The best way to print from 1 to 2000 copies of a software manual is directly from your computer files on the Xerox DocuTech Digital Publishing System. The following guidelines and pointers will get you started.
Why should I use electronic printing rather than offset printing?
Fantastic quality and you can easily add great looking screen dumps to make your documentation easier to use and understand.
What size should I make my manuals?
You can make them any size you wish, but some standard sizes can cut your cost in half! Many large software companies are now using a 7x9 inch manual because it prints two-up at the cost of a single impression. The following four sizes are suggested to provide the best value and have the least paper waste.
5.5 x 8.5 7 x 8.5 7 x 9 8.5 x 11
How can I use screen dumps?
Use any software that will capture screens and save you images as EPS files. Configure your system in a “mono” mode before capturing screens or you may convert colors to patterns. Windows users can simply use the "ALT" plus “Print Screen” keys and then do a “paste” to place the document in your application.
What about tabs?
Custom tabs can be printed in any color ink you wish and then cut in banks of 1 to 20 for any size manual. Standard fifth-cut letter-size tabs will run and collate automatically on the DocuTech. Other sizes must hand collate into your manuals at an additional cost.
What are some alternatives to tabs?
Try using “bleed tabs”. Most phone books today have black blocks printed on the right edge of each sheet in place of tabs. For technical reasons, we suggest you use the front side of each page and a 30% screen with black letters in a bold font.
How can I bind my Manual?
Any way you wish! Plastic Comb, Wire Comb, Continuous Plastic Coil, Velo Bind, Perfect Bind, or Drill for a ring binder..
Back to Top