW
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O
VERVIEW
This chapter describes variable printing technology and discusses the supported components
that allow you to create variable data print jobs.
that allow you to create variable data print jobs.
For specific variable data printing scenarios and workflows, see
Workflow Examples
.
Overview of variable data printing
Variable data printing is typically used for personalized mailings, such as direct-mail
advertising. It involves combining a set of master elements that are common across copies
of a document (reusable data) with a set of variable elements that change from copy to copy.
When you use variable data printing, you create personalized communications with elements
that have special appeal to your targeted audience.
advertising. It involves combining a set of master elements that are common across copies
of a document (reusable data) with a set of variable elements that change from copy to copy.
When you use variable data printing, you create personalized communications with elements
that have special appeal to your targeted audience.
An example of variable data printing is a brochure that greets customers by name and may
include other personal information about the customer obtained from a marketing database.
Background elements, illustrations, and text blocks that do not change across copies of the
brochure are master elements. The customer’s name and other customer-specific information
are variable elements.
include other personal information about the customer obtained from a marketing database.
Background elements, illustrations, and text blocks that do not change across copies of the
brochure are master elements. The customer’s name and other customer-specific information
are variable elements.
In its simplest form, you can use variable data printing as a basic mail merge. However, you
can also dynamically assemble four-color images, charts, text, and other objects to create
attractive, highly customized documents.
can also dynamically assemble four-color images, charts, text, and other objects to create
attractive, highly customized documents.
Variable data printing uses digital printing technology that customizes communication by
linking databases that contain the content for printed documents to a print device, such as the
MFP. The customized communication includes rules that specify the selection of content
from the database and the placement of that content in the document.
linking databases that contain the content for printed documents to a print device, such as the
MFP. The customized communication includes rules that specify the selection of content
from the database and the placement of that content in the document.
The following variable data printing technology describes how reusable data is specified
within a variable data printing language.
within a variable data printing language.
Page-based technology
describes static, reusable data (the master element) in terms of entire
pages. Each page element is called a master page. Page-based languages are more suitable for
simple, predictable layouts. FreeForm is a page-based language. For more information about
FreeForm, see
simple, predictable layouts. FreeForm is a page-based language. For more information about
FreeForm, see
“Printing variable data documents using FreeForm”
on page 12.
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VERVIEW
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Variable data job components
A typical variable data print job includes the following major components:
• Content
Content includes the text, images, or photographs placed in different areas of your
document. You can create static or variable content using a variety of applications,
such as Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Word.
document. You can create static or variable content using a variety of applications,
such as Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Word.
• Database
A database is a table containing all the changeable or variable elements in a printed
document, such as text, graphics, and photographs. You can use a database created in
popular desktop applications, such as Microsoft Excel or FileMaker Pro.
document, such as text, graphics, and photographs. You can use a database created in
popular desktop applications, such as Microsoft Excel or FileMaker Pro.
The data must be organized into records with fields (categories) for each record. For
example, in a database about people, a person is a record and the information about that
person, such as name, address, and phone number, is a field.
example, in a database about people, a person is a record and the information about that
person, such as name, address, and phone number, is a field.
• Business rules
Business rules, created in a variable data printing application, specify what variable content
to use and where to place it within your document. According to these predefined rules,
described by “if ” and “then” statements, the variable data application uses particular
elements from databases to create personalized pages and documents that contain different
text and images for a specific audience. For example, you can set up a rule to print specific
content for a specific age range.
to use and where to place it within your document. According to these predefined rules,
described by “if ” and “then” statements, the variable data application uses particular
elements from databases to create personalized pages and documents that contain different
text and images for a specific audience. For example, you can set up a rule to print specific
content for a specific age range.
• Layout
Layout encompasses the design or page layout of your document in any desktop
publishing or word processing application. The layout must accommodate space for
variable text and images.
publishing or word processing application. The layout must accommodate space for
variable text and images.
• Variable data print applications
Variable data print applications combine master elements and variable information and
prepare the document for printing. For FreeForm, you do not need a dedicated variable
data print application.
prepare the document for printing. For FreeForm, you do not need a dedicated variable
data print application.
• Print device
The print device is the output device that turns digital files into hardcopy documents.
This can be any printer, copier, or digital press that supports variable data printing.
This can be any printer, copier, or digital press that supports variable data printing.
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