Be a better designer in 2018

        Be A Better Designer In 2021

Make 2021 the year you take your design skills to the next level with these tutorials and tips.

For designers, the start of a new year sees us setting fresh goals and pledging to experiment with a new piece of software, master a tool or technique, brush up on creative theories and knowledge, and look to land new clients. 

So to help you to up your design game, we're lending you a helping hand with this round-up of the best design skills, theories, and practical tips to ensure that you become a better designer in 2021.
All of our guides and tutorials have been broken down into easy to navigate sections, so whether you want to improve your software skills, master a new design theory, or even start that side project you've been sitting on for ages, you'll find something here to help you on your way.


Software skills
Since its release, Illustrator CC has become the go-to tool for plenty of designers. Learn how to make the most of this premier graphics design tool with these tutorials – covering the basics, tools and features, text effects, illustration techniques, logo and icon design, advanced techniques and more.

Photoshop continues to be the design software of choice for millions of designers. We've rounded up the best Photoshop tutorials for everyone from beginners to expert users – covering tools, techniques and effects – so you're bound to learn something new!

Cinema 4D is one of the most popular 3D animation, modelling and rendering platforms. Master the basics of modelling and animating simple characters with the software and work your way up to advanced animation techniques with these Cinema 4D tutorials.

Adobe's Creative Cloud 3D motion graphics and animation software, After Effects, is a popular way to bring your work to life. These tutorials will show you how to get started with After Effects and work your way up to creating special effects.

It's easier than ever to implement responsive web design thanks to a wealth of useful tools. We've rounded up 10 of the best, to help you make your website look amazing on any device.

Have you always wanted to make an app but not known where to start? It's an increasingly vital skill, so make sure you crack app-making for iPhone, iPad, Android and desktop with the help of this tutorial.

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Nothing is Impossible with Print! We Would Like to Share This Sleeve Mailer with Wrapped Booklet Insert

Tips On How To Ensure Versatility Of Your Logo Design

 

A company’s logo design is used on various marketing strategies. A logo appears in various sizes ranging from as big as billboards to tiny ones like on a business card, pens and stickers. Therefore, a logo must be scalable. It should also appear impressive in both color as well as black & white versions.
All types of businesses use logos as an effective marketing tool. People usually recall a business by seeing its logo on products and on advertisements. We can say that logos take business messages to the people and help the companies in converting the viewers into potential buyers.

However, success of a logo design largely depends on its quality of being versatile. This means that the logo must look equally great on all sizes of products. So, the logo must look impressive not only on big scales of large billboards to the size of a stamp. The logo must not lose its shape, size, colors, fonts, and other vital elements in all sizes. This is one of the basics of logo design.

A logo is printed on larger billboards or on fairly smaller advertising products such as pens, stickers, rubber stamps and business cards. In addition, the same logo must also look impressive on pixel based media such as websites and web banners. Business owners can use such versatile logos on a wide range of ads and products or services. Clearly, the businesses should be able to reproduce the logo in its varied sizes.

Versatility is one of the most essential quality of a good logo design. In the 21st century, brands are highly visible. They are exposed to a wide range of media. Most of the brands are actively projected on social media pages. This means that a logo should appear great on all the social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

Another reason why your logo should be versatile is that it helps create your brand identity. So, a logo should look good when printed on the top of a letterhead, business card, mobile app icon, etc.

A versatile logo is cost-effective. It saves you money and time as you do not necessarily have to create separate logos for different media ads and products. Since, the same logo goes for all ads and promotion ranging from large billboards and smallest stamp size ads; you get to save a considerable amount. Additionally, your printing cost decreases manifold when you use fewer colors in the logo.

Here Are Some Tips To Create A Versatile Logo

01. Consider The Details

While designing your logo, consider how much detail should go in it. The details of lines, colors, fonts etc. are necessary to convey the business message. But too many details may create printing troubles for a logo.

If the details are minute such as delicate or skinny lines and too many colors, then these may disappear when printed. These details may appear as broken shapes when printed in small sizes. So, it is advisable to keep only fewer details that are extremely necessary for the logo.

A logo with fewer details will save your production cost of graphic design items. For example, your overall cost of a business card design will be lower to produce it if the logo that you print on the card is also a simple design.

02. Pay Attention To The Space

If a logo design has the white space, or negative space, it must be created carefully. The white space between the two elements should be consistent. This means that the space should not be too close as it may lead to elements overlapping each other when the logo is printed. And if the space distance is too big, the viewers may not find an association between the elements and the logo may fail to communicate well with the viewers.

03. Use Gradients Selectively

Opt for gradients only when they can contribute to the overall quality and appeal of the design. Avoid choosing too light tints as such tints usually disappear when printed and the logo appears in white color scheme only.

Do not necessarily opt for too dark tints as they may appear too solid and patchy when printed. In fact, too dark tints create a muddy look for the logo when printed on a newspaper. Take note of the fact that some reproduction processes do not accommodate use of gradients very well.

04. Create Logo Without Colors

Another sign of a versatile logo is that it appears impressive in both colors and without colors. This is because a logo is printed on newspapers, magazines, faxed copies, etc. in black and white. So, the logo must retain its uniqueness when printed without colors. This will ensure better logo and brand identity design of the business symbol.

A trick to create a versatile logo that looks impressive in black and white is to create it first without colors. When designing the logo, first create it in black and white only. It is only when you are satisfied with the design that you should fill colors in it. As a graphic designer, you should take a logo and get approval. Then, incorporate colors after getting the approval.
Read more of our informative blogs at:http://store.printcafeli.com/blog/Print_Cafe_Blog.html

 Brilliant Yard Sign Ideas

Yard signs are affordable, lightweight and incredibly portable, so it’s not surprising that both small and large businesses use them to target passersby and local customers.

However, as with any other marketing tool, there are several factors that should be taken into consideration to make your lawn signs as effective as possible. Before you order your signs, make sure the text is large and legible and the color scheme is bold and visually appealing. The overall design should be simple yet memorable.

Thanks to their versatility, yard signs can be used for countless promotional and practical applications. We thought we’d share some examples of unexpectedly brilliant yard sign designs that have passed through our doors.

Real Estate 

 

 

With so many real estate agents using yard signs to market properties for sale or for lease, it can be difficult to stand out from the competition. Here are some of our favorite tips for real estate yard signs that get noticed:

*Choose a distinctive shape and/or size. For example, a 24” x 36” sign is not one you see every day, and the extra room allows you to increase font size for more visible text. Remember, a larger size should not be taken as an invitation to include as much information as possible. Your sign should focus on one or two key messages, whether it’s advertising your company or attracting potential buyers

 *Put some thought into your color scheme. If you specialize in luxury properties, pick an understated color like navy blue or burgundy. If  you live in a sports town, incorporate the local team’s color into your signs. 

 *If you focus on starter homes, include a persuasive tagline like “Buying Your First Home? We Can Help” to let clients know you’ll be with them every step of the way.

Garage Sale 

 

Advertise your yard sale with a sturdy yard sign! Each weekend, plenty of garage sale enthusiasts drive around looking to spend money, and you don’t want them to miss yours. Stick to a bold color scheme that is noticeable from afar (like red and white) and for added impact, use an unexpected shape like an octagon or star.

Political Campaign

 

Name recognition can make all the difference on election day, which is why candidate lawn signs are such a staple of campaigning. Make sure you keep plenty in stock at your campaign headquarters to sell or hand out to volunteer and supporters. Your signs should include your name, of course, the office you are seeking and, if you have additional space, a memorable slogan, endorsement or campaign website URL.

Security

 

 

 

Help keep your home secure by displaying lawn security signs that serve as powerful deterrents to unwanted visitors. A durable, professionally-made sign is an inexpensive investment that should be a part of any home security system. You can also order custom yard signs to discourage specific behavior, such as door-to-door soliciting, walking across your lawn or parking in front of your driveway.

Parties and Celebrations 

 

Add a little extra flair to your next gathering by ordering a personalized yard sign! Whether you are hosting a birthday party at your house or a summer BBQ at the local park, a brightly colored yard sign makes it easier for guests to find the right location. Depending on the size of the event, you may want multiple signs directing people toward the food stations, trash, and restrooms.

Graduation 

 

Let the neighbors know that your proud of your son or daughters graduation. Whether it's Grammer School, Middle School, or High School.Your children will feel good for what they accomplished.

Non Profit Organizations

 

Make it easy to make a difference. Set up a secure donation box outside your office or negotiate with a local shopping center to install one in a highly trafficked area. Place sturdy yard signs in the area that point toward the donation box and include a few bullet points and/or image that clearly explains how the donations will be used.

QR Code 

 

Bring this timeless marketing tool into the smartphone age with a QR code! You can use a free online QR generator to create a code to print on your signs. Link the QR code to a specific page created just for this purpose so you’re able to track the sign’s effectiveness.

For More Information on Lawn Signs and Other Signage: Call 516-561-1468 or SMS Text 516-253-4040 or Visit Our Website at:https://www.printcafeli.com/store/product-view.html/84-Signs

Don't Be Late!  It's Time To Order Your Calendars Now!

How many times a day do you look at the calendar on your wall? If you’re anything like us, it’s probably a lot—to check the date, to look ahead to see what your schedule looks like, to plan ahead. Glancing at the calendar so many times a day, it’s no surprise that calendars are a great way for your customers to promote their business. With a variety of different calendars to choose from, your customer can create a calendar that will be used throughout 2021.

And it’s the perfect time for your customers to order their promotional calendars! Here’s what you need to know.

Choose a Calendar
If your customer is looking for something small and practical, The Print Cafe's value and desk calendar options are an ideal option. They fit easily into almost any space, from office desks to cramped shelves, and when personalized with your customer’s company information they make excellent promotional items.

Your customer can also make a big impression with stitched wall calendars. They might not fit in tighter spaces, but these calendars make a big visual impact with large full color images and an area to personalize with your customer’s contact information.

Thinking About Design
When your customer is looking for a calendar to use as a promotional piece, they should take time to consider which design will speak to their audience. Whether that means a design that relates to their business or a design that will appeal to the broadest audience possible, their calendar theme will help their calendar be a useful marketing tool. With stock designs ranging from car photos perfect for car dealerships or insurance providers to images with wide appeal like scenic landscapes, these pre-designed calendars make the design process easy.

 

 

The moderate calendar is an excellent decision for marketing a captivating visual brand. Graphic designers, photographers, artists, animal shelters, food service, sports clubs, sports teams, gyms, restaurants, volunteer organizations, real estate companies, mortgage companies, and churches are just a few industries.

When you make a calendar for your business, you’ll find your brand enhance the walls or desks of potential customers. Your clients will love being given a marketing item that is both practical and pleasing to the eye while reminding them of your services.

Each calendar includes 12 image pages, which gives your brand plenty room to create a fascinating idea or marketing advantage that will motivate a potential sale while keeping brand loyalty. Use this space to promote your product images, or even to provide advice to your customer.

Make a Personalized Photo Calendar for Family or Friends

Calendars aren’t just for business. Custom 12-month calendars are a great gift for the family. Use a personal calendar to share family photos, artwork, or milestones in a fun, way.

Our calendars are available in popular sizes like 8.5"x 11", 5.5"x 8.5" and 12"x 12" with holes drilled to easily mount the calendar to the wall. We also offer personalized desk calendars. While custom 12 month calendars are most popular, our calendars can be completely customized to your specific needs. We also offer Giant Desk Calendars as seen below.

 

Order Early   

It can be tempting for your customers to wait on their calendar order, but if they want to have their calendars printed, received, and distributed before January 1^st then they should order early. This will give them a full 365 days of potential consumer impressions, and it gives them a better chance of creating a calendar that gets used throughout the year.

A well-crafted calendar is a promotional item worthy of your marketing plan. If you’re unsure of where to start or if you’d just like a gorgeous calendar created by professionals, we handle design too! Just ask us and we’re happy to help. Call Today for More Information: 516-561-1468, SMS Text 516-253-4040 or Go TO:https://www.printcafeli.com/store/product-view.html/36-Calendars

 

 

What Makes A Label Great ? 

                         Color, Type Font, & Design

OUTLINE THOSE FONTS!

There are hundreds of thousands of fonts, also called typefaces, out there. And while The Print Cafe has thousands of fonts in our archives there’s a
chance a font may not exist in our system. Trying to find a font, or trying to find an analogous font, or manipulating a font to make a copy change/make a label more readable: all this increases turnaround time.
The simple solution: it’s called “outlining” fonts, and it’s a feature in most graphic design software. Basically, outlining a font converts it from a mathematical construction to a scalable series of lines and curves. When fonts are outlined, the font file associated with its respective font (.ttf, .otf, etc.) is not needed for type
to display properly. Sometimes a client isn’t particularly picky about which font to use. If that’s the case, just let us know. We’ll find the perfect one for the job!

 

SIZE  MATTERS

If a font is a “serif” font, you’ll notice little “flourishes” on it. If it’s a “sans-serif” font, it doesn’t have those embellishments. Most block-type fonts are san-serif fonts, and VASTLY superior for readability, especially in small print. The Print Cafe recommends using sans-serif fonts whenever possible for label work, especially for any small print that has a lot of type. Otherwise, the type will be difficult, or even impossible, to read.
    Common examples of serif fonts include Times Roman, Palatino, Book Antiqua, and New Century. Common sans-serif fonts include Helvetica, Arial, Futura, and Franklin Gothic.
 “There’s a lot that goes into a label! Your package design is your last salesperson
contact.  A typical product on a shelf has about two seconds to gain a customer’s attention.” “So think pictures first, then big bold letters, and then tackle the fine details. What are you getting across in those few seconds of ‘first glance’ is everything.” If you don’t design a label with your audience in mind … if the label is unreadable … the most valuable sales opportunity could be missed.”

TINY SERIF TYPE DOES NOT ‘REVERSE OUT’ WELL 

If you do decide to use a serif font and you reverse it extremely small (i.e., “reverse” the type to make it white or light on a dark background), you’re going to lose detail. If you’re going to do it, I wouldn’t go any smaller than a six-point font. If you have a sans-serif font … that is, a block letter … it’s a lot easier on the eye and can get a lot smaller and read much more cleanly as a smaller, reversed-out font than a serif font.”

CMYK, ALL THE WAY

Labels are, obviously, printed. But what some people don’t realize is that printing with ink is entirely different from displaying an image on a computer with pixels. Unlike digital or online art, which is usually rendered in RGB (Red-Green-Blue) color, quality printed materials often rely on a color system called “CMYK” (Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black). CMYK is much more sophisticated, and thus capable of producing a much wider range of color. Even though a CMYK color may look close to an RGB color onscreen, it translates very differently on press. Richie says it best: “RGB colors are not going to print nicely in CMYK, which is our world. Colors will be dull. ”If your clients can “spec” CMYK colors, they will be happier. Even better than CMYK, however, is spotcolor printing when it’s available.
 

 PANTONE, PLEASE

As for how to “spec” that color,  “We use the Solid-Coated Pantone Color Matching
(PMS) system. Textile colors or cloth colors or even PMS Uncoated colors aren’t in our standard color processing. (FYI: PMS Uncoated colors are lighter than PMS Coated colors.) It’s wise to look up the Pantone Colors using their official online color picker to choose the Solid-Coated PMS color that best matches your desired outcome.”

VECTOR FOR LINE ART

There are many kinds of art, but we’ll deal with the two most common: “Raster” images and “Vector” images. For many label-art purposes, vector images are by far the best way to go. Raster images, which are often used to render photographs on a computer, have a set number of pixels in an image. So trying to enlarge a raster image will often result in a blurry result … all you’re doing is making the pixels bigger, until eventually they just look like squares of color. Vector images, which have been drawn or converted to mathematical calculations between each point in an image, are completely scalable. Simply put, vector images are much easier to enlarge, shrink, or edit than raster images, and will produce a sharp, “non-jaggy”
result every time.


MAKE SURE ARTWORK ALLOWS FOR A 1/8” MARGIN

“Here, we have a 1/8” printing area, meaning we have to leave 1/16” on all sides of your artwork … any imprint has to be inside that 1/16” margin” Bottom line: plan your design to allow for a sixteenth of an inch around all edges.

RESOLUTION: AT LEAST 300 DPI

Plain and simple, there’s a huge difference between how something looks onscreen and how it looks printed on label stock. While online materials are rendered at resolutions of 72-150 dpi (dots per inch) for fast uploading and display, print materials suffer terribly at 150 dpi. If you want crisp, clear art, text that’s easy to read, and images that truly pop, check your supplied art’s document settings to make sure its resolution is at least 300 dpi at actual print size. If the art is enlarged, the dpi reduces. Example: if a customer sends a 1”x1” art file at 300 dpi and enlarges it to 3 x3” the dpi plummets with the enlargement.

SOFTWARE AND FILE FORMATS

The Print Cafe primarily works with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop software, which are incredibly powerful image editing tools. However, even these can only do so much. And we understand that customers create artwork in all kinds of programs, even Microsoft Word. Still, your best-case scenario for label art is an Adobe
Illustrator (.ai) file. We can can also work with JPEG or PNG file formats, but an Illustrator file is by far the fastest, smoothest, and best. PDF images can also work – but only sometimes. “We advise caution when saving out of programs that aren’t compatible with Illustrator. If a file is saved as a PDF file that is not compatible with Illustrator it will sometimes convert images to “nonnative” elements in the file when opened in Illustrator.

We suggest if you have a link or placed image in your art, and have saved out of a different program (not Illustrator or PhotoShop), send the image with your PDF file. We can relink the file.”


OWN IT!

Make sure your customer has purchased any stock art or images that have been downloaded from the Internet. You’d be surprised at how many low resolution images we receive complete with a stock image company’s watermark. Those watermarks exist to protect copyrighted material, and we cannot legally (let alone neatly) remove them. Remember: Rights and royalties matter!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC-SMS TEXT 516-253-4040 or Call 516-561-1468 or VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: www.printcafeli.com