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Any advice on sign design packages / programs?
Hello all… new guy digging again for info… 🙂
I realise there are lots of software options out there for Rips & designing full colour work, but are there any options that are generally prefered? you guys must know??? 😉 cheers… at present heading towards Photoshop…!
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18 Replies
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i use photoshop & signlab only mate. i can honestly say i have never needed anything else.
andrew ritchie (vectorwise) who works with me dabbles in a few others in our work. as far as i know he only uses them to be able to access odd file types etc. in the end he ends up fixing them up in photoshop or illustrator.
95% of our designing is done in signlab. we have 5 fully registered copies. 😉 -
Hi, thanks for that, I was going to look into Illustrator…now will look at signlab! I cant wait to get learning!!! 😆
In regards to your Grenadier, thats a true solvent printer isnt it? I’ve heard that type of machine needs alot of maintenance…is that correct? is it hassle every day?? I’m going to another show in Olympia, London next Thursday to view a load of stuff again…! really not sure wot to go for – eco solvent which is meant 2 have less maintenance, or Solvent!! I dunno!!!!
I noticed your a moderator… can yu answer – What does ‘gold’ etc mean under people names? is it down to usage? I still havent viewed the site 100% completely! but seems damn good, with plenty of helpful people…
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DOH!!! 😮 I meant administrator…!! 🙄
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hi mate
they told me that the machine needs, flushed once a week.
A simple task takes 5 mins or so.. basically flushing the tubes for the weekend when the machine will be idle for a few days.
I don’t see this as being a problem at all.. we have a spray unit for spray painting. Like painting, spraying etc everytime you use you must clean the brush or it will go hard, run gun wash through the gun and clean or the valves gel up. Same goes here but only once a week..As for gold, silver, bronze access etc this may help mate.. it is basically the amount of access the person/vistor has on the site. Or if they are a member of the UKSG.
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Hey Rob,
Thanks for the link, I keep thanking everyone!! ha! 😆
I will become a full member, but is worth joining now? I noticed is states 2003 member which of course is nearly up! does it go on 12months from when you join?
tarrrr…. 😉
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If you’re talking about full colour stuff then you need photoshop.
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quote :I will become a full member, but is worth joining now? I noticed is states 2003 member which of course is nearly up! does it go on 12months from when you join?
good point mate. that maybe missleading.. 😕
the answer is no.. its 12 months from when you join at any time of year.
i have it worded like that so it makes checking my records easier. i will have to amend it though now 🙁
better now that never though.. cheers 😉 -
to expand on jon vitals post.
signmaking can be broken down into two basic disciplins,
1: vector images (signlab, omega, corel draw, illustrator etc) these types of files work as a “path” for a production machine. All vinyl cutting plotters work on this “path” so it knows where to cut.
Think of the “path” as the tip of a knife balde or pen and the route it would have to take to create a shape.2: bitmap files (photoshop, photopaint etc) these files are made up of pixels (dots) and are used mainly for digital printing on machines similar to a desktop printer (but usually as a much more advanced format) They have the same underlying technology as a television or monitor screen.
Vector files are scalable without loss of detail/quality, ie. a file created at 10cm x 10cm should be just as good quality if produced at 100m x 100m
bitmap files are scalable but will loose quality/detail when enlatged from the original size. Photo editing software like photoshop can help improve the finished quality but does have it’s limits.
Generally a vector file will take up far less space on your hdd (or floppy) than a bitmap file.
Bitmap files are the preffered format for printing photo’s and very high detail images where as vectors are prefferd for general day to day text/ solid block colours and low to medium detail graphics.
Very high detail graphics can be achieved in a vector format (this is my preffered method) but do require a hell of a lot of setup time, and are only worth doing if the finished image must be sharp, clear and scalable to any size at any viewing distance.
Most signmakers/graphic designers are happy to work with both vector and bitmap files.
Adobe Photoshop is recognised as the industry standard bitmap editor and I would recommend getting it. Signlab, omega (amongst others) are specialist signmaking vector based software designed to ease the workflow in a signmaking environment. Illustrator and Corel draw (again amongst others) are more of an industry standard vector software and generally have more features, the software is geared more toward design rather than production.
hope this helps.Gee
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Again, thank you…
I will join up laters…
Innocent, that was one cool very informative reply… 😆 I knew some of that in a roundabout way, yu have helped a great deal there… I hope I can aid you guys someday…
Much appreciated… 😉
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The Grenadier is a true solvent if you use the Screen inks as the normal inks they call solvent are an “eco solvent +” whatever that means. The up keep of the printer is not that bad keep it clean and it works.
As with regards to software Photoshop is a must as for layout and design Illustrator or Freehand and a simple cutting package works out much cheaper than the full sign packages.
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Would you say that Photoshop, Illustrator and simple cutting program are more powerful and effective than a full blown( (:) ) signage package (?)
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Hi Roger
Many folks used Corel Draw.
We use Macromedia Freehand – It is a direct competitor to Illustrator.
It’s a pro Graphics Design software – more known to Graphic Designers – Certainly worth considering.Hi WDS
Sounds like you have a Grenadier?
I’m told that machine range is re-badged Roland – do you know?Regards Dave Standen
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Roger
I would of thought as long as the prog. allows you to drop and position an EPS file then you will be fine.
The guy I use locally for large format digital uses Quark as he has a lot of designer / print customers. I give him pc EPS files text to curves & hey presto.
Does your system run a rip? Hardware or software?
Just curious.
Tim.
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flexisign pro 7
seriously good stuff. -
quote :Sounds like you have a Grenadier?
I’m told that machine range is re-badged Roland – do you know?your right dave it is mate.. well it is a roland but not just rebadged.
they have changed it in various ways regarding how it prints..
its the next machine we shall be buying.. ive been reading up on it for a wee while now. spoke to b&p, mike antrim etc and getting dif veiws..
infact spoke to the people doing the buy the ink and get the machine free on yesterday… theres more to that deal than meets the eye though 😉
best to buy it, i think… 😆 -
Hi Rodger
The Grenadier is a modified roland soljet. But it works well
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HI GUYS… I have no equip as yet! been gaining infos for a while, I used to run a vinyl dept in my old job b4 my window tinting business…
I know I have loads to learn! but have always wanted to get into full colour stuff!
I am having a demo on the Mutoh Rockhopper2 this thursday, it uses the Onyx rip software, anyone know of it? will getting a summa T1400 with it,
Has anyone got any usefull info for learning the basics, I have some van jobs lined up for early next year… I cant wait to be set up and start fidlin…!!
Obviously I would be greatful for any help…! 🙄
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Hi Roger,
I use SignLab e6 and find it very good apart from a tendency to crash now and then but a huge step up from Version 5. I also use Impact for my van profiles and always found them pretty good, there latest offering includes top view which is suprisingly useful especially when doing bonnets.
I don’t like Signlabs rip much the old version that allowed the use of ICC profules was better, don’t know why they changed it. For all my large format work I just don’t think you can beat CorelDraw 11 sorry sneeered at by many but I think it’s great and good value for money. It’s print engine is second to none the best I have seen. I use the programe for anything, T-shirts, mugs, banners, A0plus drawings and posters down to business cards (24 up on an A3 sheet dow to the laser printer all at the click of a button in print preview). I run this through a Colorbus hardware/software rip, very good print results and easy to use but as I have just had to reinstall today for the 3rd time this year with ziltch support from the manufacturer so it is not my flavour of the week at the moment.
Allan
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