Setting up DAZzle Label Layouts

 

Overview

The labels that you prepare for your shipments are designed in and printed from a companion program called DAZzle.  PC Postage interfaces with DAZzle so you can more easily and quickly adjust the details for each shipment you complete.  To set up DAZzle and PC Postage correctly, first design the labels that you will need in DAZzle, then tell PC Postage which labels to use for the various mail classes.  For more details on pointing PC Postage to your DAZzle labels, see: Domestic settings or International Settings.  For information on setting up your labels in DAZzle, continue below.
 

Setting up your Label

 
DAZzle comes with many pre-made label layouts.  Usually one of these designs will work well for your needs, but you must select the one that matches your label size and your printer.  You can (and sometimes must) create a different label for each mailing method that you use.
 
  1. Open DAZzle.  By default, you can find DAZzle by clicking on the Start Menu, then All Programs, then DAZzle, then the DAZzle program.
  2. Choose the label size and style that you will use.  In the DAZzle menu, click Layout, then Media.  Select your label type from the list, or create a custom size if your labels are not listed.  NOTE: Postal labels require a lot of information, so many small labels cannot be used.
  3. Arrange the details on the label as necessary.  Usually the default positions are fine.
  4. Optional:  Edit the default return address by either double clicking on it in the label layout, or by using the DAZzle menu option Layout, then Return Address.  If you set up your return addresses in PC Postage then this address may never actually be used.  For more details on setting up return addresses in PC Postage, see: Ship From setup.
  5. Once your label has been finished, continue below to set up your printer.
 
 

Setting up your Printer

 
Once your label design has been set up, you have to set up your printer to properly handle the label.  The goal is to match the printer size and orientation with the label.  NOTE: Make sure you always save your label layout after changing printer settings.  DAZzle saves printer settings along with each label.
 
  1. Make sure you are working on the appropriate label in the label design area.  Printer settings are saved independently for each label layout.
  2. Open the Printer Setup settings window.  In DAZzle, click the File menu, then Printer Setup.
  3. IMPORTANT:  Make sure DAZzle is set to save your printer setup with your label layout.  In the Printer Setup window, make sure to check 'Save printer information with layout.'
  4. Choose your label printer.  If your label printer does not appear in the list, make sure you have correctly installed the printer drivers on your system.
  5. Choose the paper size.  Your paper size options will depend on the printer you chose above.
  6. Click OK to check the label design screen.
  7. Check the red box:
      The red box on your label design shows the area of your label that will be printed.  If you do not see a red box, then your entire label should print correctly.  If you do see a red box (or just a few red lines) then make sure all of the label content is contained within the red box.  If it is not, you will have to adjust the size or orientation in your printer settings so that the entire label will be printed.  Continue to step 8.
  8. If necessary, adjust your label orientation and paper size in the Printer Setup window.  To access it again, click the File menu, then Printer Setup.  You may need to try several orientations before the red box lines up correctly.  (NOTE: The red box disappearing or showing only on the left or bottom edges is also correct.)
  9. Once you think your printer is set up correctly, open the Printer Setup window and click on Test Print.  Your printer should produce a sample label.  If it does not, try double checking the steps above to make sure your printer setup is correct.  If you continue to have trouble, contact Endicia support.
  10. IMPORTANT:  After successfully setting up your printer, be sure to save your layout.  In the menu, click File, then Save Layout.
 

Next Steps:

 
Now that your labels and printer have been set up, PC Postage needs to know which labels to use for which shipping methods or mail classes.  For more information, refer to Domestic setup and International setup. 
 
Suggestion: While testing PC Postage with new labels, set your postage mode to Test in General setup.
 
NOTE:  For more details and extra troubleshooting information, see the DAZzle help or contact Endicia support about DAZzle.