We have a client that would like to send out their monthly flyer using adagio since they love how easy it is to send one message to multiple recipients. They tried to do this by creating a letter specification that consists solely of an image of the flyer.

The problem is that their flyer is too large (3 MB or more) when converted to 24-bit bitmap format, which is the only acceptable image type in the specification designer. A 256 colour bitmap file (the next step down in quality that is available in ms paint) looks like it was made a couple decades ago and is illegible.

The file-type restriction makes sense from the point of view of someone wanting to print a document, but it has negative ramifications for emailing, as sending out 180 x 3 MB emails takes quite a long time over a standard business connection. They would like to request other image formats be allowed for insertion into a specification.

I know I've run into this issue a couple times while trying to add a logo or other small image into a spec, so I figured I'd pass on the request for them and allow anyone else to chime in if they think this would be a valuable addition to the spec designer.

Apologies if this is well treaded ground and has been discussed before!

How about loading the image into the SnagIt editor and playing with it until it become acceptable in terms of both size and quality?

Warren:

We use PrintBoss to make this work. Send letters, use PrintBoss to generate email body and attach the flyer as a PDF.

Thanks for your replies Andrew and Doug. We've proposed both options as work-arounds (and I do love printboss and snagit), but ultimately the client doesn't think they should have to buy extra software to accomplish this. Given that some images are permitted, I don't think that expectation is totally unreasonable and wanted to pass on their request.

That said, I try and have reasonable expectations too and don't expect Softrak to change this tomorrow! The client has opted to export email addresses based on a gridview and do the mailing manually.

SnagIt is $50 and enormously useful generally. Even 100 x $50 doesn't buy much development.