Variable Data Printing

[reetzorion]

Hello All,

My company is currently using Print Shop Mail for our variable data printing needs.

We're looking to see what other software is available out there that is comparable to Print Shop Mail's functions.

Our needs are specifically for 8.5 x 11 or 11 x 17 duplex printing. Numbering, Address fields, etc. Minimal image fields.

We're looking into Fusion Pro Desktop but wanted to get the forum's feedback on this before we go ahead and buy the product.

Any comments regarding this subject would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks everyone!

[pa_rider99]

Look into Filemaker pro. I have been using it for years on simple programming jobs instead of using the big guns. Its simple not expensive and can create everything that you will need.

[JasonSpr]

I'm curious to know why you're thinking of switching programs - just too many weird errors with PSM? We use PSM and XMPie, but I've migrated everything over to XMPie because the output is more consistent.

I love XMPie, and you can certainly do anything with it that you could with PSM, except for automatically splitting output into various chunks actually, XMPie doesn't do that.

[jminrod]

If you already have InDesign you should look into data merge and best of all its free. Here is a link that shows the power of it. I have you it several times when our digital department couldn't get something to work with XMpie.

http://www.theindesigner.com/podcast...esigner_43.mp4

[reetzorion]

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions. We'll be looking into them all to see what is the best option for us.

JasonSpr, we really like PSM but when we purchased the software years ago we bought a dongle with unlimited clicks and now it is showing up with only 600,000 clicks left and counting. PSM does not support the old dongle and will not provide a new one without us paying for it (plus additional $$$ for a service contract we don't need - and that's where they're hitting our wallet hard). Our dongle will run out in approx six months so in the mean time, we are looking into other possibilities.

PSM is a great software package but since we don't need all the bells and whistles is comes with, it doesn't seem worth the money for the upgrade.

[postnetnc133]

Sounds like you are doing light VDP work so why not use indesign or do you plan on growing your VDP work and need a larger program?

[Realwelder]

I would suggest sticking with PSM. Dollar for dollar it is the best product on the market and I support various VDP solutions. The MSRP to buy the new Version 7 is $5,995.00. I would try to work with your supplier to see if you can get a discount since you currently have a version of PSM. Think about all the growing pains you will go through if you switch. Is it worth saving a the extra dollars? Just playing devil's avocate.

[republic]

We're going through some growth in providing variable data print, and we're finding more and more projects that completely outstrip Indesign's simple VDP capabilities. We're definitely hitting the 9,999 page limit in Indesign, as well as its propensity to bog down and often crash with increasing numbers of fields and records.

The projects that have killed Indesign have been a 60,000 record mailing with just address data, and a series of pieces that use 30-40 fields of data and have around 10,000 records each. Breaking the 60,000 piece project into 11 files sucked, and still took the better part of a day to merge and RIP to our Docutechs. The other project had to be broken into chunks of 500 and took the better part of a week to process. The catalyst for my search for better software is a 100,000 record project with 20-30 fields. I'm sure I'd have to budget 2 weeks of processing under Indesign, assuming I did nothing else in my work life.

So, our software needs to move up to the next level. It appears XMPie Udirect is about $3000, and PSM is $6000. We're Mac-based, so either seems like it would work there. Unfortunately, my boss is under some odd impression that good VDP software should be about $500.

Anyone have any impressions as to what the strengths and weaknesses of either product is? The $6000 pricetag of PSM is a pretty big weakness if I have a boss who thinks he'll be spending $500. ;-)

[Shelia]

Hi, Dear, If you want to achieve variable data publishing & batch printing function, but also to meet the budget, you maybe have a try another VDP-UCCSOFT Smartvizor, and engineer will provide solutions accordingly.

[Gbane]

Greetings,

DesignMerge software can utilize the two most powerful and popular composition engines in the world, QuarkXPress and Adobe InDesign. All of the composition features that you have grown accustomed to are fully supported by DesignMerge. Every aspect of the composition process, including kerning and letterspacing, hyphenation and justification, runarounds, multi-page composition, styling, tables, etc. are all available for you to use. You just take an existing document, and use DesignMerge to "Make It Variable".

I would encourage you to take a look at DesignMerge or call me if you have any questions.

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