variable data apps

[zBret]

VDP apps to use, Will indesign handle large projects or should I be looking
into PrintShop Mail or Designmerge, would like to hear some comments from users of these apps.
Thanks

[Keith]

Hi zBret! I used InDesign's data merge for awhile but found it clunky to use. So I bought FusionPro desktop when they had it on sale for $299 (it's now $599 I think- still a good price compared to some of the other programs). I looked into Printshop Mail but didn't think I needed to spend $900 for the small and infrequent VDP jobs I do, although that is starting to change. I tried a demo of Printshop Mail and liked how it ripped the static info once and the variable info on the fly so my machine can run at rated speed. I can't seem to get FusionPro to do that. It exports as a PDF and can be a problem to rip. I have gotten it to go directly to the printer once and it seemed to print fast; but the fonts were all wrong. I bought it because it was highly recommeded (and affordable for a micro shop like me). Once I figured out how to use it (you have to pay extra for training) it was easy and fun to use. It also has a very handy imposition feature. I use that A LOT, even for my static jobs!

I hope this helps!
Keith

[zBret]

Hi zBret! I used InDesign's data merge for awhile but found it clunky to use. So I bought FusionPro desktop when they had it on sale for $299 (it's now $599 I think- still a good price compared to some of the other programs). I looked into Printshop Mail but didn't think I needed to spend $900 for the small and infrequent VDP jobs I do, although that is starting to change. I tried a demo of Printshop Mail and liked how it ripped the static info once and the variable info on the fly so my machine can run at rated speed. I can't seem to get FusionPro to do that. It exports as a PDF and can be a problem to rip. I have gotten it to go directly to the printer once and it seemed to print fast; but the fonts were all wrong. I bought it because it was highly recommeded (and affordable for a micro shop like me). Once I figured out how to use it (you have to pay extra for training) it was easy and fun to use. It also has a very handy imposition feature. I use that A LOT, even for my static jobs!

I hope this helps!
Keith

Thanks Keith I will download a demo version of Fusionpro desktop.
Ive played around PrintshopMail, I havent printed anything yet but the software seems fairly easy to use, but my options are open to try other software.
thanks for the info

[kansasquaker]

We looked at a couple apps, but InDesign will handle pretty much everything except conditional formatting. I can't justify the cost/time associated with using another app. I'm not sure how you define big, but the largest file we've done was about 5m pages and 420m data points. That got a bit hairy for InDesign to handle, but all in all it went ok. For smaller things, it works just fine.

[zBret]

We looked at a couple apps, but InDesign will handle pretty much everything except conditional formatting. I can't justify the cost/time associated with using another app. I'm not sure how you define big, but the largest file we've done was about 5m pages and 420m data points. That got a bit hairy for InDesign to handle, but all in all it went ok. For smaller things, it works just fine.

Good to know, I just wasnt sure if Indesign could handle large files, I agree why purchase any software if indesign will handle most projects, I just wanted to see what other softwares are available
and just get some feedback for other apps that could possibly be used.
Thanks for the info

[Gbane]

Hi,

Here is a nice write up about DesignMerge, along with comments from users!

Design Merge | Product Review | Layers Magazine