Basic Tab
Fulfiller
The fulfiller of the product.
Name
The name of the batch template.
SKU
Any product SKU(s) that will use the batch template. If there are more than one, each SKU should be on a separate line.
Countries
Set the applicable country (defaults to All).
Shipping Carrier Methods
This allows the ability to limit the batch to a shipping Carrier/Method.
This needs to be set in a certain way (carrier - Method):
Royal Mail - Next Day
Item Colours
This allows the ability to limit the batch to a certain Item colour.
Item Sizes
This allows the ability to limit the batch to a certain Item size.
Order Size
This setting controls whether to batch products from a multi line order separately to products on a single line order
Can be any one of:
- Any (default)
- Single Unit Only
- Multi Unit Only
Enabled
This enables the batch template if unchecked the batch will be ignored.
Mixed SKUs Per Job
This is set as standard and will add all product SKUs together on a batch, it unchecked each SKU on the template will generate a separate batch.
Enable Artwork Processing
This option will be on by default, and means an output file for the batch will be generated.
An example scenario where you would want to disable this option would be when you wish to receive a single ZIP file of the original print job output files for multiple orders.
Stock item products can be batched if artwork processing is turned off
Honour Order Required Dispatch Date
This option takes in to account the required dispatch date on the order (if used).
Cut Off Time Expression
Controls when a batch that is not yet full is released to production.
Expression example:
0 0 * * *
This show that the batch will cut of at 12pm everyday.
More info about CRON schedule is here:
Can only be used with in-line batching.
Merge Non Mixed SKU Batches at Cut Off Time (Inline only)
Allows multiple, partially full batches (that belong to the same batch template) to be merged into as few full batches as possible at a specific time of the day.
Note this option should be used in conjunction with the Cut Off Time Expression field.
Dropship tab
It is possible to add certain or all Dropships on this tab.
Artwork & Layout tab
This tab only shows when Artwork Processing is enabled.
Important note regarding co-ordinates
All position and sizes are given in pixels and the origin is the top-left corner of the batch.
Click on the image for a larger version with more detailed notes
Pages
If there are 5 positions set on a batch but 2 pages then the batch will have 10 items on it.
Max number of pages is 50.
The batch will not automatically process until all positions have been filled.
If manually downloading the batch, remember to use Actions>download artwork as only the thumbnail for the first Side is visible in Production batches.
Sides
Used in conjunction with print area layouts, this will create a batch sheet per print area layout. Note that pages must always be set to 1 to use the Sides feature. The number of Sides must match the number of Print layouts on the product.
Eg:
- Product has two print layouts defined (Front and Rear)
- Batch has 10 item positions and Sides set to 2
Two image files will be generated when 10 order items have been batched:
Sheet 1 = 10 x Front print layouts
Sheet 2 = 10 x Rear print layouts
Important note: Both layouts on the product must use the same item positions, rotations and scales as defined on the batch. It is not possible to have independent batch setups per Print layout.
Knowledge base article on print area layouts:
Knowledge base article on possible Sides combinations:
Background
The background image used by the batch template.
The Background image sets the overall dimensions of the print output so even if the background is blank, an appropriately sized image (300dpi at the correct size in mm) should be uploaded here.
The image file should be png format and include any static artwork or information as necessary.
X/Y
Sets the position of the item on the batch in pixels.
For the 'Image' item type the position denotes the centre of the print job
For all other item types (such as address) the position denotes the top-left corner
Rotation
Sets the rotation of the item on the batch in degrees.
Will accept minus sign to control direction.
Name
Sets the name of the item
Scale
Sets the scale of the item on the batch
Scale is expressed as a multiplier from 0-1 (0 to 100%)
Scale Enabled
Enables scale for the selected item on the batch
Flip X
Flips the batch item along the X axis (equivalent to scale -1)
Flip Y
Flips the batch item along the Y axis (equivalent to scale -1)
Crop
Sets a width and height of the area to crop.
When used with Image item type, the width and height should be the new size you want the artwork in pixels.
The image position should be updated so that this matches the centre of the new crop size (assuming the original print output matches the batch background size)
Crop Mask
Once a Crop has been set on an Image type, a upload button appears allowing a Mask to be set against the crop eg:
Note that the mask should match the dimensions of the crop in pixels
If any rotation is applied to the Image Type, the mask should be rotated accordingly.
For more information please see this article:
Type
Image
The print job image from OMS
Can be generated in OMS or an external artwork source
Note that the image will be positioned on the batch so that its centre is placed at the co-ordinate specified.
Shipping Address
The address displayed on the order in OMS
Crop Width and Height are used to specify the area that the shipping address can occupy.
The text will be resized to fit inside this area based on the longest line in the address.
The position set against the address marks the top-left corner of the address box (irrespective of rotation)
Product Name & SKU
The Product Name & SKU from OMS
Attributes
Includes colour and size from the item and any print job attributes (which come from the product attributes in CPP)
Batch ID Barcode
Codabar representation of the batch ID
Shipping Method & Carrier
Shipping method & carrier fields on the order in OMS
Item Quantity Identifier
If the item has a quantity of 3 then the first instance of it will be labelled 1/3, the second 2/3 and so on.
Order Date
The sale date field on the order in OMS which is usually passed to OMS by the retailer (via API or an import)
Company Name (Primary)
The name of the primary company set against the order (visible on the order details page in OMS)
Company Name (Secondary)
The name of the secondary company set against the order (visible on the order details page in OMS)
Printing tab
Print Coversheet
Includes a coversheet with the batch.
The coversheet will include the batch template name and a barcode.
The barcode is the batch ID which is scanned into the "Dispatch Batch" page (menu option in OMS)
Print Item Details
By default the Product Name, SKU and barcode are added underneath the image on the batch
Turning this option off disables these details from being added.
Output Type
Set to Raster or Vector PDF as required
Check that you do not have opposing output types set on the company and the batch template ie: Raster on one and Vector PDF on the other as this will cause the batch to fail.
RGB / CMYK Colour Profiles
It is now possible to add RGB and CMYK colour profiles to batch templates which results in the final batch artwork being CMYK (for raster output only).
Due to how ICC profiles work, it is necessary to set two separate profiles. The RGB profile tells the system how to convert the standard RGB artwork into the intermediate profile connection space (PCS) and the CMYK profile tells the system how to convert from PCS to CMYK.
When using batch colour profiles, it is recommended that you ensure that print jobs are being generated as RGB rather than CMYK. If prints jobs are being generated in CMYK and the batch template is set to convert from RGB to CMYK then the colour accuracy in the final batch artwork may be negatively affected because a double conversion will occur.
There are several RGB colour profiles available. Wide Gamut would generally be the best but results may vary and some experimentation may be required.
Artwork Printer ID
This is the google cloud print ID
Jobsheet Printer ID
For internal use
CADlinks Cloud RIP Settings
For internal use