This document describes a data-driven automated print production system. Key points: - Templates for page layouts and individual product placement are used along with product data and images from an Excel spreadsheet to automatically generate print-ready PDFs in under a minute. - The modular templates and spreadsheet-driven data make it easy to rearrange content, do instant proofing/corrections, and repurpose data for different materials. - Products are placed on pages specified in the spreadsheet from left to right, top to bottom based on their style which indicates size. - A range of page and product templates are available to fit different layouts and placeholder sizes. The process involves choosing templates, editing the spreadsheet

1. Data-driven automated print production for POS

2. System Overview A number of templates are available both for overall page layout and for layout of individual products on page All necessary information is included in Excel spreadsheet: Product data (description, price, etc.) Product image Template options for page and product layout Graphic elements (backgrounds, clip art, etc.) Spreadsheet is automatically scanned, data is merged with templates, and print-ready PDF is generated – usually in less than one minute

3. Benefits Because all content and design elements are modular and specified in Excel spreadsheet, easy to rearrange and reuse Proofing/correction cycle is instantaneous Data can be easily repurposed; for instance, the same data can drive production of brochure, shelf talkers, and other materials Additional data can be included in spreadsheet with no effect on production; product codes, internal price info, etc.

4. How data is organised and processed Each row in page worksheet specifies style (layout scheme) for each page as well as any background graphics, headers/footers, etc. Each row in product worksheet specifies page that product is to appear on, style, product info, product illustration Product rows are scanned one-by-one, then each product is placed on relevant page in reading order (left-right, top-bottom) Styles begin with a letter which indicates the size – so all ‘A’ styles will fit in an ‘A’ placeholder on the page.

5. Page/product layouts A range of page templates available – these thumbnails show position and size of product placeholders for each page style Various choices of product templates to fit the ‘A’ size space Each range has one option for single image alone (as A3 in this example). Can be used for: Illustration (e.g. lifestyle stock photo) Insertion of custom designed info box Insertion of advertising

6. The process step-by-step Choose page and product styles 2. Edit Page/product info in spreadsheet

7. The process step-by-step 3. Upload spreadsheet and click ‘publish’ 4. Wait for system to process data (usually under a minute, depending on complexity and number of images)

8. The process step-by-step 5. PDF proof loads in browser window – proof each page on-screen or print out

9. Data-driven automated print production for POS