DesignMerge Variable Data Software
- Powerful VDP solution
- Utilizes features of Adobe InDesign
- No programming or JavaScript experience required
- Minimal set-up time
- Supports all Canon digital presses
Overview
DesignMerge® is an award-winning variable data printing (VDP) software package that can be used to create professional, personalized documents on any Canon digital press. The software can be used to create a variety of personalized documents, including postcards, form letters, and newsletters, but is also a fantastic tool for production work, such as bar coding and consecutive numbering jobs. Right out of the box, DesignMerge includes a powerful set of VDP features, including variable text, image and article support, built-in conditional logic programming (rules), automatic copy-fitting of overset text, step-through data preview, complete job pre-flighting, bar coding, consecutive numbering, and multi-up layout support with cut & stack features. The software is perfect for applications such as business cards, store signage, tags, tickets, labels, or virtually anything that merges data with design!
Meadows Publishing Solutions is a software development and integration company specializing in plug-in modules for Adobe® InDesign® software. Canon has partnered with Meadows Publishing Solutions to introduce their DesignMerge application to the Canon distribution channel.
A workflow that includes DesignMerge and a Canon press allows users to quickly and easily create variable data output from any Adobe InDesign document in Canon digital color. The solution is ideal for graphic design firms, advertising agencies, commercial printers, corporate marketing departments and other users in the Graphic Arts marketplace who use currently utilize Adobe InDesign or the Adobe Creative Suite to create print jobs.
FAQs
If you use a standalone application for variable data, then you have access only to very limited design features. As an example, most standalone applications offer limited support for simple things like kerning and tracking, justification, and automatic image scaling, and offer no support for more complex typography such as type on a curve, runarounds, or multi-page composition. With DesignMerge, you will have access to all of the design features available with Adobe InDesign, which means absolutely no restrictions on how you design your VDP piece.
DesignMerge is a suite of plug-in modules for Adobe InDesign. As long as you are running Adobe InDesign, you have everything that you need to run DesignMerge. DesignMerge supports all versions of Adobe InDesign for both the Macintosh and Windows systems.
The DesignMerge software is developed by Meadows Publishing Solutions, located in Schaumburg, Illinois. Unlike many of the software products in the VDP market, our software is developed 100% by engineers based in the United States. We do not outsource any portion of the development, sales or support for the product.
Meadows Publishing Solutions was founded in 1991, and has grown considerably since that time. Our DesignMerge software was first introduced in 1998, and has been under continuous development ever since.
Yes, absolutely! DesignMerge includes a very robust programming interface that can be used to fully automate your workflow. Please contact your Canon representative for more information about this feature.
Technical Specifications
DesignMerge works directly with the Adobe InDesign page layout program, one of the most popular and powerful page layout software packages on the market! If you are not using Adobe InDesign right now, it is so easy to get going - just download the software from the Adobe Creative Cloud site, add our DesignMerge software, and you are ready to go!
DesignMerge is compatible with all versions of Adobe InDesign, for both Macintosh and Windows platforms. The requirements for DesignMerge are the same as the requirements for Adobe InDesign. If you are already running InDesign, then you have everything that you need to run DesignMerge.
Features- Works directly with standard Adobe InDesign documents
- Supports hundreds of Variable Text, Picture, and Article links per document
- Utilizes a simple, intuitive, menu-driven user interface (no programming)
- Incorporates easy to use step-and-repeat capability for multiple-up layouts
- Supports all major VDP output formats, including PostScript, PDF, VPS, and PPML
- Includes on-the-fly copy fitting of overset boxes (CopyFit Module)
- Includes advanced conditional logic capabilities (Rules Module)
- Optional support for Variable Layouts (GroupPicture Module)
- Optional support for Linear and 2D Bar Coding (Bar Code Modules)
- Includes PostNet and Intelligent Mail bar code support
- Advanced Preview and Preflight features
- Includes a 200+ page manual and tutorial