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RASTER & VECTOR
Graphics come in two types, raster and vector.
Raster images
Raster graphics are described by an array of pixels that each have a given colour and intensity value. Raster images look more realistic, most images you see on your computer screen are raster graphics. Pictures
found on the Web and photos you import from your digital camera are raster graphics. They are made up of grid of pixels, commonly referred to as a bitmap. Raster graphics can typically be scaled down with no loss of quality, but enlarging a raster graphic image causes it to lose definition and become pixelated.
File formats for Raster graphics are .bmp .jpg .tif .gif
Photoshop, Paintshop Pro, and Photopaint are all examples of raster programs
Vector images
Unlike BMPs, JPEGs, and GIFs images, vector graphics are not made up of a grid of pixels. Instead, vector graphics are comprised of paths, which are defined by a start and end point, along with other points, curves, and angles along the way. A path can be a line, a square, a triangle, or a curvy shape. Because vector-based images are not made up of a specific number of dots, they can be scaled to a larger size and not lose any image quality. When you scale up a vector graphic, the edges of each object within the graphic stay smooth and
clean. This makes vector graphics ideal for logos, which can be small enough to appear on a business card, but can also be scaled to fill a billboard.
File formats for vector graphics are .eps .ai .svg .drw
Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw & Macromedia Freehand are all examples of vector programs.
Raster images
Raster graphics are described by an array of pixels that each have a given colour and intensity value. Raster images look more realistic, most images you see on your computer screen are raster graphics. Pictures
found on the Web and photos you import from your digital camera are raster graphics. They are made up of grid of pixels, commonly referred to as a bitmap. Raster graphics can typically be scaled down with no loss of quality, but enlarging a raster graphic image causes it to lose definition and become pixelated.
File formats for Raster graphics are .bmp .jpg .tif .gif
Photoshop, Paintshop Pro, and Photopaint are all examples of raster programs
Vector images
Unlike BMPs, JPEGs, and GIFs images, vector graphics are not made up of a grid of pixels. Instead, vector graphics are comprised of paths, which are defined by a start and end point, along with other points, curves, and angles along the way. A path can be a line, a square, a triangle, or a curvy shape. Because vector-based images are not made up of a specific number of dots, they can be scaled to a larger size and not lose any image quality. When you scale up a vector graphic, the edges of each object within the graphic stay smooth and
clean. This makes vector graphics ideal for logos, which can be small enough to appear on a business card, but can also be scaled to fill a billboard.
File formats for vector graphics are .eps .ai .svg .drw
Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw & Macromedia Freehand are all examples of vector programs.
Colour Modes CMYK & RGB
CMYK is the primary model used by colour printers so is used for any print medium like flyers, brochures, stationery etc . CMYK creates different colours in a subtractive process using four colours or inks: cyan (blue), magenta (red), yellow, and black. Your home printer will have a CMYK setup and all Print Houses will have this for their digital and litho prints. There are many RGB colours that CMYK printers cannot reproduce. Something that
looks good on the monitor may not retain the same quality when printed if it is in the wrong mode.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is the typical colour space used by electronic displays, monitors, pda screens, etc. In RGB, images are created by combining red, green, and blue light. Process of addition can create millions of different colours by using varying concentrations of the primaries. Use RGB mode when you want to put artwork anything that will be viewed digitally like a website or infomercial.
looks good on the monitor may not retain the same quality when printed if it is in the wrong mode.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is the typical colour space used by electronic displays, monitors, pda screens, etc. In RGB, images are created by combining red, green, and blue light. Process of addition can create millions of different colours by using varying concentrations of the primaries. Use RGB mode when you want to put artwork anything that will be viewed digitally like a website or infomercial.
DPI (DOTS PER INCH)
DPI is used to describe the resolution number of dots per inch in a digital print and the printing resolution of a hard copy print dot gain; the increase in the size of the halftone dots during printing. A higher DPI will produce clearer, sharper and more detailed prints. Chameleon Design supplies artwork with a minimum resolution of 300dpi. This is the normal minimum recommended requirement for most print houses and is also suitable for home printing. Graphics for digital viewing are generally a minimum resolution of 150dpi.
BASIC PRINT HOUSE SPECIFICATIONS
Artwork is normally either printed in Digital or Litho,
Digital prints will use a Digital Press Printer and are economic for short print runs.
Litho prints will use a computer to plate system and a press for high quality, high quantity print runs.
Both methods have requirements for Bleed and Trim and all Print Houses will be happy to supply this information to you. Some display this information on their websites. The requirement will be different for several types of artwork layouts, i.e Business Cards, Posters.
Bleed
When a design has any part of the image extending to the edge of the paper/card, the image is extended beyond the trim line. This extended part of the image is known as Bleed. The reason this is done is to allow a degree of tolerance for the trimming process. If there was no bleed to the edge of the paper/card when the artwork is trimmed you would be left with a visible white border but with bleed if the card/paper is trimmed slightly outside the trim line there would be no white showing. In the UK bleed of 3mm is normally required on each side of your paper/card.
Trim
The final size of a printed page after excess edges have been cut off is called the trim size. During the design process crop marks indicating where to cut are set up at the edges of the paper/card that are then trimmed after printing.
Crop Marks
These are crossed lines that are placed at the corners of a page/card during the design process or hand drawn on after the design process to indicate to the printer where to trim.
PLEASE ALSO SEE 'IMAGE RESOLTION INFORMATION' FOR VITAL INFORMATION ON THE REQUIREMENTS FOR IMAGES YOU MAY BE PROVIDING FOR PRINT AND DIGITAL VIEWING PURPOSES.
Digital prints will use a Digital Press Printer and are economic for short print runs.
Litho prints will use a computer to plate system and a press for high quality, high quantity print runs.
Both methods have requirements for Bleed and Trim and all Print Houses will be happy to supply this information to you. Some display this information on their websites. The requirement will be different for several types of artwork layouts, i.e Business Cards, Posters.
Bleed
When a design has any part of the image extending to the edge of the paper/card, the image is extended beyond the trim line. This extended part of the image is known as Bleed. The reason this is done is to allow a degree of tolerance for the trimming process. If there was no bleed to the edge of the paper/card when the artwork is trimmed you would be left with a visible white border but with bleed if the card/paper is trimmed slightly outside the trim line there would be no white showing. In the UK bleed of 3mm is normally required on each side of your paper/card.
Trim
The final size of a printed page after excess edges have been cut off is called the trim size. During the design process crop marks indicating where to cut are set up at the edges of the paper/card that are then trimmed after printing.
Crop Marks
These are crossed lines that are placed at the corners of a page/card during the design process or hand drawn on after the design process to indicate to the printer where to trim.
PLEASE ALSO SEE 'IMAGE RESOLTION INFORMATION' FOR VITAL INFORMATION ON THE REQUIREMENTS FOR IMAGES YOU MAY BE PROVIDING FOR PRINT AND DIGITAL VIEWING PURPOSES.