On Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 10:13 AM, Joe Atzberger <ohiocore@gmail.com> wrote:
Actually, the "other app" wouldn't have to produce PDFs at all, since those are just a midpoint to printing actual barcode labels. For example, if we import CSV data into an Open Office spreadsheet, then it's just a question of page formatting and printing. This is the approach we used at INFOhio (using a custom SirsiDynix Unicorn report and an Excel spreadsheet with some VB I wrote). It was *not* particularly elegant, but it was good enough to print a couple million barcodes.
ahh... I got off track from your thought there. Eliminating the need to generate PDFs entirely would definitely eliminate that set of issues.
Another approach would be to integrate with some widely available 3rd party print shop, like Kinko's. I.E., figuring out what API was available for specifying (or pre-specifying) label stock and layout, and then just pushing CSV data. We wouldn't necessarily need a PDF to just mail-order the barcodes printed commercially. (A similar approach might be expanded to cover printing of patron ID cards.)
As would this option also. Kind Regards, Chris