TYPE 2 PRINTING MODULE

There is a "Type 2" which I discovered out of necessity when developing the "howText" editor. It doesn't use a separate module (i.e. a pre-prepared webpage), and it doesn't use Local Storage to transfer data. This will be discussed in the "Type 2 Printing Module" topic which follows the howText app itself.

The previous section ("Local Storage") outlines fairly well a method of producing printing modules, so I won't be pedantic by repeating things or going into unnecessary detail here. We could call this method "Type 1". Summarizing:

1. In your main app, e.g. provide a button image or something with a hotspot over it to open your printing module in a new window or tab. Upload the info for printing into one or more variables of Local Storage via Javascript.

2. In the separate web page for your printing module, include one or more empty text boxes that will receive the text for printing from the main app. Fixed pictures, if required, can be put directly into the printing module. (The pictures could be variable as well as fixed, but to transfer them from the main app would involve the use of base64, and it is a bit more complicated. I won't go into it here.) It's going to be a PC friendly page, so add an invisible dummy widget on the extreme right-hand side.

3. In the Javascript of the printing module, arrange for it to download the text(s) from Local Storage immediately upon opening the page. Populate the text box(es) with it. You will probably then need to tailor the text in the boxes. Do this using JQuery CSS, for example. Make the letters of the text BIG.

4. Save your printing module in FRIENDLY mode.