Release Notes: Spectra 2013 Volume 1 SR 5 - NEW
Release Date: April 30, 2013. Along with several enhancements related to InSpiredByYou, the following issues have been fixed in this release...+ More

Release Notes: Spectra 2013 Volume 1 SR 4
Release Date: March 20, 2013. The following issues have been fixed in this release...+ More

Release Notes: Spectra 2013 Volume 1
Release Date: February 27, 2013. Read about the new and enhanced features and the fixed issues in Spectra 2013 Volume 1...+ More

Release Notes: Spectra 2012 Volume 1 SR 10
Release Date: December 18, 2012. The following issues have been fixed in this release...+ More

Release Notes: Spectra 2012 Volume 1 SR 9
Release Date: November 13, 2012. The following issues have been fixed in this release...+ More

Release Notes: Spectra 2012 Volume 1 SR 8
Release Date: October 25, 2012. Along with an installation enhancement related to Windows 8, the following issues have been fixed in this release...+ More

Release Notes: Spectra 2012 Volume 1 SR 7
Release Date: September 27, 2012. This release contains a number of fixed issues, along with several program enhancements... + More

Release Notes: Spectra 2012 Volume 1 SR 6
Release Date: August 2, 2012. The following issues have been fixed in this release... + More

Release Notes: Spectra 2012 Volume 1 SR 5
Release Date: July 23, 2012. This release contains a number of fixed issues, along with several program enhancements... + More

Release Notes: Spectra 2012 Volume 1 SR 4
Release Date: June 12, 2012. The following issues have been fixed in this release... + More

Release Notes: Spectra 2012 Volume 1 SR 3
Release Date: May 15, 2012. Spectra 2012 Volume 1 SR 3 includes some great enhancements specifically designed for studios that photograph high school seniors. Read about the new and enhanced features and the fixed issues in this release... + More

Release Notes: Spectra 2012 Volume 1 SR 2
Release Date: April 17, 2012. The following issues have been fixed in this release... + More

Release Notes: Spectra 2012 Volume 1 SR 1
Release Date: March 19, 2012. Spectra 2012 Volume 1 SR 1 debuts a new name and a new look and feel, along with many great new features! Read about the new and enhanced features and the fixed issues in this release... + More

Troubleshooting Google Sync Setup
If you are experiencing issues with Google sync after enabling this feature, please refer to these steps to ensure that everything is set up correctly. + More

If you are experiencing problems getting your offsite DataSafe backup to work, please refer to the following steps to ensure it is set up properly. + More

FAQ - Deposits vs. Credit Balances - NEW
Is there a difference between a customer deposit and a credit balance? How do I know which one to use? Yes, there is a difference between customer deposits and credit balances in Spectra... + More

FAQ - Refunds - NEW
How do I create refunds in Spectra? There is a difference in how refunds are issued in Spectra depending on whether or not the original invoice has been posted. Take a look at the steps below to see how to create a refund for an invoice that hasn't been posted, as well as for one that has been posted. + More

FAQ - Upgrading to Spectra SQL
What is Spectra SQL? If you're considering upgrading to Spectra SQL, take a look at the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Spectra SQL.... + More

FAQ - Using Spectra with Photoshop
Does Spectra link with Photoshop™, Lightroom™, or any other imaging software? Yes, yes, and yes! Simply set up your preferred photo editing software in Spectra. Then just select an image, click Retouch on the Digital Workflow ribbon, and Spectra will open the image in your preferred photo editor... + More

FAQ - Finding InSpired Orders in Spectra
How can I find a client's InSpiredByYou order in Spectra? Use the client's InSpired order confirmation number! This number is stored in Spectra as the Web Order Number... + More

FAQ - Combining Production Orders
Can production orders include items from different invoices? Yes, you can link multiple invoices to a single Spectra production order. Take a look at the example... + More

FAQ - Unlocking Posted Invoices
How can I unlock an invoice that been posted? Unlocking posted invoices is very easy, however, it can cause issues when integrating with an accounting software... + More

FAQ - Transferring a Credit Balance
How can I transfer a credit balance from one invoice to another? + More

FAQ - Tracking the Costs of an Invoice
Can Spectra help me track the costs of an invoice? Yes! View the costs of an invoice by using Spectra's Profit Analysis Report. If you're using Spectra Professional, there are also tools... + More

FAQ - Sales Tax Reporting
Why is my sales tax report blank? + More

FAQ - Exporting Email Addresses
How do I export a list of names and email addresses? + More

FAQ - Email ISP Limits
What are my Internet Service Provider's (ISP) limitations, and how do those limitations affect my ability to send emails from Spectra? + More

FAQ - Filters for Labels by Grad Year/Organization
Can I make filters to print labels by graduation year and organization? Yes! Here's an example of how Spectra makes it easy... + More

FAQ - Membership Plans
Can I set up Spectra to keep track of a baby or family plan? Yes! Here's an example... + More

How can I import ProSelect orders into Spectra?
Did you know that with the release of Spectra 2012 you can now import your ProSelect orders with the original file name and have the items match up to your Spectra price list? This gives you the ability to make your sale in ProSelect and get all the reporting functionality of Spectra! You will need to do a little bit of work in ProSelect first.... + More

How do I work with statuses in Spectra?
Learn how to set up, customize, and use Spectra statuses to keep your business on track! StudioPlus Spectra has many different status-tracking features, designed to automate tasks and make sure everything runs right on schedule! What is a status? A 'status' is basically a step you want to track... + More

Getting Started with StudioPlus SMS Text Messaging
With the new Spectra SMS text messaging service introduced in Spectra 2012 Volume 1, you can send individual texts to clients, send bulk texts to a large group of clients, or send triggered texts based on the status updates. + More

Spectra 2012 Credit Card Processing Changes
Spectra 2012 offers great new tools designed to simplify the PCI compliance burden that all studios face. This article applies to existing users of StudioPlus 2011 (or prior) that currently process credit cards with Merchant Warehouse and that are upgrading to StudioPlus Spectra 2012. + More

How do I manage my high school senior workflow? - UPDATED!
There are many features in Spectra that can be used by the high school senior photographer. This article will show you some of Spectra's features that are specifically designed for high school senior photographers and to give you some good ideas for using them. (Includes printable version.) Note: This article has been updated to reflect the new high school senior workflow enhancements introduced in Spectra 2012 Volume1 SR 3. + More

What are some ways I can find and manage seniors without sessions?
When you need a list of your high school seniors that haven't had a session, Spectra includes a report that just might give you the information you need. However, there may be times you need additional filtering options, you wish to create bulk calls, emails, or text messages for this set of clients, or you simply find that the report isn't producing what you need... + More

How do I document a returned check?
The instructions for documenting a returned check (and any associated fees) are different based on whether the original invoice has been posted or not.. + More

How do I discount or donate a gift certificate or gift card?
Gift cards and gift certificates can't be discounted at the line-item level like other items... + More

How do I print a client statement?
The following instructions will show you how to use a custom report to print client statements from Spectra, either individually or in a group. In addition, you will learn... + More

Tips on processing credit card payments through Spectra. + More

Tracking your studio's revenue by promotion can help you evaluate the effectiveness of your promotions. The following instructions will help you understand how to set up and use... + More

How do I create a report to find out all the sessions we've booked (called and made sessions for) this week? How about for this month? + More