Variable Data Printing

Variable data printing (VDP) (sometimes called variable information printing) is a type of on-demand printing where elements such as text, graphics and images may be dynamically changed from one printed piece to the next, without stopping or slowing down the printing process. This dynamic data is brought to the printer from a database or external file. For example, a group of personalized letters, each with the same basic design, can be printed with a different name, address and even a different image on each letter. Variable data printing is mainly used for direct marketing, invoicing, brochures or printed postcard campaigns.

The VDP technique is an extension of digital printing that takes computer databases and digital print devices and combines them with specialized software to create high-quality, full color documents.

Variable data printing allows you to bulk customize documents using digital printing technology, as opposed to the bulk printing of a single document. Instead of producing 10,000 copies of a single document, delivering a single message to 10,000 customers, variable data printing could print 10,000 unique documents with customized messages for each customer.