A simple proof sheet

Applies to: NeoPack/Professional, PackBuilder, DataPost, OutPost, NeoPack/Plus

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This article looks at designing and printing a simple item sheet (proof sheet) with a plain background. A more complex proof sheet complete with background elements is described in the article Multi pose proof sheets"

Throughout this article we will be referring to the item sheet reproduced below. The template used for this item sheet is available for download here.

Figure: A simple proof sheet

Creating the template

All item sheets require a Fixed Size Item template. To create a Fixed Size Item:

1. Got to the Template Designer (Design Mode)
2. Start a new template (File>New or select the new template icon from the toolbar)
3. The New Template Design window appears. Select the last option - Fixed Size
4. A blank canvas appears. Click on the canvas to activate then enter the size of the template. The example above used a size 2.00" x 3.20"
5. Drag an image hole onto the template and size as desired
6. Optionally add text boxes, barcodes and graphics
7. When satisfied, save the template into the templates directory

The screen grab below illustrates how the template used above will look like in the Template Designer.

Figure 2: The fixed size item template

It is imperative that template type created is a "Fixed Size Item". No other template type can be used to create a proof sheet

Forming the item sheet in NeoPack/Professional or PackBuilder

The procedure for creating an item sheet is identical in NeoPack/Professional and PackBuilder. However item sheets printed directly out of PackBuilder will be subject to printing restrictions as described in PackBuilder printing restrictions (The restrictions are removed if and when the job is printed through NeoPack/Professional)

Item Sheets in NeoPack/Professional and PackBuilder are created in Form Item Sheets Mode.

Start a new item sheet

Go to Form Item Sheets Mode and start a new item sheet (Edit>New or click the New Item Sheet button on the toolbar)

Figure 3: Starting a new item sheet

Select the subjects to include on the item sheet

After starting a new item sheet the "Subjects to Include" window appears.

• Checking the "All" folder automatically selects every folder and every subject in the folders
• Individual folders may be checked and unchecked as desired
• Individual subjects may be selected or unselected as desired from the Checked Folder(s) tab
• The Description window is used to give a name to your sheet and can be printed with @description

Note selecting subjects here does not specify which images are used for a given subject. If subjects are matched to more than one image the user will have choices as to which images to use in the Sheet Page Settings described below

Arrange the item onto the sheet

The "Templates/arrangement" window allows the user to select the item to be used for the sheet and arrange the item on the finished page. The settings below were used to produce the sample item sheet reproduced above.

The "Item" section lists all the fixed size items present in the users template's directory. In this example only a single item is listed - simple proof. "Plain background" is checked which activates the parameters for arranging the item on the finished page.

If the template you created is not listed here check you created a "Fixed Size Item" as described above and that template paths are correct

Figure 4: Arranging the item onto a sheet

• Units may be either inches or millimetres
• Auto-size page will automatically generate a page size according to the number of items across and down and margin settings
• More commonly a fixed page size is entered according the size of the sheet the proofs will be printed on
• Items may be placed in either portrait or landscape orientation

Set the sort order, which images to include and page break

The "Sheet Page Settings" allow the user to set further parameters with regard to the finished item sheet. The settings below were used to create the sample item sheet above.

Figure 5: The Sheet Page Settings window

• Three levels of sort are available according to any subject or folder field.
• Check "ignore" to avoid including unmatched subjects (i.e. subjects without images) on the page.
• For multi-pose shoots the user has the option to include only the main image, all images, or just images for which a pose label has been explicitly assigned.
• Page breaks can be forced at the change of folder or a change of subject. If forcing a page break on a change of folder the primary sort order must be set to "Folder".
• Sheet page settings may be saved as a default

Printing the item sheet

When satisfied with the appearance of the item sheet proceed to print it by clicking the "Print" icon on the toolbar or File>Print from the main menu. In the screen grab below note the ability to select which sheets to print.

Since images on an item sheet are usually small, it is recommended the "Use internal (thumbnails) images" option is checked. This option will use the thumbnails as imported into Images Mode instead of the full size original images and will therefore greatly improve printing performance and speed.

Figure 6: The print window

Printing Item Sheets in DataPost

The procedure for printing item sheets in DataPost is essentially the same as outlined above with the exception of the following key differences.

• Design Mode in DataPost only allows for two template types - Fixed Size Items as described above and Item Sheet (Background) Layouts
• DataPost does not have a Form Item Sheets Mode. Instead the item sheet is created and printed via File>Print from any of the other modes except the Template Designer (Design Mode). Once File>Print is selected the steps are identical to those described above.
• Item Sheets printed in DataPost will print with a "Proof" stamp across the images

Item sheets in DataPost are most often used to print shoot cards and order envelopes for use with CapturPost.

End of article

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