Designing Labels and Layouts
A label template in Loftware Enterprise SP is the combination of the design for a label that will be printed and the entry form that will be used for gathering the data for the label. You can use the same label template for printing regardless of whether you are printing via on-demand print, Oracle integration, File Drop integration, or Integration for Use with SAP® Applications. Designing label templates involves creating Label and Form views, adding fields and other items, and configuring the properties of fields.
Note: You can also create forms that are not associated with a label template and use Application Design
Create Label and Form Views in a Label Template
In Loftware Enterprise SP, label templates have a Label view and a Form view. The Label view shows the design for the printed label. The Form view shows how the data entry form appears to users in Print
Note: Fields cannot be placed off the canvas in Label view.
Add Fields and Other Items to the Label Template
You can use the following fields and other items in a label template.
- Data sources can be used to populate fields in a label template. You can use buttons and prompts as triggers
A means of running an action, rule, or data service. Includes a trigger source if interactive (such as a button, a prompt, or a form) and a trigger event (such as clicking a button, entering text at a prompt, loading a form, or submitting a job). For example, you can specify a particular button as a trigger source that Data Providers can click to perform a query of a database. to allow a Data Provider Person or process that enters data into a form or other data entry view for a label that was configured by a Designer. A user acting as a Data Provider requires the DOCUMENT_PRINTER role or equivalent permissions. to select information from a data source such as a database. For more information, see Configuring Label Data Sources and Controls, Actions, and Triggers. - Format sources can be used to format text within fields to which they are applied. You can use format sources to apply character-level formatting to specified characters within a field. For more information, see Configuring Format Sources.
- Fixed Text fields contain text that remains the same for all printed labels that use a particular label template. You can use text fields for data such as company name or address.
- Variable Text fields and Text Box fields contain text that can vary among printed labels produced using the same label template. You can use variable text for data such as customer name or part number. For more information, see Using Text.
- Controls can be used to permit data entry in forms. For more information, see Using Controls.
- Shapes include lines, circles, and rectangles. You can use shapes to separate sections of a label template, or to emphasize information. For more information, see Using Shapes.
- Images can be used as background, to add brand information, or to help identify a product associated with a label template. An image field can be configured to refer to a fixed image or else it can be configured as a variable image that is resolved to a specific image at print time. For more information, see Using Images.
- Barcodes encode data to be read by scanners. You can use this data to provide information about an item or a package to which a label template is attached. For more information, see Using Barcodes.
- Layers can be used to arrange a collection of fields that you want to include in the Label view of multiple label templates, but manage independently of the label templates. A layer area can be configured to refer to a fixed layer object or else it can be configured as a variable layer area that is resolved to a specific layer object at print time. For more information, see Using Layers.
- Reusable objects contain fields and other items that can be added to a label template, form, or reusable object. After you add a reusable object to a label template, form, or another reusable object, you can edit the fields and other items contributed by the reusable object. For more information, see Using Reusable Objects.
Configure the Properties of Fields and Areas
Your label template and each field and area in it are defined by properties. These include settings that define the appearance of fields such as height and width, font size and color, and settings that define the function of the field such as barcode symbology and check digit.
Best Practice
Name the fields and areas in a label template by configuring the Field Name property.
Create Reference Areas in a Layout
In Loftware Enterprise SP, a layout has a canvas on which you can add reference areas (also referred to as reference areas) or grids of reference areas.
Note: A reference area cannot be placed off the canvas or allowed to overlap another reference area. A grid can be ungrouped into individual reference areas, but it cannot be regrouped back into a grid.
Tip: For information about creating label templates, layouts, or other objects in Label Design