What each one is
Print Merge is built into CorelDRAW (File, Print Merge). You add merge fields to a design, link a data file, and CorelDRAW produces one record per page, either to print or as a new merged document. Corel's own tutorial describes it for variable data printing such as names and numbers.
AJILE 2026 is a paid add-on that runs inside CorelDRAW. It takes the same roster, pasted from Excel, but it builds garment pieces rather than pages: front, back, shorts and sleeves for each player, with names fitted per size and files exported by size and part.
Side by side
| Task | Print Merge | AJILE 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Read names and numbers from a list | Yes | Yes |
| Use a roster from Excel | Import .xlsx (newer versions) or CSV | Paste the columns, no import step |
| Shrink long names only when they overflow, per size | No | Yes |
| Different name and number size for S, M, L | No | Yes |
| Shorts and sleeve pieces with numbers | Manual setup | Yes |
| Export each piece as its own file, named by size and player | No | Yes |
| Folders by size or category | No | Yes |
| Size charts and sticker sheets | No | Yes |
| Price | Included with CorelDRAW | Rs.2,999 or $49 a month |
A 25-player example
Take a 25-player football order: names on the back, numbers on the back, front and shorts, sizes from kids 28 to XXL.
With Print Merge you get 25 pages of the back design. Long names on small sizes overflow, so you fix them by hand. Shorts numbers need a separate merge. Then you export each page, rename every file so the operator knows the size, and repeat for the shorts. At roughly 20 seconds per name fix or check, 30 seconds per export and 15 seconds per rename, that is close to an hour for one team.
With AJILE you load the same roster once. Fronts, backs and shorts are built with names fitted to each size, and Quick Export writes every file named by size and part. For the same order that is a few minutes, mostly waiting for the export.
When Print Merge is the better pick
- You print labels, certificates or ID tags where every record is the same size.
- Orders are rare, so a paid tool would sit idle.
- You already have a Print Merge routine for single-size work and it is fast enough.
When AJILE is the better pick
- Team orders arrive daily and include several sizes.
- Your printer needs one file per piece, named so it can be queued without opening CorelDRAW.
- Kits include shorts, sleeves, stickers or size charts.
Want to try Print Merge first? Our Print Merge guide for jersey names walks through it step by step.
Questions
Is Print Merge good enough for jerseys?
For a single-size order with short names, often yes. It struggles when names must shrink per size, when shorts and sleeves need numbers too, and when files must be exported and named per player.
Can Print Merge read Excel?
Newer CorelDRAW versions can read .xlsx, and Corel's tutorial says images and QR codes in merges need a CorelDRAW subscription. Older versions use text or CSV files.
Do I need to stop using Print Merge if I buy AJILE?
No. Many shops keep Print Merge for labels and certificates and use AJILE for team wear.
Print Merge details: Corel tutorial on variable data printing. Timings are the same per-step estimates used in our calculator.
Try AJILE free for 7 days
Install it on your own CorelDRAW, load one real roster and see the time saved before you pay anything.