ScanFlex Rules for Success - Test Your Form Design

If You Are Using a MergePrint Utility Application

We recommend checking the design of the form you will print with MergePrint Utility with PrintFlex before starting your print production process. This check can be performed with printed copies of the form and the ScanFlex Forms Design "Rules for Success" Checklist.

Software Users
Application Developers

Before ScanTools Application and Print Production

Perform these checks before you create your ScanTools application and before you start your print production process.

  1. Print a few forms and then visually compare design features against the ScanFlex Forms Design "Rules for Success" Checklist. Follow the What to Do steps below left.
  2. Make improvements to your form design as necessary. Follow the Improvement Suggestions below.
  3. Repeat the check and improvement process, as necessary.

What to Do

Improvement Suggestions
  1. Print a copy of your form.
  1. Are at least two timing marks present on each page?

    2. Yes. Go to 3.
MergePrint Applications

No. Consult with your application developer. Some forms may not require ScanTools Plus with ScanFlex processing.

ScanTools Applications

No. Add timing marks as necessary.

Suggestions:

  • Always include the first and last possible timing marks, or
  • Always include all possible timing marks.
  1. Are the first and last timing marks at least four inches apart?

    2. Yes. Go to 4.
MergePrint Applications

No. Consult with your application developer. Some forms may not require ScanTools Plus with ScanFlex processing.

ScanTools Applications

No.

  • Add one or more timing marks as necessary, or
  • Redesign your form so that response areas are farther apart.

Suggestions:

  • Always include the first and last possible timing marks, or
  • Always include all possible timing marks.
  1. Is any printing, other than timing marks, located in the timing track?
    • In the space before the first timing mark?
    • In the spaces between timing marks?
    • In the space after the last timing mark?

    No. Go to 5.
MergePrint Applications

Yes. Consult with your application developer.

ScanTools Applications

Yes.

  • Move other printing from the timing track to another place on your form, or
  • Delete other printing from the timing track.
  1. Are timing marks consistent in height, width, and spacing?

    2. Yes. Go to 6.
MergePrint Applications

No. Consult with your application developer.

ScanTools Applications

No. Modify timing marks to make them consistent.

Suggestions:

  • If one or more timing marks are inconsistent in height or width with the other timing marks, uncheck Enable TM height/width check in the ScanFlex group box within the ScanTools Application Settings dialog box.
  • If all timing marks are consistent in height and width, check Enable TM height/width check in the ScanFlex group box within the ScanTools Application Settings dialog box.
  1. Is any scanner readable printing located within 6/10 of an inch of the form guide edge?
    • In the space before the first timing mark?
    • In the gaps where timing marks are removed?
    • In the space after the last timing mark?

    No. Go to 7.
MergePrint Applications

Yes. Consult with your application developer.

ScanTools Applications

Yes.

  • Move this printing further away from the guide edge, or
  • Change the color and/or screen percentage of this printing so that it is no longer scanner readable.

Suggestion:

  • Always include all possible timing marks.
  1. Is a form ID mark located on either the first or last timing mark of each page, at one of the last three response locations? (See ScanFlex Forms Design "Rules for Success" Checklist for details.)

    2. Yes. Go to 8.
MergePrint Applications

N/A

ScanTools Applications

No.

Suggestion:

  • Always include this form ID mark in your form design. If present, you can turn on the optional Enable Form ID adjust function. This enables ScanFlex to adapt to variations in your form’s OMR response spacing of +/- 1/16 of an inch across the width of your form.
  1. Is any printing located within 3/16 of an inch of the form leading edge?

    2. No. Go to 9.
MergePrint Applications

Yes. Consult with your application developer.

ScanTools Applications

Yes.

  • Move this printing to another place on your form, or
  • Delete this printing.
  1. Is any printing located within 3/16 of an inch of the form trailing edge?

    2. No. Go to 10.
MergePrint Applications

Yes. Consult with your application developer.

ScanTools Applications

Yes.

  • Move this printing to another place on your form, or
  • Delete this printing.
  1. Are any form ID marks, skew marks, or OMR responses located within 1/12 of an inch of the form outside edge?

    2. No. Go to 11.
MergePrint Applications

Yes. First, check Printer Alignment to verify form printing is correctly located on the page.

If Printer Alignment is unable to provide at least the required 1/12 of an inch minimum, consult with your application developer.

ScanTools Applications

Yes. Move the form ID marks, skew marks, or OMR responses so they are further away from the outside edge.
  1. Are timing marks, form ID marks, and  skew marks printed in 100% black?

    2. Yes. Go to 12.
MergePrint Applications

No. First, check overall print quality and replace the toner cartridge, if necessary.

If these marks do not appear to be black, consult with your application developer.

ScanTools Applications

No. Change timing marks, form ID marks, and skew marks to print in 100% black.
  1. Is OMR response spacing across the width of your form correct for your application?

    2. Yes. Go to 13.
MergePrint Applications

N/A

ScanTools Applications

No. Match the Read Cell Spacing set up for your scanner: .166 or .200 spacing.
  1. Does OMR response spacing down the length of your form match timing mark spacing?

    2. Yes. Test complete.
MergePrint Applications

N/A

ScanTools Applications

No. Match the timing mark spacing of your form: 5, 6, or 8 per inch spacing.
Related topics

 

 

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