Software Features

Scantron DesignExpert software is a versatile tool that simplifies scannable forms design and lets you make modifications on the spot. The program's features include:

  • Graphic capabilities
  • Grid wizard
  • Hand print wizard
  • Text capabilities
  • Document personalization
  • MergePrint utiltity software
  • Duplex printing
  • ScanTools® Software interface
  • Flexible printing options
  • Training and support
  • PrintFlex™—an optional module that enables you to design forms for printing locally on plain paper

Graphic Capabilities

Scantron DesignExpert software is equipped with all the tools you would expect from any high-quality, graphic package. You can:

  • Import color pictures and logos, grayscale images, and gradated screens
  • Draw lines, boxes, ellipses, and polygons
  • Rotate, repeat, and duplicate graphics
  • Group, layer, and lock elements
  • Save custom elements in a shape library
  • View precise detail by zooming up to 1600%
  • Define color selection from Scantron and PANTONE® Matching System colors

The Grid Wizard

Scantron DesignExpert's Grid Wizard creates response grids for OMR forms. You can specify:

  • Grid type, style, and size
  • Captions
  • Borders
  • OMR data types
  • Pre-slugging
  • Shading
  • Color

The Hand Print Wizard

The Hand Print Wizard feature creates hand print areas for image forms. You can specify:

  • Hand print type and style
  • Character box format (alpha, numeric, or alpha-numeric)
  • Caption name, location alignment, and distance from boxes
  • Box size and style
  • Field name for scanning
  • Font and colors for captions, boxes, and punctuation

Text Capabilities

To facilitate complete and accurate information gathering, Scantron DesignExpert enables you to:

  • Make precise adjustments to margins, line spacing, spacing between characters and words, indentation, paragraph alignment, and baseline shift
  • Specify text justification and set tabs
  • Rotate text and characters
  • Check spelling
  • Define text styles
  • Import ASCII text from a word processing program

Document Personalization

Scantron DesignExpert's Merge Wizard database link allows you to use your laser printer to overprint standard and custom forms with personalized data, including pre-slugged OMR grids, machine-print OCR text, pre-printed write-in boxes, Litho-Codes, bar codes, serial numbers, record numbers, and address blocks. Image documents use text and bar codes for print personalization. The Merge Wizard supports popular database formats, including:

  • Microsoft® Excel
  • Microsoft® Access
  • Comma separated ASCII text files
  • Tab delimited ASCII text files

MergePrint Utility Software

The MergePrint module allows you to print variable information from your database directly onto your scannable form. It works in a similar fashion to the mail merge feature used in many popular word processing software packages. The MergePrint option allows you to add critical information to your form including pre-slug ID numbers, respondent information, or barcodes. This tool is highly effective for personalizing forms with name and address information, identification numbers, course information, or product information. You can also use it to add caption text and graphics.

Duplex Printing

Duplex print two-sided forms on your duplex-capable PostScript® laser printer. Full support for both duplex and double-sided printer alignment is included.

ScanTools Software Interface

Scantron DesignExpert software enables you to get a head start on programming OMR forms by defining response areas for scanning. Once defined, the software can transfer the location of the data in your design to ScanTools software, which automates processing and converts responses to usable information. By doing much of the application set-up work for you, Scantron DesignExpert software makes scanning preparation easier and faster.

Flexible Printing Options

With Scantron DesignExpert software, you can tailor forms printing to fit your needs. For large quantities, send your design to Scantron via e-mail for expert printing on our high-speed offset presses. When you transmit your forms design to our printing facility, the software attaches a job specification report that automatically details your design and manufacturing requirements. You can design cut sheets, continuous forms, multi-part forms, and booklets. We will print your design with a guarantee that the forms will scan successfully on your Scantron scanner.

For small quantities, produce scannable forms in minutes using your own laser printer. Overprint the entire document, which may include personalized data, on a standard Scantron form.

Training and Support

We offer valuable, effective classroom training on Scantron DesignExpert software. You can attend training at our facilities, or we can come to you. Visit our Training Center for a course description and schedule of upcoming classes.