Print dialog

Use this dialog to print forms. Access this dialog by doing one of the following:

 

There are several types of forms you can create with Scantron DesignExpert software and several types of laser printing that you can perform:

This scenario… …meets this objective… …in this tool

Print a proof of your form design to review or share with colleagues.

You are mostly concerned with getting the printing to fit on the page. Exact printer alignment to meet scanning requirements is probably not needed. The appearance of the form is most important.

 Scantron DesignExpert

Merge printing information from a database on forms that were printed by Scantron Print Services.

You are mostly concerned with getting text, OMR pre-slug marks, and bar codes to align with specific areas or OMR response grids on the printed form. The scannability of the form is most important.

Print a form on Scantron DesignExpert stock forms 103188 or 265914.

You are mostly concerned with getting the alignment marks in the corners of the Test Form to align with the marks in the corners of the stock form. The scannability of the form is most important.
  • Scantron DesignExpert
  • MergePrint Utility

Print your own OMR forms with the PrintFlex option.

You are mostly concerned with first, getting the printing to fit on the page, and second, getting the printing to align with the ScanFlex Alignment Guide. The scannability of the form is most important.
  • Scantron DesignExpert
  • MergePrint Utility

See How do I at the bottom of this topic for specific instructions on aligning your printer for these scenarios.

It is very important to correctly load paper in the laser printer paper tray before printing or performing printer alignment. The basic steps to remember are Jog, Orient, and Align.

  • Jog: Jog the paper until the stack is uniform. The laser printed image will not be consistent if the paper in the tray is not uniformly stacked.
  • Orient: Turn the paper so that the laser printed image is in the correct orientation and on the correct side. Paper orientation varies depending on whether your design is portrait or landscape format, prints head-to-head or head-to-foot, or is double-sided. It may also vary between models of desktop laser printers so you may need to experiment with your printer to determine the correct orientation for your form.

    • CAUTION:Scantron DesignExpert stock form 103188 has Front and Back sides that differ slightly. They are distinctly marked. The Front and Back sides of Scantron DesignExpert stock form 265914 are the same for printing purposes.

  • Align: Load the stack of paper so that it's aligned with the side of the tray. The laser printed image will not be consistent if the stack of paper in the tray is not uniformly aligned. Be sure to use the same alignment every time you load the tray.

Review the appropriate paper loading procedures for stock forms 103188 and 265914:

  • Scantron DesignExpert stock form 103188 must be loaded in your laser printer tray in a particular orientation, depending on whether you are printing portrait or landscape format and whether you are printing the front or back of the form. Your printer may differ so be sure to test before you print finished forms.

    The Front side of Form 103188 is labeled "FRONT" in the margin beside the timing track. The Back side of the form has the Scantron product name and copyright in the margin beside the timing track.

    • The timing track is on the left side.
    • The stack is jogged to the left.

    103188 Portrait Front

    • The timing track is on the right side.
    • The stack is jogged to the left.

    103188 Portrait Back

    • The timing track is on the right side.
    • The stack is jogged to the left.

    103188 Landscape Front

    • The timing track is on the left side.
    • The stack is jogged to the left.

    103188 Landscape Back

  • Scantron DesignExpert stock form 265914 must be loaded in your laser printer tray in a particular orientation, depending on whether you are printing portrait or landscape format. Your printer may differ so be sure to test before you print finished forms.

    The front and back sides of form 265914 are identical for printer alignment and laser printing purposes.

    • The timing track is on the left side.
    • The stack is jogged to the left.

    265914 Portrait Front

    • The timing track is on the right side.
    • The stack is jogged to the left.

    265914 Portrait Back

    • The timing track is on the right side.
    • The stack is jogged to the left.

    265914 Landscape Front

    • The timing track is on the left side.
    • The stack is jogged to the left.

    265914 Landscape Back

Scantron DesignExpert software supports both duplex and double-sided laser printing. "Duplex" means printing both sides at the same time in the same pass through the laser printer. "Double-sided" means printing both sides but at different times in different passes through the laser printer. Duplex printing can only be selected if your laser printer supports it.

You must perform printer alignment for both form sides before printing. Scantron DesignExpert software saves printer alignment information for both sides. It is usually a good idea to perform printer alignment for both sides at the same time if that is how you plan to print.

If you perform double-sided printing, follow these simple precautions:

  • Print each side of the form in a separate operation.
  • Print an additional quantity of the first side to use when aligning the second side.
  • After printing the first side of your form, allow forms to recondition for 24 hours before printing the second side. Paper is heated during laser printing, driving moisture out of the paper and causing it to curl and shrink. Reconditioning the paper for 24 hours allows the paper to relax so it’s easier to feed into the laser printer and achieve accurate printing.
  • Perform printer alignment for each side of the form just before printing. Scantron DesignExpert software saves printer alignment information for each side independently. When you laser print the back of your form, you must perform printer alignment for side two to make sure the laser printing is correctly positioned.

What's on the screen?

Most of the items in this dialog are from the Windows Print dialog. Three options differ, depending on the type of printing you are performing. The features unique to Scantron DesignExpert software are:

Only these unique options are described here; see Windows help or the help for your printer driver for details on the other print dialog options.

Use this element… …to…

PrintFlex

Print your forms on plain paper. You must have the PrintFlex option installed.

PrintFlex enables you to print OMR forms on plain paper using a laser printer. These forms can then be scanned using ScanTools Plus with ScanFlex , on a Scantron image scanner, such as the iNSIGHT 4ES.

Check PrintFlex to print your OMR forms, including timing marks, on plain paper on your laser printer. If you do not check PrintFlex, placeholders are printed to show timing mark locations instead of actual timing marks.

Check PrintFlex to print your OMR Laser Printer Only forms, including timing marks, on your laser printer. This enables you to print your Laser Printer Only forms on plain paper rather than on Scantron DesignExpert stock form 103188 or 265914. If you do not check PrintFlex, you must print on form 103188 or 265914.

NOTE: PrintFlex is available for printing from *.dew and *.det OMR design files only. It is not available for printing *.deu (underlay) or *.deo (overlay) files or for printing *.dei Image design files.

11 x 17

Print and pre-slug 11" x 17" booklets. This check box is displayed only if you are printing a booklet.

CAUTION: Make sure your laser printer supports the use of 11" x 17" paper before selecting this option.

NOTE: If you want your self-printed booklet to be scannable you should also enable the PrintFlex option (unless you are over-printing onto a pre-printed form.)

When printing a booklet to 11" x 17" paper make sure to:

  • Verify that your computer's print driver is up to date. Using an out-of-date driver can have an adverse affect on the printout.
  • Make sure your printer is using a postscript driver (this is a PrintFlex requirement).
  • Click Properties or Preferences and specify the options needed to successfully print the booklet. Your options may vary slightly depending upon the print driver being used, but in general the options will be similar to the following:
    • Paper Size = 11 x 17
    • Orientation = Landscape
    • Print on both sides = Yes, Flip Over (unless you are simply overprinting one side at a time)
    • Pages per sheet = 1 page per sheet

After printing the booklet on 11" x 17" paper you must bind the paper as desired to create the booklet of your choice.

Printer Alignment

Move and resize the document image you are laser printing to account for different form requirements and to compensate for printer and paper variations. This includes:

  • fitting the laser printed image to the page
  • aligning laser printed data correctly with the elements on a printed base form
  • laser printing forms with the PrintFlex option that are compatible with ScanTools software with the ScanFlex feature

Test printer alignment each time you do any of the following:

  • add or change paper in your printer
  • change or rename printers
  • use a new printer driver
  • print using the Merge Wizard
  • print using the PrintFlex option

When you align your printer, Scantron DesignExpert saves the alignment information uses it again for the same type of file and document orientation. The next time you perform printer alignment for the same file type and orientation, the position settings last used will appear in the dialog. You can reuse them or change them, as necessary. See Aligning Your Printer for details.

TIP: If you are printing a document that uses variable merge data, we recommend that you select one record using the Merge Wizard Printing dialog and check that any required text, bar codes, pre-slugged response grids, and graphics are printed in the desired position. Continue to perform printer alignment, if necessary, and then return to the Merge Wizard - Printing step to select all records required.

If you attempt to print and you do not have a printer installed, Scantron DesignExpert software will prompt you to perform printer installation.

Printing

How do I…

NOTE: You can only print proofs from Scantron DesignExpert, not the MergePrint Utility.

  1. Do one of the following:
    • If you are overprinting on the stock form without merging/pre-slugging, select File > Print.
    • If you are merging/pre-slugging, start the Merge Wizard and follow the wizard steps until you reach Printing, then click Print.
  2. Print one copy of the form.
  3. Visually check the alignment.

    4. The entire image should fit properly on the page. In most cases, you will find that the default printer alignment settings are acceptable and that no printer alignment is required.

  4. If alignment is required, select File > Print then click Printer Alignment.

    5. TIP: Use the default Two Corner Alignment setting. It is very unlikely that you will need to use the advanced Four Corner Alignment.

  5. Select Front or Back. If your form is two-sided, you can align both sides before test printing.
  6. Examine the upper left corner of the laser printing. Is it located where you want it or does it need to be moved? What direction? How far?
    1. If alignment is needed, select Upper Left Corner and then use the Up/Down and Left/Right to move the printing.
    2. Print another copy of your form and reexamine the upper left corner of the laser printing. Repeat the process until the upper left corner is correctly located.
  7. Examine the right side and the bottom of the laser printing. Does it fit relative to the edges of the paper or does it need to be resized? Longer? Shorter? Wider? Narrower? By how much?
    1. If resizing is needed, select Lower Right Corner and then use the Up/Down and Left/Right controls to adjust laser printing length and width to fit the page.
    2. Print another copy of your form and reexamine the fit of the laser printing on the page. Repeat the process until the laser printing is correctly located.
  8. Click OK to save your settings.
  9. Proceed with printing.

Although the Merge Wizard is designed to enable you to print data from your database on a variety of form types, you can also use it to print "blank" copies of forms when no database link is needed. This includes:

  • Printing OMR Laser Printer Only forms on Scantron DesignExpert stock forms 103188 or 265914.
  • Printing OMR forms with the PrintFlex option.

 

  1. Select None for the Database Type then click Next.
  2. Click Print.
  3. Align your printer.
  4. (Optional) Click Properties to check or set Document Properties such as portrait or landscape orientation, single or duplex printing, tray selection, and so forth.
  5. Enter the number of copies to print.
  6. Click OK.
  1. Select None for the Database Type then click Next.
  2. Enter the Starting Number, Ending Number, Increment, and Number of Digits. See Step 5, under What's on the Screen above, for details. Click Next.
  3. Click Print.
  4. Align your printer.
  5. (Optional) Click Properties to check or set Document Properties such as portrait or landscape orientation, single or duplex printing, tray selection, and so forth. See Windows help for details on these options.
  6. Click OK.

NOTE: Perform merge printing from the Merge Wizard rather than from the Print dialog. You must use the actual forms that you plan to merge print during the alignment process.

  1. Start the Merge Wizard.
  2. At the Printing step, click Print. Use the Print dialog to laser print from your database on one copy of your printed form. Select duplex printing or other properties, as appropriate.
  3. Visually check the alignment. Information from your database should fit properly on the page. This includes text and bar codes in their proper places and, most importantly, OMR pre-slug marks aligned to the OMR response positions. The default printer alignment settings may be OK in some cases or the default printer alignment will be very close.
  4. If alignment is required, click Print again, then click Printer Alignment. The Printer Alignment dialog will open.

    5. TIP: Use the default Two Corner Alignment setting. It is unlikely that you will need to use the advanced Four Corner Alignment.

  5. Examine the upper left corner of the laser printing. Is it located where you want it or does it need to be moved? What direction? How far?
    1. If alignment is needed, select Upper Left Corner and then use the Up/Down and Left/Right to move the printing.
    2. Print another copy of your form and reexamine the upper left corner of the laser printing. Repeat the process until the upper left corner is correctly located.
  6. Examine the right side and the bottom of the laser printing; most importantly, OMR pre-slug marks alignment with OMR response positions. Does the printing fit or does it need to be realigned? Left? Right? Up? Down? By how much?
    1. If realignment is needed, select Lower Right Corner and then use the Up/Down and Left/Right controls to adjust laser printing to fit.
    2. Print another copy of your form and reexamine the fit of the laser printing. Repeat the process until the laser printing is correctly located.
  7. Click OK to save your settings.
  8. Proceed with merge printing.

NOTE: If you are using Scantron DesignExpert stock form 103188 or 265914, you must align your printer.

  1. Load Scantron DesignExpert stock form 103188 or 265914 in the laser printer tray. Be sure to load the correct stock form for the file you are printing:
    • Form 103188 has 5 per inch timing mark spacing.
    • Form 265914 has 6 per inch timing mark spacing.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • If you are overprinting on the stock form without merging/pre-slugging, select File > Print.
    • If you are merging/pre-slugging, start the Merge Wizard and follow the wizard steps until you reach Printing, then click Print.
  3. Click Printer Alignment.
  4. Click Print Test.

    5. A Printer Alignment Test will be laser printed on Scantron DesignExpert stock form 103188 or 265914. There are separate tests for Front Portrait, Back Portrait, Front Landscape, and Back Landscape. Make sure you have loaded the correct stock form:

    Form 103188

    Form 265914

    Form 103188 - 6x5 Spacing

    Form 265914 - 6x6 Spacing

  5. Visually check the alignment.

    6. The Test Form includes black bullets and reference OMR responses in each corner that must align with target positions on the form. The bullet for the upper left corner must be as close as possible to the center of the target circle. The bullets for the other three corners must be inside their target circles, not touching the edges of the circle. You will find that the default printer alignment settings are OK or very close in most cases.

  6. If alignment is required, follow the Printer Alignment directions printed on the Test Form.
  7. Repeat the process until the laser printing is correctly located.
  8. Click OK to save your settings..
  9. Proceed with printing.
  1. Do one of the following:
    • If you are printing plain paper forms without merging/pre-slugging, select File > Print.
    • If you are merging/pre-slugging, start the Merge Wizard and follow the wizard steps until you reach Printing, then click Print.
  2. Print one copy of the form.
  3. Visually check the alignment.

    4. The entire image should fit properly on the page. You will find that the default printer alignment settings are OK in most cases and that no printer alignment is required.

  4. Check print location with the ScanFlex Alignment Guide. Depending on your form, there are five or six alignment tests to perform. Perform each test in sequence and, if alignment is required, perform printer alignment as described below before moving from one test to the next.
    1. If you need to perform printer alignment, click Print again, the click Printer Alignment.

      2. TIP: Use the default Two Corner Alignment setting. It is very unlikely that you will need to use the advanced Four Corner Alignment.

    2. Examine the upper left corner of the laser printing. Check it against the ScanFlex Alignment Guide. Is it located properly or does it need to be moved? What direction? How far?
      1. If alignment is required, select Upper Left Corner and then use the Up/Down and Left/Right to move the printing. See the Printer Alignment dialog information above for details about how the controls work.
      2. Print another copy of your form and check it with your ScanFlex Alignment Guide. Reexamine the upper left corner of the laser printing. Repeat the process until the upper left corner is correctly located.
    3. Examine the right side and the bottom of the laser printing. Does it fit relative to the tests on the Guide or does it need to be resized? Longer? Shorter? Wider? Narrower? By how much?
      1. If alignment is needed, select Lower Right Corner and then use the Up/Down and Left/Right controls to adjust laser printing length and width to fit the page. See the Printer Alignment dialog information above for details about how the controls work.
      2. Print another copy of your form and reexamine the fit of the laser printing relative to the ScanFlex Alignment Guide. Repeat the process until the laser printing is correctly located.

    5. See the ScanFlex and PrintFlex Help topics for additional details about this process.

  5. Click OK to save your settings.
  6. Proceed with printing.

 

Merge Wizard - Printing step

Aligning Your Printer