After setting the label properties, you can start adding content to the label. Label objects are basic design items that are used for adding and editing various content types. Each object has its own function as described in the table below.
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Label Object |
Icon |
Description |
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Container for textual content. It adapts its dimensions to fit the amount of entered characters. When typing, text object grows horizontally and/or vertically. |
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Object for adding and editing various types of barcodes on a label. |
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Object for adding graphic content to a label. |
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Object for creating rectangular shapes on a label. |
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Object for creating lines on a label. |
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Object for creating circular shapes on a label. |
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Object for inverting the color of the underlying object. |
Text object is a container for textual content which adapts its dimensions to fit the amount of inserted characters. When typing, text object grows horizontally and/or vertically.
Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.
Position group defines the object's position.
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X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.
Size group gives information about the object's dimensions.
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Width and Height: horizontal and vertical object dimensions.
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Keep aspect ratio: simultaneous changing of object dimensions while scaling.
Tip
In the Text object, the size of the text is determined by the font size. Object dimensions and aspect ratio cannot be changed manually and only serve as information about its current size.
Note
If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms automatically.
Rotation angle is the object angle according to the design surface.
Tip
There are multiple ways to set the object's angle: enter the angle manually, drag the slider, or click and drag the icon on the selected object. The rotation angle and slider rotate the object around its anchoring point. The
icon rotates the object around its central point.
Anchoring point is the spot where an object is pinned to the design surface. Variable size objects increase or decrease their size in the direction that is opposite to the chosen anchoring point.
Lock prevents the object from being moved during the design process, select under the Design behavior group.
Barcode object is used for adding various types of barcodes with encoded data to your labels.
Details on barcode properties, types, and data encoding methods are available in the dedicated Barcode section.
Use Picture object to add graphic content on a label. The following file formats are supported:
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Portable Network Graphic (*.png)
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PDF (*.pdf)
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Adobe Photoshop (*.psd)
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Scalable Vector graphics (*.svg)
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Paintbrush (*.pcx)
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JPEG bitmaps (*.jpg, *.jpeg, *.jpe)
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TIFF bitmaps (*.tif, *.tiff)
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Enhanced Windows Metafile (*.emf)
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Windows Metafile (*.wmf)
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Windows bitmap (*.bmp)
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Graphics Interchange Format (*.gif)
Note
You can force your images to monochromatic printing on label printers with on-color ribbon. You can enable this functionality by adding the EP_BLACKANDWHITE_ prefix to the Picture object Name or by enabling the Force picture color option in the Style tab.
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Adding EP_BLACKANDWHITE_ prefix (left) or enabling the Force picture color option (right)
Content field is used for entering the object content.
To (re)define the Picture object Content, click Browse and locate the file to be displayed on the label.
Embed picture in a document: stores the picture in the label file. Link to the original picture file is discarded.
Tip
Picture embedding makes the label file more portable as the user does not have to include the picture file when sharing the label.
Save embedded picture to file: the embedded label picture is saved as a separate file.
Color processing defines the type of color ribbons.
Mirroring enables you to flip your picture horizontally or vertically.
Dithering group allows you to select the most appropriate dithering method to print pictures on labels in black and white.
Tip
When printing pictures in black and white, dithering creates the illusion of multiple colors and shades by varying the pattern of black dots.
Dithering type selects the dithering method:
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Printer driver default: no dithering method is selected for the picture object. When printing in black and white, printer driver uses its own dithering method.
Note
If no dithering is set for the picture object, the algorithm can also be selected using the printer properties dialog. The selected dithering algorithm for an object in Desktop designer overrides the algorithm selected using printer properties dialog. See Changing dithering options for more detailed information.
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Ordered: achieves dithering by applying a threshold map (matrix with cells) on the pixels displayed. If the value of the pixel (scaled into the 0-9 range) is less than the number in the corresponding cell of the matrix, the algorithm plots the pixel black, otherwise, it plots it white.
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Threshold: sets a threshold to which every pixel is compared. If the original pixel value is higher than the threshold, it renders white. The lower the threshold value, the higher the share of pixels turned to white.
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Floyd Steinberg: achieves dithering using error dispersion. This algorithm generates the closest result to the original, but represents the slowest option.
Color group allows you to customize the color of a graphic object.
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Force picture color: recolors the graphic object. Use the dropdown Picture color palette to pick the appropriate color to be used for the object on the printed label.
Note
This option can be used with color printers using the advanced printer driver interface or Windows printing mode.
Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.
Position group defines the object's position.
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X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.
Size group sets the object's dimensions:
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Width and Height: horizontal and vertical object dimension.
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Keep aspect ratio: simultaneous changing of object dimensions while scaling.
Note
If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms automatically.
Rotation angle is the object angle according to the design surface.
Tip
There are multiple ways to set the object's angle: enter the angle manually, drag the slider or click and drag the icon on the selected object. Rotation angle and slider rotates the object around its anchoring point. The
icon rotates the object around its central point.
Anchoring point is the spot where an object is pinned to design surface. Variable size objects increase or decrease their size in the direction that is opposite to the chosen anchoring point.
Lock prevents the object from being moved during the design process.
Note
If the measurement unit is changed, the value converts automatically.
Graphic Resizing tab is available if the picture object is connected to a variable. These settings define how the Picture object adapts its size to the source file at print time.
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Keep original picture size: disabled picture resizing. Picture size remains unchanged.
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Resize proportionally: proportional picture resizing. Aspect ratio of picture dimension remains fixed.
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Resize to the designed size: horizontal and vertical picture resizing to make it fit into the bounding box. This option will most likely make the picture distorted.
Original size displays the picture's Width and Height before resizing. Revert to original picture size cancels the resizing actions.
Rectangle object creates a rectangular frame on a label.
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Corner radius: makes the rectangle corners round. Higher values make the curve broader.
Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.
Position group defines the object's position.
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X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.
Size group sets the object's dimensions:
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Width and Height: horizontal and vertical object dimension.
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Keep aspect ratio: simultaneous changing of object dimensions while scaling.
Note
If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms automatically.
Rotation angle is the object angle according to the design surface.
Tip
There are multiple ways to set the object's angle: enter the angle manually, drag the slider or click and drag the icon on the selected object. Rotation angle and slider rotates the object around its anchoring point. The
icon rotates the object around its central point.
Anchoring point is the spot where an object is pinned to design surface. Variable size objects increase or decrease their size in the direction that is opposite to the chosen anchoring point.
Lock prevents the object from being moved during the design process.
Line object creates a line on a label.
Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.
Position group defines the object's position.
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X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.
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Length: sets the line length.
If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms automatically.
Rotation angle is the object angle according to the design surface.
Tip
There are multiple ways to set the object's angle: enter the angle manually, drag the slider, or click and drag the icon on the selected object. Rotation angle and slider rotates the object around its anchoring point. The
icon rotates the object around its central point.
Lock prevents the object from being moved during the design process.
Ellipse object creates a circular object on a label.
Tip
Shape objects (Rectangle, Line, and Ellipse) in NiceLabel 10 remember the last used setting. Each time you add one of these objects to the label, it has the same outline and fill settings as the previously added shape object.
Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.
Position group defines the object's position.
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X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.
Size group sets the object's dimensions:
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Width and Height: horizontal and vertical object dimension.
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Keep aspect ratio: simultaneous changing of object dimensions while scaling.
Note
If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms automatically.
Rotation angle is the object angle according to the design surface.
Tip
There are multiple ways to set the object's angle: enter the angle manually, drag the slider or click and drag the icon on the selected object. Rotation angle and slider rotates the object around its anchoring point. The
icon rotates the object around its central point.
Anchoring point is the spot where an object is pinned to design surface. Variable size objects increase or decrease their size in the direction that is opposite to the chosen anchoring point.
Lock prevents the object from being moved during the design process.
Note
If the measurement unit is changed, the value transforms automatically.
Style tab contains the Corner radius setting.
You can define the corner roundness of the Inverse object. Higher values make the curve broader.
Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.
Position group defines the object's position.
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X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.
Size group sets the object's dimensions:
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Width and Height: horizontal and vertical object dimension.
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Keep aspect ratio: simultaneous changing of object dimensions while scaling.
Note
If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms automatically.
Rotation angle is the object angle according to the design surface.
Tip
There are multiple ways to set the object's angle: enter the angle manually, drag the slider or click and drag the icon on the selected object. Rotation angle and slider rotates the object around its anchoring point. The
icon rotates the object around its central point.
Anchoring point is the spot where an object is pinned to design surface. Variable size objects increase or decrease their size in the direction that is opposite to the chosen anchoring point.
Lock prevents the object from being moved during the design process.
Note
If the measurement unit is changed, the value transforms automatically.
Printing optimization group allows activating the use of internal printer elements.
Tip
If supported by the selected printer model, a share of label element processing is handled directly by the printer (e.g., internal fonts, shapes, barcodes). This speeds up the printing process also due to significantly reduced data traffic.
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Use printer element if supported: prints labels using internal printer elements if the printer allows it. If a selected printer does not support internal printer elements, the element is sent as a graphic file.
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Always use printer element: prints labels using printer elements only. If a selected printer does not support internal printer elements, an error message with the explanation is displayed.
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Always print as graphics: sends and prints the objects as graphic files.
Note
Inverse object can only be printed as graphics if the advanced printer driver interface is disabled. Make sure Windows printing mode is on before printing. Double-click the design surface to open Label Properties dialog and go to Printer panel > Printing > disable option Use advanced printer driver interface.