Background Tab

The Background tab, located on the Page Setup dialog, allows you to configure the background on your printed items. This can be a printed background, such as an image or color. Alternatively, you can select a template image, which can serve as a guide or template that is not intended to print on your items.

The following mini-tabs are available:

Picture Mini-Tab

The Picture mini-tab defines the image that will be used as the background for your items.

• Source. Select either Embedded Picture, No Picture, or Linked Picture to enable a picture background. If you select Embedded Picture, a copy of the picture is saved as part of the BarTender document. If you select Linked Picture, the picture remains a separate file and only the path to it is added to the document.

• Get Picture From. Allows you to locate and import a picture file into your template from your computer, scanner, or camera. Available when embedding a background image.

  When importing images from a scanner or camera, you must setup the device using the Scanner and Camera Setup dialog. This allows BarTender to communicate with the device, so that the pictures on the device are available for selection.

• File Name. Specifies the path and file name of the background picture; alternatively, select the Browse button to navigate to the file. Available when linking to an external picture file.

• Size Method. Determines how BarTender resizes the background image. Select from these options:

  • Original Size. BarTender will use the original size of the picture.

  • Fit to Height. The picture will shrink or expand as needed to ensure that its height fits the height of the template. BarTender will maintain the picture's height-to-width ratio.

  • Fit to Width. The picture will shrink or expand as needed to ensure that its width fits the width of the template. BarTender will maintain the picture's height-to-width ratio.

  • Stretch. The picture will shrink or expand as needed to ensure that it fits the dimensions of the template.

    If there is an overhang value, the fit will not be exact.

• Rotation. Specifies the desired rotation of the image in degrees.

Options

• Preprinted. When enabled, treats the background as if it is already printed on the media. If this option is selected, the background will not print, though it will appear in the Print Preview window.

• Print When. Determines when BarTender prints the background. This option is only available when the Preprinted option is disabled.

  Opens the When to Print dialog, which determines specific conditions for printing the background image.

• Overhang Template. Enter the distance at which the background picture should exceed the dimensions of the template. This is useful if the media stock slips a little as it moves through the printer, especially on thermal label printers.

• Image Processing. Opens the Background Image Processing dialog, which allows you to modify the appearance of the background image.

• Error Handling. Opens the Error Handling dialog, which tells BarTender what to do if it cannot find the picture file at print-time. Available when linking to an external picture file.

• Apply Image Processing Permanently. Saves all picture adjustments, cropping, and effect changes as the new defaults, and saves the modified image as a new image.

  Selecting Apply Image Processing Permanently locks in any changes you have made and makes them the new default settings. For this reason, Apply Image Processing Permanently should only be used once all editing has been done.

Template Image Mini-Tab • Return to Top

Color Mini-Tab

The Color mini-tab defines the background color of your items.

• Background Color. Specifies the color that appears on the background of your items. For more information, see Changing an Object's Color.

Options

• Preprinted. When enabled, treats the background as if it is already printed on the media. If this option is selected, the background will not print or appear in print preview.

• Print When. Determines when BarTender prints the background color. This option is only available when the Preprinted option is disabled.

  Opens the When to Print dialog, which determines specific conditions for printing the background color.

• Overhang Template. Specifies the distance at which the colored background should exceed the boundaries of the template. This is useful if the printer stock slips a little as it moves through the printer.

Picture Mini-Tab • Return to Top

Template Image Mini-Tab

The Template Image mini-tab allows you to set up an image that assists you in the design of your templates. In the event that you already have a design printed out or created in an application other than BarTender, you are able to scan that image and place it on your template as a background image that is lightened for easier placement of objects. The Template Image cannot be printed; rather, it is to be used as a model while designing and/or recreating a template in BarTender.

• Get Template Image From. Allows you to locate and import a template image into your template from your computer, scanner, or camera. The selected image will be embedded into the document.

• Template Image Color. Defines the color used for the template image.

• Hide Template Image. Toggles the visibility of the template image. This option allows you to see how your items will appear when they print.

• Remove Template Image. Deletes the template image from your document. Use this option when you have completed the template design to reduce the size of your document.

• Image Processing. Opens the Background Image Processing dialog, which allows you to modify the appearance of the template image.

Picture Mini-Tab • Color Mini-Tab • Return to Top

Stock Tab • Page Tab • Layout Tab • Shape Tab • Media Handling Tab • Printing Order Tab • Templates Tab • Page Setup Dialog

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