Creating new address labels begins with a new project which has to be created from the main menu. The program distinguishes between single and multiple label projects for creating address labels and format labels which are good for software, product and CD labeling. Single labels only contain one layout while multiple labels can contain different layouts and information. A single label could for example be used to create address labels while multiple labels come in handy to print addresses of post recipients.

The majority of design elements can be used both for single and multiple address labels. The program will automatically display contents on the paper label including text, images and border styles after project creation. While it is relatively easy to edit the text that is displayed on the label it becomes a little bit more confusing from there.

Images can only be edited in the Preview window. The help file states that it is also possible in the project but there was no obvious button to do that. Each label can contain up to four images which can be aligned on the screen as the user sees it fit. The program only supports bmp files which should not be a huge problem as images can be converted easily into that format.

Each label is defined by the four parameters place, zorder, trace and border.

• Place: Defines margins, the size and gaps
• Zorder: The elements (like images) that are placed on the label
• Trace: Specifies the amount of labels and pages that get printed
• Border: Border elements like shape, color or thickness

Records for multiple custom labels can only be added one at a time. They can be saved to a proprietary format in the application so that they do not have to be entered again the next time though. It is not very practical for users who have to enter thousands of addresses to the application.

Paper Label Maker is a free software that requires Java on the local computer system.

The gLabels utility works with numerous brands of labels including all of the top sellers. It includes an easy-to-use wizard to help you create labels quickly. You can add objects to labels, rotate, flip label designs, and control both vertical and horizontal alignments.

Installing

You can install gLabels by searching for it in your Add/Remove Software utility. Or you can install it from the command line like so:

sudo apt-get install glabels

Once gLabels is installed you will find it in the Office sub menu of the Applications menu in GNOME.

Creating Labels

gLabels Wizard

Creating labels with gLabels is very easy. Click the New button to open up the simplistic wizard. In this wizard you will select the brand and type of label you want to create and the orientation of the label.

Once you have selected the correct information click OK to start creating your label.

Merge

During the label creation you work to create a single label with fields and, once you are happy with your label, you merge a data file to create the entire sheet of labels. The data file can be a comma delineated file, a colon delineated file, tab delineated file, default from the Evolution address book, or from vCards.

As you create the label you have to assign each object a field name and then select which field from your merge file will be assigned. Once you go to print the file gLabels will automatically fill in the data for all the labels on the template.

Other Labels

You can do many types of labels with gLabels including CD labels and custom labels as well. The custom label wizard is easy to use and will walk you through the process of making professional looking, customized labels for any purpose.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for an outstanding, simple to use program to create labels in Linux, gLabels is the tool for you. Give it a try, you won’t go back to OpenOffice for your label needs ever again.

I really enjoyed reading the article, how all those small record companies were bought by the majors, how artists had to sign deals that put them at a serious disadvantage if they wanted to sell records, how 2/3 of all Radio stations in the United States were controlled to only play music that was sanctioned and so on.

He is describing the changes that take place these days, that artists sign up at independent labels that give them better contracts and more rights. Wonderful article, really worth a read but be prepared, it’s a long one.

But out of every 10 signed nine will fail. A contract with a major record company was always a 90 per cent guarantee of failure. In the boardroom the talk was never of music, only of units sold. Artists were never the product; the product was discs – 10 cents’ worth of vinyl selling for $10 – 10,000 per cent profit – the highest mark-up in all of retail marketing. Artists were simply an ingredient, without even the basic rights of employees.

Imagine the outcry if people working in a factory were told that the cost of the products they were making would be deducted from their wages, which anyway would only be paid if the company managed to sell the products. Or that they would have to work for the company for a minimum of 10 years and, at the company’s discretion, could be transferred to any other company at any time.