Emma Davis, 4OVER4 print production voice (illustration)
Emma Davis Print Production Specialist at 4OVER4.COM

Emma is our prepress and print production voice, built from the knowledge of our production team, with over 20 years in printing.

Question

What file formats does 4OVER4 accept for variable data printing?

Answer

Variable data printing merges a spreadsheet of unique values into one design, so each piece can carry a different name, address, code or number. 4OVER4 generally needs two files: your print-ready design file and a separate data file.

  • Design file: a print-ready format such as PDF for the fixed layout.
  • Data file: a spreadsheet, such as Excel (.xls or .xlsx) or CSV, with each field in its own column.
  • Column headers: give every column a clear, distinct label (First Name, Address, Serial Number) so it maps to the matching field in the design.
  • One record per row: each row is one recipient or one unique piece in the run, such as one name badge.
  • Numbering: give the starting number, any prefix, and whether to keep leading zeros (for example 0001).
  • Fonts: name the font and formatting rules for each variable field.
  • Data hygiene: remove blank rows, extra spaces and duplicate columns, and confirm the row count and spelling, since the print output mirrors the file exactly.

Exact requirements depend on the product and personalization and can change, so confirm with support when you share your project.

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