CafeCalendar Print Questions

[dcloud]

I thought I would make this thread for anyone who has questions about the printing aspect of the Cafe Calendar project. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has little if no print experience.

Got a couple questions to start off .... I just downloaded the template. When I open the template in Photoshop, should I make a new file at 300dpi and then work from there?

Should I create the whole file in Photoshop, or would it be better to create the whole thing in Illustrator? Or perhaps do it in both, and if so what parts?

Sorry about all the questions, but for some reason designing for print has always eluded me. Thanks.

- dc

[Edited on 2/26/2005 by dcloud]

[John Hughes]

:) Ditto.

[dcloud]

Also, I'm getting some weird behavior with Illustrator CS. While in the middle of working on the calendar file (I'm just going ahead with it, in lieu of any helpful answers to this thread) the program just shut down. There were no error or warning messages, it simply shut down.

I was trying to apply a clipping mask to an image and also figure out how to add a gradient to it to make one half of the image disappear, as I do in PS (which is a hell of a lot easier than this program). I'm not even sure how to use a mask or if they are even available in this program, but anyway I was doing this and the program simply shut down.

Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated. Perhaps I should just do the artwork in PS at CMYK/300dpi (if that is correct?) and do the type in Illustrator? Can I just do the whole dang thing in PS? LOL .... I'm remembering now why I hate this program.

- dc

[Digi Pixie]

I really think you'll be fine to do the entire piece in Photoshop if you want to (the WIP as a PSD). The calendar is being printed digitally, in RGB mode, from a PNG file, so there's no way you can keep any of the elements as vectors anyway... I suspect there'll be little to no text in most people's designs - apart from the credit at the bottom - so if you feel more comfortable doing it in PS, by all means, do so. As I usually do, I'll probably use both programs for mine.

Sorry I don't know the answer to your dilemma Doug, I've never had Iluustrator do that to me before.

As for the template from CafÈ Press... They've actually been more generous with their bleed than need be - it's larger than 1/4 inch - but that's to ensure no one loses anything near the edge that's vital to their design.

I made my own template in PS, using guides to indicate where the bleed edge is. Unless a border is an integral part of your design - don't do one! Make sure your design runs to the very edge of your document, it will be trimmed to the bleed edge (more or less, it won't be absolutely accurate), so make sure everything absolutely integral to your design fits inside the bleed. One thing I also do is use a mask to mask out the bleed temporarily...just so I can see how it will look when trimmed.

And as I mentioned...there will be specifications for font, size, etc, for your details on your design which will be posted soon.

Anyone unsure about their design, don't flatten your file, keep it as a work in progress & post it for some feedback, if you like.

[dcloud]

Originally posted by Digi Pixie
I suspect there'll be little to no text in most people's designs - apart from the credit at the bottom...

Thanks for the help. I actually was including text on the cover design - 2005 PhotoshopCafe Calendar. Most calendars have something like this on the front (title, etc.).

- dc

[Digi Pixie]

Oh yeah...of course...forgot about the cover. Glad you mentioned that...

There will be specifications for the cover for title, credits etc that we haven't finalised yet, we'll be posting those soon. So those of you designing a cover, just hold off on the text...

[dcloud]

Originally posted by Digi Pixie
I really think you'll be fine to do the entire piece in Photoshop if you want to (the WIP as a PSD). The calendar is being printed digitally, in RGB mode, from a PNG file, so there's no way you can keep any of the elements as vectors anyway...

Ok, thanks for the info. Appreciate it. So does that mean I can make the document in RGB mode instead of CMYK?

- dc

[mkeefe]

Yup. you can create your design in RGB.

[dcloud]

Thanks, Matt. So as long as I make the RGB document the same size as the template - 11.5 x 9 including the 1/4" bleed - I will be fine?

Thanks for the help everyone :)

- dc

[Digi Pixie]

Yes Doug, you'll be fine & dandy - & RGB is preferrable to CMYK - it's going to be a digital print job, so you'll have the full RGB colour gamut at your disposal.

Don't forget to keep all vital information within the bleed border. For those people who are unsure about the formatting of their design, Mkeefe's setting up a dedicated WIP thread for the calendars. We'll also be posting info on how to format your credit on the site, which Mkeefe is just finishing off. :)

[Edited on 2/27/2005 by Digi Pixie]

[dcloud]

I went and got my hair cut today and I saved some for you, Digi. Should I send it Next Day Air? :lol (kidding...)

Thanks for all your help and to Matt and Jay and the whole CafeCalendar Crew. This is more fun than humans should be allowed to have.

- dc

[Rupert]

Originally posted by Digi Pixie
Yes Doug, you'll be fine & dandy - & RGB is preferrable to CMYK - it's going to be a digital print job, so you'll have the full RGB colour gamut at your disposal.
Assuming its a 6 color printer?

[Rupert]

Originally posted by the good reverend zi:mm
digital printers can handle all colours, and for the most part, they look pretty damn decent

(i get all my stuff printed digitally...and have never had a problem with anything)
:)

we have 2 indigos that print 4 colors CMYK