Advanced Printer Options Dialog

When you select a supported printer in the Printer list, several printer optimization options are listed in the Advanced Printer Options dialog. The options that are available depend on the printer that you select and include the following:

• Allow static graphics: Specifies that BarTender uses the printer's static graphics feature to store the specifications for all raster-type graphic objects that are printed out exactly the same from item to item, including TrueType fonts.

• Allow static objects: Specifies that BarTender uses the printer's static objects feature to store the specifications for all objects that are printed exactly the same from item to item, whether or not they are raster graphics. This includes printer fonts, barcodes, imported graphics, and TrueType fonts.

• Allow serialization: Specifies that BarTender uses the built-in incrementing capabilities of the specified printer whenever appropriate. This option cannot be turned off when you are exporting a printer code template.

• Allow variable data optimization: Specifies that the printer's data merge feature is used to store the document's formatting specifications (object positions, symbology, fonts, and so on) so that only object data needs to be transmitted.

• Allow graphics caching: Specifies that the printer driver uses the storage capabilities in the printer by keeping track of graphics that were previously printed.

• Allow template caching: Specifies that the printer driver uses the storage capabilities in the printer by keeping track of all templates that were previously printed.

• Warn when using TrueType fonts: Specifies that when BarTender is configured to print TrueType fonts on a thermal printer, it displays a reminder that TrueType fonts can adversely affect printing speed, particularly when you are using a printer that has a serial printer port.

  TrueType fonts are transmitted to thermal printers as graphics rather than as downloaded fonts. Because thermal printers can increment data only when it is being handled as a font, a TrueType font cannot be incremented by using the printer's built-in serialization capabilities. If you want to serialize an object on your template and take advantage of your printer's serialization capabilities, you must use one of your printer's built-in fonts.

When you select PDF in the Printer list, the following options are available:

• Select at print time: Specifies that at print time, the Print to File dialog is displayed, which the print operator can use to specify a path and file name to save the output file to.

• Generate file name: Specifies that at print time, the path and file name where the PDF output file is saved are generated automatically. The following options are available:

• Folder: Specifies the folder in which the output file is saved. You can enter the folder path in the field or click Browse to locate the folder that you want to use. Alternatively, you can add a variable or add a special character to the value that you enter.

• File Name: Specifies the file name of the PDF output file. You can enter a name in this field. Alternatively, you can add a variable or add a special character to the value that you enter.

• When File Exists: Specifies what you want to happen when a file exists that has the same path and file name as the file that is being saved. The following options are available: 

  • Make Unique: Specifies that a serialized number is appended to the file name for the new file.

  • Overwrite: Specifies that the existing file is replaced with the new file.