Page Layouts For ID Cards

Use Member Manager > Library Cards > Page Layout when the card design is correct, but the cards need to be arranged differently on paper or roll media.

For the best results, use the Standalone app when generating ID cards. Libcodesk WebApp can prepare PDF and PNG output, while the Standalone app is best when staff need direct printer selection and repeatable physical output.

Page Layout does not change the card design. It controls how finished cards are placed on the printable media.

What The Screen Shows

The Page Layout screen lists built-in and user-created layouts in one table.

Page Layout keeps built-in sheet and roll presets together with custom layouts. Staff can select a default, copy a preset, or edit a custom layout.

Area	What It Does
Layout table	Shows built-in and custom page layouts.
Default action	Sets the one layout used automatically for card generation.
Copy action	Copies a built-in or custom layout so it can be adjusted safely.
Edit action	Opens a user-defined layout for changes. Built-in layouts are protected.
Delete action	Removes a user-defined layout that is no longer needed.
Create Page Layout	Starts a new blank custom layout.
Import Page Layout	Imports a layout file that was exported earlier.
Export Page Layout	Saves a user-defined layout file for backup or reuse.

Only one Page Layout can be the default at a time. When staff choose a new default, Libcodesk clears the previous default automatically.

Built-In And Custom Layouts

Built-in layouts are ready to use. They include common sheets and roll-paper arrangements such as A4, Letter, A5, Legal, A3, and roll-width layouts.

Use A4 Standard as the starting point for normal office printing. It is the default layout for users unless a different layout is selected.

Custom layouts are for real paper differences, such as:

• a label sheet with different gaps,
• a thermal roll width,
• a special card stock size,
• a printer that starts lower on the page,
• a repeated layout used by one branch or desk.

Create Or Copy A Layout

Use Copy when a built-in layout is close to what you need. Use Create Page Layout only when the layout is completely different.

1. Open Member Manager > Library Cards.
2. Choose Page Layout.
3. Select Copy beside the closest layout, or choose Create Page Layout.
4. Enter a clear layout name, such as A4 Student Cards - 2 x 5 or Front Desk 80 mm Roll.
5. Choose the media type, page size, unit, orientation, rows, columns, gaps, margins, and start position.
6. Save the layout.
7. Use the default action if this layout should be used automatically.

The edit screen controls the paper or roll arrangement. It does not change the ID card template itself.

What Each Setting Changes

Setting	Meaning	Example
Media Type	Whether output is a finite sheet or continuous roll.	Use Sheet for A4. Use Roll for thermal roll media.
Page Size	The paper size or custom media size.	A4, Letter, A5, Legal, or Custom.
Unit	The measurement unit used in the form.	mm, cm, or inch.
Orientation	Whether the page is portrait or landscape.	A4 Portrait for normal sheets; Landscape for wide layouts.
Media Width / Height	The physical paper size for custom media.	80 mm roll width or a custom card sheet size.
Start Position	Where the first card begins.	Top Left for most sheets; Bottom Right only for special feed behavior.
Columns per row	How many cards appear across the media.	2 means two cards side by side.
Rows per page	How many card rows fit on a finite sheet.	5 means five rows on A4, usually ten cards if columns are 2.
Horizontal gap	Space between cards from left to right.	Increase if cutting guides or card edges are too close.
Vertical gap	Space between rows.	Increase if rows overlap or cutting space is tight.
Margins	Empty space from the paper edge.	Increase top margin if the first row prints too close to the edge.

For roll media, rows may behave like a continuous list. The important values are roll width, columns, vertical gap, and margins.

Import And Export

Use Import Page Layout to bring in a layout file created from another Libcodesk installation.

Use Export Page Layout for user-defined layouts when staff want to:

• back up a custom layout,
• share a branch-specific layout,
• move the same layout to another device,
• keep a known-good printer setup before experimenting.

Import does not create a layout from scratch. It reads a layout file that was already exported from Libcodesk.

Best Practices

• Start with A4 Standard unless your paper or roll is different.
• Copy a built-in layout before editing values.
• Keep layout names practical, such as paper size plus purpose.
• Save custom layouts only when they will be reused.
• Do not change card template size to fix paper placement. Use Page Layout for paper arrangement.
• Generate a sample PDF or printed sample after changing layout values.
• Use the Standalone app for the most reliable physical print workflow.

Troubleshooting

Problem	What To Try
Cards are too high or too low on the page	Adjust top margin or use Printer Settings in the Standalone app for printer-specific offset.
Cards overlap each other	Increase horizontal or vertical gap, or reduce rows and columns.
Cards are cut off at the page edge	Increase margins or reduce rows and columns.
Only one card prints on a sheet	Check columns per row and rows per page.
Roll output is too wide	Confirm the roll width and unit. Do not enter inch values while the unit is set to mm.
The wrong layout is used during generation	Return to Page Layout and set the correct default layout.
A built-in layout cannot be edited	Copy it first, then edit the copied user-defined layout.

FAQ

Should every library create a custom Page Layout?

No. Most users should keep A4 Standard. Create a custom layout only when the actual paper, roll, gap, margin, row, or column arrangement is different.

Does Page Layout change the card design?

No. Card Templates control the design of one card. Page Layout controls how those finished cards are arranged on paper or roll media.

Can I use the same card template on A4 and roll paper?

Yes. The card template stays reusable. Change Page Layout when the output media changes.