Creo is launching a Windows-based software solution for creating entry-level variable-information (VI) jobs with Microsoft Word, Adobe PageMaker and other common desktop applications, eliminating the need to learn new applications and processes. Creo says its new VI Toolbox is a flexible, easy-to-use, and affordable package that streamlines the creation of direct communications such as direct mail, letters and customised collateral.
The VI Toolbox suite of tools supports multiple VI market needs for creating colour-rich VI jobs, an unlimited number of records, an efficient full-colour digital printing workflow, and the ability to soft-proof personalised documents. This software is being used in the office environment, and in design and ad agencies to efficiently create graphic-rich VI documents using Microsoft Mail Merge.
It is ideally designed for printers and service bureaus for overprinting pre-printed bulk offset shells while facilitating a fully digital shell-printing workflow using a familiar workflow.
Yaron Mohaban, Creo On-Demand Applications director, says, "We are pleased to provide the latest Creo On-Demand Application solution—this time for PC users with VI needs. We developed the Darwin VI authoring tool for graphic arts professionals by working with them to understand their needs and bottlenecks. Now we are expanding our suite of tools for PC users. Our solutions now scale from entry-level VI users to professionals."
The VI Toolbox suite of tools includes: VI Merge, VI View, and Optimized Mail Merge. Each tool delivers distinct functionality for maximising the VI production workflow.
The first tool, VI Merge, creates variable-information documents by combining a master document, designed with any desktop publishing application, with a variable-information file to produce a single Variable Print Specification file. Creo says VI Merge brings colour to a black-and-white VI workflow, accelerates VI production and enhances throughput by supporting multiple page masters and VI elements. VI Merge processes jobs at the rate of the printer, and allows the creation of a PDF proof from the Variable Print Specification file. This tool is ideal for data centres, as it enables shell-printing using familiar VI workflow processes as well as easy and reliable content proofing.
VI View, the second tool, transforms Variable Print Specification files into PDF files for viewing, proofing, distributing, and archiving low-resolution files for reference. VI View expedites the customer approval process, cuts turnaround times, and reduces costs.
The third tool of the VI Toolbox, Optimized Mail Merge, is an add-on to Microsoft Word Mail Merge. It enables Mail Merge users to create colour VI jobs in a one-pass workflow with an unlimited number of variable-information records that are small in file size.
Optimized Mail Merge enhances the entire digital-printing production by creating Creo Variable Print Specification output files and Optimized PostScript. These formats improve the efficiency of creating a variable-information job, and reduce job creation time, network traffic, and ripping time.
