Although technically these tips apply to any graphics software, this particular tutorial over at Spoon Graphics focuses on the exact steps to set up bleeds for print design in your document within Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop. The method to do so in other graphics application might be slightly different, but these walkthroughs should give you enough info to apply it to non-Adobe software.
Continue reading 'Setting Up Bleeds For Print Design In Creative Suite'
by George Coghill -
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Rick over at MacMerc has just posted an excellent overview on the three main online print-on-demand t-shirt printing shops: CafePress, Zazzle and Spreadshirt. For artists considering using one of these services, this is a great in-depth review on the similarities/differences between all three shops and their printing methods, as well as the pros and cons of each service and type of printing. Included are samples of shirts from each company, as well as magnified images of the printing.
Continue reading 'CafePress, Zazzle & Spreadshirt Showdown'
by George Coghill -
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A cartoon illustration & design project for a friend’s party required the resulting art to be suitable for reproduction on a photocopy machine. After some trial, error, Google search, trial, error, Google search, trial, error I discovered the magic combo that allows you to create a halftone in Photoshop for an image and print it out on your inkjet printer so the art will be perfect for photocopying.
This technique is perfect for flyers, newsletters or any other short-run printing needs you have where the cheapness of a photocopy is desired, but so are grayscale images.
Continue reading 'Cartoon Art & Halftones Tutorial: From Inkjet Printer to Photocopier'
by George Coghill -
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Pantone just released a brand new color matching system, touted as a “complement” to the PMS system they’ve used for 45 years. Once Adobe gives it the OK, PMS colors will be out the window. This has been in the works for about 4 years, so it predates the X-Rite buyout.
Supposedly the new numbering system is much more logical and expandable. It even comes with it’s own software now — even those who just opt for the standard fan books. Adobe hasn’t yet embraced the new system, but I can’t see why that won’t happen eventually.
Continue reading 'Pantone Announces New “Goe” Color Matching System'
by George Coghill -
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Color matching wizards Pantone have been bought out by color management gizmo maker X-Rite (yeah, I never heard of them either). Seems they have been collaborating for some time now, with the Pantone Huey being one of their joint efforts. The Huey is a pretty cool, essential and affordable tool, so perhaps this is a good sign of things to come (see my review of the Pantone Huey monitor calibration tool).
Pantone swatch books are essential tools for any artist/designer working with color, but it’s good to see that the hardware side will no doubt be more aggressively pursued by this merger, since the new owners are hardware based. Such a huge part of the work of many artists and designers create these days is done on the computer monitor, and proper calibration for predictable print output is essential.
via Daring Fireball
by George Coghill -
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I recently purchased one of these Pantone Huey monitor calibration gizmos to enhance my on-screen ability to proof colors for accuracy when printing. In short, it’s awesome and worth every penny. Read on for more… Continue reading 'Pantone Huey Monitor Calibration Tool'
by George Coghill -
View my cartoon character and mascot illustration portfolio
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