iGen_DesignersGuide_lowres

Generating Variable Information Jobs
There are a variety of Variable Data Printing (VDP) applications in the
marketplace offering a broad range of capabilities. They range from mail
merge applications to multi-user enterprise systems. Some are simply a
plug-in to Quark (Darwin, DesignMerge) or InDesign (uCreate component
of XMPie) while others are standalone applications (Lytrod, PageFlex),
web-based (iWay), with multiple components for design, database logic
and production (XMPie). Common output formats include XML, VIPP, VPS,
PPML or optimized PostScript and PDF. Output can be in the form of email,
dynamic web pages or a file to be printed.
The VDP applications are designed to meet various needs. For example,
XMPie is geared toward cross media Direct Mail or one-to-one marketing
and Printshop Mail allows an easy way to create mail. Another application
for mainframe users is Exstream Dialogue, which is designed to build
transactional documents for statements and billing traditionally associated
with health care or financial services industries.
Design
Benefits of Using Variable Information Applications
The output file is created such that static elements should get ripped only
once and reused as needed. Both static and variable images, graphics and
text can be printed on the same page. In many cases, large elements such
as images, are not embedded in the output file, similar to an OPI workflow
(referred to APR by Creo). This allows the output file to be much smaller.
Designing Documents with Variable Information
Unlike designing documents for offset presses, careful consideration must be
given to the placement of static versus variable information. Graphic artists
should have a good understanding of database and printing technology.
They must also understand the capabilities of the software and hardware
they are using in order to successfully design a variable document.
Digital Printing Reference 83