HOW IT WORKS
- Software looks for the phrase "$PrintCode"
- The font, color, and location on the copyright page are logged
- On an order request, the tag "$PrintCode" is replaced with the "Printing" number from the order
PREPARING TITLES
Upon upload of new titles, the following tag should be applied to identify the location and ensure replacement of the Print Code for all printings going forward.
$PrintCode
Set the wording above in the font, color, and point size you would like the print code to appear in with the font fully embedded - not subsetted.
EMBEDDING FONTS
To view how to embed fonts in Adobe InDesign, click here
DELIVERY OF TITLES
Upon a request for delivery, the following tag is located:
$PrintCode
- The page position and location on the page with this tag is logged.
- The <Printing> tag from MIS (customer order) is used to replace the tag.
- The tag is replaced and aligned with the actual data for that order.
COLOR
The print code will be replaced in the color of the "$PrintCode" tag.
ALIGNMENT OPTIONS
Alignment offers a few different options to align the replacement of the print code. There are four choices for alignment (auto, left, right, and center). This option is set at the account level and applies to all titles in the account.
1. AUTO
Looks at leftmost coordinate of the tag and aligns based on position of page
- If the tag is on left third of page, the tag is left aligned
- If the tag is on middle third of page, the tag is centered
- If the tag is on right third of page, the tag is right aligned
2. LEFT
Left aligns every print code regardless of page placement
3. RIGHT
Right aligns every print code regardless of page placement
4. CENTER
Center aligns every print code regardless of page placement
FORMAT OPTIONS
The default format shows printing and calendar year; however, Lakeside Scout does have some flexibility for other formats.
3 2025; default; Shows printing as digit followed by 4 digit calendar year.
Third Printing, 2025; Shows printing as letters followed by a , (comma) followed by 4 digit calendar year.
3; Shows printing as digit - no calendar year.
1 2 3 4 5 LBC 29 28 27 26 25; Shows printing counting up, followed by LBC (Lakeside Book Company) followed by 2 digit calendar year counting down
25 26 27 28 29 LBC 5 4 3 2 1; Shows 2 digit calendar year counting up followed by LBC (Lakeside Book Company) followed by printing counting down
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1; Shows printing counting down; a print number is dropped after each printing and not replaced. On the 10th and subsequent printings, this will only show as 10 or 11 or 12, etc.
As with the alignment option you choose, the format option is set at the account level and is applied to all titles within that account.
Should you have a title that does not require a print code tag, the print code tag must still be present to work with the automated process. In these situations, you should place the print code tag outside the bleed area and set its color to Paper, (i.e., CMYK = 0%).
WHAT IF I DON'T EMBED MY FONTS
Click here for information if the font is not embedded
REPLACEMENT EXAMPLE
To view an example of the automated print code replacement, click here
REPLACEMENT LIMITATIONS
Note that the process will replace an entire "string" of text that exists on the same line as the $PrintCode Tag and not just the $PrintCode. For example if the title has a string of text that states "These numbers show the printing number and year: $PrintCode" and that wording is all part of the same text string it will be replaced with just the replacement type such as 3 2025 (where 3 is the print number and 2025 is the year). If you have special wording or needs, talk with your customer engagement representative to discuss options.
Scout Automated Print Code (Retired)
Legacy Support: As of July 11, 2023, we updated our process by implementing support for a new automated print code tag that reads "$PrintCode". The previous print code tag "ScoutAutomatedPrintCode" will continue to be supported on titles prior to this date. Thus, you may see the old "ScoutAutomatedPrintCode" tagline in Lakeside Scout on titles uploaded prior to this date. However we recommend using "$PrintCode" going forward.
The new "$PrintCode" tag will improve the automated placement of your print code, as well as make the tag more universally accepted by other print manufacturers that can support automated print code replacements.
There is no need to alter your files that are currently in Lakeside Scout Portal or your work in progress that have the older "ScoutAutomatedPrintCode" tag.