Abstract: A method of compiling a series of output data elements to form an output data stream, said output data elements being derived from an input data source, said input data source comprising one or more input data elements, said method being performed by a processor and comprising the steps of: displaying, in a first region of a visual display, a representation of one or more input data elements; receiving input from a user selecting an input data element for inclusion in said series of output data elements; processing the selected input data element to form one or more output data elements; and adding said one or more output data elements to an output data stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of correcting the position of a printed image on a printable medium, the image being generated by a computer and printed on the printable medium by a printer controlled by the computer, in which the computer executes a print operation to print an image onto a printable medium; obtains co-ordinates which define the actual position of the image printed as well as the co-ordinates of a desired position of the image; and responds to the difference between the required and the actual positions to correct the image which would be generated by the computer in the next execution of the print operation such that it will be printed at the correct position. The invention also provides a computer program for implementing this method, and a system, comprising a computer and a printer, which implements the program.

Abstract: A printing system, for instance, for printing labels makes use of one or more sequence generators (13, 14; 113, 114) which can return an indicium definition in response to an input value. Typically, the input value is a sequence position, modified by step and repeat values. The sequence generators (13, 14; 113, 114) are used during the printing operation, avoiding the need for the data source file required in conventional mail merge and label printing systems.