Application Profile
Application: Flyer with Coupon (Retail, VI Level: L2)
Solution:
Customized Direct Mailing with Customer Preference Driven Coupons Data
Environment
Typically data would be sourced from customer database information.
Supplemental Data
None.
Web Integration
Data can come from any source, no additional processing needed. Perhaps a data file might be submitted via the WEB to a print service bureau, in this case a Lytrod/VIPP workflow would be very efficient as such a small amount of information would be transferred.
Data Conditioning
Merged data from two sources (Retail_Customers.xls and Retail_Staff.xls) into one delimited database: CustomerFlyer.csv.
Quark File Conditioning
Original TIF and EPS images were used to build the design. Image cropping was done external to Proform Designer.
Asset Library
VIPP Project folder or VIPP Project Container
Coding
Lytrod's extensive forms design tools were used to create the design layout. It is important that the text be created in the variable data software tool so that the variable text will be able to consistently line up with static text.
The cover letter was created by importing RTF files into the conditional logic wizard and the name was embedded into that text file. We were able not only to customize based on the department field, but also personalize to the individual in one simple action.
Coupons changed based on department field. This is a simple task using Lytrod's conditional logic wizard.
Lytrod's Proform Designer creates VIPP code and resources and the document is ultimately composed and assembled at the VIPP enabled engine from the raw data.
RIP and Print Process
The VIPP enabled engine does the composition, imposition, RIP and print process.
Provided is a VIPP Project Container, JOB12.VPC, the VPC file contains all of the files including a job submission file. The VPC can be launched using the VIPP Project Manager or on supported DFEs.
Since not all DFEs support Project Containers, a VIPP Project Folder, JOB12, is also provided. The project folder contains all files, including the data file, needed to run the application. Simply copy the JOB12 folder and its contents to the XGFC/Projects folder on the VIPP enabled engine.
The production print stream is the data file, in this case customerflyer.csv, which contains the VIPP job ticket and database data. In a production print environment, the data file would be sent to the VIPP enabled printer via LPR (this can be done via Lytrod's Proform Designer or via any standard LPR demon). For demonstration, you may simply open the project folder and "print" the data file: customerflyer.csv.
It is important to note that Lytrod supports VIPP image caching which dramatically improves job processing, as the variable images are ripped only once for the entire job.
Scalability
Unlimited. This is the advantage of the dynamic document construction method used by VIPP. The document is composed at the RIP in real time, as the data is sent to the printer.
Turnaround Time
2 ½ hours.
Overall Caveats and Considerations
The data file was pre-merged, this would typically be done at the customer data level.
We noticed cut marks did not line up on the original files. We coded our jobs to mimic the originals.
