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Designing a wrap project help needed please?
Hi guys,
I`m designing a wrap for our new work van and i have all the lay-out, pictures and plans. Everything i need to get started
What i don`t have is any experience whatsoever in the basics of actually starting creating the artwork properly for wide format output.
I am planning on designing it entirely in Photoshop and then exporting it out to Troop RIP.
The problem i have is how i physically create and start the new file in Photoshop.
I`ve never really had to use this software on a serious basis like now so even knowing what parameter a "New" file requires in PS is confusing me.
I`ve registered and looked at almost every Photoshop web-site there is and there just isn`t the answers on them i need.
The part i`m having trouble grasping is.
1. File > New
Starting from new in Photoshop, how important is size and resolution when creating a new file for printing as a wrap?. Should i size the new file to the physical dimensions of the Van. Or should i open the Van in Photoshop and lay-out the design on it there?.
I`m concerned that too low a resolution will give pixelated esges on lettering but i`m also concerned that too high a resolution will slow me and my PC down to s snail`s pace.
2. Should i always default new artwork and designs to CYMK?.
Is anyone else able to give me some pointers as how to set the file up properly for best results for a wrap print.
Hope this makes sense.
Thanks
Rod
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9 Replies
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Hey Rod,
CMYK and72 dpi on scale 1/1 (!!!) is enough to get excellent prints without any pixels.[/left][/c][/code]
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Signboy.
The new file dialogue box below is what i`d ideally like to set up correctly before starting.
Name: Irrelevent
Preset Sizes: Custom
Width & height: I wasn`t sure whether or not i need to size the file to the same size dimensions as the panels on the van. Need advice on that.
Resolution: You reckon just leave this at 72 dpi?. I`m curious as to how the file will handle the dpi of any images i consequently paste into this file?. Will they keep their original dpi from their origin or will they adopt the new dpi of the file i`m creating ( i.e. 72 dpi)?.
Mode: RGB Colour (Is this that important at this time?)
Contents: Is this important or should i just accept the default “transparent”?.
Just to re-iterate, i have all the pictures with which to create the artwork and the final result need to be of the highest quality for when i print the results on the Cadet.
Really asppreciate the time taken to answer.
Thanks in advance.
Rod
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hi, rod. We lay repeating graphics/panels out in photoshop then use a layout program (Corel) to position the photoshop images onto a vehicle outline, we then add any Company names/detail to the images in Corel.
Then use Corel to calculate what we should run and make 3-4 files with all the needed graphics and calculate the print run length.
I don’t suggest photoshop for anything but background images.
To answer some questions:-
RGB images are fine (unless your RIP is poor), CYMK uses more memory but appears on the screen correctly if you have a CYMK printer.
72ppi (but your dialog says 72pp/cm). (dpi=ppi). Our RIP uses a random-dot pattern that merges to a solid colour, so minimum of 150ppi is needed or it looks chunky.
Transparent / Solid White is up to you really and your plan.
However having a 1gb image on a weak PC will be longest job you will ever do as it will be so slow!.
My reconmendation is to plan it in a design program that you are familar with and use Photoshop for patterns/background/technical bits.
Cheers
Dave -
Dave (& Signboy) thanks a million.
The info you`ve given me has kinda helped me grasp what to do.
1. Design in Corel
2. Make Backgrounds in Photoshop and Export to Corel
3. Export finished design to Troop.I`ve been trying to open scaled van outlines in Photoshop 😳 😀
Makes much more sense now you`ve helped explain it. Can`t wait to sit uninterrupted and get stuck in now.
Thanks loads mate. One i owe ya.
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Set the height and width to the finished prints dimensions.
On big prints i set the DPI to 72. on smaller prints I go upto 150’ish. Depend on the image source and quality.
Most digital camera will only allow about 33″ if that at 72 dpi.
Ignore the background, that is just how photoshop shows the backgroundd you are working on, whites ok if in doubt.
RGB is ok, so is CMYK.
CMYK is probably more accurate for final output. Colours shown using RGB are a mix or the three colour set by the monitor. CMYK is (hopefully) a more accurate representation of the finished print.
RGB will show colours on screen that will be almost impossible to print. So RGB is best when it will only be ever displayed on screen
Any image you drop into this work space will convert to the DPI you set earlier.
A 300DPI image at 1000mm tall will therefore enlarge to 4000mm at 75dpi.
A 72 dpi image at 1000 enlarged to 4000mm will print at about 17DPI. which is ok if you are viewing the image from the moon!!!!.
Rule of thumb is … double the image size = half the DPI
or double the DPI = 1/2 the image size.
You have a big learning curve ahead of you, BEST advice is to read all you can on LAYERS.
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Thanks Tim, great advice there.
Do you guys have any tips or tricks on the gradient tool?.
The plan is to have a gradient fill running from dark blue at the back of the van through to white at the front doors of the van.
i`ve been playing with the gradient tool on the full size image and it appears that the blend from blue through to white just doesn`t look blended and “flowing”.
I was wondering if this was due to the limitations of my monitor, but when i zoom in on a selected area, the blend is still a bit ropey.
Is there a trick to having the blend/gradient much smoother?.
Thanks
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hello
gradient tool in corel where you blend blue to white with rectangles, is white supposed to be the vinyl colour? Then say pick a Pantone 72 Blue then blend it to Pantone 72 Blue with a 10% tint (ie white), that will make a nice blend. Blending from one colour to another just forces it to use alsorts of colours to get to that colour.
The gradient tool in photoshop has a number of settings but it is pretty easy to use and makes good results. you can get away with under 72 dpi on those photoshop files if it is just a fade with no detail.
Another thing, Corel can cause gradient fill issues when printing, i suggest you test your fill on your printer (small patch), see if it is working right. Same could happen if working in RGB in photoshop.
Also is this van White? Might want to print onto clear to avoid white vinyl on white van effect.
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Good point Dave.
When is white not white (?)
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I would work in CMYK. Especially as you are using blue.
Blues often look mauve when printed.
If you’re doing stuff for a truck cab you can probably do the image at full size 75dpi. It will still be pretty slow to manipulate though unless your PC is nice and beefy (lots of ram is useful for doing large digital stuff)
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