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QUIKZIP! Postnet Barcode Printer Unregistered Evaluation Copy Copyright 1991 by Westcoast Software 976 W Foothill Ste 344 Claremont, CA 91711 1-(714)-624-1936 INSTRUCTION MANUAL JULY 1991 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION II. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION III. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS IV. PREPARING YOUR INPUT V. PRINTING LABELS WITH QUIKZIP! VI. PROGRAM REFERENCE VII. EXAMPLES VIII. USING LPTX.COM TO PREPARE FILES IX. PRICING INFORMATION I. INTRODUCTION The POSTNET barcode is a method for the U.S. Post Office to mechanically read the zipcodes with their optical scanners. By having mailers place the POSTNET barcode onto their mailing labels, shipping labels, and envelopes, the U.S. Post Office will offer discounted mailing rates, in addition to the discounts already offered for presorted mail to the mailers. The POSTNET barcode is a graphical representation of the ZIP+4 code. The ZIP+4 code is the 5 digit zipcode plus 4 additional digits, ie. 91711-2506. The POSTNET barcode consists of 52 vertical bars, representing the ZIP+4 code. It has a long bar starting and ending the barcode. The ZIP+4's nine digits, each are represented with 5 bars, 3 short bars and 2 long bars. The last 5 bars of the barcode are the correction digit that will tell the scanner that the barcode was scanned correctly. The dash that usually separates the ZIP+4 code is not included in the POSTNET barcode. The POSTNET barcode may be placed at the bottom right side of an envelope, or above or below an address on a mailing label. II. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION QUIKZIP! is an IBM PC or PC-compatible program that will automatically read an ASCII file of your mailing list. It will print your mailing list on mailing labels, shipping labels, or envelopes. At the same time it will read each and every zipcode, convert it to the POSTNET barcode and place it according to your printing instructions onto the label. Product Highlights * Prints any volume of address labels, shipping labels, post cards, and envelopes * Converts ZIP and ZIP+4 codes to the POSTNET barcode * Allows placement of address and POSTNET barcode for printing * Works with bi-directional matrix printers, in IBM or Epson mode. * Automatically accepts and allows reformatting of ASCII mailing list files from any word processor or database program * Will handle 3 line, 4 line, and 5 line addresses or mixed sizes * Allows manual input of a single address for printing * May convert all your addresses to uppercase characters * May use keyboard, function keys, or mouse * Has online help * Postnet Barcodes printed by Quikzip with a Dot Matrix printer on envelopes and address labels were tested by the US Postal Department, City of Industry, Ca. Results were one hundred percent readability by their optical scanners. NOTE: Unregistered Evaluation Copy only allows a limit of 50 printed labels. III. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS This is an Unregistered Evaluation Copy. It allows only a printing limit of 50 labels. It is, otherwise, a fully functioning program. HARD DISK INSTALLATION Step 1. Make a directory on your hard disk, called QUIKZIP C:\>md quikzip Step 2. Change to the QUIKZIP directory C:\>cd quikzip Step 3. Copy all the QUIKZIP! files from the diskette C:\QUIKZIP>copy a:*.* Step 4. Run QUIKZIP! C:\QUIKZIP>qk DISKETTE EXECUTION Step 1. Go to the a: diskette prompt C:\>a: Step 2. Run QUIKZIP! A:>qk QUIKZIP! FILE DESCRIPTIONS QK.EXE - QUIKZIP! Program LABEL.ASC - Sample 50 address mailing list HELP.DAT - ONLINE Help File MANUAL - Printable Manual INST.DAT - Configuration File README - A Special Readme File ORDER - A Printable Registration Order Letter LPTX.COM - Directs printer output to disk file LPTX.DOC - Documentation on the PDISK.COM program IV. PREPARING YOUR INPUT Step 1. Use your word processor or database program, where you store or normally print your mailing list. Set your retrieval specifications and sorting structure, and select your mailing list for printing in a 3 line, 4 line or 5 line format. Be sure to sort your zipcodes for presorted discounts. Address example types are as follows: 3 Line Address Example Westcoast Software 976 W Foothill Ste 344 Claremont, CA 91711-2506 4 Line Address Example Purchasing Westcoast Software 976 W Foothill Ste 344 Claremont, CA 91788-2506 5 Line Address Example Purchasing Westcoast Software Claremont Building 976 W Foothill Ste 344 Claremont, CA 91788-2506 The three sizes of addresses may be mixed if required. It is mandatory, for the POSTNET barcode conversion, that the zipcode be located somewhere on the last line of the address. The addresses need to be separated by one or more space lines. TYPE LABEL.ASC to see exactly how the Ascii file you create should be formatted. Step 2. Your word processor or database program should allow you to print to a file, as opposed to printing to a real printer. Select the file option of the print operation and assign a filename, for example, LABEL.ASC. Your printing operation should produce a Standard ASCII file called LABEL.ASC in your selected directory. Step 3. Copy the file to the QUIKZIP! directory. This is not required, since you can specify a full path, including your directory name, in QUIKZIP!. The benefit you might get by copying the file to the QUIKZIP! directory is that the default filename is LABEL.ASC and it will already be specified and ready to run. For multiple mailing lists, you would benefit better by keeping specific and identifiable filenames. ALSO SEE PREPARING FILES FOR QUIKZIP WITH THE LPTX.COM PROGRAM ON PAGE VIII. LPTX.COM IS A VERY EASY WAY TO PREPARE A FILE OF ADDRESS RECORDS FOR QUIKZIP TO USE. V. PRINTING LABELS WITH QUIKZIP! Step 1. Enter your ASCII File Name. This is the filename of your mailing list. Press ENTER. Examples: LABEL.ASC C:\WORD\MAILING.LST Step 2. Set the number of lines from the top of the first label to the top of the next label. Position your labels to the top of the first label. Enter the number of lines. Press ENTER. Step 3. Enter the starting column position of your address. Press ENTER. Step 4. Enter the starting column position of your POSTNET barcode. Press ENTER. Step 5. Enter Y for Yes or N for No for positioning the POSTNET barcode above the address, Y, or below the address, N. Step 6. If the POSTNET barcode is positioned below the address, enter the number of lines to be spaced between the address and the POSTNET barcode. Press ENTER. If the POSTNET barcode is positioned above the address, no line spacing will be allowed between the barcode and the address. Step 7. If you want to convert all your addresses to uppercase, then enter Y for Yes or N for No. Step 8. Enter the starting range for your mailing label print. Enter a 1 to start at the beginning or a higher number to start later in the mailing list. Step 9. Enter A for ALL to print the entire mailing list or enter a number as the last mailing label to print. If you enter a number, it must be greater than or equal to the range specified in Step 10. Press ENTER. NOTE: Unregistered Evaluation Copy has a limit of 50. Step 10. Use the function key F2 or your mouse, by positioning the mouse pointer over the F2 key box and press the left mouse key, to start your mailing labels printing. Use function key F3 to PAUSE the print or function key F4 to abort the print or to quit the program. VI. PROGRAM REFERENCE QK.EXE to start QUIKZIP! program. Uses 6 LPI and prints to LPT1. FIELDS Enter Address File Name: (The filename of your ASCII mailing list file or the complete pathname.) 30 characters - ie. LABEL.ASC or C:\WORD\MAILING.LST Number of Lines, Top To Top Of Next Label: (The number of print lines from the top of one label to the top of the next label) 2 integers - ie. 5 or 10 VALUE 00-99 Start Address On Column: (The starting print position of your address - horizontally) 2 integers - ie. 5 or 10 VALUE 00-99 Start Barcode On Column: (The starting print position of your barcode - horizontally) 2 integers - ie. 5 or 10 VALUE 00-99 Print Barcode As First Line (Y/N)? (Do you want to print your barcode above your address, Y for Yes, or N for No, meaning that you prefer to print it below your address) 1 character - ie. Y or N VALUE Y or N Number Lines Between Barcode And Address: (The line spacing between your barcode and your address, only when you print your barcode below your address) 1 integer - ie. 2 or 4 VALUE 0-9 Convert Addresses To Uppercase (Y/N)? (Do you want to convert all your addresses to uppercase) 1 character - ie. Y or N VALUE Y or N Print Number Range Or 1 to All: (Enter 1 to ALL for printing the entire mailing list. Enter 1 to 100 to print 100 labels of your mailing list. Enter 50 to 150 to print starting at 50 to end at 150, printing 100 labels of your mailing list. Enter 50 to ALL for starting at 50 and printing the rest of your mailing list. Enter 50 to 50 if you want only to print the 50th label of your mailing list.) 8 integers in 1st input area VALUE 1-99999999 8 integers or A for ALL in 2nd input area VALUE 1-99999999 You may position your cursor at each input area by hitting ENTER sequentially. Your previous answers or settings will remain with just the ENTER key. Or you may use a mouse to position yourself on the input area directly, by putting the mouse pointer on position one of the input area and hitting the left mouse key. FUNCTION KEYS - may be pressed or executed by positioning the mouse pointer in the FUNCTION KEY BOX and by pressing the left mouse key. F1 - To display the alternate help function keys: F1 - to redisplay the primary function keys. F2 - to set the screen colors of QUIKZIP! and store them. F3 - to view only help screens. F4 - to print the QUIKZIP! instruction manual. F5 - to print the QUIKZIP! order registration letter. F2 - To execute or run the mailing label print. F3 - To pause the print or program temporarily. Press any key to continue. F4 - To quit the program. ESC key also quits the program. F5 - To manually type one address for a single label print. VII. EXAMPLES LABELS 3 1/2" by 15/16" labels - The largest address possible is a 4 line address with the POSTNET barcode. Enter a 6 for the line spacing between from the top of one label to the top of the next label. When printing this size label, all 5 line addresses will be ignored and not printed. Set: LABEL.ASC,6,1,1,Y,0,Y,1 to A NOTE: The default settings will print this label size with the POSTNET barcode above the address, printed in uppercase. 4" by 1 7/16" labels - The largest address possible is a 5 line address with the POSTNET barcode. Enter a 9 for the line spacing between from the top of one label to the top of the next label. Set: LABEL.ASC,9,1,1,Y,0,Y,1 to A ENVELOPES Continuous 4 1/8 X 9 Set: LABEL.ASC,42,40,50,N,9,Y,1 to A SHIPPING LABELS 4 x 2 15/16 Set: LABEL.ASC,18,1,1,N,2,Y,1 to A For address labels, print the POSTNET barcode as the first line or above the address. For envelopes, post cards, and shipping labels the POSTNET barcode should be printed below the address. For further information, please contact your U.S. Post Office or library for POSTNET barcode specifications and use. NOTE! Quikzip will initialize the printer when you quit the program. VIII PREPARING FILES FOR QUIKZIP WITH LPTX.COM LPTX.COM is a printer utility. It will allow you to print to a disk file. It is compatible with most Word Processors and Label programs. Very easy to use. You simply set up your label printing program to print labels the way you want and start printing. LPTX.COM will redirect the output to a file on disk that you have designated. LPTX INFORMATION (Commands to lptx must be given in the same directory that lptx is in and use lowercase) Format: lptx [-?] [-1,-2,-3] [-i] [drive:\pathname\filename] Where: -? = Help screen -1 = LPT1 -2 = LPT2 -3 = LPT3 -i = Disables lptx and directs output to printer Example: lptx -1 mail.asc = Redirect output from LPT1 to file MAIL.ASC in current directory. lptx -i = Disables lptx ---------------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE: USING lptx TO PREPARE A FILE FOR THE QUIKZIP PROGRAM Assuming that lptx is in the same directory as Quikzip, using printer port LPT1, you name the new file MAIL.ASC and want the new file in the same directory as Quikzip. 1. At the prompt enter lptx -1 mail.asc 2. Set up your label printing program to print the labels exactly the way you want them, sorted etc., and start printing. lptx will now print the labels to the MAIL.ASC file in a mailing list format. When finished check the MAIL.ASC file by doing the following. 3. Use the DOS Type Command and look at the first line in the first address. Some word processors will try to send a command to the printer before printing and cause funny looking symbols to print on the first line. If your word processor has done this then you have two options. Use any text editor and delete the symbols or start Quikzip printing on address number two. 4. Enter lptx -i to disable lptx and reset the output to the printer. 5. Load Quikzip and enter MAIL.ASC on the first line and print out the file. PLEASE READ! The LPTX.COM program is a separate shareware program. The author, MARK C. DiVECCHIO, has given us permission to include this program with Quikzip. If you like LPTX and use it then please read LPTX.DOC on this disk for more detailed information on its use and how to Register the program with the author. Some keyboards will not accommodate the pop-up menu mentioned in the LPTX.DOC. IX. PRICE INFORMATION The QUIKZIP! Postnet Barcode Printing Program, Copyright 1991 by Westcoast Software, is available as an Unregistered Evaluation Copy. It has a set limit to print only 50 labels for evaluation. The Registered version of QUIKZIP! is available for $49.00 from Westcoast Software. This version will allow for unlimited printing. It will also make you a registered user for all upgrades, and problem fixes. From a cost justification point of view, if you regularly print 1000 mailing labels a month, 12 months a year, you could save at least $.05 a mailing by using QUIKZIP!. In other words, the first month, your potential savings would be $50.00. This $50.00 savings would cover the cost of a registered version of QUIKZIP! with a 1 month payback period. It would then go on and save you potentially $550.00 for the rest of the year if you continued at the same printing pace. So please consider your timely investment in QUIKZIP!, the mailer's money saver.