Abstract: In some embodiments a method includes sending, from a composition compute device and to a user compute device, a data file that is based on a print file template. The data file includes (1) a plurality of raster image fonts based on user selected text, (2) a low-resolution image based on a user selected image, and (3) frame data indicative of coordinate locations on a webpage for the raster image fonts and for the low-resolution image. The method includes receiving, at the composition computer device and from the user computer device, a signal indicative of a modification to the data file. The method includes defining, at the composition compute device, a print file based on (1) a plurality of vector fonts based on the user selected text, (2) a high-resolution image based on the user selected image, (3) the frame data, and (4) the modification to the data file.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing clipping paths for variable data publishing are disclosed. A clipping path element is part of a graphic editor that allows a user to define a clipping path in any shape including non-rectangular shapes and shapes made with curved segments. The original graphic is preserved, and the clipping frame defines the portion of the image that is displayed or printed. A plurality of clipping paths can be defined and stored to a library. Rules based on nonvariable or variable data publishing data may be used to retrieve the clipping paths from the library. A new document is composed and rendered that includes a clipping path applied to a portion of an image or the text.

Abstract: A method for collecting information useable in creating a Web form through which data for variable portions of a printable document is entered is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving layout information relating to a template document having one or more fields. The method further includes receiving form definition information relating to a design of a Web form for the template document, wherein the Web form includes one or more entries corresponding to the one or more fields. The layout information and the form definition information are then collected for storage within a file, and the file is transmitted to a server capable of generating the Web form using the file.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for composing an imposed, intermingled output in pre-sorted postal order from an intermediate file are disclosed. A composition engine populates a template with variable printing data from a data file and generates an intermediate file. The composition engine repeats the process and generates a second intermediate file from a second data file and template. The intermediate files are merged and intermingled to generate a third intermediate file. The third intermediate file is converted to a renderable format and transmitted to a printing system to produce a ganged, imposed output.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing clipping paths for variable data publishing are disclosed. A clipping path element is part of a graphic editor that allows a user to define a clipping path in any shape including non-rectangular shapes and shapes made with curved segments. The original graphic is preserved and the clipping frame defines the portion of the image that is displayed or printed. A plurality of clipping paths can be defined and stored to a library. Rules based on nonvariable or variable data publishing data may be used to retrieve the clipping paths from the library. A new document is composed and rendered that includes a clipping path applied to a portion of an image or the text.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing downgraded fonts for VDP printing application are described. A server system may be configured to generate and/or select a set of downgraded rasterized fonts for delivery to a client system in order to provide limited client-side WYSIWIG display functionality using the downgraded fonts. A client side application may use the downgraded fonts to provide a display-only or draft print only rendering of a VDP print job.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for composing an imposed, intermingled output in pre-sorted postal order from an intermediate file are disclosed. A composition engine populates a template with variable printing data from a data file and generates an intermediate file. The composition engine repeats the process and generates a second intermediate file from a second data file and template. The intermediate files are merged and intermingled to generate a third intermediate file. The third intermediate file is converted to a renderable format and transmitted to a printing system to produce a ganged, imposed output.

Abstract: In some embodiments a method includes sending, from a composition compute device and to a user compute device, a data file that is based on a print file template. The data file includes (1) a plurality of raster image fonts based on user selected text, (2) a low-resolution image based on a user selected image, and (3) frame data indicative of coordinate locations on a webpage for the raster image fonts and for the low-resolution image. The method includes receiving, at the composition computer device and from the user computer device, a signal indicative of a modification to the data file. The method includes defining, at the composition compute device, a print file based on (1) a plurality of vector fonts based on the user selected text, (2) a high-resolution image based on the user selected image, (3) the frame data, and (4) the modification to the data file.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing clipping paths for variable data publishing are disclosed. A clipping path element is part of a graphic editor that allows a user to define a clipping path in any shape including non-rectangular shapes and shapes made with curved segments. The original graphic is preserved and the clipping frame defines the portion of the image that is displayed or printed. A plurality of clipping paths can be defined and stored to a library. Rules based on nonvariable or variable data publishing data may be used to retrieve the clipping paths from the library. A new document is composed and rendered that includes a clipping path applied to a portion of an image or the text.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for composing an imposed, intermingled output in pre-sorted postal order from an intermediate file are disclosed. A composition engine populates a template with variable printing data from a data file and generates an intermediate file. The composition engine repeats the process and generates a second intermediate file from a second data file and template. The intermediate files are merged and intermingled to generate a third intermediate file. The third intermediate file is converted to a renderable format and transmitted to a printing system to produce a ganged, imposed output.

Abstract: In some embodiments a method includes sending, from a composition compute device and to a user compute device, a data file that is based on a print file template. The data file includes (1) a plurality of raster image fonts based on user selected text, (2) a low-resolution image based on a user selected image, and (3) frame data indicative of coordinate locations on a webpage for the raster image fonts and for the low-resolution image. The method includes receiving, at the composition computer device and from the user computer device, a signal indicative of a modification to the data file. The method includes defining, at the composition compute device, a print file based on (1) a plurality of vector fonts based on the user selected text, (2) a high-resolution image based on the user selected image, (3) the frame data, and (4) the modification to the data file.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method which includes receiving an indication of the presence of a first message from a first client device, the first message including a first specification file and a first network address associated with a first print data file. The method includes retrieving the first print data file from the first network address. The method includes processing the first specification file and the first print data file by a raster image processor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing resized layouts accommodating a plurality of documents sizes for variable data printing are disclosed. A computerized system is used to lay out a template for a given document having a first page size and including variable elements based on user input. The user can define the frame of each element according to one or more parameters including a scaling ratio, an X and Y alignment, and a must fit portion of the frame. The user provides a second page size which includes at least one dimension different than the first page size. A new document is automatically prepared that includes the content of the original document that is resized according to the one or more parameters.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for composing an imposed, intermingled output in pre-sorted postal order from an intermediate file are disclosed. A composition engine populates a template with variable printing data from a data file and generates an intermediate file. The composition engine repeats the process and generates a second intermediate file from a second data file and template. The intermediate files are merged and intermingled to generate a third intermediate file. The third intermediate file is converted to a renderable format and transmitted to a printing system to produce a ganged, imposed output.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a pre-rasterized print job for variable data printing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a set of printer characteristics may be determined and then transferred to a typesetting system. The typesetting system may then pre-rasterize objects of the print job based in part on the received printer characteristics. A pre-rasterized print job, including the pre-rasterized objects and print layout instructions may then be generated, such as in the form of a PostScript file, which may then be transferred to a raster image processor (RIP) for generation of printed output. In another embodiment, a printer characterization file may be used for execution on a printing system to determine the set of printer characteristics that may include native resolution, rotation angle, compression data and/or other data or information characterizing the printing system.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method which includes receiving an indication of the presence of a first message from a first client device, the first message including a first specification file and a first network address associated with a first print data file. The method includes retrieving the first print data file from the first network address. The method includes processing the first specification file and the first print data file by a raster image processor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing downgraded fonts for VDP printing application are described. A server system may be configured to generate and/or select a set of downgraded rasterized fonts for delivery to a client system in order to provide limited client-side WYSIWIG display functionality using the downgraded fonts. A client side application may use the downgraded fonts to provide a display-only or draft print only rendering of a VDP print job.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method which includes receiving an indication of the presence of a first message from a first client device, the first message including a first specification file and a first network address associated with a first print data file. The method includes retrieving the first print data file from the first network address. The method includes processing the first specification file and the first print data file by a raster image processor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing downgraded fonts for VDP printing application are described. A server system may be configured to generate and/or select a set of downgraded rasterized fonts for delivery to a client system in order to provide limited client-side WYSIWIG display functionality using the downgraded fonts. A client side application may use the downgraded fonts to provide a display-only or draft print only rendering of a VDP print job.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a pre-rasterized print job for variable data printing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a set of printer characteristics may be determined and then transferred to a typesetting system. The typesetting system may then pre-rasterize objects of the print job based in part on the received printer characteristics. A pre-rasterized print job, including the pre-rasterized objects and print layout instructions may then be generated, such as in the form of a PostScript file, which may then be transferred to a raster image processor (RIP) for generation of printed output. In another embodiment, a printer characterization file may be used for execution on a printing system to determine the set of printer characteristics that may include native resolution, rotation angle, compression data and/or other data or information characterizing the printing system.