Difference Between Template and Product in Printspot
In this document, we are going to explain the difference between TEMPLATE and PRODUCT. These concepts are related to catalog administration in Printspot and in the WordPress integration plugin.
We have been obliged to make this distinction due to the need for the evolution of TEMPLATES and their use in digital printing businesses that required multiple variables that must be established before entering screen editing.
In the simple use of the TEMPLATES with certain options, such as in the case of copies—gloss or matte paper, vertical or horizontal—it is enough to simply select an image, edit it on the screen, and finally formalize the order.
In contrast, in the PRODUCT concept, we have added the possibility of generating options that do not interfere with template editing. These options are selected before entering the editor. Combinations are added that can change the price and are shown on the screen before starting the editing. It is also possible to combine different templates since the purchase process is carried out in phases. The option to upload PDF files is also contemplated in these phases.
The document PRINTSPOT CATALOG ADMINISTRATION GUIDE details how templates or products are added to the catalog.
What is a Template?
Templates are graphic elements that allow the online personalization of products, editable using the internet browser, and that allow personalization with customer images or texts.
The technology used by HTML5 editors provides the possibility of seeing a real simulation on the screen of what the customer will receive.
Given the diversity of products to be personalized, there are different online editors depending on the finished product or application desired.
Products are managed from the Services back office panel.
The available editors and their outstanding features are as follows:
COPY PACK and POLAROID
- Editor indicated for printing copies or enlargements in any size
- Supports multi-selection of images on screen
- Possibility of adding Custom Options for print finishes
- Pricing system by Packs and units
- Output files in JPG or PDF
RESPONSIVE PHOTO BOOK
- Editor developed to create photo books, but is currently being refined as the editor for multiple products, such as calendars or other object-type products with images.
- Possibility of editing variable format products with price calculation per m2
- 3 different components: Cover, Pages (Sheets), and Generic
- Variable cover size depending on the number of pages used
- Variable number of pages
- Design of models to facilitate product design and graphically represent the product with more realism.
- Possibility of adding backgrounds for covers and pages
- Automatic generator of symmetrical slots for images
- Output files in JPG or PDF
CANVASES
- Editor oriented for the design of canvases mounted on frames
- Selection of a single image on screen with 2D graphic appearance
- Specific configurator for frame sizes and thickness to adjust the final result
- Possibility of using images to design the screen background
- Mirror effect and folding guides in the final file result
- Automatic generator of symmetrical slots for images
- Output files in JPG or PDF
LARGE FORMAT
- Versatile editor for multiple products depending on the medium on which it has to be printed or delivered: Printed Sheet, Framed, Block or solid material, and Transparent Block.
- Selection of a single image on screen with 2D graphic appearance
- Material configurator: thickness, color for screen representation
- Possibility of using PDF files to add lower or upper Overlay layers to add information to the final file such as cut marks or treatments such as varnish that are not represented on the editing screen
- Automatic generator of symmetrical slots for images
- Output files in JPG or PDF
MULTI GIFT
- Oriented for the personalization of objects with customer images, such as mugs, t-shirts, etc…
- Possibility of adding Scene Backgrounds and graphic design elements for the scene
- Automatic generator of symmetrical slots for images
- Output files in JPG or PDF
- Output file imposition
In the Editing Modules section of the Help Center, there is a section where the different documented EDITING MODULES editors are detailed.
What is a Product?
A product in our solution is the abbreviation for Imaxel Custom Product, or Imaxel Custom Products -ICP-
We can define it as a set of attributes that we will give to a template, which do not influence the editing system and that will help us establish the final price.
The types of attributes can answer the following questions:
- I access one template or several templates to personalize the final product, for example, a personalized mug will need an image and/or text, and I can also personalize the gift box.
- I upload a PDF file because the product created requires sending PDF files for printing.
- I don’t need a template because the product doesn’t need an image or text to place the order, for example, a camera.
Therefore, this set of attributes managed from the Products option contains the following characteristics:
- Product options. These options will create selectors on the initial order screen that will help configure the characteristics and show a price.
- Steps. The links to the Template editors, a PDF file uploader, or direct sending to the cart to finalize the purchase are established.
- Rules. It is possible to create a series of rules to take into account for the price calculation, and they must be created based on the options and steps.
There are manuals for the management of Combined Products in the Help Center.