First, you cannot use the common paint application that comes with Windows. Granted, you can do some basic editing of the image with this application, but it will not help you change the actual resolution of the image. In order to change the dpi, you will have to change the ppi (confused by ppi and dpi? click here). There are several software programs out that will allow you to do this but, for our purposes, I will concentrate on Photoshop. The most important thing to understand about resolution is the relationship between an image’s resolution (ppi) and an image’s print size (actual width and height -dpi). Pixels per inch (ppi) is often (although mistakenly) used interchangeably with dots per inch (dpi). Dots per inch (dpi) is a measurement describing the way an image is printed, scanned, or displayed on your monitor. For instance, you may scan an image at 300 dpi, print a 300 dpi image at 600 dpi, view it on your monitor at 72 dpi, but unless you resample it in Photoshop, the image will always have a resolution of 300 ppi.

Open an image in Photoshop. Go to the Image menu and select Image Size. This is where you can change an image’s resolution and print size (width and height). The following Image Size dialog box will appear:

Note that the width and the height of the image as you view it on your monitor is not necessarily representative of the image’s actual width and height — the size it would print out at (Print Size). Average monitor resolution is 72 dpi. If you view a 72 ppi image at 100% in Photoshop, chances are that it will appear on your screen in its actual print size. However, this is not true when viewing a 300 ppi image. A 300 ppi image viewed on-screen at 100% will be enormous. Don’t get tricked into believing that what you see on your monitor is what you’ll get when you print or place the image into another application. The only way to determine what your image’s actual print size will be is through the Image Size dialog box.

When the Resample Image box is checked, any changes you make to an image’s width or height will not change the image’s resolution, and as such, any changes you make to an image’s resolution will not affect the image’s width and height. Keep in mind, however, when you increase width and height, or resolution, you are adding pixels to your image. These pixels don’t actually exist so Photoshop must create them. As such, you will succeed only in degrading the quality of your image.

If you want to increase an image’s width and height, or resolution, then uncheck the Resample Image box. Now any changes you make to the image’s width and height will change the image’s resolution, and vice versa:

• If you decrease resolution, the width and height will increase
• If you increase resolution, the width and height will decrease
• If you increase the width or height, the resolution will decrease
• If you decrease the width or height, the resolution will increase

The best way to increase the width and height of a scanned image is to scan the image in at a high resolution (about twice what your final resolution should be), and with the Resample Image box unchecked, decrease the resolution or increase the width and height—both will yield similar results. Once the image width and height is where you want it, you can then check the Resample Image box and type in the resolution you want. At this point, as long as you don’t increase resolution, or width and height, your image quality will not suffer.

Resolution:

Resolution is a concept that continues to baffle even graphic artists. In the context of editing photos, resolution is a measurement of the output quality of an image. The most common units to measure resolution include: PPI (pixels per inch), DPI (dots per inch), LPI (lines per inch), and SPI (samples per inch). For our purposes, we will focus on DPI and PPI because that is what you will be dealing with most often when printing photographs.

As you probably know, when you view a photograph on your computer monitor you’re actually looking at a grid of tiny dots or ‘pixels’. Similarly, when a photograph is reproduced in print, it is made up of thousands of small dots of ink. Resolution refers to the number of these dots (or pixels) which are squeezed into a given area. The smaller the dot, the more dots you can fit into a horizontal inch, and the sharper an image will appear to the human eye (up to a point).
If you zoom into a photograph on your PC monitor you will be able to see the grid of pixels which make up the image.

The resolution of an image is usually measured in dots per inch (dpi) or pixels per inch (ppi). Essentially dpi and ppi refer to the same thing, it’s simply the number of dots or pixels which make up an image. For more information on pixels see my earlier post Vector -VS- Bitmap: A basic breakdown.

If you view an image on your computer monitor its resolution will need to be at least 72dpi to appear sharp and clear. A lower resolution will result in large pixels which will be detected by your eye, resulting in a fuzzy or ‘pixelated’ image. However, if the same image were reproduced on paper using a commercial printing process it would need a resolution of around 300dpi to achieve a sharp result.

A printed image requires a much higher resolution than an on-screen image (4 times greater to be precise). Therefore, just because your image looks sharp and crisp when viewed on-screen, it doesn’t mean it will reproduce correctly when printed.

Stay tuned in! Next time we will explore how to improve the resolution of an image for printing!

Always go with full color graphics; it creates the highest awareness in all the signs and banner categories. Also think about adding up border with graphics that add visual interest and also the extra color develops reader withholding by 80%. The main benefits to go with signage are that it builds awareness via low-cost and bring multiple impressions, supporting your other promotion media.

Here are some additional points to consider in designing an effective sign:

Appearance
Appearance is the primary factor. The sign and the message you want to convey must be readily noticeable from the distance and surroundings. In case, you do not have sufficient room for the usage of lettering you desire, try using light-colored letters on a dark background, which grasp appearance. Usually, contrast makes the lettering look bigger and viewers would find it impressive to read.

Readability
The reader’s ability to properly read your memo is usually maximized by the design, which enhances individual letter peculiarity. Many studies have established that black letters on a yellow backdrop or yellow letters on a black backdrop are the simple color blends to read, particularly from the distance. Other combinations, which usually work well, have been intentional and ranked in sequence of readability.

Observation
You could draw the reader’s notice by changing your sign’s message, color, shape or size regularly. Readers usually get attracted by the dashing color and then observe the message effectively. Further, if your shape and size is appropriate to your message then it would act as an added advantage to the sign you develop.

Clarity
The correct type styles and spacing could certainly help readers differentiate letters and the words. Even the font you use makes a big impact, any professional signs would certainly require using professional font like Verdana or Arial and any casual sign could make use of stylish font to attract visitor.

Just a few friendly tips from the Super Cheap Signs family

Granted, if your signs are determined to go on vacation, they are going to grow legs and walk away regardless of ordinance or permission. And some are going to be sign-napped or, worse yet, vandalized. It happens every campaign season without fail. Some are taken by those who deem signs to be a blight on the public eye… others simply because someone may not endorse a particular representative for office - or they may feel that the disappearing signs strengthens the other candidates. Regardless of the reasons, it is still inappropriate behavior. However, some signs get taken because they were placed in areas that have been deemed inappropriate by the city/county sign ordinance.

Make sure to check and double check the sign ordinance for the city/county where you are running for office to insure that you do not place signs in any area where ordinance does not allow. Breaking the ordinance can cost you heavy fines and get your signs confiscated.

Make sure that you have gained the permission of your constituents before placing signs on their property and make sure to specify a length of time. Some people will be more than happy to let your sign wave to passerbys until kingdom come… others might not want that. So, establishing a pre-agreed upon time frame can help ensure your sign stays where you want it to.

I would like to take this moment to thank all of those running for office who have allowed Super Cheap Signs to be an integral part of their campaign needs. It has been our pleasure to help you create the best, eye catching signs possible and we wish all of you luck in the coming elections!

Once upon a time the word “cheap” was pretty much scoffed at and thought to be taboo- but it appears that this previously taboo word may have a bit more clout in todays current economy. According to an article published on iMedia by Tom Crandall,  CEO of Ayohwahr Interactive,  “cheap” is no longer a dirty word and he appears to be right. Where companies once felt that this word would reflect upon them badly, they are quickly coming to realize that “cheap” attracts customers.  Craig Mcdonald, in his recent post, asked, “How much is the word “cheap airfare” worth in the United States? The answer is about $8 million, according to comScore Marketer Search Data, December 2007.”

To Quote Tom Crandall:

“According to the Google AdWords Keyword Tool, the average monthly search volume for the phrase “cheap insurance” typically amounts to 673,000 queries. Last month, the number of queries for this term rocketed to 2.7 million. Likewise, the average monthly search volume for the phrase “cheap car” is traditionally about 1 million queries. Last month, the volume exceeded 3.3 million.

So, as you consider incorporating adjectives such as “affordable,” “budget,” “inexpensive,” “low-cost,” and “thrifty” into your SEO strategies, consider this: There is a growing number of brands weaving the keyword “cheap” into their on-page SEO elements. (Many are even incorporating this term into their marketing copy!)”

Obviously this bad word has been given a reprieve and marketers are learning that it does not damage brand perception or curb profitability. So, I can hear you thinking…. how in the world does this apply to signs? Well, the name says it all We are cheap and we are not afraid to tell the whole world!

What about you?

Bitmap-based images are comprised of pixels in a grid. Each pixel or “bit” in the image contains information about the color to be displayed. Bitmap images have a fixed resolution and cannot be resized without losing image quality. Common bitmap-based formats are JPEG, GIF, TIFF, PNG, PICT, and BMP. Resolution refers to the number of pixels in an image and is usually stated as dpi (dots per inch) or ppi (pixels per inch). Bitmap images are displayed on your computer screen at screen resolution: approximately 100 ppi.

Key Points About Bitmap Images:
• pixels in a grid
• resolution dependent
• resizing reduces quality
• easily converted
• restricted to rectangle
• minimal support for transparency

Common bitmap formats include:
• BMP
• GIF
• JPEG, JPG
• PNG
• PICT (Macintosh)
• PCX
• TIFF
• PSD (Adobe Photoshop)

Vector graphics are made up of many individual, scalable objects. Each of these objects can be defined by mathematical statements rather than pixels and has individual properties assigned to it such as color, fill, and outline. Vector graphics are resolution independent because they can be output to the highest quality at any scale. Changing the attributes of a vector object does not effect the object itself. You can freely change any number of object attributes without destroying the basic object. Because they’re scalable, vector-based images are resolution independent. You can increase and decrease the size of vector images to any degree and your lines will remain crisp and sharp, both on screen and in print. Fonts are a type of vector object.

Key Points About Vector Images
• scalable
• resolution independent
• no background
• cartoon-like
• inappropriate for photo-realistic images
• metafiles contain both raster and vector data

Common vector formats include:
• AI (Adobe Illustrator)
• CDR (CorelDRAW)
• CMX (Corel Exchange)
• CGM Computer Graphics Metafile
• DXF AutoCAD
• WMF Windows Metafile

For more information on what type of files we can use, please click here.

With all the competition available in today’s world, it’s important to best utilize the sign colors and space to produce the best possible advantage. The right text will give the most import information needed, such as contact information. But it is the colors, the layout and the design which will grab new customers.

To maximize the impact of your signs, be sure to take into consideration where you want to place your signs. The placement of your signs plays a big role in how many new customers you gain.

Here are some quick tips prior to placing your Super Cheap Signs order

1. View a couple of the areas or the location you will be placing your signs. Guess work can create a lot of wasted space. Outdoor signs are designed for pedestrians and motorists, the signs are expected to be more visible from farther distances than indoor signs. If most the new customers you want to attract will see them at night, you don’t want a black background with yellow letters.

2. Vinyl banners are primarily used for its visual impact more than its word content. The visual display should be able say its message in seconds with a picture and minimal text. Use contrasting colors so the words and or pictures stand out. The colors you use in your banner should not match the color of the building or placement to which you will be using to hang the banner from.

3. Consider who will be reading the sign and who you want to read the sign. If you own a coffee shop and the community is dog friendly, your banner can show a dog sitting at a table while its owner drinks coffee.

]]> http://www.supercheapsigns.com/blog/2008/04/how-to-create-a-great-printed-sign/feed/ http://www.supercheapsigns.com/blog/2008/03/an-education-in-transferring-artwork-from-an-electric-file-to-corrugated-plastics-and-vinyl-banners/ http://www.supercheapsigns.com/blog/2008/03/an-education-in-transferring-artwork-from-an-electric-file-to-corrugated-plastics-and-vinyl-banners/#comments Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:19:44 +0000 Jon http://www.supercheapsigns.com/blog/2008/03/20/an-education-in-transferring-artwork-from-an-electric-file-to-corrugated-plastics-and-vinyl-banners/ I’ve always believed that I can make anything if I set my mind to it. However, if you have no idea how something is made, you may think that making it should be a ‘piece of cake.’ But making a cake is not so simple and neither is printing yard signs and banners.

The commercial printing of yard signs and banners is actually rather fascinating. At a previous company I created a variety of different marketing materials. I helped with the size and shape of marketing materials and also proofed them for any possible errors. Nevertheless, I have never seen the actual process of a blank canvass go to a finished printed product.

Graphic designers are capable of creating beautiful commercial artwork. But transferring the artwork from an electronic file to corrugated plastic or a vinyl banner has more challenges than I realized. The worlds of creation and commercial printing can be as different as Venus and Pluto.

The first thing I did in my new position as Customer Service Representative was learn how signs are created from start to finish. I learned today that the method in which artwork is saved and sent to us makes a big difference. To help you save money, Super Cheap Signs requires all artwork saved as eps, ai and cdr. These are file types. If you would like to know more, SCS has a Help page called File Types. Even with the correct file type there is still more to it than just how you save a file. The design also has to be vectorized (also known as outlined).

Wise Geek defines vector graphics as “ The method using geometrical formulas is known as vector or vectorized graphics.” The reason vectorized graphics are good thing is because the image can be enlarged or reduced easily without losing any artwork quality.

If a file isn’t vectorized (outlined), our designers have to recreate the file or request from the customer that the artwork be resent as a vectorized file. Resending the file as vectorized is always the easiest choice. On the other hand, some artwork has been commercially purchased or saved from older programs that do not have the ability to be updated. When this happens, our designers will try to recreate the artwork in our studios.

If you want a better explanation of what a vectorized graphic looks like, check out the WebGrrl article “Convert any image to a vector image.”

Danny is here to assist customers in determining which of our products will best fit their various needs. Super Cheap Signs realizes that every customer is different and so are their advertising needs. We want to make sure that each and every customer gets what they need and only what they need in a timely manner…and that they get it super cheap!

One thing I am particularly happy about is the relaxed atmosphere in the office and the thoughtful way in which people treat one another. Everyone is very friendly and open, so I haven’t had any problems asking questions and getting to know all of the Super Cheap Sign products and services. In fact, I have thoroughly enjoyed learning how signs are made.

As much as I would love to go on and on about how signs are made and how cool the process really is — I believe I’ll leave that for the near future. I feel very lucky to be part of the Super Cheap Signs family and look forward to talking to all the current and future Super Cheap Sign customers.