NOTE: This feature is available in the Professional and Enterprise versions of both Spectra and myStratus Desktop.

Key Ideas

• Each node (or "drop zone") of a layout must contain the same image. You cannot mix-and-match images in a layout. If you want to use more than one image, use a Composite Template instead. See also: Designing Composite Templates
• If the aspect ratio of the image doesn't match a zone on the layout, the software will center crop the image to fit.
• You can use single images or composite images within a layout.

Designing a Print Layout

1. Go to Tools > Design Tools > Digital Template Builder.

2. Open the Print Layouts set from the drop-down list.
   
   

3. If desired, create groups to organize your layouts. To create a new layout group, click New Group on the ribbon.

4. Click New Template to create a new layout.
   
   

5. Give the layout a name and enter the overall dimensions. Click OK when done.

6. The new layout template will contain a background layer and one drop zone layer.
   
   

7. Click on the drop zone and use your mouse to drag it to the upper-left corner of your sheet. Now look at the Properties list in the lower-right portion of the screen. The Location of the zone should be "0,0". If it's a little off, manually type in the location to position it in the corner.

   HERE'S A FLASH FOR YOU! Click Snap to Grid on the ribbon to make positioning and sizing your drop zones easier!

8. Now use the Size field (also in the Properties list) to adjust the size of the drop zone to exactly the right dimensions. For example, on a 4x5 sheet, the size of the drop zone should be "4.0,5.0". Your template should look like this:
   
   

9. Add additional drop zones as needed and adjust the Location and Size of each drop zone. In the example of a 4x5 sheet pictured below, the drop zones have the following values:

   Zone	Location	Size
   1	0,0	4.0,5.0
   2	4,0	4.0,5.0
   3	0,5	4.0,5.0
   4	4,5	4.0,5.0

10. Click Save Template to save your layout.

11. Close the window when finished.

Example Print Layout: 4x5 Sheet

Here's a finished layout template for an 8x10 sheet containing four 4x5s.

Adding Print Layouts to Price List Items

1. Go to Maintenance > Price List > Price Lists.

2. Click on the price list you want to set up.

3. Open the first print item and click on the Digital and Fulfillment tab.
   

   

4. Complete the Vendor Details section. Note: Choosing a Preferred Vendor is very important when using production orders! Production orders are created from an invoice based on the vendor selection. We recommend creating a "Studio" or "InHouse" vendor and selecting it here for each item that will be printed at the studio. See also: Vendors

5. The Rendering/Printing Information section contains several settings that are required and some that are optional. Choose the appropriate options for this item:

• Layout Template - (optional) Use this for an item that prints as a sheet (i.e., sheet of wallets) and that you've already created a layout template for. Check the Use Layout Template box and then choose the appropriate layout from the drop-down list.  

• Print (or Crop) Width/Height - 

• For single prints, enter the print width/height. These settings are used to properly prepare the image for printing.

• For sheets (using a layout template), enter the crop width/height. Crop settings are used by the cropping tool to properly size the images on the sheet. For a mixed size layout (i.e., one 5x7 and two 4x5s), use the most restrictive crop ratio. See also: Cropping

• Print Multiplier - (required) The default setting is "1." Modify this only in special situations.

• Render Profile - (required) Choose the render profile that should be used for this item.

6. Save and close the item when finished.

7. Repeat for each print item in your price list.

8. Close the price list window when finished.