Learn how a print provider can create a media format and publish it to customers.
At a Glance:
- Create a media format
- Configure settings
- Set prices
- Define the layout
In order to be able to invite customers to the solution, at least one media format must be published after entering the company data, uploading the GTC and selecting a contract size.
1. Create a media format
The checklist on the start page or the Media formats button in the navigation bar on the left can be used for this purpose. For a quick start, our standard media formats (single-sided and double-sided letter, postcard) are already set-up and can be published for customers:
Prerequisites for publication are the creation of a separate pricing model, definition of reserved areas (for other media formats than our standard), and publishing a styling.
To add your own media format, click on the Create media format button:
2. Configure settings
Various details of the media format can be defined here. These include the dimensions, a minimum order quantity, the grammage of the paper per square meter, the total weight in grams of the media format being sent (e.g. letter + envelope), and a bleed for production. After filling in the information, you can specify whether the paper is coated and if the media format should be available to all or only selected customers.
Once all the necessary information has been entered, the media format can be created at the bottom right - it has not yet been published, as the price definition is still pending. Once created, the price definition view opens automatically:
3. Set prices
Prices for layout & printing, national shipping (optionally: international shipping and international shipping by weight) must now be specified here. Fixed and variable prices can be defined, the process is the same for each cost type:
At the top left, a fixed price for a campaign with the given media format can be set. The tax rate is followed by the date of the pricing taking effect. A price scale can then be defined corresponding to different print amounts as needed. All prices are given in cents. Only international shipping by kilogram differs in that a price per kilogram is specified for the given amount. A price of 800 for an amount of 1 e.g. means that €8 (if euro is the selected currency) will be charged per kilo starting from the first kilo.
Once a media format has been published and the price model has come into force, it can no longer be edited. A new price model can be defined for the future and edited as required before it comes into force. After these steps, the media format can be published. However, it is recommended to use the following function beforehand.
4. Define the layout
After creating the prices, you can switch to the Layout tab to define reserved zones such as the address field or areas for data matrix codes used in production. These zones are kept white by the solution no matter what during output in order to guarantee further processing in production and dispatch:
Following the reserved areas, a styling relating to the media format must be published to allow for a smooth user experience for your customer. How to publish our best practices for our standard formats and how to create your own styling is explained here (2 min): Publish a Styling.
Now the media format can be published in the Settings tab! All created & published media formats are displayed in the list: