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Why Wear A Christian T-Shirt Or Christian Cap?

You stroll down the street, go to malls, parks and even churches, you will observe adults and teenagers wearing Bible verses on their t-shirt. You will also seeing some pretty catchy catchphrases on their shirts with allusions to Bible verses. You might even see some tshirts with hateful sayings on their shirts. Why do people wear these?


It is a way to articulate who you are and what you consider to be true. This is multiplying the Gospel one t-shirt at a time. They come in t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, beanies, and baseball caps. You will find them in regular sizes to plus-sizes. Women wear them as well as little children. The color assortment is from to brilliant reds to deep black. Even the colors symbolize something about that person and their faith.


What initiated as a way for a few folks to communicate their faith gently has grown into a multi-million dollar a year industry. The need to have more distinctive designs has risen and thus an industry is born. Graphic artist are creating new designs daily. They are either being hot pressed onto the shirts or embroidered.


Cowboy and even Bikers had gotten into wearing Christian T-Shirts. I am not a cowboy but have seen some pretty cool Christian Cowboy tees. The bikers are not to be out done. Their Christian Motorcycle tees are pretty cool and their slogans are pretty unabashed. I guess they are ready to back up what they say. Hopefully with a Christian spirit.


It seems man has always tried to put across himself with the wearing of clothes. Wearing tshirts is part of the world culture. You can visit remote parts of the world and find people wearing tshirts. Tshirts are just relaxed, easy to wear and care for. They are truly a well-designed shirt. It is only natural that Christians would want to express themselves with Christian T-Shirts and Caps that spread the Gospel. I vote for them but wished some of my brothers and sisters would opt out of the intolerable saying. That is another subject for another time.


The styles today comprise of sweatshirts with hoods. They are also identified as hoodies. There are Christian sweatshirts for this style. The young folks really seem to like these. Obviously they come in black which is their favorite color of the day. It seems awful hot to see someone walking around in a dark sweatshirt with a hood over their head. I guess that is why the young folks wear them and not the older mature crowd.


Regrettably, our nation is becoming obese and therefore cloth sizes have enlarged. You can find Christian T-Shirts and Sweatshirts in plus sizes for men and women. You will usually have to pay a few dollars more for the plus size. I guess it has to do with using more material. A word of concern, just because it comes in 2XL doesn’t mean it really is big. I haven’t figured out how the makers decide what a 2XL is from a 3XL. Also, taken into consideration they may or in all probability will shrink after you wash them the first time. You don’t want to pay out $25 for a T-Shirt to clean it and now can’t wear it because it is too undersized.


Christian caps and beanies are another way that young people and adults demonstrate their faith. The beanies have recently become very popular. You also will see Christian motorcyclist wearing their beanies. I like the beanies but they just don’t look good on me. I guess you have to have the right profile of head to be styling.


Christian jewelry has been around for a long time. It is still accepted today. The cross seems to be the most popular to wear. You even see none Christians wearing the cross. I can’t help but think of being drawn near the cross.


So the next time you decide to put on a t-shirt or a beanie, think about giving out your faith. How many times have you said, I just have a hard time informing a stranger about my faith. The Christian TShirt or Cap can help open the door for you. Just don’t start off with one of those tshirts that is so repugnant or you have to be a theologian to understand what it is being said.

Jerry Johnson is trying to spread the Gospel one tshirt at a time. Visit Christian TShirts And Caps for a wide selection of Christian T-Shirts in regular and plus sizes.

At Home Screen Printing | Beginners Information on Silk Screen Printing

Screen printing today has become an inexpensive alternative to other printing methods. It has evolved as a very lucrative work at home business opportunity for those looking to earn extra income. The screen printing technique can be mastered very easily and implemented in no time with the right equipment and supplies purchased inexpensively.

Silk screen printing is a simple technique of printing on t-shirts, paper and other surfaces where the design is transferred on to a frame that has a screen mesh stretched firmly over it. The ink is then pressed through the screen using a squeegee.

History
The concept of screen printing was originally invented in China and was first used in mid 1800′s for an industrial printing process. The printing was used for political posters, machinery parts and included fabric printing as well. This printing method was later adopted by other Asian countries like Japan who developed it further.

Advantages
The advantages of silk screen printing are several.  This technique can be used to print on fabric, plastic, metal, paper, rubber and any other surface that has a smooth texture. One can use different ink formulation as this technique involves direct printing on the surface resulting in bright, long lasting and high quality finished prints. It also requires minimal investment in equipment which makes it an affordable option not only for individuals but also businesses.

Commonly Printed Items
One of the most common items used for printing are t-shirts that are in huge demand as a promotional product. This printing technique can not only be very affordable but also helps you to print lot of sizes in huge quantities using your creativity in prints. Other commonly used items for silk screening involve bumper stickers, wallpapers, mouse pads, etc.

Silk Screening Inks
The most commonly used silk screening ink is plastisol often used on garments. However, the other types of inks used are water based inks, discharge inks, glitter or shimmer inks, expanding inks, glossy inks, suede or caviar beads. The water based inks are smoother and seep in to the fabric totally. Discharge inks are more appropriate inks for printing on dark backgrounds as they remove the dye from the cloth rather than dyeing it. Expanding inks are used to create a 3D effect by expanding the prints on the fabric.

Some Misconceptions
There are few misconceptions of silk screening being a “cottage industry” business, however, the amount of revenues that one can generate from it using it the right way can bring in huge amounts of revenue. There are many who have taken on this business as a hobby, part time work and even dedicating full time to it and earning a fortune which no longer makes it a pure cottage industry business venture.

So if you are looking out for a new business opportunity that is not only affordable but also fun and unleashes your creativity, then it is time you get home your biggest little printer and get started.

Silk Screen Now provides you with squeegees, plastisol ink, flash dryers, screen printing equipment, tshirt printing, silk screen equipment, screen printing supplies, at home screen printing, etc so that you can start your own home business.

T-shirt Printing San Diego – Sandlgraphicdesign

Visit www.SandLGraphicDesign.com for all your printing needs, located in San Diego, California in vista.  SandL Graphic Design can do you next t-shirt printing, screen printing, digital t-shirt printing, or heat press. 

 

One of the oldest, and still most reliable, ways to print to a t-shirt is the screen printing method. Screen printing is usually the method considered to be of the highest quality by printers and customers. Screen printing requires a great deal of set up and that is why screen printing can sometimes be more expensive than the other methods. With screen printing each color is applied separately and a screen needs to be made for each color as well. The set up time can be longer than the other methods but the results are usually far more durable and attractive than the other methods. Many printers also consider screen printing to be the method that causes the most mess because they are dealing with printing the same image repeatedly but in different phases. After a while the ink starts to get a bit messy. But many printers and customers prefer the screen printing method.

Recently there has been another printing method of choice that is challenging screen printing as the method of choice. Heat transfer is becoming very popular and it is because of how easy it is to execute heat transfer printing that is allowing it to become so popular. For the heat transfer method you print the image on a special type of transfer paper and then transfer the image to the t-shirt with heat which seems very self explanatory. It is easy to do and it allows the printer some flexibility with customers as smaller quantity orders can be printed effectively with this method. The underlying problem with heat transfer is that it does not work well on dark shirts as the shirt color usually winds up being the lightest color in the image. If you are trying to print a light image to a dark shirt the results may not be what you were hoping for.

Another method of t-shirt printing that is quite popular is the method referred to as Direct to Garment or DTG printing. For this method the entire image is printed directly to the shirt. This method comes out not being as heavy or thick as screen printing, and it can offer the printer the ability to do small quantity orders, but like heat transfer printing the DTG method usually winds up having the cloth being the lightest part of the image and for many customers this is simply not acceptable.

T-shirt printing is a complicated art that requires years of experience to properly execute. The method you choose to print the t-shirts with depends solely on the needs and wants of the customer. In order to know which methods apply to which situations you need to be proficient in as many t-shirt printing methods as possible.

 

T-shirt printing San Diego- visit http://www.SandLGraphicDesign.com for your next t-shirt printing, screen printing, digital t-shirt printing, heat press.  We are located at 503 South Santa Fe, Vista, California 92084 in San Diego County or visit us online at www.SandLGraphicDesign.com or call for more details at 760 758 3239.

 

SandL Graphic Design offers top quality T-shirt printing, custom T-shirts, Custom Screen printing, T-shirt printing San diego, business card san diego, visit http://www.sandlgraphicdesign.com for your next custom T-shirt printing.

Save the Environment with Eco-Friendly Custom Embroidered or Printed Wholesale T Shirts, Golf Tee Shirts, Polo Shirts and Promotional Items in Tampa

Mother Nature has been lashing out at the world through climate change that has spawned numerous natural disasters. It is time to take drastic measures to save the environment. We need to start being more responsible in everything we do, especially with our day to day habits. One of the major parts of our lives that we need to make ecologically friendly is clothing. We can contribute a lot toward saving our earth by using only eco-friendly custom embroidered and printed wholesale t shirts, golf tee shirts, polo shirts and promotional items as casual wear, uniforms or giveaways in Tampa FL. Custom embroidery or printing can just as easily be done on environmentally safe t-shirts and promotional items, and they are easy to find and purchase at reasonable prices in Tampa FL.

Ecologically friendly wholesale t shirts, golf tee shirts, polo shirts and promotional items in Tampa FL are available in several kinds of material including organic cotton, modal, bamboo and bamboo charcoal technology, and recycled polyester blend. Custom embroidery or printing of the t shirts and promotional items can be arranged with your Tampa FL supplier.

Organic cotton fabric is certified so by a governing agency after the garment manufacturer has submitted proof that the cotton was grown organically in land that has not been treated with chemical pesticides and fertilizers for at least three years. Only crop rotation should have been used for soil renewal and only manure should have been used as fertilizer.

Organic cotton fabric has all the desirable qualities that consumers have grown to love in ordinary cotton. It is highly absorbent, hypoallergenic, machine washable, machine dryable and biodegradable.

Modal fabric is manufactured out of native beech wood. It is an environmentally friendly material because native beech wood is a highly renewable resource, being very easy to propagate without needing dangerous chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Modal fabric is highly absorbent, resistant to the development of odors and has the ability to regulate heat, keeping the wearer’s body temperature stable and comfortable. Modal is also resistant to shrinkage and pilling, and is color fast.

Bamboo fabric is eco-friendly because bamboo is also a highly renewable resource that grows at a fast rate of up to one foot a day without need for dangerous chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Bamboo charcoal technology is used to manufacture the fabric out of the organic material.

Bamboo fabric is resistant to UV rays, antimicrobial, resistant to the development of odors and breathable. It keeps the wearer’s body dry by wicking away moisture. It also regulates heat, keeping the wearer’s body cool.

Recycled polyester blend fabric is not organic since polyester is not organic. It is regarded as an eco-friendly fabric, though, because recycling materials that already exist conserves resources and minimizes pollution.

Recycled polyester blend fabric is breathable, water resistant and wind resistant. It is, therefore, popular for use in umbrellas and windbreakers.

Any group, such as an organization, institution or commercial business, both large and small scale, has a social responsibility to the community and should participate in the effort to save the earth. After all, we are all in this common environment together and our survival depends on each other. One way you can, and should, do this is to use only ecologically friendly custom embroidered and printed wholesale t shirts, golf tee shirts, polo shirts and promotional items for your casual wardrobe, uniforms and promotions in Tampa FL. Because people practically live in t-shirts in this area, such a move would definitely make an impact. If you want to add more value to your contribution, perhaps you can even add pro-environment messages to your custom embroidery or printing.

Florida Shirt Company
Robert Mims
3103 W Parkland Blvd
Tampa, FL 33609-4635
Phone: (813) 837-4478
Fax: (813) 875-4407
Email: floridashirt@gmail.com
Website: www.floridashirt.com

If it is not Retail, What is the Minimum Quantity of Clothes to Order?

There are two types of orders a clothing manufacturer can handle: bulk order and small quantity order. The organization in the sewing factory is very different.

Bulk order

When the clothing manufacturer undertakes a bulk order, a large quantity order from medium to big size clients, the wholesale price is low.The gross margin per unit produced is quite small, but it is offset by the large quantity manufactured. Large quantity order usually means: over 5000 pieces. This type of quantity allows for the setting of a production line.It sometimes takes about one full day to organize the production line. This translates into physically moving the sewing machines so that they line up in a way that is convenient for the specific clothes to be produced.It requires expensive skills, the skills of mid to top level production people. After this set up is done, the chain works almost by itself with (less expensive) labour cost involved. Two or three days into the production, the productivity increases because the sewers get used to the new production line. When the productivity increases, the clothing manufacturer makes a profit while providing clothes at a very competitive rate.

Small quantity order

The other possible situation for a clothing manufacturer is to take orders from smaller clients. The price per unit is different (higher), as the organization involved is different. When taking a small quantity order of clothes, let’s say less than 5000 pieces, the organization of a production line is useless. A team of 20 to 30 sewers will achieve the production of 5000 pieces in around a week or more depending on the clothes ordered. Taking care of a small run of clothes makes the whole game of producing clothes very different for the clothing manufacturer:

- The clothing manufacturer can not waste one day in organizing a production line, it takes more time to do so than the time saved by the increase of productivity.

- During the few days when this small order is being produced by the sewers, the company is also preparing the next order.

Translating the client file, sourcing, cutting, printing or embroideries all have to take place before sewing.That’s why small orders are dealt with by a special department in the clothing manufacturing company. This department is usually made of very skilled managers and sewers who will engage all the cost necessary to the bulk production of clothes, but these costs are spread over a small quantity, hence the price per unit.

The right quantity for you

If you are looking to get a small run of your own design manufactured, then the best thing to do is to speak with one of the consultants at Ellen Clothing Manufacturer (www.ellen-clothing-manufacturer.com).
Your contact will help you work out what is the best quantity to order for your business. The ideal quantity for your business is not necessarily the smallest one. the right quantity might also be smaller than what you have in mind.
It all depends on a number of factors: The style of the clothes and the targeted wholesale price. When discussing the size of your small run, other technical issues such as sourcing, printing, dying or stone-washing should be taken in consideration as they can involve a fix fee.

Let’s take a simple example of a client looking for a t-shirts manufacturer for a small run of t-shirts.
The cost of dying fabric is around 200 usd. This cost is the same whether the order is for 50 or 200 t-shirts, that’s because the cost is related to the time used for dying which is the same for 50 meters of fabric or 200 meters. Other example: When a design manager draws the pattern for a garment, this takes from 1 to 2 hours depending on the style of clothe. The cost involved (the labour time of such a skilled worker) is not related to the number of times the pattern will be used. Therefore, it might make sense to spread such cost over a slightly larger quantity, let’s say 200 clothes instead of 100. I strongly recommend being very direct about the targeted retail price or wholesale price, this is the only way your consultant can help you work out the right quantity for your order.

Lilian Lemaire is the Managing Director of Ellen Clothing Manufacturer, a French company with a clothing factory in Vietnam.
Ellen Clothing Manufacturer

Read also:
Clothing manufacturers in China

How to create your own clothing line

Buying Tees

Finding tees for sale can be great fun, and also be easy and convenient thanks to the online shopping phenomenon. The number and variety of tees for sale by this method is very much an attraction, and enables the buyer to access great ranges and varied designs from the comfort of the home.

Online shopping is a great application of the World Wide Web. Customers can find anything they want without having to leave their house. Since the direct distribution of products cancels out a lot of third parties and costs, buying online t-shirts can be a lot cheaper than if you would get them through a retail outlet down the street.

While the internet revolution means the possibilities of buying all kinds of clothing online are numerous, it can be very tough to find a reliable shop with high-quality t-shirts that are exactly the kind of shirts that you were looking for. A good internet store offers reliable up to date information on its catalogue and should be able to communicate in a direct and friendly way to the potential customer. Also, the clothing company should look after a quick and reliable worldwide delivery system and give the customer flexible payment and return options.

So how does one find a reputable store? Look for a shop with a brand name and a promised safe and secure payment and despatch system and be careful not to give out sensitive personal information like bank account details, unless you are 100 percent sure of the company’s or site owner’s intentions. Trustworthy sites will try to give you all the information you need and possibly give customers the option to leave feedback.

There have been reports of counterfeit products being supplied by some less trustworthy online stores, and these will be signified by extremely low prices and the promise of service and supply that is simply too good to be true.

Buying t-shirts online is a convenient and interesting method of sprucing up your wardrobe, and the wide ranging availability of online t-shirts is one way of knowing that new look can be had at an affordable price, and without the need to travel to the high street.

Tees for sale may be an area of online shopping that is growing, and at a fast rate, and may see more growth in the future as people cotton on to the ability for finding tees for sale online. The online community is an area of very useful and interesting purchasing power, and will continue to attract the new consumer as the ease of use becomes more prevalent.

Show us your tees have a large selection of designer t shirts from brands such as Mossimo, Mooks, Affliction, Jakes and many more

Animal Print Bikini – Why You Need One This Summer

The most popular animal print bikini by far is the zebra print.  Elegant in black and white this style keeps you looking classy while being just a bit daring.

Leopard prints are a bit racier and have been seen on many celebrities this season including reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian, singer Miriah Carey and actress Hayden Panetierre.

Cheetah print and giraffe print swimsuits are more rare and will make you stand out from the crowd. While the tiger print Michael Kors is a great option for those who have extra cash to splash.

Of course you don’t have to stick to the traditional colors when searching for the perfect bikini, many designers have mixed it up and embellished on the animal theme by offering swimsuits in neon pink and purple’s or even rhinestones, crystals and chains for that extra bit of bling.

Bikini’s featuring animal prints come in many shapes and sizes.  While a tiny triangle bikini might look good on you if you’re a supermodel, there are cuts out there perfect for you.  Those with a small but should try the bandeau tops or a design that offers padding.  If you have large breasts keep an eye out for a top that offers support in the form of underwire and structure.  If you have bigger hips try a bikini that has tie sides allowing you to adjust the size of the bottom to suit yourself.

If you are loving the animal print trend but not quite feeling confident enough to sport a bikini why not try and animal print monokini.  This cut out one piece will keep you looking sexy while covering just a bit more than your regular itsy bitsy bikini.

A current hot trend is to add a large oversized tshirt with an animal motif over your swimsuit as seen recently on Nikki Hilton, Halle Berry and Cristina Aguleria

Whether you want to embrace your tribal, jungle side or just add a bit of spice to your summer wardrobe the animal print bikini is the perfect way to get in fashion this season.

Summer Fisher is an Australian designer, stylist and former model who has her own swimwear and clothing line “Busy Summer”. She enjoys sharing her knowledge about fashion, modeling, health & beauty and designing for the fashion conscious woman who wants a high fashion look at an affordable price. Find out more about her and her label at http://www.animalprintbikini.com

Custom Shirts— Make your own Statement

We all love to stand out, being uniquely identified and remembered. Who would not like to make their own statement? Many marketing companies work on this obsession possessed by human mind of being uniquely identified through branding. Particular style of clothes, specific type of shoes, particular brand of eye shades and much more is being promoted to the layman to let them enjoy having their personal statement. There is another wonderful means to vitalize your presence by customizing what you wear, particularly Shirts.

You can surely hundred percent make it your way. You can determine what ever you wish to; let it be the material, the color, the cut and shape, style, print designing and almost everything. Even custom can help you get the kind of the stitch you always wished to have. Custom clothing help you get the combination you find perfect.

When it comes to customizing, there are numerous options to choose from. Cotton, wool, silk, linens and cashmere are amongst the popular choices. You can consider the season when choosing the fabric. If you are customizing the shirt for a specific occasion then you must bear in mind the time and location of the event while choosing the fabric. The body type of the person is also important while making the selection.

As they say, “Dress for Success”, now you may control your success by crafting what you wear. Design your cloths the way you wish to be perceived, reflecting the right image and style. There are a lot of little things, which we always fuss about while purchasing the ready made shirts like the cuffs, collars and the pocket. But when you control the design you make it your way. Accurate measurement is significant for the right fit. Comfort is another important factor. The shirt should be comfortable to carry and must last long.

Make sure that you do not over-do as you get overwhelmed with the idea of designing it all by your self. Thoroughly review the designs you are finalizing so you could proudly enjoy and carry your creativity with grace.

It is always interesting to get something printed on the shirts specifically T- shirts. Prints go well on the T-shirts as they are less formal. Express your ideas, opinions and enthusiasm. You may customize your T-Shirt for a specific event. There are many other utilities of custom made T-Shirts which have made them the most popular of all.

You must be wondering if it is that easy to custom you shirts like this. Well, Yes! Technology is a great blessing in a lot of ways. There are now quality online shirt retailers who can efficiently assist you with this like www.lovethoseshirts.com. It is convenient and quick, saving you from a lot of hassles and pain. It turns out to be good fun to design something for your own self of your own choice. Moreover, they do not leave you alone but give your creativity a better room through consultation and trendy suggestive options and this well easily done by few clicks.

My name is John Mark and I am a fashion designer with a flair for new and trendy designs for the modern generation. Did you know that now you can design your own t-shirt? Visit http://www.lovethoseshirts.com to learn more.?

Choosing Eco-Friendly Retail or Wholesale T Shirts, Golf Tee Shirts and Polo Shirts in Tampa FL

With the onslaught of natural disasters worldwide due to climate change, ecological responsibility is the new buzz word among individuals, organizations, institutions and companies. Even in seemingly ordinary purchases like retail or wholesale t shirts, golf tee shirts and polo shirts for uniforms or as promotional items in Tampa FL, choosing eco-friendly t-shirts, whether printed or with embroidery, is recommended. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of choices available in Tampa FL.

The eco-friendly t-shirts, golf tee shirts and polo shirts for sale in Tampa FL are mostly made from materials that are of modal, recycled polyester blend, bamboo and bamboo charcoal technology or organic cotton.

Modal material is made out of native beech wood. This is considered a highly renewable source since native beech wood does not need a lot of fertilizers and pesticides in its propagation. Because of this, it is classified as an eco-friendly fabric. Among its benefits for the wearer are the material’s being resistant to odor, its ability to regulate heat and its being very soft and very absorbent. Modal is also known to be color fast, as well as resistant to shrinkage and pills.

Material made from recycled polyester blend is considered eco-friendly because it does not require new production and therefore uses less oil while decreasing the output of pollutants. Recycling the polyester also means less waste and more extended use of existing materials. Among its benefits for the wearer are the material’s being breathable while having resistance against wind and rain.

Material made from bamboo is produced using high heat in bamboo charcoal technology. This is another highly renewable source that will not deplete the world’s natural resources. It is also considered very ecologically safe since bamboo grows very fast even without need for harmful chemical pesticides. In fact, bamboo grows by as much as one foot every day. Among its benefits for the wearer are the material’s high resistance to UV rays and its ability to regulate the wearer’s body temperature. This is also because it is breathable and can wick out moisture, keeping the wearer comfortably dry. Furthermore, it is antimicrobial and, therefore, prevents the development of body odor.

Material made from organic cotton needs certification from a governing agency to prove that the cotton has indeed been grown organically on land that has not been treated with any form of chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides in the previous three years. Soil renewal should have been achieved through crop rotation and fertilizers used should be limited to manure. Among its benefits for the wearer are the material’s having all the qualities of traditional cotton, including its being highly absorbent, hypoallergenic, biodegradable, machine washable and machine dryable.

Among the eco-friendly shirts you can buy as uniforms are Port Authority Ladies Modal Soft Touch Shirts, Port Authority Recycled Polyester Soft Shell Jackets, Port Authority Recycled R-Tek Fleece Vests, Port Authority Recycled Jackets, Port Authority Long Sleeve Bamboo Fine Stripe Shirts, Port Authority Bamboo Camp Shirts, Port Authority Bamboo Pique Sport Shirts, District Threads Organic Cotton Tees, Red House 100% Organic Cotton Pique Polos, and Port Authority 100% Organic Sport Shirts.

You can also avail of the following as promotional items: Port Authority Bamboo Sandwich Bill Caps, Port Authority Bamboo Towels, Port Authority 100% Organic Grocery Tote, Precious Cargo 100% Organic Infant and Toddler Tees, and Precious Cargo Infant One-Piece garments.

You will definitely not have any problems sourcing eco-friendly retail or wholesale t shirts, golf tee shirts and polo shirts, both for custom embroidered t shirts and printed shirts, as well as promotional items in Tampa FL. There is, therefore, no excuse for any company, institution or organization not to opt for eco-friendly shirts for uniforms or give-aways.

Florida Shirt Company
Robert Mims
3103 W Parkland Blvd
Tampa, FL 33609-4635
Phone: (813) 837-4478
Fax: (813) 875-4407
Email: floridashirt@gmail.com
Website: www.floridashirt.com

What software should I use to create my CD or DVD artwork?

After recording your album, having it mastered and pressed, you head over to your disc duplication facility’s website to place your order. Reading up on the ordering process you notice that you have the option to have artwork printed on the disc face, and can also have tray card and insert artwork printed. This is a great idea, as it allows you to give your project a more professional look and feel. You can either hire a print designer, who will hopefully already know all of the proceeding information. Or you can have a go at it yourself, utilizing one of the many different graphics creation programs available. If you are choosing to create your own artwork, read on.


There are many different programs out there that can be used to create print artwork. One of the more popular programs is Adobe Illustrator. Adobe Illustrator is a vector based drawing program, available for both PC and Macintosh computers. You could also use, CorelDRAW, Paint Shop Pro, or even Adobe Photoshop. I will go into a little bit more detail about what the differences are between some of these programs later on in this article, and why some of them are better suited for print design. Here is a list of 3 terms you should be familiar with before starting your artwork project.


1. Raster Graphics

Raster graphics are also known as bitmap graphics. This form of graphics image is a data file or structure representing a generally rectangular grid of pixels, or blocks of color, on a computer monitor, or other display device. Think of a raster images as a checkers board, with each square (pixel) on the board displaying a different color. This collection of colored dots (pixels), in turn form the full picture. The quality of a raster image is determined by the total number of pixels (resolution), and the amount of information in each pixel. Raster graphics are practical for photographs and photo-realistic images because of the way that they display images. Pretty much all photos you will find on the internet, and all photos you take with your digital camera will be raster images. You may want to use photographs for your CD or DVD’s artwork, but you must mind a few certain things:


A. DPI - I will go into this a bit further in the “DPI” section of this article. In a nutshell, any photograph that you would like to use for print must be 300 DPI (dots per inch) or higher. DPI refers to the density of pixel information in a photograph.


B. Color Mode - There are two basic modes of color: RGB and CMYK. All you need to know really is that all print artwork must be created as a CMYK document, as this refers to the colors of ink that a printer uses to recreate your artwork. If you create your artwork as an RGB document, the printed document will most likely shift in color. For more info on this, please refer to my last article. What do you need to start a CD duplication project?


2. Vector Graphics

Also known as geometric modeling, this form of graphic uses geometrical primitives such as points, curves, and lines to represent images. Instead of displaying blocks of color to represent a photo vector images rely on set points to determine the outline of an object, using mathematical formulas to determine the curve of the lines between said set points. Vector graphics are ideal for simple or composite drawings that do not need to achieve photo-realism. I suggest that you used vector objects for all of your artwork’s areas that are not photos.


3. DPI

Dots per inch, (DPI) is the number of individual dots of ink a printer can produce within a one-inch space. This translates as, the higher the DPI, the sharper the image. Although, most commercial printers will tell you that anything over 300DPI would be considered “print-quality”. I recommend that you make sure that your artwork is at least 300DPI, with 600DPI being the optimal setting for your artwork.


After all this technical mumbo-jumbo, you’re probably scratching your head, still unsure of what program to use to create your artwork. The truth is you can use pretty much any graphics program to create your artwork, providing that you correctly set the DPI and color mode of your document. Personally, I usually use a combination of Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator to do all of my print artwork. I edit all bitmap images in Photoshop and create all of my vector content in Illustrator, combining the two in Illustrator. My advice is now that you have the basic background knowledge, experiment to figure out what works best for you!

Jason Cole and http://www.DiskFaktory.com offer great tips and information regarding CD Duplication. Get info about DVD Duplication as well by visiting http://www.diskfaktory.com/tips/CD-duplication-tutorials.asp


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