Corel 10 - Print Merge

[canmanX]

Hello.
I am working on a project that contains sequential numbering.
My page is set to 11x17.
The page contains 12 3.5" circles.
Each circle will need to have a number. They will be numbered sequentially from 4000 - 4499. This should work out to a total of 41.6 (42) pages. 4000 - 4011 on page 1, 4012 - 4023 on page 2, etc. etc.

I know there is a method where you can create the number sequence in Mircosoft Excel and save it as a .csv (comma seperated value) file. Then use that file in conjunction with Corel Draw's print merge. I have tried several different ways and I am unable to unlock the trick.

Also the numers need to a particular font (Arial Black) and two-tone in colour (white with a black outline). Of course, they will need to be a specific height and width as well.

Can you help me unlock an easier way of numbering these cirlces other than numbering all 500 manually.

Gracious,
Mike

 

[attrofy]

I am not sure which version of corel you are using, but typing Print Merge in the help file should bring up some step by step topics. I am using X3, but I had a crash, and need to reboot my computer to clear some errors. But one thing that may help, instead of merging a csv file, you could create the data on the fly. One thing to think through is you will need 12 data fields - for arguments sake call them "cir1", "cir2", Cir3" etc through "Cir12". These become like the header row in excel. When asked for a data value, select Auto Increment and start Cir1 at 4000.

Now, the tricky part is Cir1 will print in the same location on all 42 pages. So 4000 will for arguments sake be the 1st circle top left corner, 4002 will be the same circle on page 2, 4003 on page 3, etc all the way through page 42. Cir1 on page 42 will be numbered 4042.

Now Cir2 will be the circle immediately to the right of Cir 1, and will start at 4043. The same circle on page 2 will be 4044, page 3 same circle will be 4045, etc. Cir3 will start at 4084 and end at 4126, etc, etc, etc.

In order to insert the data field, select the little arrowed cursor from the Print Merge Flyout menu, and click on Cir 1, then insert that in your first circle. With the regular pointer tool, select the text that says <Cir1> and adjust its attributes as you would any other text. It owuld be easier to add all 12 data fields, then adjust them all at the same time.

Hope this helps. I am going to reboot and see if I find any anamolies

 

[canmanX]

Thanks attrofy...

I am using CorelDraw 10. However, I downloaded the trial version of X3. A friend of mine showed me an interesting way to do this.
1. Create your page size to the size of your image
2. Create a print merge from scratch
3. name your file and select your starting number (in this case 4000)
4. Select auto increment
5. DO NOT include 'end at'
6. Select number stlye (in this case 000X)
7. Click Add, next and finish

this brought me back to my one image with page size the same as the image size.
Like you said click to add the merge data and than size it and format it to the font style and size you want.

The really neat part was in the print preview. On the left, select the image positioning tool the from the drop down menu select how ever many images you can fit in the printable area (in this case i was able to go 3x4 - 12).

It worked out great. It only took a few minutes to do it and about a half hour for printing.
My first experience with a similiar project I had done it manually. 10,000 sequential numbers!!! it took days and days to finish the project.

Thanks again for your help

 

[attrofy]

glad you found a solution. I hac wondered about changing the number format (i.e. 000X). I hadn't thought aboutnot specifying an ending number.