I have not tended to label my stamps since mostly I collect to Scott albums, either International, Specialized, or older Scott Hingeless for country collections. Many of the older albums based on the Specialized that I use include the Scott # in the box though but the International albums lack this feature. If split mounts are used like the Scott/Prinz mounts it is easy to lift the stamp to see the numbers and similarly for hinged stamps although I must admit that I like the idea of the stamps being labeled visibly with the catalog numbers which are by far the most prevalent way that collectors identify stamps in discussions.
I almost never see older albums where catalog number were added during the collection process though. Many times when a collection is being examined in preparation for sale I will see that catalog #'s and current catalog value have been added near the stamps. One rationale for this is that Scott does reserve the right to renumber the issues and has done this for some countries over the years. Even the USA was renumbered back in the early 1900's when they altered their numbering scheme to separate out issues for semi-postals, air post, military, etc. issues. Interestingly some issues had been separated out in their listings and albums already for many years, for example, revenues.
Speaking as someone who does customize and print my own pages, I am disappointed that you consider labelling stamps does not apply to me!
I place a Stanley Gibbons number below each stamp frame, the date of issue and basic description above each set, and in most cases explanatory notes below each set (such as a brief biography of people depicted in the set, or any other point of interest I can find out about). I only add watermark and perforation details where they obviously distinguish versions of the same set.
The only pre-printed pages I have are downloaded Third Reich pages, which also include watermark and perforation details, but have neither catalogue numbers nor any information about what the stamps depict. I've used these pages solely for my "used" Third Reich stamps, leaving all the informational content for my customized mint album.
Naturally, I can see the point of writing in catalogue numbers on pre-printed albums or pages. Indeed I've often thought of adding Michel to the SG numbers on my own pages, but that is too much like hard work!
I started a worldwide collecting with Steiner pages about 15 years ago so started printing pages I needed and adding the Scott number to every stamp side the frame with a pencil. My handwriting is not great.
When I got back engaged more with my worldwide collection later, I ended up reprinting all my pages on a different paper and started adding numbers again but I decided to stop. I did not like the look of pencil markings. I adopted the practice to only add the catalog number if I had a stamp.
Now, later I found a way to add catalog numbers to the PDF before printing which looks a lot more professional so now label all spaces on printing page inside the stamp frame. I came to realization that once I had the stamp the catalog number was not that important to me to be seen. I prefer stamps specifics if more than one variety to be visible.
I am surprised your customized pages are in PDF format, Angore. What advantages does that confer? Does that allow for amendment in the event of new information being found after the page is printed? It would seem not, if you continued to use pencil.
My pages are set up in Word, so that I can include catalogue numbers and whatever other information seems interesting. Here is an extract from one such page - it is from my "Resistance" album and is the first page, so Albania:
Does anyone here have difficulty with creating pages in Word?
There is a big difference between a word processing app and a page layout app.
Many people have only been exposed to PDF format as a “Save As” format being driven from some other desktop application.
But the truth is that Adobe has an application for generating native PDFs, it is called LiveCycle Designer. Its purpose is to develop PDF forms and is outstanding for page layouts. All of the album pages that I have on Stamp Smarter have been developed using LiveCycle Designer. I will not go into all the capabilities this app has, but my opinion it is far superior to any other desktop app for generating album pages.
Don
Pages designed as a native PDF
http://stampsmarter.com/learning/FormUSPagesHome.html
I suspect that the issue is that new downloads in PDF format for Steiner pages generally do not allow you to modify the PDF content at all. The original versions created in PageMaker did allow that capability but those haven't been available for years to subscribers.
Don's pages created with Adobe LiveCycle are definitely beautiful!
LiveCycle Designer is now called Adobe Experience Manager Forms, the original program seems, after much web searching, to have retailed at around $300. Unless you can write this off as a business expense I would say it is hardly cost effective for designing album pages.
Probably viable if you are going to make a business of selling pdf albums to the general public but not for an individual designing a few pages now and again.
Think I will stick with Album Easy for now, though if someone can come up with a program where I can designate a box size, drag/drop on a page and snap to fit vertical/horizontal or even random placing I could be interested.
I guess we all have our methods and whatever works is ok.
Vic,
Your discovery was not complete; LiveCycle Designer can be purchased as part of Acrobat Pro (it is bundle with ALL full versions of Adobe Acrobat as an 'add-on). There is no need to go buy the most costly version available, I am unsure why you did not include this important information before being critical of the recommendation.
Many people already own full versions of Abode Acrobat and do not know that LiveCycle Designer is already installed. Or folks can buy 1-2 versions behind the 'bleeding edge' and find Abode Acrobat suite for under $100.
In regard to being cost effective...the cost of the application purchase pales in comparison to the amount of time that users pour into developing a large set of album pages. Many people think they are 'saving money' by cheaping out on an application that will cost them hundreds of hours over a year or two. If folks want to practice false economy they can certainly do so, but I am willing to hold a contest with anyone using any other album pages app on who can develop a single country fastest.
There are also very compelling reasons to use an app which supports data connections. This allows a developer to implement a PDF solution that allows users to quickly add whatever catalog numbering system they want; all without infringing upon any copyright claims from catalog publishers.
Don
To Guthrum
I like your page. I have tried to do pages in word, and the results were okay. I was just wondering how you choose the box size, and how much space you add for the mounts.
"Guthrum:
My pages are set up in Word, so that I can include catalogue numbers and whatever other information seems interesting.
Does anyone here have difficulty with creating pages in Word?"
"51Studebaker:
If folks want to practice false economy they can certainly do so, but I am willing to hold a contest with anyone using any other album pages app on who can develop a single country fastest."
"MustangA
I like your page. I have tried to do pages in word, and the results were okay. I was just wondering how you choose the box size, and how much space you add for the mounts."
Hi Clive,
As you know, the pages I design have images for every stamp. It would not be a very fair contest if you are laying out pages that do not.
And as I mentioned, Live Cycle supports data connected pages. So adding the stamp details like denomination, color, catalogue numbers, etc. is easy. The data is automatically added as soon as you make one simple edit to the stamp ID and point it towards the data source.
But adding the 'data entry' tasks into the discussion is the same as me arguing that the learning curve for each app should be factored in; and Album Easy certainly would come out on the short end of that metric.
Getting users to code album pages in a text editor is off-putting to most stamp collectors but it can help with building a loyal user base. Once folks invest the time in learning it they are likely to stick with it. It remainds me a lot of Unix supporters, mastering it gives a feeling of accomplishment.
The above being said, Album Easy is a great contribution to our hobby and your efforts are truly appreciated. Do you have any plans to make it graphical in the future?
Don
Don, I was not being critical but merely stating what I found on the net. Adobes web pages did not state that it came bundled with Pro (what does that cost?) there appear to be no costings at all on their site.
I could not find a download on Cnet for LiveCycle.
On a separate note at one time Adobe came bundled with Windows or was available on virtually every freebie disc. It now seems to have been superseded by Adobe reader which appears to me to have fewer functions.
For page generation I have used Scribus mainly because Andy did his Mystic mods using it so I started there.
Most page layout programs are based upon frames (containers for text, images). This allows you to locate something anywhere on page. Word does allow frames but not the default mode so not as user friendly for album page design. Microsoft Publisher (part of extra cost Office suite) would be better.
For some reason, images on album pages is not that important to me. I never mounted stamps that way nor do I find it improves the appearance.
"I was just wondering how you choose the box size, and how much space you add for the mounts."
Most stamps are consistent sizes size so when I was creating pages I noted the sizes down and created a matrix. These boxes were intended to match Mystic US Album. The box accounted for the stamp, mount, and white space between mount and stamp box.
I had saved the objects in a reference page so I could copy/paste onto a new page. Once you create the box as well as the text frames above/below, it can be just copy, paste, arrange,
"I was just wondering how you choose the box size, and how much space you add for the mounts"
"I suspect that the issue is that new downloads in PDF format for Steiner pages generally do not allow you to modify the PDF content at all. "
I primarily use Scott Specialty albums for most of my collection and Steiner pages to extend cut-off dates. For me it is essential to have catalog numbers in each stamps place.
Scott usually has the number but when they don't I pencil the number in underneath where the stamp goes. I do the same with the Steiner pages. I do not write the numbers outside of the stamp box as I feel it makes for a messy presentation. Unfortunately this is not often possible with hingeless albums. In regards to sets I will often just number the first and last stamp in the set. I feel numbers are essential because it greatly helps with writing up your need lists which I also think are a necessity.
Hi Don,
"As you know, the pages I design have images for every stamp. It would not be a very fair contest if you are laying out pages that do not."
"Do you have any plans to make it graphical in the future?"
My friends know I'm "into stamps" so on a regular basis I get "collections" to look at - usually their grandfather's collection in a shoe box or in a small general world album of some sort. It's usually worth almost nothing and so disorganized that if there is a treasure it would be very hard to find. When my wife and I started collecting in 1972 the first thing we did when we bought an album was to go through and put a Scott's Number above every stamp. It makes collecting so much easier that I assume every serious collector does this and it also helps familiarize yourself with the countries stamps. I know many of you customize and print your own pages - this doesn't really apply to you. Now I decided I wanted to start a basic collection of England since I have many of them including a beautiful Penny Black. I bought an album and am going through the lengthy process of labeling the stamps shown on the pages - an hour once in a while and eventually I will be ready to mount the stamps I have. Do any of you out there not label the stamps of your albums?
re: How do you set up your album?
I have not tended to label my stamps since mostly I collect to Scott albums, either International, Specialized, or older Scott Hingeless for country collections. Many of the older albums based on the Specialized that I use include the Scott # in the box though but the International albums lack this feature. If split mounts are used like the Scott/Prinz mounts it is easy to lift the stamp to see the numbers and similarly for hinged stamps although I must admit that I like the idea of the stamps being labeled visibly with the catalog numbers which are by far the most prevalent way that collectors identify stamps in discussions.
I almost never see older albums where catalog number were added during the collection process though. Many times when a collection is being examined in preparation for sale I will see that catalog #'s and current catalog value have been added near the stamps. One rationale for this is that Scott does reserve the right to renumber the issues and has done this for some countries over the years. Even the USA was renumbered back in the early 1900's when they altered their numbering scheme to separate out issues for semi-postals, air post, military, etc. issues. Interestingly some issues had been separated out in their listings and albums already for many years, for example, revenues.
re: How do you set up your album?
Speaking as someone who does customize and print my own pages, I am disappointed that you consider labelling stamps does not apply to me!
I place a Stanley Gibbons number below each stamp frame, the date of issue and basic description above each set, and in most cases explanatory notes below each set (such as a brief biography of people depicted in the set, or any other point of interest I can find out about). I only add watermark and perforation details where they obviously distinguish versions of the same set.
The only pre-printed pages I have are downloaded Third Reich pages, which also include watermark and perforation details, but have neither catalogue numbers nor any information about what the stamps depict. I've used these pages solely for my "used" Third Reich stamps, leaving all the informational content for my customized mint album.
Naturally, I can see the point of writing in catalogue numbers on pre-printed albums or pages. Indeed I've often thought of adding Michel to the SG numbers on my own pages, but that is too much like hard work!
re: How do you set up your album?
I started a worldwide collecting with Steiner pages about 15 years ago so started printing pages I needed and adding the Scott number to every stamp side the frame with a pencil. My handwriting is not great.
When I got back engaged more with my worldwide collection later, I ended up reprinting all my pages on a different paper and started adding numbers again but I decided to stop. I did not like the look of pencil markings. I adopted the practice to only add the catalog number if I had a stamp.
Now, later I found a way to add catalog numbers to the PDF before printing which looks a lot more professional so now label all spaces on printing page inside the stamp frame. I came to realization that once I had the stamp the catalog number was not that important to me to be seen. I prefer stamps specifics if more than one variety to be visible.
re: How do you set up your album?
I am surprised your customized pages are in PDF format, Angore. What advantages does that confer? Does that allow for amendment in the event of new information being found after the page is printed? It would seem not, if you continued to use pencil.
My pages are set up in Word, so that I can include catalogue numbers and whatever other information seems interesting. Here is an extract from one such page - it is from my "Resistance" album and is the first page, so Albania:
Does anyone here have difficulty with creating pages in Word?
re: How do you set up your album?
There is a big difference between a word processing app and a page layout app.
Many people have only been exposed to PDF format as a “Save As” format being driven from some other desktop application.
But the truth is that Adobe has an application for generating native PDFs, it is called LiveCycle Designer. Its purpose is to develop PDF forms and is outstanding for page layouts. All of the album pages that I have on Stamp Smarter have been developed using LiveCycle Designer. I will not go into all the capabilities this app has, but my opinion it is far superior to any other desktop app for generating album pages.
Don
Pages designed as a native PDF
http://stampsmarter.com/learning/FormUSPagesHome.html
re: How do you set up your album?
I suspect that the issue is that new downloads in PDF format for Steiner pages generally do not allow you to modify the PDF content at all. The original versions created in PageMaker did allow that capability but those haven't been available for years to subscribers.
Don's pages created with Adobe LiveCycle are definitely beautiful!
re: How do you set up your album?
LiveCycle Designer is now called Adobe Experience Manager Forms, the original program seems, after much web searching, to have retailed at around $300. Unless you can write this off as a business expense I would say it is hardly cost effective for designing album pages.
Probably viable if you are going to make a business of selling pdf albums to the general public but not for an individual designing a few pages now and again.
Think I will stick with Album Easy for now, though if someone can come up with a program where I can designate a box size, drag/drop on a page and snap to fit vertical/horizontal or even random placing I could be interested.
I guess we all have our methods and whatever works is ok.
re: How do you set up your album?
Vic,
Your discovery was not complete; LiveCycle Designer can be purchased as part of Acrobat Pro (it is bundle with ALL full versions of Adobe Acrobat as an 'add-on). There is no need to go buy the most costly version available, I am unsure why you did not include this important information before being critical of the recommendation.
Many people already own full versions of Abode Acrobat and do not know that LiveCycle Designer is already installed. Or folks can buy 1-2 versions behind the 'bleeding edge' and find Abode Acrobat suite for under $100.
In regard to being cost effective...the cost of the application purchase pales in comparison to the amount of time that users pour into developing a large set of album pages. Many people think they are 'saving money' by cheaping out on an application that will cost them hundreds of hours over a year or two. If folks want to practice false economy they can certainly do so, but I am willing to hold a contest with anyone using any other album pages app on who can develop a single country fastest.
There are also very compelling reasons to use an app which supports data connections. This allows a developer to implement a PDF solution that allows users to quickly add whatever catalog numbering system they want; all without infringing upon any copyright claims from catalog publishers.
Don
re: How do you set up your album?
To Guthrum
I like your page. I have tried to do pages in word, and the results were okay. I was just wondering how you choose the box size, and how much space you add for the mounts.
re: How do you set up your album?
"Guthrum:
My pages are set up in Word, so that I can include catalogue numbers and whatever other information seems interesting.
Does anyone here have difficulty with creating pages in Word?"
"51Studebaker:
If folks want to practice false economy they can certainly do so, but I am willing to hold a contest with anyone using any other album pages app on who can develop a single country fastest."
re: How do you set up your album?
"MustangA
I like your page. I have tried to do pages in word, and the results were okay. I was just wondering how you choose the box size, and how much space you add for the mounts."
re: How do you set up your album?
Hi Clive,
As you know, the pages I design have images for every stamp. It would not be a very fair contest if you are laying out pages that do not.
And as I mentioned, Live Cycle supports data connected pages. So adding the stamp details like denomination, color, catalogue numbers, etc. is easy. The data is automatically added as soon as you make one simple edit to the stamp ID and point it towards the data source.
But adding the 'data entry' tasks into the discussion is the same as me arguing that the learning curve for each app should be factored in; and Album Easy certainly would come out on the short end of that metric.
Getting users to code album pages in a text editor is off-putting to most stamp collectors but it can help with building a loyal user base. Once folks invest the time in learning it they are likely to stick with it. It remainds me a lot of Unix supporters, mastering it gives a feeling of accomplishment.
The above being said, Album Easy is a great contribution to our hobby and your efforts are truly appreciated. Do you have any plans to make it graphical in the future?
Don
re: How do you set up your album?
Don, I was not being critical but merely stating what I found on the net. Adobes web pages did not state that it came bundled with Pro (what does that cost?) there appear to be no costings at all on their site.
I could not find a download on Cnet for LiveCycle.
On a separate note at one time Adobe came bundled with Windows or was available on virtually every freebie disc. It now seems to have been superseded by Adobe reader which appears to me to have fewer functions.
re: How do you set up your album?
For page generation I have used Scribus mainly because Andy did his Mystic mods using it so I started there.
Most page layout programs are based upon frames (containers for text, images). This allows you to locate something anywhere on page. Word does allow frames but not the default mode so not as user friendly for album page design. Microsoft Publisher (part of extra cost Office suite) would be better.
For some reason, images on album pages is not that important to me. I never mounted stamps that way nor do I find it improves the appearance.
re: How do you set up your album?
"I was just wondering how you choose the box size, and how much space you add for the mounts."
re: How do you set up your album?
Most stamps are consistent sizes size so when I was creating pages I noted the sizes down and created a matrix. These boxes were intended to match Mystic US Album. The box accounted for the stamp, mount, and white space between mount and stamp box.
I had saved the objects in a reference page so I could copy/paste onto a new page. Once you create the box as well as the text frames above/below, it can be just copy, paste, arrange,
re: How do you set up your album?
"I was just wondering how you choose the box size, and how much space you add for the mounts"
re: How do you set up your album?
"I suspect that the issue is that new downloads in PDF format for Steiner pages generally do not allow you to modify the PDF content at all. "
re: How do you set up your album?
I primarily use Scott Specialty albums for most of my collection and Steiner pages to extend cut-off dates. For me it is essential to have catalog numbers in each stamps place.
Scott usually has the number but when they don't I pencil the number in underneath where the stamp goes. I do the same with the Steiner pages. I do not write the numbers outside of the stamp box as I feel it makes for a messy presentation. Unfortunately this is not often possible with hingeless albums. In regards to sets I will often just number the first and last stamp in the set. I feel numbers are essential because it greatly helps with writing up your need lists which I also think are a necessity.
re: How do you set up your album?
Hi Don,
"As you know, the pages I design have images for every stamp. It would not be a very fair contest if you are laying out pages that do not."
"Do you have any plans to make it graphical in the future?"