RGB vs CMYK
"Could we print the brochure in RGB? You know, it would be cheaper if we use one color less…"
To those who are unfamiliar with the world of printing; offset and digital printing requires 4 basic colors to make up the wide range of colors that are represented in the natural world: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black.
In the digital/computer/television world, it is all made up of 3 colors, Red, Green and Blue. The combinations of these 3 colors are an interpretation of the actual natural light colors on your monitor.
If you look closely at your monitor, it’s made up of tiny RGB lights and if you look closely at a full color printed material, it’s made up of CMYK dots. This is what makes printing work.
RGB – Good for computer/digital use. Bad and not usable for printing (paper or clothing)
CMYK – Good for offset and digital printing. Bad and not interpreted correctly on the computer
Finishing Steps to Bindery
One of the most important aspects of any printed project are the final touches. Finishing or bindery, is what this final process is called. It is critical with any print project to plan with the final product in mind.
Understanding folding is important to any effective bindery process. Paper can be folding in many ways. Mis-measured folds are the causes of a reprinted job. In regards to digital printing, you can expect a tolerance of 1/16 inch per fold. This varies according to the weight and the caliper (thickness) of the paper stock and the overall location of the folds. Proper planning in the design stage will help eliminate bindery errors.
Illustrated are the most common folding styles used in print production today. Using standard names will help ensure good communication between designers and printers.
A few common folds that I normally deal within the digital print shop environment are as a follows:
- A letter fold is the most common of folds. Check out wikiHow for a step by step instruction.
- Typically accordian folds are simple zig-zag folds with 6-panels and two parallel folds that go in opposite directions. Each panel of the accordian fold is about the same size.
- In double parallel folds the paper is folded in half and then folded in half again with a fold parallel to the first fold.
- With French folds the paper is folded with crossfolds or right angle folds, often with a short first fold. The shorter portion or head in french folds may be folded to the inside (heads in) or outside (heads out).
- In a gatefold the left and right edges fold inward with parallel folds and meet in the middle of the page without overlapping. The paper might be folded again down the middle so that the folded edges meet and a fold is created in center panel of the paper - also known as a double gatefold.
- The folds in paper with parallel folds all run in the same direction, parallel to each other. Parallel folds are commonly used for all kinds of brochures (such as tri-fold), stationery inserted into business envelopes, and other materials. The specific direction of each of the parallel folds determines the type of folding pattern such as accordian or gatefold.
Digital PrePress Checklist
Digital Prepress...the most complicated part of printing for both printers and designers alike. Common Problems: missing fonts, low resolution photos, files saved and packaged incorrectly. Oh my!
The next time you design a project and submit it to your local printer, take a peek at this list and your life and your printer's job should be much easier! It might even be cheaper because your files were submitted correctly.
When creating documents to send for digital output, please ensure that:
- The document dimensions are correct and at the right size for output.
- All images are correctly positioned and linked.
- Logos or graphics created in programs like Illustrator, have all type converted to paths or outlines.
- In your page layout program, the status of all imported pictures or links should be "ok."
- You have only used fonts that you intended to use for output.
- All unused colors have been deleted.
- The pasteboard's surrounding all design pages are empty.
- All document bleeds have been extended at least 1/8" beyond the desired finished size of your project.
- All documents have been proof-read and double-checked before submission. Have a friend proof read it!
Design & Pre-Press Checklist:
- Do not use Publisher or Quark. Stick to Adobe Products for ease of use.
- Remember, Photoshop is for photos. Illustrator is for illustrations. InDesign is for Page Layout.
- Do not enlarge images beyond 120% of original size when placing it in your document.
- Do not use images downloaded from Google. Read second sections of post.
- Do not use compression methods (i.e. LZW or JPEG) on placed images for output.
- Do not use RGB images whenever possible. Convert them to CMYK.
Before submitting files, please make sure that you have included:
- All fonts required to process and print the document.
- All attached EPS and/or TIFF/JPG files.
- Final laser prints of all document pages.
Command Something New
Guess what I found today? Atmostheory! I have always enjoyed scouring the web and coming across something new and extremely creative. These posters are nothing overly complex but the idea behind them are amazing. Most people work a lifetime to create something truly original. Which is your favorite?
Available for purchase at My Little Underground. Throw a little love to the original artist.
A Modern Desk Calendar
Have fun popping one of these bubbles every day on the 2010 Bubble Calendar, available in 4 different languages and vertical or horizontal layout. The cost is $20.10 (clever!) and you can get one at bubblecalendar.com
More Details:
- Huge! 47" x 18" poster calendar
- The type is set in Helvetica Neue
- The calendars are printed on thick paper (80 pound cover stock)
- The calendars are shipped via the Postal Service. (Perfect for the holiday!)
Common Misconceptions in Graphic Design and Printing
"Why does it always look different on my screen?
A client might ask for a specific Pantone color from their own Pantone swatch book. The designer sets the file exactly as it is required, yet when the client sees an example on their computer monitor they are very disappointed that the color isn’t the same or even close. Why is that?
Brightness, contrast, color settings… all monitors have them. Unless two monitors are calibrated to the exact same settings then the colors will always appear very different. The best way to color-match is to use printed proofs, and even then, your choice of paper can critically effect the color of your printed product.
When printing digital, ask your printer for a pantone swatch color sheet. This sheet will include all the pantone colors to give you a chance to see what the pantone colors look like when printed digitally. Remember, Pantone is a standard for offset printing to standardize the color reproduction system such as CMYK or spot colors.
“Can you use the image from the web for our brochure or rackcard?”
Sourcing images can be very time-consuming. Many people believe that an image they find online is perfect for any print job. However, in order to look clear, web images must have a minimum resolution of 72 dots per inch (dpi). Digital or Offset Print work, on the other hand, requires images to have a minimum resolution of at least 300 dpi.
“Why does graphic design cost so much?”
The client doesn’t often see the process involved when a graphic designer takes on a design project. In fact, on most occasions the client will only see a few computer-generated proofs or design examples. It is always best to give your client a timeline of your design process so they can understand the steps that are necessary in the creative process.
For example: A designer typically only use a computer at the end of the design process. Beforehand comes clarifying the design brief, research, brainstorming and logo sketching.
What problems do you find cropping up again and again when dealing with graphic designers, clients or printer?Advertising from the 1970’s
Vintage Men's Advertising from the 1970's
Clever Coaster Designs
Ever come across a really cool coaster and wonder, “Am I drunk or is this coaster really cool?” Well here is your sober chance to take a look at some clever and creative coaster inspiration. We’ve rounded up 30 coasters that would definitely liven up any bar top or table.
Did you know? Coasters were first made in 1880 and originally called Beermats? First use of a beermat was to advertise alcohol.
To see the rest of the collection head on over to YOUTHEDESIGNER. Original Blog Post by: BlueGrassPrintYour business card is #$@!
Business Card; definition: A small card identifying a person in connection with his or her business, given to a client, potential customer, etc.
Don't expect your business card to be able tell your company's entire story. Your business card is not meant to sell a product or service.
What you should expect it to do is present a professional image people will remember. The color, wording and texture of your business card have a lot to do with its appeal and its ability to convey your company image or message. Use common sense when you're designing your card.
Keep the following tips in mind:
- Use your logo as the basis. Typically, make it the largest element on the card.
- Keep it simple, stupid. Don't cram too much information on the card.
- Do not put your photo on your card unless you sell real estate.
- Do include the essentials--your name, title, company name, address, phone and fax numbers and e-mail address--and make sure your name and business name are immediately identifiable.
- Make sure the typeface is easily readable. Stay away from Brush Scripts, Comic Sans, Papyrus. These are just a few.
- Stick to one or two colors unless you decide on full color printing.
- Make sure it's easy to read.
- Your business card should not exceed $1 per card. This is just a rule of thumb.
Print-Ready PDF files
Print-ready PDF files Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) is great for a multitude of uses. It has caused a revolution in printing. Everything needed for high-resolution printing can be packed into one file that can be opened and printed using Adobe's free Reader on almost any computer. The trick is, because a PDF can be created many different ways, to create it the correct way and pack it with the essential information for high-quality digital printing or a file that can be used for make-ready, for offset printing.
Here are a few of the minimum requirements for a PDF file to be usable for high-resolution printing using a digital print process.
- All fonts used in the document should be embedded in the PDF file. The preference for "Subsetting" the fonts should be set to 100%.
- For CMYK printing, all color in the document should be CMYK. This goes for ink colors as well as photos and illustrations.
- Make sure that the photos and line art in the document do not have their resolution reduced (downsampled) when the PDF is created. Photos should retain their 300 dpi resolution.
- The compression should be fine set on "automatic" but some say "zip" is better than "jpeg" for quality. You can also choose "none" and the photos will not be compressed when the PDF is created but, this will result in a larger PDF.
If you follow these guidelines, your PDF will work for high-resolution CMYK printing. The same PDF will also work in all the processes that require less resolution as well.
The term "make-ready" refers to everything done on a press to prepare for the final print job. This includes selecting the proper colors, getting the image placement correct, setting up the plates, and preparing the printer for the chosen paper size and weight. Getting everything right during make-ready helps to ensure a quality print run. This step would be considered finished when the printer is satisfied with a print, and can therefore begin the actual run.I would like that for Free
Pretend for just a moment you walk into your favorite local bakery. You go up to the counter and the bakery's employee asks you, "What would you like today?" Now you look at her and say, "I have this important business meeting today and I would like two dozen bagels and a variety of cream cheese please." "Of course," she says. She gathers your order and you take your freshly baked bagels and cream cheese and head for the door. She says, "Umm, don't forget sir, you need to pay for those." "No, it is ok, I buy a lot from you all the time and I need these for free today," you say.
What just happened? As an employee of a local print shop this dilemma has reared its ugly head before, the horror of the freebie request.
Your customer always has a basic want or request -
- - I have no budget for this upcoming project.
- - We are wanting to do samples as a sales pitch to a current customer.
- - Would you like to be a print sponsor for this event we have this weekend?
From time to time freebies are part of any small business. With this, there has to be an understanding between both parties. When running a small business you can not afford to give a free project away that will conflict with your current production workflow already on the table. Your customer also needs to not push deadlines onto a project he or she is not going to pay for.
The dreaded freebie request- [Customer] It would be great if we could just change that layout a little bit and add this logo into it. It won't be too much trouble, will it?
Do you have a freebie story? Please share below.
Short Documentary: Comic Sans
A short documentary about the font Comic Sans. Created for a video production course and inspired by the film "Helvetica" by Gary Hustwit.
Critics and Designers
Guess what? Everyone is a critic and a designer in this town!
I have slowly accepted that fact that everyone in Savannah, GA some how thinks that they are qualified to be there own graphic designer. Here are a few do it yourself tips, courtesy of pidesign if you would like to create your own design and not hire a professional to create that next print project.
- Create your project in any program with “Microsoft” in the name. You’d be better off finger-painting with mud on an old pizza box, dousing it with gasoline and throwing it briskly into a portal to hell.
-From a print shops point of view - Charge extra for anything Microsoft. - OPTIMA OPTIMA OPTIMA. Did I forget to mention that use of COMIC SANS will also immediately discredit you as a designer?
-Personal Favorite: Papyrus! - Forget to run spell check. This is the best way to show how disinterested you are in the subject matter. Typos also demonstrate that you’re too lazy to finish the job right. That gives the rest of designers an undeserved bad name. How could we be lazy with all of these extremely tight deadlines that we have worked so hard procrastinating for?
-From time to time I print a customer's project with misspelled words and then the client asks why did I print it? HA! - Add an exciting red starburst with the word “NEW!” in some lame block font doesn’t really make anyone want to buy your new product. It actually makes them want to spray it with bug killer and smack it with their shoe. Twice.
- Add an outline to the lovely cursive font you have selected and watch the readability disappear.
- Use really low resolution images taken from someone else’s website for your brochure. Please note that if you’re going to use stolen imagery for your brochure you have to decide if it’s worth spending time in jail as someone’s lover for copyright infringement. Seriously, if you’re going to go to jail anyway you should at least have a nice brochure from which you might possibly get some business to pay for your court fees.
-Do not get me started on low resolution images. This is a daily nightmare. Why does it look good on my screen? - Clip backgrounds from photos using the Magic Wand tool. The icon for the magic wand should be replaced with a sparkling crutch. Don’t use it to pull out background images from photos. Take that time that you’ll be ridiculed by all of your peers and put it to good use learning how to mask.
- Accidentally outline all the text in your document and then stand by praying that the client doesn’t ask for any copy changes. Come on, we have all been there, furiously trying to move around the big block of blue boxes created by the outlined paragraph instead of having to re-type the whole gosh darned thing.
- Fill the white space by cramming all the copy you can onto the page thereby eliminating any sense of focus to the overall message. This is one of the easiest ways to confuse the audience and remove any chance of successfully gaining new customers for your client. This often results in no more paying gigs for you.
-First rule of graphic design: White Space is always on sale! - Stretch and squish your photos just to make them fit into that little space you have backed yourself into by filling the rest of the document with needless copy. Don’t worry, no one will notice.
Now of course these are things not to do...
But hey, who am I?
Please take a few more minutes to read this again. Why, because I said it was important!
Original Post: http://blog.pidesign.com/2009/08/11-ways-to-ruin-a-great-design/#ixzz0S7rxJOtGFree Advice
If you want to order a project that needs to be printed for tomorrow, you should order it in advance. Why, b/c that is just common sense!
Always best to give your local print shop or print vendor plenty of time to produce your job correctly and at a price you can afford. Remember, rush fees can make miracles happen sometimes.
Watch out for the dangerous thank you charge!
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