How to Shoot Christmas Cards in Bulk?

[DaynotNight]

Hello!

For an upcoming Christmas photo shoot, my boss wants me to find software that will be able to take a premade background image I made, add a photo I just took to it, and then have it printed all within a minute time frame. Is this achievable with Photoshop?

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

You could use templates and batch actions/scripting to place images and print.

[Rob_Cullen]

As you are asking for software suggestions- I might throw in Lightroom-Classic.

My ideas for Lr-Classic would be-

1) Create your "premade image" (Christmas Greeting, etc) as a PNG file with transparency in Photoshop so that it can be used as an Identity Plate 'Overlay' in Lr-Classic 

2) Shoot with camera attached in 'Tether' mode (or use the Auto-Import feature). The photos automatically appear in the Lr-Classic catalog.

3) Set up the Print module in Lr-Classic to use the PNG overlay on top of the photos (Not a "background").

4) As the photos appear in the catalog (and the Print module filmstrip) - Select a photo and Print.

This procedure sounds complicated (and it is at first), but once set up it only needs you to -Press the camera [shutter], wait for the photo to appear in the catalog, Click the [Print] button in Lr-Classic.

Examaple- My "Christmas Greeting" PNG (Identity Plate) applied to some existing images.

[Stephen Marsh]

Yet another option is a Photoshop template automation script – the Photo Collage Toolkit from the late JJMack:

https://github.com/MarshySwamp/JJMack-Archive

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/r-i-p-jjmack/m-p/12701028

https://web.archive.org/web/20220130105643/http://www.mouseprints.net/Photoshop.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20210419210422/http://www.mouseprints.net/old/dpr/PhotoCollageToolkit.ht...

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Maybe you should post meaningful screenshots or sketches to clarify the situation. 

How is the printing supposed to be performed? 

Individually or might you even have to »imposition« multiple images for printing on one sheet?  

[jane-e]

...then have it printed all within a minute time frame. Is this achievable with Photoshop?

By @DaynotNight

How well do you know Photoshop? Are you a beginner, expert, or in-between?

Is it expected that you will be the person who creates and prints within the one-minute time frame?

Jane

[Lumigraphics]

Its doable with expensive software designed for something like sporting events.

Something like this is overkill but it gives you an idea.

https://www.fotoclubinc.com/dropoutgs-photo-green-screen-software.aspx

You could also have template in Photoshop, you would need probably three people- one to operate the camera, one to herd the subjects, one to handle printing. Have a stack of cardboard photo frames ready, 2-3 printers, and plenty of paper and ink.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

one to herd the subjects

Nice way to put it! 

[Lumigraphics]

I've done this very task more than once. It sounds easy but what's easy is underestimating the job and looking bad in front of everybody.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I have no experience with this task but I suspect the herded subjects are an important factor – how many and (depending on the kind of event) how drunk or otherwise agitated … 

[Lumigraphics]

Especially when everyone wants to take selfies at the same time, and wants "just one more" and demands to see how they look on your screen, and and and yeah.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Out of curiosity: You recommended using 2-3 printers.

Do you print to those individually in turn or do you have a »track switch« that distributes the individual print jobs to the currently unoccupied printer/s? 

Or are you printing on one until maintenance/refilling of toner or paper becomes necessary and then switch to the next? 

[Lumigraphics]

Printing from two at a time and one hot spare, connected but not printing. I've done this with two laptops and direct USB printing but a print server with auto job distribution is the way to go for high-volume. Obviously this can scale. What the OP wants is not realistic, its better to do photos, print them as fast as possible, then distribute. You need a fourth person to find the subject and give them their prints otherwise.

[davescm]

As well as the software, don't underestimate the printing time. An inkjet printer (as opposed to a dye sub photo printer popular with event printing) is likely to use more than a minute in printing both sides of each card. Try the printer you will be using, on the card stock you will be using, and time it. You could shorten the time by printing the inside in advance.

Dave

[pjglad]

Why is this in iPadOS? Who is the administrator?

[jane-e]

Hi Pete

This thread has three tags added by @DaynotNight , the OP.

• Actions and scripting
• iPadOS
• Windows

They are the only one who can answer the "why" for you, but I suspect that Logan is using PS for iPad.

Jane

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Who is the administrator?

What does it matter? 

And why do you apparently keep posting it in different threads? 

Edit: Including at least one that did not carry the tag. 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/something-for-the-weekend-part-218-a-...

        Re: Generator is missing in PS2024               

        Re: P: Add Lumetri color and scopes