Meadows Publishing SolutionsExtending the Power of Publishing™
Meadows Publishing SolutionsThis tutorial covers the Multi-Up Imposition feature of the DesignMerge Pro software. This standard built-in feature allows you to instantly create multi-up layouts that DesignMerge Pro can merge in a consecutive or cut & stack record order.
Applying this feature is especially helpful for those using a digital printing device that does not provide imposition capabilities. Also, when using the DesignMerge Multi-Up Imposition feature, you will be able to preview merging imposed content, allowing you to confirm imposed content is exactly where you want it. You can even modify the multi-up layout if you wish before you merge it.
Additionally, you can use this Multi-Up Imposition feature to create Imposition Templates that can be populated with content to produce customized multi-up layouts quickly and easily. Plus, when used with the optional PDF Imposer module for DesignMerge, you can export Imposition Templates as PDF Imposition Templates to impose existing PDF files.
This tutorial will impose a 1-up two-page ID Badge document to produce a 6-up two-page ID Badge document where you will merge variable data records from a tab-delimited data file.
The name of the sample document for this tutorial is ID-Badge.indd and it exists in the 3) ID Badge Tutorial folder. The document is a two-page layout for a duplex ID badge. Note you can change the InDesign document’s View to Normal Screen Mode to see which content has been assigned Variable Links and Rules. This document has been set up with the following Width, Height, and Bleed settings, shown below in inches and also in points:
Additionally, this document has already been set up to use a data file. The document has several Variable Text and Variable Picture elements, and also uses DesignMerge Rules to select content for a Variable Picture Link and to change both the styling of Variable Text and the color of frames while merging. When this document is merged, DesignMerge will merge one record at a time into this document; in other words, this is a variable 1-up document.
Note this example does not include a bleed. However, if you wish to include a bleed in any of your imposed variable data jobs, then simply include a bleed in the 1-up document that will be imposed.
The sample data file for this tutorial is a tab-delimited text file named ID-Badge-Data.txt in the 3) ID Badge Tutorial folder. This data file contains 24 records that each contain 6 fields of data.
Before using the ID Badge document to produce a multi-up document, you can run a Data Preview merge session on this 1-up document to confirm it can be merged satisfactorily. To run Data Preview, follow the steps below:
You can create a multi-up version of a 1-up one-page or two-page document quickly and easily by applying the multi-up imposition capabilities of DesignMerge.
To impose the sample ID Badge document, follow the steps below:
When imposing a graphic file (for example, a PDF file): Please note that it is not possible to determine any Bleed values that are stored with a graphic file. Therefore, the full image dimensions are imported as the Width and Height, and the Bleed is initially set to zero. If you are not using any bleed, then these dimensions will be completely accurate and ready to go. However, if the graphic file was designed with a bleed, then all you need to do is enter the desired Width, Height, and Bleed before imposing. These Width and Height effectively indicate the size of the overall graphic, and the Width and Height value indicates how much to “inset” the crop marks from the edges. Note: If your graphic ends up being larger than the Imposition Frame that is created, the outside edges will be cropped by the edges of the Imposition Frame because the image will be centered within the frame by default.
For more details, see the Best Practices information provided later in this document.
For this example, keep the default settings for the ID-Badge.indd document, shown in the picture below:
Also, content from the second page of the ID Badge document will be imposed on the second page in the specified Tumbled duplex mode, as shown in the picture below:
If you would prefer different multi-up imposition results, simply reapply Multi-Up Imposition and, when prompted, choose to remove existing Imposition Layers.
When you are imposing duplex variable data documents, you can choose the Duplex Mode that is appropriate for the duplex feature on your digital press. For examples, below are pictures of a 2-up, two-page document (first page on the left, second page on the right) demonstrating the orientation and sequence orders that each Duplex Mode will apply when Sequencing has been set to Left to Right, Top to Bottom:
Duplex Mode: None
Duplex Mode: Normal (no rotation)
Duplex Mode: Tumble (rotate 180 degrees)
DesignMerge allows you to merge records in a consecutive order or in a cut & stack order. In this section, you will see how to merge records in a consecutive order, which will merge records in the same order in which they are ordered in the data file. For example, when merging a 6-up document, DesignMerge will merge the first six consecutive records (Records 1-6), then the next six consecutive records (Records 7-12), and so forth.
To see the results of merging in a consecutive record order, let’s run a Data Preview merge session on the 6-up two-page document that you just created in the previous set of steps. To do this, follow the steps below:
In the “real world” of commercial printing, consecutively merged ID Badges (or numbered Raffle Tickets, or serialized Coupons, etc.) would not be arranged efficiently. For example, if you apply a consecutive record merge to this tutorial’s 6-up ID Badge, when the sheets are printed, cut, and stacked to create individual ID Badges, each stack will contain ID Badges that are not in a consecutive order (the first stack will contain the ID Badge for record 1, then the ID Badge for record 7, and so forth). Imagine if the print run actually contained hundreds or thousands of ID Badges and it was critical that they be delivered as individual badges in a consecutive order. It would not be pretty. You can avoid this situation by creating merged output that will be in a consecutive order after being cut and stacked. To accomplish this, choose to merge in a cut & stack record order.
To see the results of merging records in a cut & stack record order, let’s run another Data Preview merge session on the 6-up two-page document. To do this, follow the steps below:
DesignMerge provides several Cut & Stack modes and a Label Sort mode, which are each described below:
Cut & Stack: Choose this mode when merging all records in the database file. This is the mode that will normally be used when first running a Cut & Stack job.
Stack Range: Choose this mode when merging a range of records to replace pages that have been previously printed using the Cut & Stack mode, but not yet cut. For example, let’s assume the first two pages of the previous Cut & Stack merge session, which has been printed but not yet cut, need to be reprinted. It will be important that the same records are merged into each page as before. To accomplish this, use the Stack Range mode to merge Records 1-2. This mode will reprint the first two pages with the same records as before so that they can replace the previous two pages that needed to be reprinted.
Stack Subset: Choose this mode when merging a subset of the records in the data file to replace pages that have already been printed, cut, and stacked. For example, let’s assume Cut & Stack output for all records in the data file has been printed, cut, and stacked. Then misfortune strikes and the first three badges are spoiled. New badges for records 1 through 3 need to be reprinted and it will be important that the first three records are reprinted in an order that can be cut and stacked to replace the three spoiled badges. To accomplish this, use the Stack Subset mode to merge records 1-3. This mode can be used to merge the first three records in a Cut & Stack mode into pages that can be cut and stacked in sequential order to replace the three spoiled badges in the finished stack.
Label Sort: Select this mode for printing on label printers and cutters that require the variable data output to be printed in a continuous fashion, with the data split across two or more rows or columns on the sheet, and with each sheet picking up where the other left off. This feature is fantastic for label printers or Duplo cutters that require the VDP output be produced in a very specific order. Check out the video for more details!
You can also use the DesignMerge Multi-Up Imposition feature to create a document for use as an Imposition Template. You can then use this imposition template to impose similarly sized 1-up content whenever you wish. This can be helpful if you would like to impose recurring variable data jobs of a similar size and can be especially helpful if the imposition has been customized.
For this example, you will set up an imposition template for content that is similar in size to the 1-up two-page ID Badge that you imposed in a previous section of this tutorial. To create this imposition template, follow the steps below:
Whenever you wish, you can customize an imposition template. For example, you can add color control bars or other printing information, descriptions or instructions. Or, perhaps your imposition jobs have custom requirements for printer marks. Also, you can reposition and rotate one or more of the imposition frames to suit specific job or printer requirements. For example, perhaps your printer requires content be positioned with a more narrow top margin than bottom margin. Additionally, you may be able to print additional ups on a page by rotating a few to set up a “Dutch Cut” or “Irregular Cut” type of imposition. Of course, when customizing a duplex imposition template, confirm the content on the second page will still be aligned properly to the content on the first page.
Customizing a multi-up imposition template will save you the time and effort of having to repeat making the same changes over and over each time you wish to produce a new imposition document. For a quick example of customizing an imposition template, follow the steps below where you will adjust the top margin on both pages:
Once you have set up an imposition template, then you can use that template to create a new imposition document whenever you wish. This allows you to set up recurring multi-up variable data jobs quickly and easily, and is especially helpful whenever you wish to reapply a customized imposition.
For an example, let’s populate the customized imposition template that you created in the previous set of steps. This imposition template has been designed to be populated with content from any 1-up two-page variable data document whose width is 3.5 in (252 pt), height is 2.25 in (162 pt), and bleed is 0 in (0 pt). To populate this template, follow the steps below:
For best results, the size of an Imposition Frame should match the overall size of the content that will be imposed.
When applying Multi-Up Imposition to create a Multi-Up Variable Data Job (imposing an InDesign document as a group of content), the Imposition Frame must be as large or larger than the full group of content on the document page that is being imposed.
When imposing a graphic file (which includes imposing an InDesign document as a non-variable graphic file) to create a Multi-Up Step & Repeat Job (non-variable content), the Imposition Frame can be larger or smaller than the graphic that is being imposed. The graphic file will be fit and cropped according to Multi-Up Imposition Preferences.
For example, if the Imposition Frame size is larger than the actual dimensions, white space may be visible around the edges of the imposed content. If the Imposition Frame size is smaller than the actual dimensions, the imposed graphic may be cropped.
The size of an Imposition Frame is determined by the Multi-Up Imposition Trim Size settings. To determine whether specified Trim Size settings are satisfactory, calculate the overall Width and the overall Height by adding the Bleed amount. For example, to calculate the overall Width, add the specified Width to two times* the specified Bleed. To calculate the overall Height, add the specified Height to two times* the specified Bleed. These summed results will be applied as the dimensions of an Imposition Frame. Multi-Up Imposition will then create Imposition Frames that match the overall Width and Height, and the Bleed value will be used to adjust and “inset” any specified marks. *When applying the Outside Edges option, Bleed is only added to outside edges of the frames that fill the page.
This section talks about best practices for designing the 1-up InDesign documents that are intended to be imposed later on. In short, the dimensions of the 1-up document should match the final Trim Size that you desire for the job. Additionally, if any bleed is required, that should be specified as a part of the InDesign document setup (either at the time you create the document, or later by choosing Document Setup item from the InDesign File menu). When you are creating a 1-up document that contains bleed, there are several common scenarios that are utilized by designers. Each scenario is described in some detail below:
This is the recommended approach to designing 1-up documents to be used with the Multi-Up Imposition feature. With this approach, the 1-up document is created such that the document size matches the final Trim Size, and if any bleed is desired, this will be specified as a part of the Document Setup. The bleed amount can be specified at the time the document is created, or the bleed can be added to the document later on by choosing Document Setup item from the InDesign File menu. Using this approach, the Trim Size and Bleed Amount assigned to the document will be read automatically and used to populate those settings in the Multi-Up Imposition dialog.
Some designers may prefer to design the 1-up document at actual Trim Size, with no specific Bleed Amount entered in the document setup. In such case, if a bleed is desired, the designer may create an “oversize” version of some frames that extend beyond the defined document edges, thereby effectively creating their own arbitrary bleed. With documents of this type, Multi-Up Imposition will read the Trim Size correctly, however, the user is responsible for entering the desired Multi-Up Imposition Bleed amount manually (since it cannot be read from the document). Generally, this should not present much of an issue as long as the user knows the desired amount to use and enters it into the settings. Of course, the designer can always add a bleed amount to the document by simply choosing Document Setup from the InDesign File menu, which is the preferred and most reliable approach. Also, please note that the size of the Imposition Frame must be as large or larger than the size of all of the content in the 1-up document.
For some jobs, the designer may actually create the document such that the document size (which would normally be the Trim Size) includes the Bleed Amount as well. In this scenario, the Trim Size value that is imported into the Multi-Up Imposition dialog will technically already reflect the Trim Size plus Bleed. When you receive this type of document, you can adjust the settings manually, entering the desired Trim Size and Bleed Amount for the job. The bleed marks will be positioned as always at the corners of the Imposition Frame, and the actual Trim Size (where the crop marks are positioned) is calculated by indenting the specified Bleed Amount. So this approach is kind of a different way of thinking about the process, but it will work if you want to use it!
This section talks about best practices for working with fixed graphics or PDF documents that are intended to be imposed later on. In short, the dimensions of the graphic should match the final Trim Size that you desire for the job. Additionally, if any bleed is required, that should also be included as a part of the overall image dimensions as well. Fixed graphics and PDF documents effectively follow Scenario 3 Creating Fixed Graphics or PDF Documents for Imposition (with or without bleed)
This section talks about best practices for working with fixed graphics or PDF documents that are intended to be imposed later on. In short, the dimensions of the graphic should match the final Trim Size that you desire for the job. Additionally, if any bleed is required, that should also be included as a part of the overall image dimensions as well. Fixed graphics and PDF documents effectively follow Scenario 3 – Document Size Includes Full Bleed Amount that was described in the previous section.
When you select a file to be imposed, the dimensions of the graphic are read by the software and used to populate the Trim Size area of the dialog window. Because it is not possible for the software to determine the Bleed values (if any) that are stored with a fixed graphic or PDF file, the full image dimensions are imported as the Trim Size, and the Bleed is initially set to zero. If you are not using any bleed, then these dimensions will be completely accurate and ready to go.
However, if you know that the file you are imposing was designed with bleed, then all you need to do is enter the desired Trim Size and Bleed to use for the job manually in the dialog window. The Trim Size plus Bleed value entered effectively indicate the size of the overall graphic, and the Bleed value indicates how much to “inset” the crop marks from the edges. Note: If your graphic ends up being larger than the Imposition Frame that is created, the outside edges will be cropped by the edges of the Imposition Frame because the image will be centered within the frame by default.Document Size Includes Full Bleed Amount that was described in the previous section.
When you select a file to be imposed, the dimensions of the graphic are read by the software and used to populate the Trim Size area of the dialog window. Because it is not possible for the software to determine the Bleed values (if any) that are stored with a fixed graphic or PDF file, the full image dimensions are imported as the Trim Size, and the Bleed is initially set to zero. If you are not using any bleed, then these dimensions will be completely accurate and ready to go.
However, if you know that the file you are imposing was designed with bleed, then all you need to do is enter the desired Trim Size and Bleed to use for the job manually in the dialog window. The Trim Size plus Bleed value entered effectively indicate the size of the overall graphic, and the Bleed value indicates how much to “inset” the crop marks from the edges. Note: If your graphic ends up being larger than the Imposition Frame that is created, the outside edges will be cropped by the edges of the Imposition Frame because the image will be centered within the frame by default.
There are several preferences available for the Multi-Up Imposition feature. To access these preferences, open the DesignMerge menu and select Options > Layout and Imposition > Multi-Up Imposition. This opens the Multi-Up Imposition dialog window where you can click the Prefs button to display the Preferences dialog window for Multi-Up Imposition, shown in the picture below:
Units: Choose whichever unit of measurement you prefer to use on the Multi-Up Imposition dialog window.
Color: Choose from the color swatches that are available in the current document. If you do not see a color that you wish to select, close the Multi-up Imposition dialog window and add a color swatch to this document, then return to Multi-Up Imposition preferences to select the new color.
Length, Offset, Weight: Enter your preferred amounts for these settings.
Allow marks to be placed in page margin: Select this option to allow marks to be placed within the margin area of a page when content is imposed in a document (note that the content itself is never placed into the margin). Doing so may allow more rows/columns of content to be placed in an imposed document. Deselect this option if you prefer marks be restricted only to the page area.
This group of preferences are only applicable when the Multi-up Imposition feature is applying the Step & Repeat action to impose graphic files.
Fitting: This preference is applied when imposing any type of graphic file, including an InDesign document or PDF file.
INDD Crop: This preference is applied when imposing an InDesign document as a graphic file.
PDF Crop: This preference is applied when imposing a PDF file.
Transparent Background for PDF Files: Select this option to apply a transparent background when imposing a PDF file.
Remove frames after imposing a job: Select this option to have imposition frames automatically removed when a document is imposed. Deselect this option if you prefer the imposition frames remain in the imposed document.
Create Frames as Nonprinting: Select this option to set Imposition Frames to be non-printing. This is especially helpful if you have deselected Remove Frames after imposing a job.
Frame Labels: By default, an Imposition Frame displays a non-printing Frame Label indicating the assigned sequencing order. The sequencing order determines which Sequence Numbers will be applied to Variable Links when the Imposition Frames are populated. Select Show (the default setting) to show these labels at a default size. Select Hide to hide these labels. Note you can also select a specific size for the Frame Labels.
Copy all Visible Layers: Select this preference to load into the imposed document all of the layer information from the document whose content is being placed. If you prefer the layer information not be changed in the imposed document, deselect this option.
Copy all Color Swatches: Select this preference to load into the imposed document all of the color swatches from the document whose content is being placed. If you prefer the color swatches not be changed in the imposed document, deselect this option.
Copy all Character and Paragraph style sheets: Select this preference to load into the imposed document all of the character and paragraph styles from the document whose content is being placed. If you prefer the styles not be changed in the imposed document, deselect this option.
Copy all Data Source Definition settings: Select this option to import into the imposed document the DesignMerge Data Source Definition (DDF) settings from the document whose content is being placed. This ensures that data file, Variable Link, and Rule settings established in the selected document are imported into the imposed document. If you have already assigned a DDF to the imposed document, then you may wish to deselect this option.
Keep document items grouped after import: The Imposition feature groups content as it is placed into each “up” in the imposed document. Select this preference if you prefer the content remain grouped after it has been placed in the imposed document. Leaving content grouped can be helpful if you should ever wish to reposition or resequence the Variable Links. Deselect this preference if you prefer the content to be ungrouped after it is placed in the imposed document.
Import As: Choose whether to import an InDesign File as a Variable Data Document (required for a variable data imposition) or as a Fixed Graphic File.
You have concluded the third tutorial. This tutorial has introduced you to the following topics:
