Create Your First Document Using Assistant

There are two ways to design a label, envelope or postcard.

The first way - to use Assistant - special feature, that guides you step-by-step through a document creation process. Assistant is very helpful for beginners and when you need to get the result quickly.
It comes up when you launch the program.
Or launching Assistant through the program menu: File/New from Assistant (Shift+Cmd+N).

The second way - to do all by yourself. Choose New Label (Cmd+N) or New Envelope (Alt+Cmd+N) from the program menu File or click New Blank button in the Assistant dialog. Here you start from the blank layout and use the program tools to add and edit all available objects.

So the first document we will design with Assistant.
It has 3 steps.

Step 1

At the first step you choose what you're going to create - a label, envelope or postcard. To make a selection click on the corresponding tab. Then select what type of label or postcard paper or envelope you are going to print on.

To create a label:

1. Click on the Label tab at the top of the Assistant (selected by default).
2. Browse through the list of supported label templates to locate the label paper you're going to use. To find the necessary layout faster, just type the product part number in the Search field. To narrow the list you can specify the Manufacturer, Paper size or Label Category. The selected template can be seen in the preview area on the right.
3. Once you've found the needed envelope, click Next.

To create an envelope:

1. Click on the Envelope tab at the top of the Assistant.
2. Browse through the list of supported envelope sizes to locate the envelope you're going to use. To narrow down the search, use the dropdown menu at the top left part of the Assistant window. If your envelope has a window, you may tick the Use window box. The selected envelope is displayed in the preview area to the right.
3. Once you've found the needed envelope, click Next.

To create a postcard:

1. Click on the Postcard tab at the top of the Assistant.
2. Browse through the list of supported papers to locate the paper you're going to use. To find the necessary layout faster, just type the product part number in the Search field. To narrow the list you can specify the Manufacturer and Paper size. The selected template can be seen in the preview area on the right.
3. Once you've found the needed envelope, click Next.

If you don't want to use next steps of the Assistant click New Blank or Open button.
New Blank - opens blank layout, selected at Step 1.
Open - opens previously saved label or envelope.

Note: If the selected label is not a mailing label (e.g. "File Folder" or "Video Tape" label), the Assistant will only consist of Step 1.

For more detailed information about Step 1, see "Assistant".

Step 2

Select a ready-made design from the list of designs at the left. Designs are organized into categories, use the pop-up menu at the top-left part of the window to switch between categories. While choosing a design from the list it can be seen it in the preview area at the right. To proceed with the selected design, click Next. To design your label or envelope from a scratch, click the New Blank button.

If you wish to return one step back, click Prev button.
If you don't want use next steps of the Assistant click New Blank or Open button.

For more detailed information about Step 2, see "Assistant".

Step 3

At this step you can specify the address(es) that will be printed on your label(s) or envelope(s).

There is a choice between Sender, One Recipient and Multiple Recipients tabs.

To create a shipping label or an envelope it can be necessary to fill both Sender and One Recipient addresses. Entering information for them is very similar.
First, you can fill address fields manually. If the person information is stored in a database (e.g. Apple Address Book), simply select the required database in the Source field on the right side then choose the name and fields on the left will be filled automatically. Change fields manually if needed. To clear all fields click Clear Fields button at the lower part of the Assistant window.

If you want to print more than one recipient addresses use Multiple Recipients tab.

Click Finish to proceed with editing the label or envelope.
To return one step back click Prev button.

See also more detailed information about "Assistant".

Editing

In the document that comes up you will see Label or Envelope with information filled by you or a postcard with selected design. Make sure that objects are located correctly (if necessary, drag them using mouse). If you want to change object properties, select it using mouse and set the required properties in the Inspector window. For example, in address panel you can switch off fields that are not used, set the barcode location, etc. Pay attention to the address panel tabs, thanks to them address template can be changed.
Information inside address fields can be changed manually, the modified info will be used when printing. If you are planning to print documents with different addresses, you would have to create a Print List.

For more information about different object types, editing them and their properties, see "Editing Objects" topic.

Printing

You can print your document on virtually any laser or inkjet printer. Click Print button on the toolbar, Print dialog will come up. At the left part of the dialog you can preview your document. At the right part you can select printer, set starting position for labels and postcards (in case there are several postcards on a sheet), number of copies, etc. If you're going to print multiple addresses, you can add or edit them in the dialog.
Click Next button. System dialog with selected Copies&Pages option will come up for setting printer options (such as print quality, etc). Finally, choose Print button.

If your labels or postcards don't line up correctly on a paper sheet, it means that you need to calibrate the printer. Go to Printer Calibration from the File menu, and follow the instructions in the dialog that will come up.