Velocity
Velocity
Velocity – Compose’s Variable Data Engine
At Compose, we recognise that Variable Data Printing (VDP) is integral to everyday life. Its presence is prevalent in various formats—credit card statements, utility bills, and bank statements are just a few examples.
Variable data printing also appears on product labels in retail environments, cinema tickets purchased online, and airline baggage tags issued at check-in. The applications are extensive and encompass countless other scenarios.
Velocity is an advanced yet intuitive application developed specifically for the variable data printing sector. It empowers users to merge large volumes of personalised data—including text, images, and barcodes—at the operational speed of their print hardware. Notably, Velocity’s performance remains independent of the output printer, supporting high-speed devices such as Xerox, HP Indigo, Xeikon, Ricoh, OKI, Canon, and Konica Minolta.
Users can seamlessly integrate custom layouts and databases—including Excel, Access, Oracle, SQL, and DBF files via ODBC—to efficiently produce personalised documents. Velocity is particularly well-suited for generating commercial materials, personalised cards, and marketing assets across industries such as finance, insurance, automotive, telecommunications, education, real estate, hospitality, and government.
The Value of Personalised Printing
Industry research by CAP Ventures indicates that personalised printing can increase response rates by 36% compared to traditional direct mail. Orders generated through personalised mailings are, on average, nearly 25% larger in value, and response times are reduced by approximately 34%. Furthermore, repeat order rates rise by about 48% and 32%, respectively, demonstrating significant business benefits.
Velocity Features
Velocity is designed with an emphasis on usability, incorporating industry-standard methodologies for drawing and design functions. Individuals with experience in software like CorelDRAW or Adobe Illustrator will find it easy to adopt.
As a layout-focused solution, Velocity allows users to define single- or double-sided jobs and offers options for multi-page documents. Backgrounds may be imported from previous designs or client assets, streamlining the design process and accommodating irregular shapes.
Die lines can be created alongside jobs, facilitating die production at the end of imposition. By assigning a dedicated spot colour to the die line, multiple artworks can be consolidated efficiently for label production.
Text, color, and images
Velocity enables full justification of text—left, right, centre—within any defined area, allowing dynamic changes to typefaces and point sizes as needed.
Colour selection is flexible, with access to an integrated swatch book to ensure designers can achieve the desired palette directly within the application.
Images are automatically resized to fit designated areas and can be aligned vertically or horizontally per project requirements.
Support for barcodes and QR codes is included, with size adjustments available to suit specific design needs.
A key feature of Velocity is the integration of Boolean logic for creating new variable fields, enhancing applications for hang tags, labels, postcards, envelopes, tickets, and more. This functionality is script-based; Compose provides a library of pre-defined scripts, simplifying implementation for designers.
Support for both single- and double-sided jobs facilitates efficient production of items such as postcards and greeting cards. Multi-page documents containing variable data can be constructed with ease, enabling designers to adapt quickly to changing market demands.
Additional Features in Velocity Version 2
Imposition for Sheet & Roll
While Velocity 1 enables creation of variable data documents, Velocity 2 extends functionality by allowing users to define the sheet onto which documents will be printed. The software automates page imposition based on user settings.
Users can impose multiple variable data records per sheet or use a step-and-repeat function to fill the sheet with duplicate records. If the database specifies print quantities for each record, Velocity will generate the appropriate number of sheets accordingly.
Sheet (or roll) size, margins, and gutters between records are fully configurable.
With the Advanced Imposition Options, users can specify the starting corner, flow direction, orientation of each record, and select imposition for cut-and-stack workflows.
Advanced Imposition for Variable Data Records
Advanced options allow granular control over imposition layout, including:
- Placement of the first record,
- Direction of subsequent record flow,
- Relative orientation of adjacent records.
Additionally, users can add marks to individual records or entire layouts—such as trim, registration, eye marks, custom marks, or label text. Support is also provided for Scodix marks required by Scodix Digital Print Enhancement Press.
These features are designed to optimise productivity and flexibility in professional variable data printing operations.
