Merge functionality takes disc labels to the next level

One of the main differences between duplication and publication of optical media is the personalization factor of each unique disc. With a Rimage system, publishing optical media isn’t just for the data recorded to the disc, it also applies to the label itself. Whether the goal is to print a license number for software activation directly on the disc or produce take-home materials personalized for each attendee with their name on the label, merge fields can help present a professional, polished look to materials you produce.

 

Rimage Software Suite supports both BTW and PDF files for merge fields, so you can use merge functionality for either label type. Within CD Designer™, which uses BTW files, adding a merge field is done in the same way as adding text or graphics. Rimage recommends using CD Designer for merge functionality when possible. With PDF’s, merge functionality is supported through the Adobe Forms Data Format (FDF) architecture.

 

There are various ways to provide merge data that will be printed on the label. One example is to enter the data as the disc is printed. When using QuickDisc™, the fields can be placeholders and modified each time the label is used. This allows you to create a standard label template, but manually type in the additional data each time the job is submitted.

 

For data already available in text format, you’ll want to submit a text file in a comma separated format. Instead of creating 100 labels, or manually modifying a label to update the label between each print, simply include a file with the merge data for all 100 labels and Rimage software will take care of the rest.

 

Not just names and numbers can be merged onto a disc. Using the same methodology in CD Designer for pictures, your merge field can be a path to a graphic file. This would then populate the graphic on the label file instead of text. This is especially useful to add custom logos or unique images on each disc.

 

There are also predefined merge fields that your Rimage system can automatically populate. For example, using RMG_CurrentOfTotal is quite useful for spanned sets. This will add “Disc 1 of 3,” “Disc 2 of 3” and “Disc 3 of 3” to each disc automatically.

 

Using the Rimage SDK, more merge options are available for custom clients through our API. An application can programmatically determine what merge data should be included on the label and submit it when a job is requested. Dynamic labels are then created without additionally requiring anything from an operator.

 

Setting up merge fields can be as easy as clicking a few buttons, but for more complex workflows or a refresher on how this is done, our “Using Label Merge Fields” guide can be found on our Support site.