There may be situations where the user requires a specific item design to be automatically applied to one or more Image Holes in a Pack Layout —without offering customers the ability to modify the selection. In these cases, the user can configure a Pack Layout template to explicitly call a particular Item Template into a defined image hole using the Explicit Item Design setting.
Explicit item vs Default item
Unlike a Default item, which can be changed at the time of ordering, an Explicit item is fixed —ensuring that the intended design always appears in that position.
Example
In the example below, a photographer wishes to create a product that includes four 3×5 prints with two different holiday frame designs, plus one 8×10 print without a frame. Furthermore, he does not want the customer to change these designs.
By explicitly assigning Item Templates to each image hole on the Pack Layout template, the correct design is automatically applied and cannot be altered. The Templates used in the example are available below.
Create the Item Template(s)
In this case, creating the Item templates first can be helpful, as the file names will be needed to place the designs in their designated image holes on the pack layout template.
To create the item templates:
In NeoPack’s Template Designer, create a new fixed-size or sizable item template
Set the Canvas size to 3×5 inches (or an abstract ratio that will serve the desired final print size)
Add the desired Image hole and other design elements onto the item template
If the frame design is directional, create both a horizontal and vertical version
Save the Template and repeat with the other design.
There should now be two 3×5 item templates called “Holiday Frame 3×5 A” and “Holiday Frame 3×5 B”
TIP
When using Explicit item designs, there is no need to add an item tag, as the template will be called by name into the specific position desired on the Pack Layout Template. Though the Item may still appear as an option on plts that contain no item tags. Adding an item tag on PIT templates that does not pair with an item tag on a PLT will effectively “hide” the PIT template as an option for any unintended products.
Figure 1: Two Item templates
Creating the Pack Layout Template
To create the Pack layout template:
In NeoPack’s Template Designer, create a new Pack Layout template
Set the Canvas size to 14 inches by 10 inches
Add the desired Image holes to the template to create the 8×10 print and the 4 3×5 prints.
On the 4 3×5 in image holes, select Explicit item design and add the appropriate file name, “Holiday Frame 3×5 A” and “Holiday Frame 3×5 B” to 2 image holes each.
Add a Key and Description to the design properties window
Save the Template
Figure 2: The PLT file for the print pack with the labeled holes calling up the explicit item designs created in Step 1.
NOTE
Check that the Image hole is labeled with the appropriate template name, not just the word “Item” like the 8×10.
This Template will now place the same portrait in all 5 holes and select the correct frame for the orientation of the image (Horizontal or vertical), if applicable, and place those items assembled in the correct holes on the Pack Layout template.
Testing the templates
It is strongly recommended to test any new template in Point ‘n Click Mode before using it for ordering; this ensures that the template displays and functions as expected.
To test a template in Point ‘n Click Mode:
Open any job in NeoPack, and navigate to Point ‘n Click Mode
Select any subject from the tab and list on the left side of the screen that has an image matched to it
Choose the desired template from the Packs tab and Layouts area on the right side of the screen
Preview the template in the large display area below the template selection area
Optionally, print the template
Figure 3: The Template selected for a subject in Point ‘n Click Mode
Once you have confirmed that the template behaves as intended in Point ‘n Click Mode, proceed to set up your offer and packages.
TIP
It is also recommended to place both a manual paper order and an online order to test the templates within the offer before making the new offer and templates available for customer orders.
The product online
Once the product has been created and tested, it can be added to an Offer and Package, making it available for ordering.
Online, this product will not display a choice of options; instead, the customer will see the designs explicitly set for this product, as seen in Figure 4.
Figure 4: This multi-print layout includes prints that have been assigned an item template by the user
FAQ
What is the difference between an Explicit item and a Default item?
An Explicit item is fixed and cannot be changed at the time of ordering, ensuring the intended design always appears in that position, while a Default item can be modified by the customer during the ordering process.
Is it necessary to add an item tag when using Explicit item designs?
When using Explicit Item Templates (PITs), there’s no need to assign an item tag because the template is called by name into its specific position on the Pack Layout Template (PLT).
However, the item may still appear as an option on PLTs that contain no item tags or be used as an option for another template. If you add an item tag to a PIT template that doesn’t have a matching item tag on any PLT, that PIT will effectively be hidden and won’t appear as an available option for unintended products.
Additionally, it is a common practice to place the item tag “none” on PLTs that should not offer options, preventing them from displaying item templates as options online.
Should I test the templates before using them for ordering?
Yes, it is strongly recommended to thoroughly test any new template in Point ‘n Click Mode, followed by a manual paper order, then a test order online to ensure it displays and functions as expected before using it for ordering.