Catalog Program

[blyxx86]

I am attempting to use Access Reports to create specific customer catalogs where each customer only has specific parts that I add to my JOIN table and then pull from the appropriate tables to fill in the query which populates the report. That being said... It isn't quite working out as I had planned.

Is there a way to increase print quality of the images that is printed?

Perhaps a better question would be, is there a piece of software that could do what I'm doing now. . . dare I say, better?

I have thought about using one of the various programs in Adobe, InDesign I believe, but the only time I used that was once in high school.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, either a way to increase the process within Access, or a step in the right direction with another program. It doesn't need to be an enterprise class solution.

[JConsulting]

Print quality is generally controlled by your print drivers, and of course your printer.
If you're trying to print your reports using the high quality setting to a dot matrix printer, then chances are it's not going to turn out very well.

I am not sure if that's what you meant specifically in your question however...

If you're talking about turning raw data into pretty reports, with lots of formatting and color, then you may want to look into Crystal Reports or you can probably google to find a package that fits into your budget.

Access does what it does very well...but It's just my opinion that the reporting features, although easy to use and full of features, lacks the luster-factor.
J

[Denburt]

I am attempting to use Access Reports to create specific customer catalogs where each customer only has specific parts that I add to my JOIN table and then pull from the appropriate tables to fill in the query which populates the report. That being said... It isn't quite working out as I had planned.

Lets see if I understand this, you have a table with Customers, next you have a table containing a catalog for each customer and this would be of what images of products, or a list of products or services? This could be done using a report and sub report. create a report for each then drop the catalog into the customer report as a sub report.

Is there a way to increase print quality of the images that is printed?

Usually this shouldn't be to much of a problem what kind of printer are you using and how far have you gone into this project?

Perhaps a better question would be, is there a piece of software that could do what I'm doing now. . . dare I say, better?

I have thought about using one of the various programs in Adobe, InDesign I believe, but the only time I used that was once in high school.

That depends on you and your skills any purchased software will require a leaning curve before you will ever know if it will or can do what you would like. This is one of the reasons I started using MS Access. I don't find very many programs I like so I usually just build what I want.

[ADezii]

I am attempting to use Access Reports to create specific customer catalogs where each customer only has specific parts that I add to my JOIN table and then pull from the appropriate tables to fill in the query which populates the report. That being said... It isn't quite working out as I had planned.

Is there a way to increase print quality of the images that is printed?

Perhaps a better question would be, is there a piece of software that could do what I'm doing now. . . dare I say, better?

I have thought about using one of the various programs in Adobe, InDesign I believe, but the only time I used that was once in high school.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, either a way to increase the process within Access, or a step in the right direction with another program. It doesn't need to be an enterprise class solution.

1. Open your Report in Design View.
2. Set the Print Quality setting to High.
3. Open the Report in Preview or Normal View if you are printing it.

DoCmd.OpenReport "<your report here>", acViewDesign
Reports!rptEmployees.Printer.PrintQuality = acPRPQHigh
DoCmd.OpenReport "<your report here>", acViewPreview, , , acWindowNormal

[blyxx86]

Thank you everyone.

I think I've managed to use Access to create just about everything so far, and while I was hoping there would be a better option for creating a catalog, it seems this is the best option.

I shall try using it with the high quality and see how it turns out. I'm just wondering if I "Print" it to a PDF (of course with HQ settings) if it will contain the quality I need when I take it to a printing place.

I shall play around with it now and see how far along I get.

Thanks again! Especially for that little snippet of code.

[ADezii]

Thank you everyone.

I think I've managed to use Access to create just about everything so far, and while I was hoping there would be a better option for creating a catalog, it seems this is the best option.

I shall try using it with the high quality and see how it turns out. I'm just wondering if I "Print" it to a PDF (of course with HQ settings) if it will contain the quality I need when I take it to a printing place.

I shall play around with it now and see how far along I get.

Thanks again! Especially for that little snippet of code.

You're welcome.

[bwilkens]

I have developed software that lays out a print catalog from MS Access that might fit your needs. You can see download a demo at http://www.eawdesigns.com
Contact me if you think this may help or if you need the code modified to fit your database.

Thanks and good luck,
Beth Wilkens