Don't try this at home! Part 4: File formats
But if you must, remember this!
My recent article on the importance of graphic design got a lot of hits, so I thought I would expand on it with some tips for those of you who are determined to do your own graphics.
Previously, I have
written on Fonts, Colors and Images. In this article I explore the tricky subject of File Formats. This subject becomes particularly important when you are ready to send your file to a printer whether it is online or your local print shop!
Although Apple is the preferred system used in the graphics field mainly running Adobe software, many people have PC computers at home or work running Microsoft software.
The most important format in allowing Microsoft and Apple based people to work together is the invention of the PDF file (Stand for Portable Digital File.)
When you create a document in Microsoft Word or Publisher, the file is given a three letter extension of either DOC (for Word) or PUB for Publisher. If you send me such a file I am going to ask that you re-send it with a PDF extension!
Most modern versions of Word, Publisher and other programs will allow you to convert your document to PDF format. Usually this is found either in a pull down Save As menu or under an Export menu.
Although I can open your Word document and can send the Publisher document to an online conversion service, it may not print exactly how you want it. For best results you should convert to a PDF on your machine after which it should print perfectly on any machine!
A word about image file formats: There are a number of formats that images can be saved in. Some of the most common have file extensions of TIF, JPG or EPS. A printer should be able to use any of these programs although they have different functions.
If you are posting something online you probably want to use JPG. This compresses the file so it is smaller and is one of the few formats accepted by Facebook. For example, you can not post a PDF file directly to Facebook. You must convert it to a a JPG first.
The EPS (Encapsulated Postscript) format is a vector based file format. What that means is that the data in the image is converted to a series of mathematical formulas instead of just dots.
EPS format can be useful when you want to blow up a file to many times the original size such as when you are making a large sign or banner. (PDFs are also vector based.)
An additional advantage of the EPS is that you can embed clipping paths so that the area around your image becomes transparent. This is very useful when you are constructing a complex graphic with multiple layers overlapping, but that's for the advanced course!
It's fun to try and create your own materials, and you may have a gift for it. But for the other 90% it might be better to get some help, and it does not have to cost you an arm and a leg!
In most
case, we don't even charge for design if we end up printing the material
for you! Come see us in the Palace Building at 61 Main Street or call 233-5338 with any questions!
We are conveniently located in Suite # 3 of the Palace Building at 61 Main Street in Geneseo.
Call or text 585-233-5338 for a quote or e-mail your job (in PDF or JPEG format) to: geneseegraphics@gmail.com!
Click below for link to our current rate card!