Search code examples
pdf-generationcatalog

Generate a catalog for print and web

I need to create a solution, which allows a database driven catalog to be generated.

Assume, there are a bunch of products, images, prices, other details, and admin can generate catalogs based on "templates".

These templates essentially are "styles" of pages. For instance, style 1, could have 4x4 layout (16 products, with image and other attributes), hence on each page, upto 16 products and details could be displayed. Style 2 could have 2x2 layout, 4 products, but more detail. Admin can pick and choose different styles in a catalog.

Once the catalog is generated, it needs to be put up for either web viewing (lower fidelity) and/or print publishing (higher fidelity).

I would like help in determining the optimum stack to use, particularly, to "code" template and consequently to generate the PDFs.

Factors to consider

  • Minimum coding effort (reuse commercial or foss)
  • I will prefer an existing software which can create/edit "template" so I don't have to do that. I can simply get the license and reuse that functionality.

What I have considered so far is the following

  1. Adobe XFA Forms as templates, connected to database to generate PDF.
    • I not sure which program can generate XFA templates. Acrobat X is an option however it does not seem to have control for adding images. The LiveCycle Server seems to be an overkill.
  2. Use iText library, no idea if templates are possible or not, generate for web/print. Has good support for size/quality of catalog to print.
  3. Use Open office, make template, and write the glue to retrieve data and generate an open office doc, which can easily be converted into html/pdf. No idea how tough/easy this is.
  4. EDIT: Adobe Framemaker allows templates - I am evaluating if it can do the job that i have in mind. I will post an update once I am done.

I have no experience with any of these technologies, so if you can guide/rate them, or add other options that I did not consider.

At this point I am language agnostic. Alot of libraries provide hooks from various languages, so I don't think that will be a problem. If your solution is specific to foo language, please mention it as well.

Thanks for taking the time.

There is a followup question I asked on graphicsdesign exchange. https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/2318/use-data-merge-of-indesign-using-console-or-through-an-api

Solution

  • How about Adobe inDesign Data Merge. And video here

    Pretty easy to use aswel.