# PrintMaster Gold Classic

> greeting card and banner creation software

**Wikidata**: [Q113172793](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113172793)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/printmaster-gold-classic

## Summary
PrintMaster Gold Classic is a desktop publishing software application designed for the creation of greeting cards, banners, and other printed materials. Developed by Mindscape and released in 1998, it serves as a specialized tool for designing personal projects like calendars, posters, and certificates. It is an edition of the PrintMaster series and is compatible with Windows 95 and Windows for Workgroups 3.11 operating systems.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** Mindscape, an American software and video game developer founded in 1983.
- **Release Date:** 1998.
- **Version:** 4.
- **Operating Systems:** Windows 95 and Windows for Workgroups 3.11.
- **Classification:** Software (non-tangible computer executable component).
- **Primary Function:** Greeting card and banner creation.
- **Wine AppDB ID:** 4543.
- **Internet Archive ID:** PrintMaster_Gold_Classic_v4.0_-_Win31_Eng.

## FAQs
### Q: Who developed PrintMaster Gold Classic?
A: The software was developed by Mindscape, an American company based in Novato that was established in 1983. Mindscape operated as a developer and publisher within both the video game and software industries.

### Q: What operating systems can run PrintMaster Gold Classic?
A: PrintMaster Gold Classic is designed to run on Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows for Workgroups 3.11. It is categorized as software that functions on these specific personal computer operating systems.

### Q: What file formats does the software support for saving projects?
A: The software can write to several proprietary formats including PrintMaster Poster, Card, Half-fold Card, Banner, and Calendar file formats. This allows users to save specific layouts for different types of printing projects.

## Why It Matters
PrintMaster Gold Classic represents a significant iteration of consumer-level creative software from the late 1990s. Developed by Mindscape, a company with a long history in the software industry dating back to 1983, this version (Version 4) provided home users with the tools to produce a wide variety of printed media. Its relevance lies in its broad compatibility with both modern (for the time) Windows 95 systems and legacy 16-bit environments like Windows for Workgroups 3.11. 

The software solved the problem of complex document design by providing dedicated formats for specific tasks, such as half-fold cards and certificates. By supporting a diverse range of readable formats—including Windows Bitmap, GIF, JPEG, and even Photo CD—it allowed users to incorporate various digital image types into their physical printouts. As a part of the PrintMaster lineage, it contributed to the accessibility of desktop publishing, making the creation of banners, posters, and calendars a standard capability for personal computer users during the late 20th century. Its technical footprint remains documented through resources like the Wine Application Database and the Internet Archive.

## Notable For
- **Multi-Format Compatibility:** Capable of reading a wide array of image formats including Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) and Photo CD.
- **Specialized Layouts:** Features dedicated writable file formats for unique print structures like the PrintMaster Half-fold Card.
- **Cross-Generational Support:** Maintained functionality for both the 16-bit Windows for Workgroups 3.11 and the then-standard Windows 95.
- **Comprehensive Suite:** Includes tools for five distinct project types: cards, banners, posters, calendars, and certificates.

## Body

### Development and Origins
PrintMaster Gold Classic is an edition of the PrintMaster software line. It was developed by Mindscape, a developer and publisher headquartered in Novato, United States. Mindscape was founded in 1983 and was a participant in both the video game and software industries. This specific version, identified as Version 4, was published in 1998.

### Technical Environment
The software was built to run on Microsoft operating systems. It specifically supports:
- **Windows 95:** A personal computer operating system released in August 1995.
- **Windows for Workgroups 3.11:** A 16-bit operating system produced by Microsoft.

Technical tracking for the software is maintained via the Wine Application Database (ID 4543) and the Internet Archive (ID: PrintMaster_Gold_Classic_v4.0_-_Win31_Eng).

### File Format Support
PrintMaster Gold Classic features extensive support for various file formats to facilitate design and printing.

**Readable Formats:**
- **Proprietary:** PrintMaster Card, Banner, Poster, Calendar, and Certificate file formats.
- **Standard Images:** Windows Bitmap, GIF, and JPEG.
- **Specialized Formats:** Computer Graphics Metafile and Photo CD.

**Writable Formats:**
- **Project Files:** PrintMaster Poster, Card, Half-fold Card, Banner, and Calendar file formats.

### Functional Capabilities
The software is classified as greeting card and banner creation software. Its primary utility is the design of non-tangible executable components that translate into physical printed media. Users utilize the software to generate structured documents including:
- Banners and Posters
- Greeting Cards (including half-fold varieties)
- Calendars
- Certificates