Paperless Workflow: Use A-PDF Rename to Batch Rename and Embed Meta Data

I have spent quite a bit of time searching for a solution to embed different meta data into my PDF files I create when I scan papers. In part of my search to go "paperless", I have been scanning old boxes of paper.





Before I OCR the files, I copy them and keep the original scan unchanged. I wanted a way to embed this original filename in the copy of the file, so if I ever needed to go back and find it I could. I tried hundreds of programs before I found one that worked:




A-PDF Rename

Website:

http://www.a-pdf.com/rename/index.htm

Through the use of variables, it let me do everything I needed. I would also add keywords to the files such as my scanner type. An example would be:

Filename:%Filename%_MT

Date:Scan %Date% %Time%

Author: %filename%%Filename%

Keywords: Scan OCR Fujitsu S1500 Scanned Scanner PDF

Blog.ITSupplies.com -- New IT Supplies Blog for Printing

IT Supplies has a new blog I would recommend checking out -- blog.itsupplies.com . It has good articles, FAQ, and a section to ask questions on printmaking and photo printing.

MichaelPSullivan.com and DVMichael.com

Two recent projects we have been working on. The first, MichaelPSullivan.com , is a personal portfolio (personal branding) for Michael P. Sullivan III . The second project is DVMichael.com , a personal project for David Vincent Michael including is work history, experience, and more.

We also helped finish some prints for Speedy JVW:

New Mitsubishi Grace Pearlescent Metallic Photo Paper!

Mitsubishi Grace Pearlescent Metallic Photo Paper is now in-stock! We had the opportunity to run some test prints this week and were extremely satisfied with the results. Give any photo the 'POP' you desire in your prints, with its metallic and slightly wet look. Grace Pearlescent works great for Portraits, Sports Photography, POP Displays and ALL photographic applications. Try our 8.5"x11" sample pack today! More on Mitsubishi Metallic paper at itsupplies.com

Different Flexi Software Products

Flexi letter -- Cut Only

Flexi Sign -- Cut Only


Flexi Print & Cut


Flexi Expert -- CUTTING ONLY

Flexi Sign Pro -- Print & Cut

Scammers are getting more sophisticated!

It is scary how sophisticated the scams are getting nowadays. Compare what I received a year ago (early 2008):

With what a reader submitted as a scam from last month (April 2009)

(image wit mocking bird and advanced text layout)

Be careful out there!

-Michael

Inveteratus Construction

Check out http://inveteratus.com/ for a project we recently helped print some items for.

Canon releases three new imagePROGRAF printers

Canon just announced three new printers to their graphic arts line of wide format printers. The new models are the iPF6300, iPF6350, and iPF8300. The iPF6300 and the iPF6350 are both 24" wide printers and the iPF8300 is a 44" wide printer. Some of the improvements that Canon is making is a newly developed mechanical structure and a new pigment ink set - the LUCIA EX. It also seems like they are enhancing their RIP support for their printers as well. These software manufacturers will be releasing RIP software support for the new printers: GMG, CGS, EFI, ONYX, Ergosoft, and a few others. IT Supplies has some more information on this as well a link to the press release Canon sent out.

http://www.itsupplies.com/Canon-iPF-Wide-Format-Printers

Canon is going to be showing off these printers at WPPI in Las Vegas, March 8-11, 2010 according to their press release. Also, these printers will start shipping in March as well.

Canon iPF6300 - $3,695 MSRP
Canon iPF6350 - $3,995 MSRP
Canon iPF8300 - $5,995 MSRP

Converting Oz to GSM and GSM to OZ

· OZ below refer to Ounces/Square Yard (Should technically be wrote OZ/SQ YD). Just using OZ is technically incorrect, but it is very common.
· G below refers to Grams/Square Meter (Should technically be wrote GSM or gsm). Just using G is technically incorrect, but it is very common.
· GSM or gsm is Grams/Square Meter

All are measures of DENSITY

OZ (Ounces per Square Yard) to GSM (Grams per Square Meter)

Often mistakenly referred to as OZ to G

Or ~ x34

1 Oz/Sq Yd = 33.9057475 GSM

1 GSM = 0.0294935247 Oz/Sq Yd

1 Oz/Sq Yd ~ 34 GSM

There is NO conversion from GSM to MIL or from MIL to GSM (One is a density and one is a thickness). I can’t tell you how much someone weighs if you only tell me how tall they are. However, I can make a generalized guess.

Imagenest 2.0 RIP software released for Macs

Bluecubit has released the 2.0 version of their software "ImageNest RIP" and are offering a free trial for download. I use this software frequently and would recommend it for any Mac user with a wide format printer.

ImageNest RIP has been updated to version 2.0 and an improved demo version.

The new demo version is now fully functional and allows users to print or create imposed PDF files.

Version 2.0 includes over 15 new features including:

Meta Data Annotations
Soft Proofing
Layout to PDF
Image Frames
Improved "Best Fit" image layout
Batch Sizing
Improved Color Management
Updated PostScript Level III support
64 bit processing
Support for OSX 10.6

The demo can be downloaded directly (no sign up form) at:

http://www.bluecubit.com/files/ImageNest%20RIP%202.0%20Demo%20Installer.dmg

Epson GS6000 Profiling Method has Changed

The process of creating a new ICC profile and environment for the Epson GS6000 64" printer has changed dramatically since the printer first came out.


The Colorburst RIP now replaces many settings that were previously set on the printer LCD screen. For more info on the update, check out the Epson GS6000 Wiki:

Epson GS6000 Overview of New Media Setup

HP Designjet Printer Error Codes

I found a good reference for HP Designjet Printer error codes. This helped me out with a problem involving my HP Z3100.

http://www.designjetparts.com/blog/index.php?blog=2&cat=16

Problem / Issue of Epson 11880 Defective Ink Batches

Some people have had problems with certain Epson 11880 wide format printer ink cartridges. If you have the issue of your cartridge not registering in your printer, contact Epson tech support to see if the Lot Number on the ink is from the defective batch.

We recommend calling Epson Priority Service Support. This is usually better than calling your distributor. Call (562) 276-1305 *Same number that is in the back of your printer's manual*. Have your printer's serial number ready before your call. Press 2 for Pro series printers. Press 2 again to talk to an actual tech support agent.

Good luck! Comment below if you have had this issue and any advice you can offer...

Michael

3D Barcodes / QR Codes / Microsoft Tags

I always found 3D barcodes fascinating.

http://wully.org/3d-barcodes/

Some examples include: 3D Barcodes. QR Codes. Aztec Barcodes. Code 39 Barcodes. Data Matrix. Microsoft Tags. And more...

The Rasterbater - Make Huge Mosaics from your desktop printer

I found this a few months back and thought it was really cool. For everyone who doesn't own a wide format printer, this is the next best option...

http://homokaasu.org/rasterbator/

"The Rasterbator creates huge, rasterized images from any picture. Upload an image, print the resulting multi-page pdf file and assemble the pages into extremely cool looking poster up to 20 meters in size."

Enjoy.

Michael

Power to the Poster -- Prints Now Available from Elevate Printing

Elevate Printing has teamed up with PowerToThePoster.org, the Match Factory, and scores of designers to help launch the Power to the Poster Citizen Gallery.



From the Groundswell Blog:

More than 60 designers and activists collaborated on Power to the Poster, and I was honored to have been invited (along with a number of other friendly faces) to sit on the judging panel that helped curate the selection of 30 posters now available at Citizen Gallery. Citizen Gallery The prints were selected from the most moving designs submitted to PowerToThePoster.org, and are made available as 15×24 and 24×38 prints by Chicago’s Elevate Printing. Artists receive 50% of the funds, and the printers are paid the other half. The organizers are also asking that each buyer contribute half the price of their purchase to a cause they support.


Source:

The Groundswell Blog:   Power to the Poster's Citizen Gallery, Now Online!

Read more:

Power To The Poster

Buy PTTP Citizen Gallery Prints Here

The Match Factory

The Groundswell Blog

Unoffical Epson GS6000 Wiki Launches!

A Wiki for the 64" eco-solvent printer, the Epson GS6000, has been launched at www.EpsonGS6000.com . The site will be a place where people looking to buy Epson GS6000 printers and current owners of GS6000's can come together to discuss issues, tips, tricks, and tutorials on the Epson GS6000.



More on the project to come soon.

Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 Printers - New $3000 Instant Rebate

Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 Printers - New $3000 Instant Rebate - September 1st through October 31st, 2009. This replaced the Epson GS6000's Mail In Rebate.

Its Great to Give Photo Credits!

I came across an image the other day in Google Images that had been picked off one of the Flickr accounts I contribute to. Its great to see someone (RoundPegg.com) actually using Flickr and crediting the original creator. This is also a great, creative use of the an image not originally created for the purpose of an article.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://roundpegg.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/3072420848_31ef5b32a8.jpg&imgrefurl=http://roundpegg.com/blog/&usg=__YyBWusyei-3XYlea_8AEDZ1q5_g=&h=500&w=333&sz=67&hl=en&start=4&sig2=mrH3mA4w3ppxgP2vKaanmQ&

Original photo courtesy of Elevate Printing & Devin David Photography (Chicago). Artwork by Chuck Anderson of No Pattern.

Epson GS 6000 Heater Setting Tips

Epson GS 6000 heater setting tips:

Thicker media = more heat

Faster Speed = more heat

http://epsongs6000.com/wiki/Epson_GS6000_Set_Heater_Settings