Art Explosion Label Factory Deluxe

Label Factory's quick-start menu gives the user three options to create labels: using a label-maker wizard, starting from scratch, or using a label template. The label wizard contains eight categories: Audio/Video, Business/Office, Envelopes, CD/Diskette, Home/School, Kids, School, and Industry Labels. The sample templates are a bit basic and immature in that the user cannot change color schemes and fonts. Also, the 25,000 clip-art images are all in cartoon style and look out of place on anything seeking to be professional and presentable in the workplace. However, the label wizard is a good place for novices to start gathering ideas and feeling their way through the creative processes.

Creating a label from the template or from scratch presents the user with a blank screen and vague selections. Inserting text and clip art (again choosing from colorful animations!) was in no way intuitive, and sizing them to fit into the mold was nearly impossible. It was extremely difficult to find a middle ground with Art Explosion Label Factory. It seemed that the user must either want to create amusing yet personal labels for household items and personal correspondence or possess a detailed knowledge of sophisticated desktop publishing tools to create anything worthy of presentation.

To its credit, Art Explosion Label Factory Deluxe did prove useful for creating mass-mailing labels. The features to import address books, maintain address books within the program, and produce large quantities are extremely efficient. In addition, the different selections in the label wizard under the address-label category are perhaps the most extensive section in the program.

In the end, this product would be a fun activity for the kids on a rainy day. Children would doubtless take pleasure in adding their names to the colorful pictures and stickers that can be sent away on postcards to friends. However, if you're a business professional creating your own business cards, mailing labels, envelopes, or advertisements, you'll probably want to look elsewhere. --Kendra Hayden

Amazon.com Product Description
Art Explosion Label Factory Deluxe is a fast and easy way to create professional-quality labels. This product uses wizards to assist you in making even the most complex labels in just minutes. Behind its simple interface is a powerful application with a sophisticated set of features. Choose from over 700 label formats and templates, or create your own. Import text from other database or spreadsheet programs for quick mailing-list labels. The software supports 35 bar-code formats for retail sale, inventory control, order entry, and more. See your label onscreen exactly how it will appear. Print labels for CDs, DVDs, diskettes, Zip disks, and more. Choose from over 25,000 clip-art images, 1000 photos, and 500 TrueType fonts.