Variable Data Printing Seminar:
Database, Design, and Devivery |
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| Location: Clemson University Graphic Labs, Clemson, SC |
| Coordinator: Duane Woolbright, duanew@clemson.edu |
| Next Offering: April 10-11, 2008 |
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| Seminar Limited to 20. Book now to guarantee space! |
| Individuals $495 |
| Multiple registrations (3+) $450 |
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| Registration includes two continental breaakfasts and two lunches |
| Register Now! |
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| Seminar Overview |
| Attendees are immersed in all aspects of Variable Data Printing (VDP) from database management and postal requirements to current VDP design software and creative techniques to build a powerful and effective personalized marketing piece. This program is an opportunity to understand how VDP can help optimize a printer's digital press capabilities, enhance a companies advertising reach or increase a marketer's ROI on direct mail campaigns. |
| Hands-on Learning |
| You will be provided with a laptop loaded with current software to prepare the data, incorporate commonly used postal workflows and learn creative VDP concepts. Whether you are going to buy, sell, design, plan or produce a variable data job, you need to know the basic components related to all VDP jobs to begin to find the right fit for you and your company in this evolving technology. In the end, you will tie all the elements together and leave with your own complete VPD job. |
| What You Will Learn? |
- Database development, transferring, merging and acquiring databases
Database manipulation and preparation for VDP
- Database postal preparation basics and procedures for improving postal delivery and reducing postal costs
- Merging multiple databases, cleansing records for duplicates and non-appropriated records based on demographic information
- What software options are available for creating variable data documents from simple mail merges to complete variable text and graphics working from relational databases to transactional variable data
- Working with the six key elements found on VDP samples and planning the project to work within your software limitations
- Applying data and images to several different applications capable of VDP; dealing with the simple and finishing with the complex applications
- To think in terms of VDP...How to convert an existing printed piece into a VDP project where the process adds value and profit.
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| Why So Much on Databases? |
| You won't need to be a database expert (there are tradeshops for that)...But you do need to understand how critically important they are and how best to buy, use and maintain the information on your database. |
| Who Should Attend? |
- Printers, Designers, Database Managers.
- B2B and Consumer Marketers & Advertisers
- Companies wishing to optimize their digital printing capability
- Training new employees and updating current staff on VPD practices.
- Companies wishing to train clients on the benefits of using VDP marketing solutions.
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| Seminar Outline and Schedule |
Thursday April 10
Godfrey Hall Graphics Lab,
Clemson University
8:00 AM What is Variable Data Printing: Developing a foundation to allow all participants to develop a common language and perspective to build on for the two days of training. Samples and examples of VDP programs from the industry round out this opening presentation.
8:45 AM Creating a Database—planning a database from square one and/or adapting an existing database for a planned project. The question is really planning for how the data will be applied in the final piece.
10:15 AM Recharge Break—cell phone, bathroom and snack break
10:30 AM Working with Databases—reformatting, merging and transferring database files between programs.
11:30 AM Database Prep for Postal Requirement—CASS certification, merging/purging records prep (cleansing the database)
12:00 AM Lunch (provided)
1:00 PM …continue with Postal prep and database cleansing. Then assign database triggers in Post-postal sort/prep of the database.
2:30 PM Break
2:45 PM Producing a VDP Printed Piece—using an entry level VDP software program working as a PDF plug-in. This will be a complex postcard mailer with variable data and variable graphics on both sides, interacting with each other.
4:00 PM VDP Project Number Two—a variable data marketing brochure with using a VDP application that is a plug-in to InDesign.
5:03 PM Adjourn for the day
Friday April 11
Godfrey Hall Graphics Lab
Clemson University
8:00 AM VDP Software Discussion—this will covers the various options for software programs designed for VDP and the strengths and weakness of the programs at it relates to VDP implementation and use of design features incorporating VDP. Putting all of the elements together to work with the VDP option that fits your needs the best.
9:00 AM What the Printer Needs to Know—to make sure they ask the right question when they are working with the USPS or “How to avoid getting hit with a mail surcharge or penalty.”
10:15 AM Recharge Break—cell phone, bathroom and snack break
10:30 AM Data Mining—where are you going to find data and how to you decide what is a good source of data (this will be a live on-line demo of searching for company databases)
12:00 PM Lunch (provided)
1:00 PM Hands-on Mail Prep—computer work with a high volume mail prep programs.
2:30 PM Break
2:45 PM Creating a Relational Database—for prepping data for mail sorting. Discuss the advantage of working with relational databases and the future use of scripting to improve productivity of prepping VDP data.
4:00 PM Mail Prep-Round Two—Working with a second mail prep program to prep the data for the best postal discounts—showing people the true cost of mailing.
4:47 PM Adjourn (Dr. Leininger will not leave if there is anyone in the room with questions). |
| Download a PDF Containing Seminar Information |
| Click Here |
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