S P E C I F Y I N G F O R M S
Form Layout Considerations
When designing preprinted forms, the most common problem is forms that are designed “too tight”. This means that boxes where data have to be printed are just barely large enough for the data, and that even the slightest misalignment will cause characters to be printed on at least one of the lines that form the box.
While the print alignment can be adjusted on the FormsMaster 8000se series printer to 1/100th of an inch, this is often too much to expect of the forms manufacturer. Where the preprinted information is placed in respect to the tractor holes on the form often varies on every other form in a single box of forms, or from one box of forms to the next.
To help avoid this situation, create larger areas for data by allocating blank lines in the printed data for horizontal lines, and allocating blank columns for vertical lines. If this is not possible due to the amount of data that has to be placed on the form, avoid using a dark color to form the preprinted lines and boxes. Use a lighter color, preferable other than a gray, that will allow the printed characters to still be read if misalignment occurs.
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