LabelPro for Windows

                                 LabelPro

                              for Windows

                             by Tony Curro

    Mention the word label, and the company that comes to mind is Avery.

    Avery Division, a unit of Avery Dennison, was the first to release

    pin-fed labels for computer printers. They also premiered the first

    labels designed to feed automatically from the paper tray of desktop

    laser printers as well as the first color labels for label printers.

    Avery offers, labeling software for dot matrix, laser and ink jet

    printers, a label printer and a complete line of high-quality

    computer supplies designed  and manufactured for trouble-free

    performance.

    Among its products are:

    * Personal Label Printer. The Avery Personal Label Printer is a

    high-speed, compact, thermal printer that allows users to produce

    quality labels, one at a time, at their desks. As small as a tape

    dispenser, Avery's label printer can produce a label in under four

    seconds. The non-impact thermal device offers 137 dots-per-inch

    (dpi) resolution, more than double the industry standard. The

    product is available for DOS, Windows and Macintosh systems. Also

    available are 1 1/8 x 3 1/2-inch sized labels in white, clear or

    flourescent yellow. These labels work with Avery, Seiko or CoStar

    label printers. I will review the PLP in a future issue of CTM.

    * Software. Avery offers a complete line of label software: LabelPro

    for Windows, LabelPro Laser for DOS, MacLabel Pro, and LabelPro Dot

    Matrix for DOS.

    * Supplies. They offer a full line of labels, indexes,

    transparencies. Their card stock includes: name tag, index, post and

    rotary cards, as well as business cards. In addition they have

    organizer pages that work with popular scheduling and PIM

    applications for PC and MAC systems. The pages are hole-punched to

    fit most organizers like Day Runner, Day Timer, etc.

    I used LabelPro for Windows, and Laser LabelPro for DOS. Both are

    excellent, and easy to use, products. But, as a convert to GUI I

    lean a bit more towards the Windows product.

    LabelPro for Windows, features more than 120 ready-to-use layouts,

    of Avery's laser, ink jet and dot matrix supplies. In addition for

    every Avery label from diskette and video tape, to file folder,

    address and shipping, it also supports, and has templates for,

    business cards, post cards, rotary cards, index dividers and

    transparencies.

    When you select a New Design, you are presented with a list of

    labels. Select the product you are using, for example 5161. You will

    see a sample page on the right side of the box. You are then

    presented with one blank label. Using the tools from the available

    button bar you design your label. Add a text and/or graphic box.

    Save your design, and you are ready to print. There is an option,

    when you select Print, to print a whole page of labels, or a

    specific number, or even from where to start. It is advisable to

    only put a sheet of labels through a laser printer once. I had to

    print some clear address labels for myself. I printed a whole page

    of 30. It may take a while for me to use them, but I will have them,

    and do not need to put the page back in my printer.

    To simplify matters, users can merge lists from a range of database

    and word processing programs, including WordPerfect, WordPerfect for

    Windows, MS Word, Word for Windows, dBASE, Paradox and Paradox for

    Windows, plus ASCII files. LabelPro does include sample files for

    the above named programs. Or, using the built List Manager, users

    can create lists directly in LabelPro.

    A unique "shrink-to-fit" option automatically fits text onto each

    label, eliminating the need for users to make font size adjustments

    before printing.

    Using the set of tools, mentioned above, users can create their own

    designs including line drawing, shading, tools for ovals, circles,

    squares and rectangles. Import graphics in .PCX, .TIF, or .BMP

    formats, size and drag images with a mouse, mix fonts on the same

    line and even superimpose objects. The new software automatically

    calculates and prints the latest USPS Delivery Point Bar Codes.

    Other bar codes are available for inventory, distribution and retail

    applications.

    The package also comes with step-by-step on-screen instructions.

    Users simply click on a special "QuickSteps" button which guides

    then through key tasks. Also included are preview, serial numbering,

    date and time stamping, a library of clip art and sample designs. It

    also includes a package of assorted labels that, along with getting

    you started quickly, also show you the Avery line to pick the labels

    that are right for you.

    I have tried several other programs, and even word processing

    programs, that support the Avery label formats. I found them more

    complicated, or requiring more steps, than LabelPro to achieve the

    same results. Avery is in the label business. Their software only

    deals with labels, and other Avery products. Simple deduction is go

    with LabelPro. From my experience with it, I found it the easiest to

    use.

                          Product Information

                                LabelPro

                              for Windows

                             SRP Ä $129.95

                             Avery Division

                          20955 Pathfinder Rd

                         Diamond Bar, CA 91765

                              800-25-AVERY