Variable Print Guide

Procedure for
Creating and Printing Variable Print Data

MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD. D203524-11

https://mimaki.com/
Variable Print
Table of Contents

Introduction 3
What is Variable Print? 4
1. Procedure for Creating and Printing Data 5
2. Numbering Function 19

2
 Variable Print
Introduction
This Variable Print Guide describes how to use the RasterLink7 software that comes with the Mimaki
printer for variable printing and setup.
For RasterLink7 operation procedures, refer to the RasterLink7 Reference Guide and other related
manuals.

Precautions
• Any unauthorized use or reproduction, in part or whole, of this guide is strictly prohibited.
• We have carefully examined the contents. If you have any questions, please contact the
distributor or our sales office.
• This guide is subject to change without notice for improvement.
• Note that some of the descriptions in this guide may be different from the actual specifications
due to improvements to and revision of this software.
• The latest version of this guide is available for download at our official website.

RasterLink is a trademark or a registered trademark of Mimaki Engineering Co. Ltd. in Japan and other countries.
Adobe and Illustrator are trademarks or registered trademarks of Adobe Inc. in the United States and other countries.
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and other countries.
Other company names and product names described in this guide are registered trademarks
or trademarks of their respective companies.

Any unauthorized reproduction of this guide is strictly prohibited.

© Mimaki Engineering Co. Ltd.
3
Variable Print
What is Variable Print?
Variable print refers to filling out a template with variable data such as
names and photos, and producing prints.

Template
①

John Smith

0001

+
②

Mary Davis

Image (Photo) Text (Name) Text (ID) 0002

・John Smith ・0001

・Mary Davis ・0002
③
・Robert Brown ・0003
Robert Brown
0003

4
Variable Print
1. Procedure for Creating and Printing Data
This section explains the procedure from creating a template to creating data
for variable print and producing prints.

Sample ID cards

John Smith Use the following software programs:

0001
1. Adobe Illustrator
2. Microsoft Excel
3. RasterLink7
Mary Davis
0002

Robert Brown
0003

5
Variable Print
1. Procedure for Creating and Printing Data
Workflow
1 [Design Software] Create a template.

2 [Camera] Prepare face photos.

3 [Excel] Create the database.

4 [RasterLink7] Load the template.

5 [RasterLink7] Open the Variable Edit screen.

6 [RasterLink7] Load the database.

7 [RasterLink7] Set up the variable areas.

8 [RasterLink7] Print.
6
Variable Print
1. Procedure for Creating and Printing Data
Creating Data
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1. Create a template.
Create a template including the areas to insert data (red dashed lines).

Area to insert the name

Area to insert the ID number

Area to insert the photo

Save the template. Templates can be saved in any of the following three formats:
PDF, EPS, PS

7
Variable Print
1. Procedure for Creating and Printing Data
Creating Data
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
2. Prepare face photos.
Prepare photos to be inserted.
In this example, portrait photos are used.

Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3

The size of the image does not need
to be adjusted to fit the insert area.

It can be adjusted later on

RasterLink.

The following two file formats are available:

JPEG, TIFF

8
Variable Print
1. Procedure for Creating and Printing Data
Creating Data
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3. Create the database.
Create the database to be inserted in the template.
3-1. To create the database in Excel
Column name (Header)

Data to be inserted
(Data section)
* File path of the image to be inserted
* Character string to be inserted

* Enter a "header" name in the first line of each column. Be sure to create the column name as it is used as the item
name for variable print settings.
* Save the database created in Excel in the "CSV UTF-8 (comma-separated)" format.
If you cannot save the database in the "CSV UTF-8 (comma-separated)" format in Excel, you need to save it in the
"CSV (comma-separated)" format in Excel, and then save it in the UTF-8 format in Notepad.
For details, refer to "Saving the Database in the UTF-8 Format" on the next page.
* Up to 30 columns can be set.
* Up to 1000 rows can be set.
Supplementary note) File path = “ Image file location ” + “ “ + “ File name “
Image file location: Right-click the file to check [Location] in [Properties]
File name: Name of the file with extension
For example, the JPRG image file extension is ".jpg". 9
Variable Print
1. Procedure for Creating and Printing Data
Creating Data
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3. Create the database.
3-2. To save the database in the UTF-8 format

Open the database created in Excel in Notepad.

1 • Right-click the database, and select [Open with] -
[Notepad].

2 Click [File] - [Save As].

Select the following conditions and then click [Save].

3 • Save as type : All Files
• Encoding : UTF-8

10
Variable Print
1. Procedure for Creating and Printing Data
Creating Data
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
4. Load the template.
Load the template created in "1. Create a template" (on page 7) on RasterLink.
Select a template from the [File] - [Open]
1
menu and then click [OK].

Check that the entered template appears

2
in the job list.

11
Variable Print
1. Procedure for Creating and Printing Data
Creating Data
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
5. Open the Variable Edit screen.

Select the loaded template and then

1
select the Variable Edit icon.

2 Select the Variable Edit check box.

Checking Variable Edit allows you to set up

variable print and produce prints.

If you wish to print the template only,

uncheck the checkbox.

12
Variable Print
1. Procedure for Creating and Printing Data
Creating Data
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
6. Load the database.
Load the database created in "3. Create the database" (on pages 9 and 10).
Click the button for loading the database
1
(CSV file).

Select the database file to be loaded and

2
then click [Open].

Check that the loaded database is

3
displayed.

13
Variable Print
1. Procedure for Creating and Printing Data
Creating Data
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
7. Set up the variable areas.
Select the column name.
1
(The entire column is selected.)

2 Specify the size and position of the variable area.

1. Enter the size of the variable area. The area is displayed as blue
dashed lines in the bottom right preview.

2. Place the variable area by entering the feed and scan positions
from the lower right of the preview window. The blue dashed
line frame in the preview moves accordingly.

3. Adjust the size and position of the variable area by checking the
preview.

Size:Height

Position:
Feed
Size:Width
Position:Scan
14
Variable Print
1. Procedure for Creating and Printing Data
Creating Data
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
7. Set up the variable areas.
Set the layout and color.
3
If you wish to insert text, set the font.

Image
Layout: Position of the variable area
Fit: Fits the image to the variable area
Color: Color specification of the margin (If not specified,
the background color will be used.)

Text
Layout: Position of the variable area
Font: Text font and size
Text design: Text decoration (bordering and shadowing)
Color: Color specification for text decoration, and color
specification of text and margin

Set the areas for "Name" and "ID number"

4
in a similar way.

15
Variable Print
1. Procedure for Creating and Printing Data
Printing
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
8. Print.
Select the icon for the normal printing screen
1
and check the print layout.

1. If you enter the margin values in [Layout],

a space can be inserted between print
images.

Scan: Left and right margins

Feed: Top and bottom margins

16
Variable Print
1. Procedure for Creating and Printing Data
Printing
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
8. Print.
2. By default, print images are arranged vertically as shown left.
By executing [Rearrangement] with [Minimize], you can rearrange them horizontally as shown right.

17
Variable Print
1. Procedure for Creating and Printing Data
Printing
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
8. Print.
Select the execution icon and then
2
click [Start].

If there is text, test print only one line to check

for setting errors and garbled characters.

Depending on the combination of font and text,

the following error message appears and cannot
be printed.

The selected font cannot be used. Please select font

again.

If the above error message is displayed, set [MS

Gothic] or [Yu Gothic].

18
Variable Print
2. Numbering Function
This section explains the procedure from creating a template to creating
data for variable print and producing prints.
Sample lottery tickets
Use the following software programs:
1. Adobe Illustrator
１ 2. RasterLink7
２
３

Cases for which the numbering function is effective

• Mass printing data for which only numbered data is inserted
Example: Event lottery ticket numbers

• Inserting simple rule-based numbering

Example: Serial numbers of exclusive products

19
Variable Print
2. Numbering Function
Workflow
1 [Design Software] Create a template.

2 [RasterLink7] Load the template.

3 [RasterLink7] Open the Variable Edit screen.

4 [RasterLink7] Set up numbering.

5 [RasterLink7] Set up the variable area.

6 [RasterLink7] Print.

20
Variable Print
2. Numbering Function
Creating Data
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6
1. Create a template.
Create a template including the area to insert numbering (red dashed lines).

Area to insert numbering

Save the template. Templates can be saved in any of the following three formats:
PDF, EPS, PS

21
Variable Print
2. Numbering Function
Creating Data
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6
2. Load the template.
Load the template created in "1. Create a template" (on page 21) on RasterLink.

Select a template from the [File] - [Open]

1
menu and then click [OK].

Check that the entered template appears

2
in the job list.

22
Variable Print
2. Numbering Function
Creating Data
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6
3. Open the Variable Edit screen.

Select the loaded template and then

1
select the Variable Edit icon.

2 Select the Variable Edit check box.

Checking Variable Edit allows you to set up

variable print and produce prints.
If you wish to print the template only,
uncheck the checkbox.

23
Variable Print
2. Numbering Function
Creating Data
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6
4. Set up numbering.
Add the numbering data.

1 Click the [Add Numbering] button.

The numbering data

column is generated.

Fill in the numbering setting fields and

2
then click [OK].

24
Variable Print
2. Numbering Function
Creating Data
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6
5. Set up the variable areas.
Select the column name. (The entire After the area is set, the preview is updated
1 3
column is selected.) accordingly. Check the display position.

Specify the size and position of the

2
variable area.

The procedure is similar to "7. Set up the variable areas."

(on page 14) in "1. Procedure for Creating and Printing
Data".

25
Variable Print
2. Numbering Function
Printing
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6
6. Print.
Select the icon for the normal printing
1
screen and check the print layout.

1. If you enter the margin values in [Layout], a space

can be inserted between print images.

Scan: Left and right margins

Feed: Top and bottom margins

26
Variable Print
2. Numbering Function
Printing
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6
6. Print.
2. By default, print images are arranged vertically as shown left.
By executing [Rearrangement] with [Minimize], you can rearrange them horizontally as shown right.

27
Variable Print
2. Numbering Function
Printing
Operation flow 1 2 3 4 5 6
6. Print.
Select the execution icon and then
2
click [Start].

28
Variable Print
2. Numbering Function
Details on Setting Items and Restrictions
1. Details on setting items
Item name Meaning
Start value The value to start numbering

Increment value The amount of increment or decrement

End value The value to end numbering

Number of digits Specify the number of digits to be zero-filled.

Prefix/Suffix The characters added before/after the number
(for example, No. 001)

2. Restrictions
• Only positive integers can be generated.
• The maximum number of digits that can be generated is 9 .

29
Variable Print
2. Numbering Function
Adding the Numbering Data Column
If the database has been loaded in advance, the numbering data column is
added as shown below.

Example: The numbering data column of ID numbers is added to the ID database

The numbering data is automatically added for the data which has already been loaded.
If the number of data is less than the set value in [End value] (the value to end numbering), the
numbering data rows after the End value are left blank.

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 D203524-11-10122020
DHC
© 2020 MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
KT