CitraBox

CitraBox began as a suite of JavaScript modules for Adobe Illustrator. The client needed a robust solution for creating sticker sheets that optimized material use and workflow. Previously, the sticker sheets were being created using imposition features within HP PrintOS, but limitations within the software meant that extra material was being used on every print that led to slower production and lower return on investment.

After creating the sticker tool, I expanded its functionality and created other useful tools for specialty products that required specific print jig setups like Ceramic Tile Coasters, Bottlecaps, and Round Metal Signs. I also created tools to assist myself with more normal digital prepress tasks like exporting wall wrap panels, vehicle wrap proofs and print files, even automated white ink spot color conversion.

After using these modules and developing more for two months, I recognized that the speed at which I was generating files would need to increase drastically to prevent my computer from being locked down for up to 20 minutes at a time when processing large amounts of files. Each sticker sheet took about 6 seconds to generate, and we’d generate upwards of 200 per day. I then turned my attention on using Python to create a distinct application outside of Adobe Illustrator, in hopes that I could generate sticker sheet PDFs using freely available libraries. The full Python rewrite of all my modules took about a month to research and develop, but once I created a strong, expandable method for file imposition and creation, the rest of the functionality only took about 3 days to put together. From there, I would learn and implement Python GUI libraries like Tkinter and PyQt5, with the former winning out for the first few iterations of the program due to my comfort levels within its workflow.