This is almost always caused by an interrupted download. The download page lists the installer's exact file size and SHA-256 checksum.

First compare your downloaded file size (right-click the file and select Properties). If the file is smaller than expected, delete it and download it again using a stable internet connection.

If repeated downloads fail, contact RUXO Labels to arrange file transfer.

Check the publisher displayed in the Windows security warning. It must say Intellistor (Pty) Ltd. RUXO Label Studio installers are digitally signed.

If the publisher is shown as unknown, do not proceed with installation. Download the installer again from an official website:

ruxolabels.co.za , intellistor.co.za or colorworks.co.za .

No. RUXO Label Studio supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 only.

The software communicates with label printers through the Windows printer driver system, supporting Epson, OKI and Afinia printers.

RUXO Label Studio includes a 30-day free trial with every feature enabled.

No licence key is required during the trial. The trial period begins when the software is first run.

This is expected. The trial is associated with the machine and continues through uninstallations and software upgrades.

When the trial expires, entering a valid licence key allows you to continue using your existing designs.

No. RUXO Label Studio licences are linked to the printer's serial number, not to an individual computer.

Install the software on the replacement PC and enter the same licence key.

Your existing work remains accessible. You can continue designing, opening and saving label files.

Printing will include a watermark, while batch printing, direct ZPL and automation functions are paused until the licence is renewed.

Your templates and data are not locked away.

No. RUXO Label Agent and RUXO Label Studio are separate software products with separate licences.

A Label Agent licence key cannot activate Label Studio, and a Label Studio key cannot activate Label Agent.

The free trial, Standard licence and Site licence support the complete Epson ColorWorks, OKI and Afinia printer range.

The ColorWorks Edition, bundled through the ColorWorks printer channel, supports ColorWorks printers only. OKI and Afinia printer profiles, related spot-colour layers and ZPL export are not available in that edition.

Upgrading to another edition requires a new licence key, not a software reinstallation.

Yes. SVG files are imported as live vector artwork, allowing designs to remain sharp at different sizes.

RUXO Label Studio also supports PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF and PDF.

For consistent SVG rendering across different computers, convert text within SVG artwork into outlines, curves or paths before importing.

Drag a file directly from a folder onto the design canvas, or copy an image and paste it using Ctrl + V.

Dropping a file onto an existing image frame replaces the image in that frame. Dropping a file onto an empty area of the canvas creates a new image element.

RUXO Label Studio supports Excel workbooks, CSV files and databases, including direct SQL Server connections or sources accessible through an ODBC driver.

Database access is read-only. Studio accepts a single SELECT query and does not permit database modification commands.

Yes. The database connection supplies the data rows while an image frame can use a separate file path containing variable tokens.

For example, if your database returns a StockCode column, an image frame can use a path such as:

\\server\ProductImages\{StockCode}.png

Each database record can then display its corresponding product image, without storing the image itself in the database.

1. Open Data → Database, connect your data source and enter your SELECT query.
2. Place an image frame onto the label.
3. Set its Image file path to a folder containing a token-based filename, for example: \\server\Images\{StockCode}.png.
4. Preview the label to verify that each data record loads the correct image.

You may alternatively return the image location as a database column and use {ImagePath} as the image frame's path.

Use a UNC network path rather than a mapped drive letter when running unattended printing. Supported image formats include PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF, SVG and PDF.

It inserts placeholders that are populated when printing, rather than using only fixed text.

Variables may represent data columns, serial counters, dates or times.

For example, {Counter} inserts a serial number. You can insert variable elements through the menu or type tokens into an existing text element.

Studio needs to identify the available data columns before offering them as variables.

Load an Excel file, CSV file or database query using the DATA panel. Once connected, the column names become available in the Variables menu.

Yes. The counter advances as labels are printed, and the next number is saved with the label file.

You can configure the start value, step and zero-padding in the label settings.

Enable Ask at print if operators should confirm or change the starting number before printing.

Yes. Go to Insert → Variables → Manage variables to create named counters.

Each counter can have its own start number, increment step and zero-padding.

For example, you could use {BatchSerial} and {SetNumber}.

Repeat allows a serial value to be printed several times before advancing. Resets with allows one counter to restart when another counter advances.

The date and time are generated at the moment of printing.

The {Date} and {Time} tokens therefore use the print date and time, not the original design date.

Custom formats can be specified:

{Date:ddMMyy}
{Date:dd/MM/yyyy}
{Time:HHmmss}

Yes. Fixed text and variable tokens can be combined within the same text or barcode element.

For example, a GS1-style construction could use:

17{BestBefore}11{Date:ddMMyy}13{Counter}

Studio resolves the tokens during printing to create the combined value.

Yes. Enable Ask at print on a text or barcode element.

Studio will prompt the operator to enter information before printing, such as an order number, weight or name.

Serial counters can also prompt for a starting value.

When using a multi-up die from the built-in media list, Studio automatically advances serial numbers for each finished label. Use {Counter} in the design.

For manually arranged multiple label positions, use the appropriate offset per position. For a two-position layout:

Position 1: {Counter}
Position 2: {Counter+1}
Counter Step: 2

This produces sequential pairs, such as 1–2, 3–4 and 5–6.

Important: Do not combine manual offsets with a built-in multi-up die preset, as this would apply the offsets twice.

The media list is generated from the RUXO die library.

For a new label size or a customer-specific die, contact RUXO Labels.

New catalogue entries can be added through a file update, without reinstalling the software. Place the updated MediaCatalogue.json alongside RuxoLabelStudio.exe and restart Studio.

Locally created media entries are also supported and survive software upgrades.

These are import packs containing named RUXO die and facestock combinations for the Epson ColorWorks driver.

Importing these definitions helps match the printer driver's media settings to the selected RUXO label, avoiding repeated manual dimension entry.

They are imported through the Epson driver's utility tab. Refer to the MD-100 guide for instructions.

This feature stores a snapshot of printer driver settings inside the label file.

Settings may include media type, print quality and cutting options. When the label prints on the configured printer, the stored settings are applied automatically.

To capture the settings, open Tools → Printer setup, configure the printer driver's dialog and save the setup.

Studio does not automatically select the media during capture; the media must be chosen in the driver dialog.

Side-to-side print alignment is normally adjusted directly through the printer's settings.

Fine-tune the left margin or print position to accommodate the way the label roll has been slit and loaded.

The user manual provides more guidance under print alignment.

This occurs when an image frame points to a file that cannot be located for the current record.

Common causes include a missing image file, a mismatch between product codes and filenames, or insufficient access permissions to the image folder.

For example, if {StockCode} resolves to RX123, confirm that the expected file RX123.png actually exists and can be accessed by the PC.

Studio displays this error rather than silently inserting an incorrect product image.

This message comes from Windows, not RUXO Label Studio. It does not indicate a problem with the software.

Use Studio's own Preview to review the final label, including merged variable data.

Certain printer drivers, including some Afinia drivers, communicate with the printer before displaying their settings window.

This can take longer when the printer is switched off, busy or not reachable.

Check that the printer is powered on and connected, then try again. Studio displays a status message during this process.