modifying existing labels/cards

users
#1

I have a simple question:
I have a sheet with business cards (made with the correct template, etc.) but as I have a different printer I want to adjust the dimensions as to fit them perfectly. How is that done?
I can not find a modify button anywhere and page formatting is not the correct way (it completely changes all dimensions).
I'm still working with 3.4 (but will only change to 3.5 when it is reasonably bug-free.
Thanks in advance,
Joep

#2

Joep

I have a simple question:
I have a sheet with business cards (made with the correct template,
etc.) but as I have a different printer I want to adjust the
dimensions as to fit them perfectly. How is that done?
I can not find a modify button anywhere and page formatting is not the
correct way (it completely changes all dimensions).
I'm still working with 3.4 (but will only change to 3.5 when it is
reasonably bug-free.
Thanks in advance,
Joep

AFAIK your business cards form should print correctly on any printer
that has a large enough printing area. I have found the typical tweaks I
need are to adjust the margins of the text slightly so it does not print
on the edge.

I would print a set on plain paper and visually inspect to see if the
output looks correct. Then I would make any changes and repeat the test
page. Finally, when I think I have it correct I would print 1 set out
and see if there are any small problems.

#3

Planas,
Thanks for your reply. However, the problem is you cannot make any changes. You cannot change the layout, only when you make a new business card sheet. How would you make the changes?
Joep

#4

Hi Joep,

The standard label formats included with LibreOffice and OpenOffice are the same type as Microsoft uses with fixed blocks. These tend to not to be accurate if the card/label is relatively full as you get toward the bottom of the page, even in Microsoft. There are also table style templates available (or at least used to be available) as an extension for OpenOffice. I have found them very easy to adjust, and they print perfectly for both business cards and labels for me. They are available at:
http://www.worldlabel.com/Pages/openoffice-template.htm or probably as an extension for OpenOffice.

Don

#5

Don,
Thanks for the information. I'll look into it. However, I think it's an omission - or an oversight - of the developers to not give the opportunity to adjust the dimensions of a once made buseness-card template.
Joep

#6

The Business card & label templates use frames (instead of a table). If
you were lucky you rememeberd to select 'syncronize' when you created it
so that you can easily sync the rest of the cards/label. Anyway, to
modify, I highly recommend that you keep a backup of your original, and
then: 'View|Text boundries'. You'll then be able to see the frame
outlines. Right-click on the frame boarder and select 'Frame|Options'
untick the Protect items 'Position' and 'Size'. You can then modify the
frame as you wish by using the 'Type' tab, or exiting the Frame function
and then move/resize the frame with the mouse. When finished, don't
forget to go back and retick the Protect items 'Position' and 'Size' so
that you lock the frames back down.

However, IMO it's easier just to create a new one, adjust the sizes that
you need, and then copy the data from the first frame over to the new one.

#7

Gerry,
Of course I synchronize as otherwise a sheet of 10 cards is difficult to produce. My problem is actually that the - often difficult - process of aligning the sheet with the pre-formatted paper in the printer is not easy with LO. I only want to use the original view where the dimensions are given. I cannot imagine that's so difficult.I have "View|Text boundaries" always on as I want to see the boundaries but if you want to adapt that and examine the result it takes a lot of paper and ink: I would like to see only the outline to edit as in many label programs is customary.
But it is only a minor nuisance and I have it solved.
Thanks anyway for the input,
Joep

#8

I do not have some of the eariler post to this thread, so my question[s] might have already been answered.

Do you have the option to use a template file [.odt or .doc] that has the exact margin and placement formatting for your labels? I know that every one of the label sheets I use [and have used many different shapes, sizes, and brands] has a template file from somewhere. Avery has a file for every label sheet they sell. There are many sites out there that have free label templates. If you buy the labels from a company [non-generic type], they should have the label template.

As for formatting within the labels margins, I tend to keep a two or three 8-point letter spacing from the left/right margins and two, three, or four 6-point line spacing from the top/bottom margins. his way if the paper does not feed exactly the way it needs to be "perfect" alignment, you have some "wiggle-room". I do not thing I have had any of my current 4 printers, 2 lasers and 2 inkjets, get the sheet alignment exactly.

Your Pre-format paper, did you buy it from a company like Paperdirect.com? I know that companies like that has the templates for the paper/sheet designs that they sell. Most companies like that should have the template for their designs. I have postcard and other sizes of sheets that have a design pre-printed on them. All of them have their own .doc templates. Each printed design, the company had a template for it online. I just had to look for it.

I also have created many sheet designs for postcards, letterhead, note cards, etc., etc.. I always create a template for that design. So a person or business can either have the sheets pre-printed at a local printing company, or they can use a color printer to print the design and the added text at t he same time.

The long and short of this is that there are a lot of templates out there for free. I never have found a quality label sheet that its company did not have a free template for it.

#9

Joep, I fully agree. I just don't have a better answer. Might be a good
time to put in a bug report and see if someone has exerience with the UI
and that wizard. I seem to recall discussion regarding this over on the
old OOo list(s). I'll look them up later to see if I can find any added
info.

Gary

#10

Webmaster,
I constructed this template myself as the companies templates are only for MSW but they give the exact dimensions so it is not difficult to do.
Gerry,
When I find the time I will make a bug report. It may be not so trivial to apply: I don't know the program flow that led to the template formation and it may well be - as we called it in the old school - " spaghetti organised" ():).
Joep

#11

Webmaster,
I constructed this template myself as the companies templates are only for MSW but they give the exact dimensions so it is not difficult to do.
Gerry,
When I find the time I will make a bug report. It may be not so trivial to apply: I don't know the program flow that led to the template formation and it may well be - as we called it in the old school - " spaghetti organised"
Joep