Knowing the technicalities of branding your Promotional Merchandise with your Artwork and Companies Logo allows you to make informed decisions, ensure your brand is accurately represented and allows you to work with us to create the best possible outcome. Here we cover:
The amount of colours in your logo or design can impact the final print cost
The industry term of 1-4 'Spot Colours' is the amount of block colours (including black and white) you can pick out in your Logo.
The type of Print Process used on a product will determine how important the number of colours are. For example, Digital Prints will print any full colour logo, whereas Screen Printing considers the amount of colours in your logo when determining the final print cost. Screen printing onto a dark background may on occasion also require a 'backing' or 'flash' print which is counted as an extra colour, in order to make the print more vibrant.
Ensuring a clear and vibrant print relies on an appropriate file type.
The world of file types can be an overwhelming place.The most consistantly reliable artwork format would be vector artwork created using software such as Adobe Illustrator or Coral Draw with text outlined or converted to curves and saved as an .EPS file.
Converting an Existing File?
Converting a file type for Printing Promotional Merchandise involves using specialized software or tools to ensure the file is in the appropriate Format, Resolution, and Colour mode. It is important to use the correct file format and resolution to avoid pixelation or loss of quality. Additionally, it may be necessary to convert the colour mode to CMYK to ensure accurate colour reproduction on the final product.
Have we lost you? - Not to worry!
If this isn't possible or if you are unsure, we can accept .JPG .PDF .PSD .TIFF and .PNG files and redraw the artwork to a suitable format for you
Even with the correct file type, there can be an extra step to ensure your text style is retained.
Not all PC's have every font - which can mean your font is converted to the closest match. We do hold many fonts on our system and there is every chance we already have yours ready for use.
Providing a vector image format instead of editable text always ensures your text is retained. This is known as converting to 'Outlines' in Adobe Illustrator (AI), 'Curves' in Coral Draw (CDR) or 'Embedded' in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) or Office
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Product Print Areas, Placement and Sizing can vary, so you may wish to adjust your Artwork accordingly.
An artwork template is a visual representation and indication of how the final product will look once it is printed, along with details such as the print area, sizing, and placement. The template may also show how the artwork will appear on different coloured backgrounds or materials. Often including information about the printing method to be used, such as screen printing or digital printing. During enquiry ro prior to an order, an Artwork template will be completed to include your sized Artwork as well as details about the colours to be used.
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KEY NOTES:
Overlapped Boxes - Represent where a Print Area wraps around a curved product
Multiple Print Areas - Offering varying print placements across a product and often differences in size. You can choose to print in one or all available print options.
Sizing - You can utilize the entirety of a Print Area or position Artwork anywhere within it. The choice is yours and can look visually striking in many different ways dependant on the product and look you are going for.
Bleed Lines - Sometimes a product will allow for 'Bleed' Lines, where the print may bleed over a certain area during the print process. In these templates, its advisable to ensure the core print is within certain limits.
Clothing - It is important to note that Sizing and Placement can vary due to the nature of the printing process and the type of garment to be printed on. We can make recommendations and advise where appropriate.
Where there is likely to be an Artwork or Print concern, this will be highlighted on an artwork proof for consideration and the option to correct if required. These typically relate to Artwork Quality or Colour Representation.
Did you know that the same design colour can look different depending on the print technique and the promotional merchandise it's printed on?
This is because different print methods and materials affect how colours appear. It's essential to consider these factors when choosing the colour model and selecting Pantone, CMYK or RGB colours for your promotional merchandise. In this way, you can ensure that the final product accurately represents your brand and achieves the desired impact.
Worried your Product won't Represent your Colours Appropriately? Pantone is the way to go! Alternatively, did you know you can order a pre-production Sample of your Product? Contact us for more details.
Different Products and Print Processes can benefit from different types of Artwork and Imagery.
When it comes to digital images, there are two main types: vector images and raster (bitmap) images. Understanding the difference between these two types of images is important when it comes to creating and reproducing high-quality graphics for various applications, including promotional merchandise.
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How do I Create a Vector Image?
To create a vector image, you will need specialized software like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW, which have tools and features designed for making vector graphics. The creative process usually involves the following steps:
Plan and sketch out the design: Before you start working on the computer, it's helpful to sketch out your design on paper or digitally to visualize the final product and work out any design details.
Open a new file and Create a new layer: It's best practice to create a new layer for each element of your design. This helps you work more efficiently and allows you to make changes to individual parts of your design without affecting the rest.
Begin drawing your design: Using the various drawing tools available in the software, you can start drawing your design. These tools include the Pen Tool, Bezier Curve Tool, and Shape Tool, among others.
Apply colors and gradients: Once you've created the basic shapes and lines of your design, you can apply colours and gradients to make it visually appealing.
Add details: After applying colours and gradients, you can add details to your design, such as shadows, highlights, and textures.
It's important to note that creating a vector image can be a time-consuming process, especially for complex designs. However, the benefits of using vector graphics, such as scalability and high-quality resolution, make it a worthwhile investment for many designers and businesses.
Can I Convert a Raster Image to a Vector Image?
If you want to turn an image into a vector image, you can use a process called "vectorization" or "tracing". This involves using specialized software like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW to trace over the edges of the image and create a series of points and lines that define the shape of the image. There are two main ways to do this: manual and automatic. Manual vectorization means tracing the image yourself using a pen tool, while Automatic Vectorization uses software algorithms to trace the image for you. Just remember, not all images are suitable for vectorization, and the quality of the resulting vector image will depend on the complexity of the original image and the quality of the vectorization software used.
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How do I Create a Raster Image?
Some popular programs used for creating raster images include Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and Corel PaintShop Pro. To create a raster image, you would typically start by creating a new document or opening an existing one. Then, you can use various tools within the software to draw or import graphics, shapes, or text onto the canvas. As you work, the software will create a raster image made up of pixels that represent the colors and details of your design.
You can also scan physical images or photographs into a raster format using a scanner or camera. Once the image is in a digital format, you can manipulate it using raster image editing software.
How can I improve a Low Quality Image?
Whilst it is always best to start with a high-resolution image to ensure the best quality, there are some things you can try to improve poor quality images.
1. Try using image editing software to adjust the brightness, contrast, and sharpness of the image
2. Try resizing the image to a smaller size, then back to the original size, which can help smooth out pixelated edges
3. Use an image upscaling tool to create new pixels within the image to increase resolution (assists in preserving smaller details)
4. Resample the image in an image editing software like Photoshop or GIMP to change the size of existing pixels
TO NOTE: These methods may not always result in a perfectly clear and crisp image, especially if the original image is extremely low-quality
