What the heck is high res?
April, 2011
Avoid Frustrating Mis-Communications With You Graphic Designer
Why is Using High Resolution (300 DPI) Images Important for Printing?
Image resolution describes the detail an image holds. Higher resolution means more image detail. If you intend to provide photographs and images intended for printing, it is essential they are high resolution. Low resolution images will print blurry, jagged, or blocky, and will cast a bad presentation. To ensure a nice looking print, make sure all photos and images are high resolution.
The recommended minimum resolution for printing is 300 dpi (pixels/dots per inch). Computer monitors generally have a display setting of 72 dpi; so a low resolution image may not look bad on your monitor, but will likely print blurry or jagged.
What Determines the Resolution of an Image?
The settings used during the original "capture" of an image (ie: scanning, digital camera, etc) determine its base resolution. Once the image has been captured you can’t improve the resolution without recapturing the image at a higher quality setting. Keep in mind most digital cameras produce images that are only 72dpi.
How Can I Get High Resolution Images?
-Professional photographer
-Stock photo websites
-Professional graphic designer
What are Vector Based Images?
Vector based images SHOULD be the starting point of any professional logo design process. Simply put, they’re easily scalable and editable images that allow designers unlimited freedom when it comes to logo design and illustration. Vector files usually feature the file extensions .EPS, .AI, or .PDF. These file formats are created by using high-end drawing software such as Adobe Illustrator. Vector format is also ideal when you are designing something for large scale print, like banners, signage, vehicle wraps, and other large items.
Things to Avoid:
Images from the internet - Web images are predominately low resolution (72-96 dpi) GIF or JPEG files. This resolution is good for quick transmission over the internet, but is not acceptable for use in printing. Do not save images or graphics from a website to use in your print project!
Upsampling - Upsampling is when a low resolution image is saved to a higher resolution without changing the dimensions. Upsampling adds more pixels/dots per inch, but creates blurry images, ugly blocks of color, and high contrast. The only way resolution can be improved is by decreasing the image size or recapturing the image at a higher quality setting.
Make Sure Your Designer Provides You With Editable and Print Ready Files!!!!
A professional graphic designer should provide you with native/editable/raw and print ready files when your project is completed. Since you have paid for their design services, you should be entitled to all the files. If you don’t have the editable files you will not be able to make changes in the future or print the project again. For example, if you have a designer create a brochure for you and a year later you want to change the text, you won't be able to without the editable file. You won't even be able to print more copies of your brochure without going through your designer again. However, if your designer gives you the proper files, you can easily make changes and send them straight to the printer yourself.
If your designer didn’t provide you with editable/print ready files, you will have to start over. Having the ready files serves as another backup in case of any disaster or circumstance. Not all graphic designers will provide you with these files, so make sure this is included in your contract/project agreement before you begin. If a designer doesn’t make you sign a contract or refuses to sign one DON’T WORK WITH THEM, THEY ARE NOT PROFESSIONAL!
Veronicas Graphics will always provide you with editable and final files in formats for print & web. Additionally, we store all of our clients files and back them up for life in case you loose or damage them. We believe telling a client after they have paid for design services that an extra fee is needed for the raw files is unethical!
Why Should You Hire a Professional Graphic Designer to Create Your Logo?
A logo is the face of your brand. Yes, there are tons of online services (including free ones) that will help you build-your-own-logo in a few minutes, regardless of your artistic skills and, yes, it is fast. But if you are serious about your business, don’t take your logo for granted. Your logo needs to stand out and be recognized, even if it's not consciously remembered.
Why a Self-Made Logo Isn’t Good
1) Amateur Look: Unconsciously, your [potential] customers could get the feeling that your company is just a bunch of amateurs who shouldn't be taken seriously. If your logo and business face doesn't look professional, people may not treat your business professionally.
2) Lack of Recognition: If your logo does not reflect your field of business, if the colors are not used properly, if the logo itself is not easy-to-remember; well then, say goodbye to your clients. Your logo doesn’t have to fully tell customers about your business, but it has to be meaningful and recognizable among thousands of others. Without a professional looking logo, people probably won’t remember yours, even if they want to, because the logo was not truly connected with the services you provide.
3) Outdated: Unless you have studied graphic design, you probably don’t know the current trends. There is a reason why corporate giants like Pepsi, Starbucks, Apple, IBM, and others, change their logo. Almost all logos will begin to show their age with time. Certain color combinations, fonts and shapes can become obsolete and make your logo look old and stuffy; which can make your company look old and stuffy. Keep in mind, you can make a few updating changes and still retain the original feeling of your logo. Apple Computers changed their logo’s colors from including the six colors of the rainbow to a one-color logo that still has the original shape.
Solution: leave it to artists, because they got the “feel” that is really needed for any design. Can’t afford one? Then you need to revise your business plan, since you just will not grow without a “face”! Plus, today there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of low-price offers on the web, including Veronicas Graphics.
Logo design professionals also have the tools and equipment to create you the logo that will make your brand stand out and give your company the mien of professionalism, trustworthiness, stability, and reliability. They have computer applications that will make logo design simulation virtually effortless.
We hope this guide was helpful. Please contact us if you have any questions or would like a price quote.
Joe Mauer’s $184M 8-yr contract
March, 2010
Anyone who does not follow baseball is scratching their heads and wondering why this guy is worth so much money (as are a few who follow baseball). The answer is simple; he makes the team more money than they’re paying him.
Without Mauer (or, as small business owners are concerned, this expense), the Twins would lose millions of dollars in lost ticket sales, promotions, advertising, and fame. Mauer puts the Twins on ESPN more than any other player, he is the face of the team, and most importantly, he wins games. Without Mauer, the Twins would be nothing more than your average competitive team with mediocre fanfare.
All Twins’ fans are excited for the new stadium, but it wouldn’t sell nearly as many tickets if Mauer were not playing in a Twins jersey. Mauer is a major reason the Twins got a new stadium; to lose him would defeat the purpose of spending the money on Target Field.
Baseball is a business, and like any business, all expenses must be carefully weighed. Sure, the Twins could’ve saved millions of dollars and let Mauer go as a free agent; New York or Boston would be happy to pay him more than the Twins are, but the franchise decided saving money by letting their key asset go would not save money in the long run.
Business owners are always deciding where to cut costs and how to save money. But sometimes saving money doesn’t make money. The Mauer contract is evidence that sometimes business owners don’t focus on the expense; rather they focus on the profit generated from it.
Conan O’Brien on Twitter
March, 2010
The recent fame Sarah Killen has received since Conan O’Brien randomly decided to follow her Twitter posts is eye-opening. Because one celebrity decided her tweets stood out from the rest in some way, she is now getting free gifts, thousands of followers, and invitations to appear on talk shows.
Another random person made famous from another random famous person. So what?
This is important because it shows how getting noticed by the “right” person can be life altering, and is another example of how connected the world is. Immediately after Conan followed her, she started getting 150 followers a minute. That’s more than 2 every second. Nobody knew who she was, where she lived, or anything about her; yet she has gotten thousands of followers and may even have her wedding paid for her, all from tweeting.
This is not a plug for Twitter. Rather, it shows the importance of using all forms of social networking. Twitter is clearly a fad that will eventually die when some new social internet site becomes famous, but that is irrelevant. Keeping up with social trends can bring the possibility of meeting or communicating with important people that you may have otherwise never come in contact with. The world is more connected now than ever before, and it’s important to stay connected in the world.
Veronica on Business Radio
March, 2010
Veronica Sirotin, head of Veronicas Graphics, had her second appearance on the Peter McClellan Radio Show on March 3rd. The Peter McClellan Radio is Twin Cities business Radio station (1570 AM). Veronica spoke about trends in small business, the downturn economy, and mistakes of start-ups. Below you will find a link to the audio of the show.
http://www.kkmslive.com/MP3/PM_3_03_10.mp3
Give Back Campaign
March, 2010
We are offering our services to local businesses who have been hurt by the recession. We want to do our part to help our community. We want you to keep your doors open. If your business is going bankrupt and you are struggelling to stay afloat we are offering:
The first 5 business to contact us will receive free graphic design services.:
The Next 10 will receive 50% any design service.:
If we all do our part to help one another we can end the recession.:
Contact us today at 1-800-984-3032
Inspiration
March, 2010
On a recent trip to Yellowstone Park I realized where great artists can find true inspiration. The beauty and grandeur of the geysers, waterfalls, mud pools and creatures of Yellowstone are enough to inspire one for years.
Many graphic designers look for inspiration in big cities and commercial design. They see what their colleagues and past professionals have created and try to add their own twist. I recommend a fresh start. Take a walk off the beaten path; watch and listen to the birds, stare into a river, or find a quiet place with a good view. Take a deep breath, clear your head of everything you know, and just relax. Don't worry or stress about details or deadlines.
To create great art one must appreciate the beauty and benevolence of the universe. I see the colors, texture and shapes in Yellowstone as the basis of every painting, design and photograph.
Next time you're searching for inspiration or just need a pick-up on life, get out and explore the natural wonders that surround us.
The Peter McClellan Show
September, 2009
Veronica Sirotin, head of Veronicas Graphics, was on the Peter McClellan Show on Tuesday, September 1st. The Peter McClellan Radio is Twin Cities business Radio station. Veronica gave advice on starting and running a small business, and succeeding in the recession. Below you will find a link to the audio of the show
http://www.kkmslive.com/MP3/PM_9_1_09.mp3
