Variable Data

Variable data is when all items in a data set have different values. This is in contrast to bulk data in which all items in a data set have the same value.  In printing, variable data is often called “variable elements” when for each print an element of the artwork changes for each item printed.

Examples of variable data include:

• Sequential: {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
• Series: {10, 20, 30, 40}
• Random: {34, 78, 12, 45}
• Rendered barcodes
• Variable images and graphics

When two variable data sets are uniquely paired together, that is called correlated data.