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Variable Templates

Templates are configurations of your personalized products which utilize a design and an editor. Within Customer's Canvas the term Product Specification is used for Templates.


Create a Product Specification

Step      Action

    1.      Select {Online Ordering} and then select {Variable Templates

              New} and then select {Product Specifications} 

    2.      Click on {Create New}.


     3.     Enter Name.

     4.     Select Editor. You have 4 options.



Template Editor Options

  1. Blank Print Product Editor

If you are not importing an InDesign or Photoshop file you can choose the Blank Template option. This is simply a blank canvas where users can add text elements, images, backgrounds, and artwork. This approach works well for gifts and promotional products but can also be set up for other printed products with simple designs that don’t require the help of a professional designer.

To create a Blank Online Template you will need to create a Blank Design. Next, you will create a template where you will select the Blank Print Product Editor and then create a product where you will add the template that you just created.

 

  1. Data Driven Editor (B2B Template)

The Data Driven Editor allows you to set formatting rules by using Data Schema settings. This allows you to maintain branding and overall consistency across orders in a B2B environment. To create a B2B Online Template you will need to create a Design, add any images associated with the Design, add any fonts associated with the Design, Create a Data Schema that will be added to the Design. Next, you will create a template where you will select the Data Driven Editor and then create a product where you will add the template that you just created.

 

*Note If you keep the naming convention consistent in all your artwork you will be able to use one Data Schema over and over unless you would like to have pre fills then you will be able to copy a master Data Schema and rename it for the design that you would like to have pre fills.

 

  1. Template-based Print Product Editor (B2C Template)

The Template Based Print Editor allows the end user to format fields to their specific needs. To create a B2C Online Template you will need to create a Design, add any images associated with the Design, add any fonts associated with the Design. Next, you will create a template where you will select the Template-based Print Product Editor and then create a product where you will add the template that you just created.

 

  1. Variable Data Print Product Editor (Variable Data Template)

The Variable data print Editor allows the end user to upload a spreadsheet to populate the available fields on a product. To create a Variable Data Template you will need to create a Design, add any images associated with the Design, add any fonts associated with the Design, Next, you will create a template where you will select the Variable data print Product Editor and then create a product where you will add the template that you just created.


Data Driven Exercise

  1. Name - Enter Business Card
  2. Personalization Workflow - Select Data Driven
  3. Design - Select the Business Card in the Sample Folder
  4. Data Set - Select the Business Card file in the Sample Folder
  5. Mockups - Select the Business Card Mockup from the Mockups Folder
  6. Check off Allow users to download low-res proof PDF file
  7. Check off Add watermark to proof images
  8. Click on Save
  9. Click on Test


    Data Driven Editor Customer View

    Click next to see the mockup

Blank Print Product Editor Exercise

  1. Name - Enter Letterhead
  2. Personalization Workflow - Select Blank Print Product Editor 
  3. Width - 8.5
  4. Height - 11
  5. Bleed - 1.25
  6. Number of Pages - 2
  7. Preview Mockup file - Select Letterhead-mockup from the Mockup folder
  8. Clipart gallery - Select Sample Library
  9. Backgrounds - Select Sample Backgrounds
  10. Output Print File Resolution - 300
  11. Identifying - Empty
  12. Check off Allow users to download low-res proof PDF file
  13. Check off Add watermark to proof images
  14. Click on Save
  15. Click on Test


Blank Print Product Editor Customer View



Template-Based Print Product Editor Exercise

  1. Name - Enter Business Card
  2. Personalization Workflow - Select Template-Based Print Editor
  3. Design - Select the Business Card in the Sample Folder
  4. Data Set - Select the file in the Sample Folder
  5. Preview mockup file - Select the BusinessCardMockup from the Mockups Folder
  6. Gallery Photos & Clipart - Select Sample Library
  7. Backgrounds - Select Sample Backgrounds
  8. Output Print File Resolution - 300
  9. Identifying - Empty
  10. Check off Allow users changing a design layout
  11. Check off Allow users to download low-res proof PDF file
  12. Check off Add watermark to proof images
  13. Click on Save
  14. Click on Test



Template-Based Print Product Editor Customer View



Variable Data Print Product Editor Exercise

  1. Name - Enter Business Card
  2. Personalization Workflow - Select Variable Data Print Editor
  3. Design - Select the Business Card Variable in the Sample Folder
  4. Preview mockup file - Select the Business Card Mockup from the Mockups Folder
  5. Gallery Photos & Clipart - Select Sample Library
  6. Backgrounds - Select Sample Backgrounds
  7. Output Print File Resolution - 300
  8. Identifying - Empty
  9. Check off Allow users changing a design layout
  10. Check off Allow users to download low-res proof PDF file
  11. Check off Add watermark to proof images
  12. Click on Save
  13. Next, Click on Test


Variable Data Print Product Editor Customer View


Click {Next}



Here you can manually enter data or upload a CSV file. If you would like a sample CSV file then click on the {Export} button.


Click {Next} and you will see the proof in the background and the option to download a PDF proof.