February 03, 2005

Screen Printing Gets a Rival


Is Heat Transfer Really a Better Option?
by: Mart Gil Abareta

Before anything else, let's have a brief description of the screen printing and heat transfer processes. Screen printing refers to the forcing of inks through a stencil that is in a mesh material. Heat transfer, on the other hand, is a method of applying an image in T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, hats, bags and more by releasing an ink, dye,toner, etc. from a special transfer paper via heat. Now, let's move onwards…

According to the article "Screen Printing vs. Heat Transfer" by Bruce Roberts which was posted at www.bfprinting.com, the author has mentioned some pros and cons in using the screen printing and heat transfer methods to produce printed apparels. The article has stated that screen printing is advisable if you are planning to do mass production of T-shirts. He has added that digital heat transfer must be considered forprinting short runs because it avoids the expense and extra work of preparing screens and cleaning up ink and chemicals. With financial considerations, much money is needed in screen printing than in heat transfer if you want to set up a business. The screen printing process was also explained in Roberts' article.

Advantages and Limitations of Screen Printing
Screen printing is suitable for most projects which will be exposed to outdoor elements because of its inks that can last outdoors up to seven years against fading. Its other advantages include larger or smallerdesign format, use of half tones and blends, versatility and adaptability, great design reproduction capabilities , being good with fine detail, being economical on larger orders, and being permanent when applied properly. So, if you need printing on ridged materials like wood, glass, plastics, etc., it is absolutely the perfect choice for durability and value. However, it doesn't work well on coarse textured substrates.

Advantages and Limitations of Heat Transfer
The heat transfer process offers unlimited print color combinations, photographic quality reproductions, and the versatility to print small quantities with multicolor designs. It also allows an opportunity to have small quantities of shirts made with colorful designs at affordable prices. Moreover, heat transfer printed shirts are fully washable and can be ironed after a wash while screen-printed shirts cannot be ironed. However, this process doesn't work properly on dark shirts.

There you have it, folks! With this information on screen printing and heat transfer, the choice is still left for you to decide on which process best suits you. I agree that bothmethods of printing can be truly fun and rewarding but then, there will always be one that will stand out from among these two. What do you think, is it screen printing or heat transfer?

This article was created for the sole purpose of propagating information that may be related to brochures printing and other industries to which it may be of interest.

Posted by sydfrey at 17:45:51 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

A Closer Look at Image Resolution

by: Mart Gil Abareta

Image resolution refers to the size your image appears on a computer monitor rather than the physical dimensions an image will print. The pixel dimensions of an image identify the resolution. Manydigital cameras let us change image resolution. So, before we take a picture, we must determine the quality of an image first by using the highest quality setting available on the camera. Therefore, set your camera for the best image quality if you want to obtainhigh quality photos.

According to the article "Image Quality – An Explanation" by Julian Foster which was posted at www3.teleplex.net, a truly high-resolution digital photo can be anywhere from 12MB (for a 4-by-5-inch image) to 70MB (for a two-page-spread photo). The CD ROM photo collections currently on the market have files ranging in size from 500K-22MB. He added that image resolution, the amount of information in a digital file, is measured in dots per inch. Screen frequency, the density of the lines of dots used to print a continuous-tone photograph, is measured in lines per inch. Newspapers typically use a coarse line screen of 85 lpi; in-house publications, 100 to 120 lpi; andglossy magazines & good quality offset lithography, 133 to 155 lpi.

Proper resolution is truly important for good printing. And to achieve this, you must always remember some rules that include the following: the text must be 400dpi at the final size in thelayout ; the images must be 300dpi at the final size in the layout; the dimensions of the resolution and size are inversely proportional to each other so, if you enlarge an image, you lower its resolution and if you reduce an image, you increase its resolution; how an image is originally acquired will determine its resolution and thus, the size it can print at for clear andcrisp printing; and low resolution images print with jagged edges and appear fuzzy.

Indeed, when deciding on the print size of your image, you must choose a size that is appropriate to the resolution of the image you are supplying. The size to which your image can be printed without a loss in quality depends on the resolution of your image. Remember that the higher the resolution of your image is, the better the quality of the image when printed.

Most digital cameras allow you to select a combination of resolution and quality from the settings menu. In order to obtain an optimal print out, you must set your digital camera at the highest possible resolution and quality. Always remember that the higher the quality, the larger the image file will become. So folks, make sure you have sufficient room on the memory card!

This article was created for the sole purpose of propagating information that may be related to brochures printing and other industries to which it may be of interest.

This article can be viewed in this link.

Posted by sydfrey at 17:39:39 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

January 27, 2005

The Canvas for the Perfect Printing Masterpiece

Making the right choice of media for printing is a must if you want to have a great output. Having a good working knowledge of the best materials to use for your printing needs will spell the success of your project. On the other side of the coin, lack of know-how is likely to cause disaster. Fortunately for printing dummies, there are guides out there aimed at making the printing process and all the things in between a walk in the park. Amateurs and professionals may benefit for this as well.

A certain guide book released by a Montreal-based paper manufacturer Domtar called "Answer Packs" answered the call for a comprehensive reference that will enlighten people and give them a better understanding of the print process. The book has been well received as predictably it will. Many people are very eager to learn and providing them with the needed knowledge is a must.

Quoting Jack Rosenberger from his article:

"The Answer Packs have been very well received in the marketplace because they're simple and helpful," says Huguette Chainey, Domtar's advertising and promotions manager. On Color, for example, demonstrates how to design with different color paper; provides examples of printing with halftones, duotones, and tritones on color paper; and explains how to design with color inks on color paper. Like On Texture, each of the instructional cards in On Color contains detailed information about each card's paper stock, inks, and printing techniques.

The presentation is very easy to understand and covers a wide range of topics that need to be understood in order to have a successful print job. Both resources are cleverly conceived, informative and entertaining, and timely. Cognizant of the current climate of budget pressure felt by designers and printers, Domtar focused on design techniques that are ideal for projects with a limited budget. Moreover, Domtar is publishing additional guides, with the aim of producing a reference series of handy Answer Packs.

Almost all aspect involved in the printing process have been covered including the financial and that in itself is a very good addition to the selection.

This article was created for the sole purpose of propagating information that may be related to brochures printing and other industries to which it may be of interest.
Posted by sydfrey at 16:35:36 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

How to Create Well Represented Logos

Creating a well-designed logo is a must for all businesses who want to enhance its image. A good logo adds a professional look to letterhead, business cards and marketing materials. It's important for your logo to be unique and appropriate to your business.

With this in mind, you can consider seeking the services of a graphic designer well-versed in designing logos. Making a good logo for your company is a task that you can opt to delegate to skilled experts.

Have a brainstorming with your designer to find the best design suited to you and your company. Choose a logo that you feel comfortable with and one that best meets your need. You should be comfortable with your chosen design as you'll be spending a lot of time with it.

There are certain issues that will have to be answered when making a company logo. This will serve as a gauge to determine if the logo is doing what it was intended to do. First, it must be clear if the logo is accurately portraying the real essence of the company. The main purpose of your logo is to make your company look good. What you are trying to do here is to let your customers see the real you through your logo. Next, see to it that your logo will look well in different sizes. There will be instances when your logo will have to be reduced or enlarged according to certain situations and it is important that it still will look great with all the manipulations done with it.
  
In making your logo, a key factor that must be given attention is originality or uniqueness. You certainly would want people to recognize your logo and associate you with it. It should be eye-catching and interesting and have a pleasing quality.

An important note that should be kept in mind is that the making of your logo must not be hasty. A great deal of planning is required for you to have a satisfactory output. Many difficult times will surely arise but it will be easy to overcome them if you know what you want to do and you stay on focus.

This article was created for the sole purpose of propagating information that may be related to brochures printing and other industries to which it may be of interest.
Posted by sydfrey at 16:27:30 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

January 18, 2005

Comment on Metacritic Redesigns

Metacritic.com, the online source of relevant information about the latest film, DVD/video, music and games has added book reviews. I have noticed this change when I was looking for the latest games I want to buy for a friend. I was good to see this addition.

 

The books featured in the site aren't that much. I know this for a fact because when I tried to search for the review of "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown, I didn't find it. I searched again for the book "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom and found nothing. I searched for more popular books but I found nothing. This is quite understandable since the have only started last December 30, 2004. The site is still improving and adding more books to their list.

 

The site promised on adding an average of about one new book a day, and if all goes well, they will pick up the pace a bit next year. With the thousands upon thousands of bookspublish ed each year, they obviously cannot cover everything, but they will strive to include a sampling of major recent releases in a variety of genres.

 

Another addition I wish to see in the future is the sample for games and trailers for movies. If this is not possible, I can settle for links to other sites that can give these services. I would like also to see in the future, sample music wherein I can hear some cuts of the artists' songs I want to buy. If Metacritic.com can do it, they can attract even more browsers.

This article was created for the sole purpose of propagating information that may be related to brochures printing and other industries to which it may be of interest.

Posted by sydfrey at 22:39:17 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

January 14, 2005

PRINTING YOUR WAY TO A GREEN EARTH

When we say new technology the first word that pops in our minds is computer. Computer dominates our planet. The next word to associate computer is printer. In almost all industries, a computer without printer is useless because printer does the ultimate output of your work.

 

Before reading Jennifer Proia's article I never knew that the ink used in printing contributes to the pollutions that endanger human existence. According to her, commercial printing process creates enormous amounts of carcinogens, hazardous wastes and pollution. Before we proceed to the solutions let us first familiarize ourselves with these few important words.

 

Carcinogen is a solvent that compose the mixture of chemicals used in press-cleaning solution. Chemical carcinogens include methylene chloride, benzene and perchloroethylene. Evidences show that certain industries such as printing are associated with an increased risk of developing bladder cancer. Bladder cancer is believed to be caused by carcinogens.

 

When presses and equipments are cleaned it generates solvent and solvents containing liquids. These solvents may be toxic or flammable and almost all are classified as volatile organic compounds or VOCs. Once in the atmosphere, VOCs combine with other pollutants. These pollutants form ozone, called smog. Smog is an air pollutant that aggravates lung diseases. Solvents may also cause water pollution if not discharged properly.

 

So how can we reduce, if not eliminate, the use of these harmful solvents?

 

One way is by choosing printing inks. There are two types of ink, the petroleum-based ink and the soy-based ink, also known as soy ink. Soy inks are made from soybeans. It contains soybean oil used in cooking oil, so it is non-toxic. When used in printing, soy ink creates rich, vivid colors. It is safe because it decompose without harm to the environment. Soy inks are accessible. They promotepaper recycling and create less waste on press.

 

So why use harmful ink if you can use earth-friendly ink without compromising output and production?

 

Another way to prevent pollution is the local exhaust ventilation or LEV. LEV removes offending materials before it can mix with air. With the proper application of LEV, cleaning solvents can be quickly captured. Pollution can be also minimized by using water based cleaners and solutions with carcinogens at concentration below 0.1%.

 

It is very important to know the product you are using. Read policies and rules regarding chemical use. Be aware of the bad effects it may cause. Dispose of waste materials properly.

This article was created for the sole purpose of propagating information that may be related to brochures printing and other industries to which it may be of interest.



Posted by sydfrey at 22:22:20 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

January 13, 2005

Introduction to Calligraphy

The ancient art of Calligraphy originated from the Chinese culture which is regarded as the most sublime form of art. It is not only a practical technique for writing Chinese characters, but also a unique Oriental art of expression and a branch of learning or discipline as well. As a branch of learning it is rich in content, including the evolution of writing styles, development and rules of technique, history of calligraphy, calligraphers and their inheritance in art, and evaluation of calligraphy as a work of art. This branch of learning is wide ranging and deep, forming an important part of Chinese culture.

Much like chopsticks, calligraphy used to be wholly Chinese. As Chinese culture spread to Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Singapore, calligraphy became a unique feature of Oriental art.

Calligraphy demands careful planning and execution as its strokes are permanent very much different from other visual art techniques. A high level of discipline is required to make the experience satisfying. It is a mental exercise that coordinates the mind and the body in choosing the best style in the expression of the content of the passage.

A quote from Jan Stuart,

"Written Chinese, which is not an alphabetic script, developed more than three thousand years ago. The first written characters were pictographs, but the vast majority of characters are abstract graphs that consist of lines, hooks, and dots in set, reproducible patterns. By the fourth century A.D., eight different script types existed (see Pl. I). Each type of script has its own compositional principles and distinctive strokes: rounded strokes for script used on bronze and seals; flared diagonals for clerical script; and thickening and thinning strokes for standard, running, and cursive scripts. Running and cursive scripts are the most fluent, abbreviated forms of Chinese script. Cursive script is the extreme example, with the characters often being written with a single continuous movement of the calligrapher's brush.

The finest Chinese calligraphy requires that the assemblage of columns of characters (traditionally read vertically from right to left) possesses an inner dynamism that invites the reader to re-create the process of writing. Calligraphy is judged as much in terms of rhythmic cadence and artistic expression as it is for legibility. Good calligraphy is said to resemble ascending dragons and soaring phoenixes."

With a history of four to five thousand years, the art of calligraphy is rich and profound in content and has attracted the attention of artists the world over.

This article was created for the sole purpose of propagating information that may be related to brochures printing and other industries to which it may be of interest.
Posted by sydfrey at 21:15:14 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |