DocStamper

DocStamper is a simple, open-source tool for sorting, Bates stamping, and packaging documents.

These Python scripts were original created to serve a client who needed to prepare documents for a subpoena. Below is a brief description of what each script does.

script.py This script takes files in PDF format and maps them into "production folders". Then, these PDFs are chronologically ordered, spliced into TIFF images, and Bates stamped. Finally, a load file in DAT and OPT formats is created to help the recipient load the documents into their document management software.

convert_to_pdf.py This script converts any DOCX files in a given directory to PDF. It checks which files already have PDF counterparts and skips them, so you don't have to worry about overriding any files.

Example use case

Say you receive a subpoena asking you to send some documents for a contract you worked on with a client.

Let's say you have a filesystem of structure:

accounts/
   client_1.docx
   client_2.docx
notes/
    notes_03_15_2022.docx
    notes_04_15_2022.docx

The requesting agency wants the files to be organized into bundles like this:

BUNDLE_A/
   client_1.docx
   notes_03_15_2022.docx
BUNDLE_B/
   client_2.docx
   notes_04_15_2022.docx

such that they receive them in this format:

BUNDLE_A/
   JOE_0001.tiff
   JOE_0002.tiff
   JOE_0003.tiff
   JOE_0004.tiff
BUNDLE_B/
   JOE_0005.tiff
   JOE_0006.tiff
   JOE_0007.tiff
   JOE_0008.tiff

where JOE is the moniker the agency assigns to your production of documents.

Here's how you do that:

Usage

Configuration

Make sure to modify the settings.py with the corresponding values. Here are the settings you'll want to change:

• INPUT_DIRECTORY: Set this to directory where your files are kept
• OUTPUT_DIRECTORY: Set this to the directory where the bundles should be output
• FILE_TO_BUNDLE_MAP: Configure how you want each file to mapped from your file system into the bundle

Running

1. Make sure to modify the settings.py as needed.
2. Run convert_to_pdf.py to convert any DOCX files to PDFs.
3. Run script.py.
4. Enjoy your bundled, Bates stamped TIFF files!

Loadfiles

What are load files? Well, the are files used by document management software to extract and process large numbers of documents quickly. Most document processing software uses load files created in two formats: OPT and DAT.

The Concordance DAT format used in the DAT file follows a similar schema to a CSV file but instead of using comma delimiters, it uses the registered trademark symbol. This is to avoid confusion when there are quotes in the actual content.

Concordance Load File: A text-delimited file ending with the file extension DAT. The Concordance load file references one document per line, and includes document metadata.

Opticon Cross-Reference File: A text-delimited file ending with the extension OPT. The Opticon cross-reference file references one Bates number per line.

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Note: This repositiory is not being actively maintained.