Tag Engine
Tag Engine
Express TagEngine is an advanced workflow solution meticulously designed for the hang tag printing industry. Its primary objective is to deliver a highly sophisticated automation process that eliminates laborious steps and ensures the production of accurate layouts required by this demanding sector. Express TagEngine offers a comprehensive, end-to-end solution, including database manipulation, data grouping, generation of labels with variable data elements, cost estimation based on paper usage and print quantity, as well as the generation of detailed production reports for proofing and delivery. Most notably, it streamlines labor-intensive processes, simplifying complex workflows.
From a printing perspective, Express TagEngine accommodates both offset and digital printing needs, enabling users to select from sheetwise, work-and-turn, or work-and-tumble options according to their requirements. A variety of production reports can be tailored to meet specific packing, delivery, and management criteria. The user-friendly interface allows orders to be efficiently processed using drag-and-drop functionality, instantly presenting the most cost-effective production solutions.
Additional features include seamless integration with pre-flighting, trapping, proofing, and CIP3/4 generation modules via Compose Express Workflow.
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- Provides optimal imposition layout options based on the print quantity of each tag.
- Conducts cost estimation reflecting current paper prices and operational expenses for maximum profitability.
- Delivers significant time savings, reducing production time by over 90% compared to traditional methods.
- Supplies comprehensive production, packing, and management reports.
- Integrates with variable data software to produce tags efficiently and accurately.
- Offers four tag orientation choices to suit die-cutting and ink key specifications.
- Generates imposition layouts for a range of output needs, including proofing, digital, and offset printing.
Order Express
Hang tag production is a specialized profession involving multiple stages, such as database preparation, data grouping, variable data processing, sample creation, proof printing, imposition calculation, printing, packaging, and delivery. These tasks are often time-consuming and require experienced operators. Orders can range from thousands to millions of tags, each containing numerous variable data fields such as size, color code, product name, and UPC number, resulting in added complexity and a demand for precise skill sets. Express TagEngine was specifically developed to address these requirements, streamlining everything from database verification to imposition and comprehensive report generation.
With its ability to generate tags encompassing all variable elements, Compose provides a complete solution for hang tag production—beginning with Express TagEngine.
Database Verification and Job Submission
Variable data for hang tags are typically stored in CSV or TXT formats, which may contain errors like duplicate entries, empty fields, misspellings, or incorrect barcodes. Manual proofreading is both tedious and prone to oversight, potentially leading to costly reprints and delays. Order Express, an application included with Express TagEngine, addresses these issues by enabling operators to detect and resolve duplicated rows, identify empty fields for correction, perform spell checks using a custom dictionary, and verify barcode formats. This thorough verification process significantly reduces the likelihood of reproduction due to data errors.
Color codes and product sizes are commonly used variable fields, often associated with Pantone references and used for efficient grouping during production and packing. In Order Express, users can specify how tags should be grouped, enhancing cost-effectiveness and saving time during packing.
Job submission is managed within Order Express, providing an intuitive and streamlined method to initiate production.
Velocity - Variable Data Engine
Variable Data Generation and Tag Imposition
Traditionally, generating variable data files for hang tags has been a manual, time-intensive process involving multiple software tools and content proofs. Compose’s variable data solution simplifies this by allowing operators to import PDF or raster templates, define properties for variable texts, images, and barcodes, and import database files in CSV or TXT format to generate fully compliant variable data files. All variables and their settings can be saved for future use.
Express TagEngine also supports customer-generated variable data files in PDF format, provided each file or page represents a distinct record.
Imposition layout creation and print run calculation were historically complex due to varying tag sizes and quantities. Operators previously relied on experience to group tags and estimate layouts, resulting in intensive labor and reduced adaptability. Express TagEngine revolutionizes this process through sophisticated algorithms that quickly generate multiple optimized solutions ordered by production cost, delivering over 95% time savings compared to manual methods.
Express TagEngine Features
The intelligent imposition algorithms are just one aspect that makes Express TagEngine indispensable for hang tag printers. Other notable features include:
- Two Levels of Imposition Layout Proposal: Operators can generate solutions for various paper dimensions or choose standard sizes to optimize material usage and minimize waste.
- Three Work Styles plus Mounting: Instantly switch between Sheetwise, Work & Turn, and Work & Tumble operations. Customizable center gutter widths under Work & Turn and Work & Tumble facilitate double-thickness tags by mounting front and back pages together.
- Four Hang Tag Orientation Choices: Accommodate graphic design, ink key requirements, and die cutting with head-to-head, head-to-tail (row/column), and checkerboard patterns.
- Six Packing Methods: Streamline post-processing by offering six efficient packing strategies, reducing labor after die-cutting.
- Support for Offset, Digital, and Proofing Outputs: Flexibly adjust imposition layouts for different printing technologies as needed.
- Cost Estimation: Calculate production costs based on customizable sheet and operational expenses, including labor, setup, film, and plate costs.
- Custom Marks, Labels, and Colorbars: Use default or self-defined marks and labels per tag, sheet, or plate. Import custom colorbars for reuse as part of templates.
Production and Management Reports
Express TagEngine delivers a comprehensive suite of production and management reports:
• Job Summary Report:* Details billing, delivery, order information, sheet dimensions, types, total print runs, wastage, and production costs.
• Layout Sheet of Each Plate:* Offers a visual summary of imposed pages, including unique IDs, packing IDs, print quantities, and order quantities for each tag.
• Plate Set Breakdown Report:* Summarizes the distribution of tag types and quantities on each plate, supporting post-production analytics.
• Production Summary Report:* Facilitates tracking of departmental progress and determines order readiness for shipment.
• Packaging Summary Report:* Clearly outlines box counts and the distribution of tag types within packages, serving as both reference and box labeling tool.
