Label problem

[Glenn Chandler]

Hello,

I have labels two columns across by 7 rows down the page. Although the dimensions of the labels are correctly entered, Alpha prints the first row correctly, and then prints a second row about half way down the page, and that's it per page. The labels appear to be correctly displayed in the 'design'section - 2 rows by seven columns, but it won't print that way.

Anybody help with this, please?
Thanks,
Glenn

[Tom Cone Jr]

RE: Label problem

Glenn,

Are these custom sizes, or are you using one of the 'stock' formats?

Your message suggest you can see all 14 labels for a single page during design mode. This doesn't sound right to me. The only way I could do that would be to design a 'Report' and then try to format some labels in the details band. Is this what you're doing, or do you mean to say you can see all 14 when you 'preview' the labels ?

Call me 'more confused than usual' - tom

[Glenn Chandler]

RE: Label problem

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, there are 14 labels per sheet.
They are a custom size - at least that's the way I've gone about it, because the dimensions of the standard labels are given in inches only - another steroetypical example of example of American intent being the only thing considered, even when that's out of step with everybody else. The lables are Avery labels Code J8163, size 99.1mm by 38.1 mm, 2 accross, 7 down, 14 per A4 sheet.

In design mode they seem to be displayed correctly - 14 of them, with my layout appearing in the first one, top left. In print preview however, I have a blank page with the top two addresses appearing correctly, and then another two addresses side by side approx half way down the page. This is repeated in subsequent pages - 4 recods per page. I'm trying to print address for all records in the database.

I'm sure I would beat you hands down in the confused stakes. I should mention I'm not very familiar with the label section of Alpha, I might be making a basic mistake somewhere. One thing I did notice was the dimensions I entered into the genie bore no resemblance to the lable size it produced - that had to be done again using 'size'from the 'labels' menu. No idea why. But now, all dimensions are correct - label size, margins, space between labels etc.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Glenn

[Tom Cone Jr]

RE: Label problem

Glenn,

Labels can be confusing. I hate to admit it but sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error to get it right.

Here's a recap of what I know (won't take long):

1) Each label is treated as a logical page. There is no need to include any special linefeeds or page breaks. The label layout will cause Alpha Five to advance from label to label on its own.

2) The combined dimensions (left to right, top to bottom) of your label layout must fit within the printable area on your sheet of labels. If the width, including Lmargin, label1, gutter, label2, and Rmargin is greater than the printable width on your sheet, your printer can't handle it and Alpha Five will know it. Alpha Five then tries to print the remaining portions on other sheets, like early spreadsheet programs used to do when a sheet would not 'fit'. Examine your printer manual to determine the dimensions of the non-printable area on each sheet. They are present at top, bottom, and both sides. (I'm assuming you're not using an older dot matrix printer). Then compare the size of the remaining 'printable' dimension with the sum of your layout's width components. They must fit within the printable zone. Repeat for vertical dimensions.

3) Check the properties of your label layout in Alpha Five. Have you specified a particular size of page ? Have you specified a particular printer ? Are these active at print time ?

4) Check the fonts you are using in your design. Are they supported by the printer you are using?


The goal of your testing and 'exploration' should be to verify that:

1) the currently installed Windows printer has the right page size & orientation selected for your print job;

2) the currently installed Windows printer has been 'setup' in Alpha Five, too. (This is an option under the File menu)

3) the layout design 'fits' within the available printable area on each sheet, and specified desired page size & orientation to match the installed Windows printer;

4) At print time, Alpha Five must be talking to the same printer that Windows wants to use to produce the desired output.


If you cannot get your existing labels running, I recommend you start over with a simpler design. Since you're not working with letter sized sheets I'm thinking maybe you're on the other side of the 'pond'. If so, maybe some of your colleagues over there can chime in with additional suggestions for A4 sheets and your desired Avery format.

As a last resort, useful mainly if you're up against a deadline, remember that you can always export the name and address information to a comma delimited text file, and do the labels in your favorite word processor.

Good luck.

-- tom

[Glenn Chandler]

RE: Label problem

Hi Tom,
A very belated thank-you for help. I ended up taking your suggestion of exporting because time was indeed a problem. Since then I've been caught up in the demands of the immediate moment, and left the discussion without relaying to you my appreciation of your time and help. I believe this forum is one of the great strengths of the database, made possible by the grace of all you good folks.

I've been over your suggestions and still stumped as to what the problem could be,and I will need to get it sorted soon. But I'll fight with it another day. For now, thanks again.

Glenn