Tile the artboard (to print a sheet of labels)

[LahMayes]

I have a 2" round label that I have designed in illustrator. Is there anyway to repeat the label accross a page so that when you edit the original label, it automatically changes all the other occurences of the label on the page. I guess what I'm really looking for is several occurences of the same label, not really several copies of the label. Thanks!

~Hal

 

[jmgalvin]

The simplest way to do it is to just make the one label, group everything in that label and just clone (Option-click mac, Alt-click pc and drag) the thing and repeat as necessary.

A little more complicated way to do it is to create 1 label in AI and save. Then open a new ai doc and use (File/Place) to place the label, Clone as much as necessary. If you need to later alter it, Open the Links window, select the label, and click the little triangle at the top of the links window and select Edit Original, whcih will open the origianal ai files. Make your changes and then Update that link in the ai doc with multiple labels. All will then cahnge.

Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[itchybug]

Wow! JM, you have a way of making simple things look so complicated!

Hal:

Design one label. Decide how many across you need, and how many down. Also figure out the exact spacing both ways.

Select the entire label. Go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform, enter the amount you need the labels to be spaced horizontally, and enter how many copies you need, hit "Copy", voila one row.

Now, again go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform (say "Yes" when it asks you if you wish to apply another instance of the Transform effect), enter the amount you need the labels to be spaced vertically, and enter how many copies you need, hit "Copy", voila rows and columns.

Change something in the original label, and watch all of the instances change.

Another way would be to create a symbol of the label, and placing a number of instances of that symbol, then spacing them all right using the Distribute tools in the Align palette. Then, updating the symbol will update all instances.

I hope those methods are elegant enough for you.

HTH

Bert

http://www.itchybug.com

 

[LahMayes]

THANK you itchybug and jmgalvin! I ended up using itchybug's approach. Works wonderfully!

 

[itchybug]

Hal:

You can make the duplications into a Graphic Style, saves lots of time in the future applying it to any other art to fit the same label template.

Glad to help.

Bert

http://www.itchybug.com