Get started
June 4th, 2007Just a few simple steps will get you going.
What you need:
CorelDRAW 12 or X3 and some experience working with it.
What you need to do:
- design a preview template the way you want it to look on the screen
- mark text and images for replacement as explained in this manual
- upload the template to the site and test it
- create a printing template the way you want it to go into your printing machine or pre-press
- upload the printing template to the site and test it, but only if your preview template is different from the printing template
Converting your existing artwork
You can use your existing artwork in format ‘as is’ and follow the steps outlined below.
Existing artwork in other vector-graphic formats can usually be imported into CorelDRAW either directly or through some other intermediate format like PDF. E.g. save your Freehand file as PDF retaining as much information as possible and then import the file into Corel. Some adjustments may still be needed to achieve the desired design.
Flash demo: convert a PDF into a template
Design limitations
There are NO limitations on design techniques for non-variable parts of the template. You are only asked to observe a few rules where it comes to text and images marked for user input and image upload.
Saving templates
Template files must be saved with all the fonts embedded. Otherwise your fonts will be substituted to some basic Windows fonts like Arial or Verdana.
Not all fonts may be embedded. Such fonts can be uploaded to the server.
You may need to add a page frame.
How it works
CorelDRAW allows tagging different objects with additional data using Object Data Manager. The tagged information is extracted by ZetaPrints when you upload the file and then presented to the user as text fields for entering their data or uploading images. E.g. if you create a text frame and call it ‘Business name’, then there will be an input box on the order form called ‘Business name’.
Important: Object Data Manager
Flash demo: enable Object Data Manager
Open object data manager pane (go to the main menu Tools >> Object Data
Manager)
