Getting Started for Designers and Print Operators

Whether you are designing or printing, the BarTender interface is powerful, and using it can be intimidating for new users. This section was written to get you started with the most basic tasks in BarTender, including creating, designing, and printing items.

In This Section

Creating a New Document
For a true WYSIWYG ("What You See Is What You Get") experience, BarTender matches your design area on screen to the size and shape of the label, card, tag, or other item that you are printing on. Learn how to set up your design area to match the specifications of your media by using the New Document wizard and the Page Setup dialog.
Using BarTender Sample Documents
Use the sample documents that are installed with BarTender as a starting point for your own design or as a learning tool to explore some of BarTender's most popular features.
Adding Objects to Your Design
Begin designing your items by adding objects to your template, such as barcodes, text objects, shapes, pictures, and more.
Using Databases with BarTender
When you need to pull information directly from an external source and use it in your document, use the Database Setup dialog to import the data and to filter, browse, or select records.
Entering Data at Print-Time
When you need to enter text or scan barcode data into your items when you print, BarTender enables you to design a form and display it at print-time. Users can then enter their data directly into the form without ever needing to edit the template design.
Printing Your Document
After you have designed your item, you are ready to print. From the Print dialog, you can specify the number of copies, connect to your database, view a print preview, or send your document to the printer.