Creating a new project

Our sample project is going to have a single variable, allowing the customer to type their name and have it appear on the card. The name is text, so we're going to need a text box.

To create a new project press Ctrl-Alt-N, to creat a new template, press Ctrl-N

Building a Project in Pageflex Studio

The project file holds your variables and job settings (you'll learn more about those a couple more steps down). Every template you make will need to have a project file, and the same project file can be used for more than one template.

Templates handle the layout of your documents. It's the template that determines what variables will be used, where they are positioned, and what parts of the document will remain static.

Creating Text

Like most page layout programs, you have tools to add various kinds of page elements to your document. Those are found on the left side of your template window.

Our sample project is going to have a single variable, allowing the customer to type their name and have it appear on the card. The name is text, so we're going to need a text box.

Let's add a text box:

Note: In this step, we're just adding a name as a place-holder. Since this is going to be a variable, you can type anything you want. When the customer uses the card, the text will be what they type in — not what you type here. In fact, when the customer first views the template, there will be nothing in this box at all (because they won't have typed anything yet).

Saving the Project Files

We haven't saved this template yet, and it'd be a shame to lose our work. Let's save it now:

One simple way to save is to click the Save All button. That's the one at the top that looks like a stack of old disks.

Choose to save the file to the same directory as your project file (unless you chose a different folder for your project, choose C:\Pageflex\Projects\Sample Project)

Give your template a name. For this project, we'll name it "NameCard.xdt"

Creating and Assigning Variables

Let's turn that name into a variable!

Setting Up Jobs

Your website is designed to produce up to three different outputs from a single template: a bitmap-image for a simple, live preview for your customer, a PDF preview for your customer that shows them exactly how the printed product will look, a PDF file to be used for production

Setting Up the Preview Job

Setting Up the Proof Job

Setting Up the Production Job

Setting Up the Zipped Package Files

You now have a template with a variable on it and have three jobs set up to use that template: Preview, Proof, and Production. The next thing we need to do is use Pageflex Studio's "Make Packager Zip" feature. That collects all of the files needed for the project into a single .zip file, making it easy for you to upload it to your website.

Choose "Make Packager Zip..." from the File menu, Choose a location and name for your zip file (For best results, choose a location outside of the project folder.) By Default, the name of your project file will be used, with a .zip after it.

Connecting Pageflex Projects to an Order Form

Creating a uDesignIt Form & Uploading a Project Package

Create a Reorder Form Library order form named "Name Card".

Now, create a Text Input field with a label of "Name"

Labels must match the variable name they're associated with in your Pageflex template.

With the order form ready, it's time to plug in the Pageflex templates

Placing a Sample Order and Downloading Production Files

Getting assistance

This simple tutorial taught you the basic process of creating a project and template, adding elements to the document and assigning variables to them, and attaching a project to your order form. Now that you have these building blocks, go ahead and try to make a project of your own. If you should have any questions, just let us know. We'll be happy to walk you through any difficulties you might be having with a project. Just call us at 1-800-736-0688

Moving on...

Now that you know the basics, let's learn how to make a more refined document. Our next article, "Pageflex Studio Templates, Part 2", will show you how to add images to your document, adjust the positioning of your elements with precision, and introduce you to one of Pageflex's most powerful features: automated copy fitting.