QuickDesign Manual
QuickDesign Manual
QuickDesign
Product Manual
QuickDesign
QUICKDESIGN
PRODUCT MANUAL
This manual is based on the Help File EPT006583_3 and is for use in the
operation of QuickDesign software.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
on a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the
prior permission of Domino Printing Sciences plc.
Domino Printing Sciences plc. has a policy of continuous product
improvement, the Company therefore reserves the right to modify the
specification contained in this manual without notice.
© Domino Printing Sciences plc. 2015.
For sales, service and inks please contact:
To start QuickDesign:
1. Click on the QuickDesign icon from the desktop, or select QuickDesign from the Start menu
(Program files > QuickDesign).
2. The Login screen appears, as follows:
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More Button
Clicking on the More button will expand the login screen allowing database connection
configuration, allowing connection to an alternative database.
The database contains all of the information relating to label creation and printer configuration.
Main Screen
• Label Editor
• Basic Data
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Label Editor
Label Editor
Label Editor
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Open a Label
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Creating/Editing Labels
Creating Labels
1. To create a new label, select Label Editor from the main, then click or select Label>New
from the menu.
2. The Label wizard opens. Select an existing printer from the list.
Note: Selecting OK will open the label in the Editor, however it will have default parameters,
including the Label Name (Untitled1)
Creating Labels
1. To create a new label, select Label Editor from the main, then click or select Label>New
from the menu.
2. The Label wizard opens. Select an existing printer from the list.
Note: Selecting OK will open the label in the Editor, however it will have default parameters,
including the Label Name (Untitled1)
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6. When prompted, select the required label information (printer dependent), this can include:
• Format: Options are dependent on the type of printer technology selected. Examples are:
a. Select Raster (for CIJ)
b. Number of Print Areas (For multiple head installations)
c. Horizontal and Vertical Resolution
• Label Parameters: Refer to the target printer documentation for details.
• Label Dimensions
• Label Name
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Print Areas
1. The number and specification of the print heads (or group/Jets depending on the
technology).
2. The configuration of each print head to give a total configured print height.
Example:
The label to be printed is 200mm high and 250mm long. The printing technology being used consists
of three print heads each 70mm high.
The three heads must therefore be configured to print three print areas of the following heights:
Configured Total
Print Print Head
Printed Area Configured
Head Height
Height Area Height
1 70mm 70mm 70mm
2 70mm 70mm 140mm
3 70mm 60mm 200mm
These heads will therefore print in this configuration along a designated label length of 250mm.
Inserting Elements
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Field).
Insert a Figure. Refer to Inserting a Figure (Form).
1. Either click on the Insert New Text Element button or select the Insert pull-
down menu to choose the desired element type.
2. Click in the label where you want the element to appear.
3. The Edit Element dialogue opens, enter the required text into the white space. Click
OK to insert into the label.
Depending on the printer type, options are available, click here for more information.
Inserting a Barcode
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Note: Available Barcode type is dependent on the printer technology that the label is being created
for.
4. Click OK.
5. Populate the barcode with the required data.
6. Click OK to insert barcode into label.
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Inserting a Picture
Inserting a Clock
1. Click on the Insert Clock button and click inside the label where you want the clock to
appear.
2. The Clock Properties dialogue will open. Set the clock properties:
3. Click on OK.
Inserting a Counter
1. Click on the Insert Counter button and click inside the label where you want the
counter to appear.
2. The Counter Properties dialogue will open. Set the counter properties:
3. Click on OK.
A shift code is a printed code that changes depending on a configured shift pattern. Typically this is
used to differentiate between shifts with simple identifiers, such as Shift 1, Shift 2, etc.
1. Click on the Shift Code button and click inside the label where you want the counter to
appear.
2. The Shift Code Properties dialogue will open.
3. Select Add and enter the details of the shifts
4. Click on OK and the shift code will appear in the label.
The Shift Text can vary depending on the shifts set, therefore ensure you allow space provision within
your label for any variation in shift text length.
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Note: This functionality is available for use only with A-Series Plus, i-Tech and V-Series printers.
A link element is used to associate 2 items within the label. This is restricted to linking GS1 text
elements into barcodes.
Note: Not available with A-Series or C-Series printers.
1. Click on the Link Element button and click inside the label where you want the Link to
appear.
2. The Link dialogue will open. Select the Link element to insert into the label.
3. Click on OK to insert into the label.
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1. Click on the Data field button and click inside the label where you want the data field to
appear.
2. The data field dialogue will open.
3. Select the data field to insert into the label.
4. Click on OK to insert the data field into the label.
Variable elements contain dynamic information, such as clocks, user prompts, counter (serial
number), link or data fields.
Frequently used variables, such as clocks, counters and user prompts can be inserted directly from
the toolbar, therefore the insert variable button is mainly used for creating expressions that
reference other variables.
To insert a variable:
1. Click on the Insert Variable button and click in the label where you want the variable to
appear
2. The variable dialogue will open. To add a variable to the list, click on the New
button and follow the procedure for adding a data field.
3. This will output an expression within the text area in the window.
4. This field can be edited to add additional elements or fixed text as well as customised
expressions.
4. Click on the Test button to test the prompt, a green tick will display if the
criteria is met.
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1. Click on the Insert Printer SSCC button and click inside the label where you want the
counter to appear.
2. The Edit Element dialogue will open. Set the SSCC data as required.
3. Click on OK.
A printer variable is used when a separate data source will be providing the target printer with data
at runtime. It specifies how that data will be used.
Name: Enter the name for the printer variable.
Length: How long the variable will be (if fixed text).
Offset: Where to start in the referenced variable. For example, if the variable text was "ABCDE", an
offset of 2 would give "CDE" (for fixed text).
Format
This allows the print resolution (or raster selection) and the number of print areas of the open label
to be changed.
1. With the label open. Open the Format Label dialogue by selecting Label > Format from the
menu.
2. Set the required parameters:
Page
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Label Notes
Editing an Element
Appearance
Available Elements depends on the target printer. Selections that are greyed out are not supported
by the printer.
Typeface Select a typeface. True
Type fonts are denoted
by TT. Printer fonts are
denoted by a printer
icon.
Vertical Size in 1/72 points per
Size inch.
Horizontal Horizontal stretch. For
Size True Type fonts, it is
shown in percentage.
For printer fonts it is
shown in 1/72 points per
inch.
Bold
Italic
Underline
Left
Justify
Centre
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Right
Justify
No
Rotation
Rotate 90 Rotates element 90
Degree degrees anti-clockwise.
anti-
clockwise
Rotate Rotates element 180
180 degrees
Degree
Rotate 90 Rotates element 90
Degree degrees clock-wise.
clockwise
Left Align Left align multiple
selected items.
Right Right align multiple
Align selected items.
Top Align Top align multiple
selected items.
Bottom Bottom align multiple
Align selected items.
Centre Centrally aligns a item
Align within the label on a
horizontal axis.
Shape Select shape type, and
Only line thickness.
Properties
To edit the properties of the element, either double-click or right-click and select properties. This
gives the opportunity to change the contents of the element.
Format
The format screen allows editing of properties that affect the way the element goes to the printer,
as well as some of the lesser used display options.
Right-click on the element and select format. This gives the opportunity to edit these parameters:
Item The name of the element.
Name
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Where Clause
Hide or show the element based on run-time criteria. This is often used to show or hide bitmaps,
based on a formula.
Expression
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Expressions
Simple Text
Expression
Expression Builder
The Expression Builder is displayed by right clicking the element and selecting the expression.
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More
Data Source
The Data Source provides access to data sources and functions for use in expressions.
Products Fields available from the product list. Hover the mouse over
the graphic for more information.
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Customers Fields available from the customer list. See Products for
details on operation.
Production Fields available for common production labelling scenarios.
The fields are listed by label type.
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Phrases
Table Phrases
Table phrases are used to store commonly used phrases for labelling.
Open the Phrase Editor from the Show > Phrases menu.
• Country: What language the phrase is in.
• Phrase Name: A unique value name for the phrase.
• Table Name: A unique value name for the table these phrases will be in. Used for
categorising.
• Phrase: The actual phrase that will be printed.
In the expression editor, use the TABLEPHRASE function. All three arguments; table, phrase, and
country code can be substituted by expressions. An example is provided below.
Example: A Multi-Lingual Label Design
For every element using text, set up a TablePhrase with the following syntax:
{TABLEPHRASE('MyLabelCaptionTable', 'Caption1', CountryNo)}
For the coding automation command, carry out the following:
1. ParamValue(CountryNo, 1)
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2. LabelStore(MyLabel, MyPrinter)
3. LabelSelect(MyLabel,MyPrinter)
This tells the label editor to use all of the USA phrases. A different value for CountryNo would result
in a different set of phrases being used.
Product Phrases
Product Phrases operate in a similar fashion to Table Phrases. They are, however, based on the
product list. There is a tab in the products form that allows the user to create more fields for a given
product.
These are then accessed with the WAREPHRASE function. This function first finds the right product,
then the right phrase.
{WAREPHRASE(ProductNo,PhraseFieldName,CountryNo)}
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Printing a Label
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Operator Setup
Operator Setup
Operator Setup enables the Operator Mode to be configured. This allows the procedural steps to
print a label in the Operator interface to be defined.
• General Options
• Client Setup
• Step List Setup
Use the Step List Setup tab to construct a list of defined procedures. Each Step should consist of
specific identifiable part of the process (Select Label, Select Printer) and be made of a single or
combination of sub-steps which are selected from a defined list.
1. From the Step Lists area of the dialog, select New.
2. Give the step a relevant name and press Enter.
3. From the Step Options area of the dialog select New Step and select one of the defined
options described in the table below.
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Select Options:
Database • Internal database
• ODBC (external) Database (Select and specify key field and
secondary field if required)
Select Product Options:
• Mask field: Select the field from the drop down list and specify
the product identification sequence you wish to include. As an
example, A90* will display all matches beginning with A90 from
the selected field.
Note: A database must be selected to use Mask Field in the Select
Product step
• Default product. Specify a single product. Operator has no
options.
• Specify the format the results are displayed in the Show Options
area.
Select Label Options:
• Enable search capability. Displayed labels can be limited to those
of compatible printers
• Automated: Specify the label or database field that defines it. No
operator options available.
• Specify the format the results are displayed in the Show Options
area.
Prompt User No configuration required.
Populate No configuration required.
Product
Information
Select Printer Options:
• Automated: Specify the printer. No operator options available.
• Operator Choice: select the options required regarding printer
type that the operator can select from.
• Specify the format the results are displayed in the Show Options
area.
Print Preview Options:
• Display Print Preview: Activate the feature. If unchecked no print
preview will be displayed.
• Require Second Signature: Specify if a password protected
confirmation of the selected label is required.
Check Label Check label for missing information: Label will be checked to ensure all
fields are completed and valid. Specify instructions to operator should an
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error occur.
Store Label Store location can only be specified when an automated printer has
been selected which supports storage locations.
Send Label Select if confirmation is required.
Send to USB No configuration required. Operator will be required to enter label name
and select USB drive.
Restart Select to re-run start-up sequence.
4. Add more steps as required to define the operations required in your Step List. Use the
Move Up and Move Down buttons to order the list as required.
5. When complete select Save.
Each step list can be assigned a button in the Operator User Interface via the Client Setup tab
Use the Client Setup tab to assign a step list to a specific client. A client typically will control one or
more printers.
In the illustration below the Client is Line 1.
Create Client
1. From the Select client setup to edit drop down list, select New.
2. Enter a name and select Save.
The new name will appear in the Client Name box
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Note: If no step list is assigned to a button then the button will not be displayed in the user interface.
This feature will enable buttons on the Operator Interface which the operator can use to progress
through the step procedures. Where buttons are not enables they will be greyed out and not
selectable.
Referring to the illustration below:
Note: The enabling of Button 1 (Select Product) after Send to Print results in a loop returning the
operator to the beginning.
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This tab is used to configure the local machine (PC) by selecting Client and specific Display and Log
options.
Client Options
Display Options
• Show Customer logo: Navigate to where the logo s stored. The log will be displayed on the
top right of the Operator Interface.
• Show Status Information
• Show On-Screen Keyboard
Log Options
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Basic Data
Basic Data
Basic Data on the Main Menu allows you to enter information about your own company and enter
product information. For more information about this, refer to:
• Entering Products
• Associating Labels with Products
Entering Products
2. Click Insert .
Enter the following information (as appropriate to the application):
a. Product Information
• Product No.: QuickDesign will automatically generate a product number for
you. This may be modified.
• Product Name
• Product Category No.: Enter relevant category details if required.
• Is Active: Indicates the product is live within QuickDesign.
Type your drop-down text here.
b. Production
• Barcode Primary: Barcode on the primary packaging.
• Barcode Sec.: Barcode on the secondary package.
• Barcode Sec. Alt: Alternative barcode for secondary packaging.
• Barcode Pallet: The barcode on the transportation package.
• Units in Primary: Number of units in a primary package.
• Sec. to Primary Ratio: Number of primary packages in a secondary package.
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• Max Weight on Pallet: Maximum weight (in grams) that can be stacked on a
pallet.
• Sec. to Layer Ratio: Number of Secondary packages per pallet layer.
• Litre Volume: Number of litres in a Secondary Unit.
• Data Area ID: This is a numeric value that can be used for customised
functionality.
• Finished Product: Confirms output is a finished product.
• Raw Material: Confirms output is a raw material.
• Alt. Primary Label: Select the alternative primary label for this product.
• Alt. Secondary Label: Select the alternative secondary label for this product.
• Alt. Pallet Label: Select the alternative pallet label for this product.
• Extra Label 1/2: Select any additional labels as required.
• Half Pallet: Indicates half pallets are allowed..
• Label Text 1/2/3: These are additional fields for text that may appear on the
labels.
c. Cost
Enter costs specific to the production of this product.
d. Miscellaneous
Additional fields that may contain data for labels.
3. Click the Save button.
Data Import
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Labels can be associated with products in order to facilitate line automation with modules such as
Production Plus.
Within Basic data/Products/ there is a Labels section.
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Production Controller
The Production Controller allows printers to be added and configured.
The main screen area shows existing production lines, printer groups, printers and connections.
These can be edited or deleted by selecting the item and right clicking.
This opens the Production Line menu, allowing a new production line
to be set.
This adds a Printer Group, allowing groups of similar printers to be
setup.
Note: Printer Group must be added before adding the printers.
This will add a new printer. Click Icon, then click in white working
space. Refer to Printer Setup.
This adds an additional connection protocol to a printer.
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Production Controller
This opens the Production Line menu, allowing a new production line
to be set.
This adds a Printer Group, allowing groups of similar printers to be
setup.
Note: Printer Group must be added before adding the printers.
This will add a new printer. Click Icon, then click in white working
space. Refer to Printer Setup.
This adds an additional connection protocol to a printer.
Printer Setup
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A Production line can be added within the Production Controller in a similar way as a printer is
added.
To add a production line, within the Printer Controller Screen , select the production line object
and then click into the working space.
The Production Line menu will open, in here the production line can be assigned a name.
Use the green tick to save the production line.
Note: Objects cannot be moved within the production controller. Therefore, to configure the printers
into a production line, the production line should be added first and then add the printers onto the
line.
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Troubleshooting
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If you can’t see the Production Menu in the launch screen, then
I can’t see the Production you do not have access to the Production Plus Module, to
menu in the Launch Menu enable this module via an upgraded license key, contact your
local representative.
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