Workflows and Technologies The key to an efficient and effective VDP program is an efficient workflow. Variable data printing presents an entirely new workflow to the printing industry which involves the merging of data with the design and print production. The traditional offset workflow involved the designer creating a piece, pre-flighting, and then sending it to print. With variable data, a commercial printer now incorporates data, business rules, and the design which can be output to the digital press or as a e-document. The primary question printers have in regards to VDP is; how do I work with it? Below is a list of basic steps in the variable data printing process as well as a diagram on the workflow. 1. Data mining 2. Analyzing data 3. Develop business/logical rules 4. Design piece according to the business rules that drive the campaign 5. Merge data with the design 6. Preflight 7. Output to printer language 8. Production   It is important to decide the objectives of the campaign before and production takes place. Three of the most popular types of variable data printing are a web to print campaign, database to print campaign, and a print on-demand campaign. Look for FLAAR’s upcoming report on VDP workflow and considerations for implementing variable data and digital color.