Introduction
Pixel Perfect Reports is a powerful tool for designing and generating a wide range of reports. One of the more practical uses for Pixel Perfect Reports is creating address labels. These are essential for businesses and individuals who need to print bulk mailing labels efficiently. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the process of designing address labels in Pixel Perfect Reports, providing tips and best practices to ensure your labels look professional and are formatted correctly.
Steps to Design Address Labels
1. In the designer, create a new Summary Report.
2. Click the 'Label List' toolbar button at the left.
3. Drag out a rectangle on the canvas to add a Label List on the Canvas. The Label List represents the area in which the address labels will be printed. This means the size of the Label List will be slightly smaller than the size of the canvas, which represents the paper.
4. Click the 'Grid Layout' button on the properties pane on the right to open the 'Layout List Layout Edit' dialog.
5. Set the number of rows, number of columns and Traverse Mode. Close the dialog.
6. Double click the Label List and go to the Layout tab.
7. Click the 'Text Field' toolbar button on the right. Add the 'Text Field's on the canvas within the area demarcated by dotted line. This area is the area of a single label plus half the size of the gap between labels on all four sides. For address labels, you'll typically need Name, Address Line 1, Address Line 2, City, State, and ZIP Code. Note that you can have the 'Text Field' orient vertically as shown.
8. Go to the Data tab and attach a data source.
9. Go to the Layout tab and attach data to each Text Field.
Test and Preview
1. Run the Report: Click on Preview to see how your labels look. Ensure that all data fits well within the label boundaries and that the formatting is consistent.
2. Check Alignment: Verify that the labels are aligned properly. If needed, adjust the positioning of your List Label to ensure proper alignment.
Print Setup
1. Export to PDF: For final printing, export your report to PDF format to check how it will look on paper.
2. Print Test Page: Print a test page to ensure the labels are aligned correctly on your label sheets. Make any necessary adjustments before printing in bulk.
Best Practices
Consistency: Ensure consistent formatting and alignment across all labels for a professional appearance.
Testing: Always test print a few labels before committing to a large print run.
Data Accuracy: Double-check the data source for accuracy to avoid printing errors.
By following these steps, you can create professional-looking address labels using Pixel Perfect Reports. Whether you’re managing a large mailing list for a business or handling personal correspondence, Pixel Perfect Reports provides a robust solution for efficient and customizable label printing. Happy designing!