Most software programs have little known features that can simplify your tasks or get you out of a jam. InDesign’s Data Merge is a tool that works like “Mail Merge” found in MS Word that you may already be familiar with.
Last week we were able to help a customer with a tight deadline complete 600 numbered raffle tickets done in full color in less than 24 hrs using Data Merge. The customer had designed the raffle tickets in Quark Xpress, we had them output a Press Quality PDF and place it as a picture in InDesign CS4. We created a list of numbers 001-600 in 2 columns for the numbering. One numbered position was on the tear off stub, the other was on the ticket. The sheets were printed on a digital color printer, perforated and cut apart.
To find the Data Merge tool in InDesign, click on the Window menu,
Here are two videos that show how to do the Data Merge process. The first one shows a simple data merge for a product catalog. The second one shows how to merge pictures along with text.
For this video, click the link and scroll down the page until you see “Click Here” below the MS Excel picture.
InDesign CS4 Beyond the Basics: Datamerge Putting your data into InDesign By David Blatner
Data merge with pictures from theInDesigner.com blog
September 21st, 2009
In advertising or promoting an event it’s always a good feeling when your efforts are successful – it’s why you did it after all! In April this year we printed a brochure and insert for Tri-City BMX to promote their open house in May.
The brochure advertised their track location, summer race schedule, and offered answers to frequently asked questions – such as “What is BMX?” and “What equipment do I need so I can race BMX?”. Inserted into the brochure was a 3.5″ x 8.5″ stuffer promoting their May open house to introduce people to the sport of BMX. The insert described the debut of BMX as an Olympic sport, as well as a confidence building and fun family activity.
So far you are probably wondering what’s special about this project? Was it the design? the colors? the fonts? the size? the paper? the copy? – nope…..
In my opinion their printed pieces has the right message, but it was the distribution that was the key to their success.
They aimed the distribution squarely at their target market – elementary and middle school age kids. They contacted the schools surrounding their track location and asked for permission to distribute the brochures in the homerooms to promote this family friendly activity. They didn’t mail it to the parents, they went straight to the kids.
Over 100 people turned out for the open house. 22 new riders signed up that day, and a total of 81 new riders have joined through June 15. The majority of the new riders are 6 – 12 years old.
This is a great example of an organization aiming their offer effectively at their core prospects!
July 1st, 2009
