What is the difference between copying and printing?
The first thing to understand is the difference between printing and copying. At Artwork Creations, we do both.
Copying generally refers to the process of applying toner electrostatically onto paper. The duplicating machines found in most office environments, for example, are copiers. Copiers are ideal for black-and-white short runs with relatively less exacting demands for image quality.
At Artwork Creations, our copiers are equipped with the ability to print directly from computer files. In addition, our copiers are equipped with various finishing, greatly enhancing our ability to shorten production times.
Printing differs from copying in the type of equipment used. Printing presses produce printing work. Rather than electrostatically transferring toner onto paper, printing presses physically roll ink onto paper using a custom-made plate for each job. This results in the sharpest image quality and the ability to print on almost any kind of paper.
The main disadvantage is that a plate has to be created and hung onto the press for each original, making it expensive to print only a few copies. Generally speaking, a job involving 500 or fewer duplicates is best done as a copying job.
Most brochures, business cards, letterhead, labels, invitations, postcards, posters, folders, annual reports, and other professional-looking paper products are generated by the printing process (also referred to as "offset lithography" or "offset printing" in the industry).
Business Card Design Tips
A business card is often the single most important item you have to attract a new client or business partner. Getting a small piece of cardboard to represent you and your company philosophy is often challenging – learn how to do it:
Often, your business card is the only item left with a potential client or business partner. After a conference, meeting or display of your products, you are likely to meet dozens of people and leave your business card with them. It is essential that the business card design is complex and complete. This means that your logo, name, title and address (including contact details such as phone, fax, e-mail and web site) should all be present. When you are having your business card designed, aim for an image and a “feel” that best represents you and your company. Do not go for a flashy business card design if you are working in the financial field as this might give a feeling of sloppiness and insecurity to your clients.
Adapt the business card design to your clients
It is not important that you like your business card – but it is very important that your business partners and clients like it. Of course, you should always aim to get a business card design that you become attached to, a fact that will give you even more confidence. One useful trick is to print out a few dozen business cards and give them out to potential prospects and conduct an “on the spot” interview about them. Gather their opinions and make any necessary changes to improve your business card design.
Microsoft Publisher "Tips and Tricks"
This is a page for all Microsoft Publisher users. The tips here include submissions from users like you, as well as observations from our pre-press and design staff. Refer often to these tips to help you get a clean, flawless piece.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Page layout programs like Publisher are, to a large degree, about formatting text into a legible and inviting configuration. And page layout pros save a lot of time by using keyboard shortcuts for their most often used actions. To that end, here are some keyboard shortcuts for some often used text formatting options:
Ctrl+B for bold text
Ctrl+U for underline
Ctrl+I for italic
Ctrl+= for superscript
Ctrl+Shift+= for subscript
Ctrl+Shift+K for small caps
Ctrl+Spacebar removes all style formats from the highlighted text
Ctrl+Shift+f accesses the font menu, arrow keys select, and enter changes the selected text to that font
Ctrl+Shift+P accesses the font size menu, arrow keys select size, and enter enables the change
Ctrl+Shift+> increases the font size by a half point
Ctrl+Shift+< decreases the font size by a half point
Work in theCMYK Colour Space, rather than RGB
Page Sizes
You can start a new document or change a current document to any page size you like. Simply go to File/Page Setup and under the option 'Choose a Publication Layout' select Special Size. Under the option "Choose a Publication Size' select Custom. You may then enter in the physical dimensions of your printed piece making sure the orientation is correct. Once complete, click 'OK' and you may begin your design.
The Nudge Option
For a high degree of control over the positioning of objects on the page use the nudge option. Just select the object you need to move and use Alt+Arrowkey (up, down, right, left) and your object will move one pixel for each keystroke. Use Arrange-->Nudge to change the increment of movement.
Absolute Positining
Even better, go to Format-->Size And Position and use numerical values to position and size objects. This is the absolute best way to make sure things will look right when you are going to press with a design. Trying to position objects by eye on your monitor can be deceiving because of the relatively large size of the pixels it uses to display objects. Do the math and use this method when you want your design elements to be positioned exactly.
Grouping Elements
After you have a section of your layout positioned very precisely it might be a good idea to select all the items (hold down the shift key and click on each one) and then group them together using Arrange-->Group Objects or (Ctrl+Shift+G). This will lock them together in their relative positions. This is especially useful if you will need to duplicate this configuration somewhere else in your layout; copy and paste the group to another page and you will have perfect consistency throughout your layout.
Automatic Wrapping
You don't have to press Enter (return) at the end of each line, just at the end of a paragraph. Simply type away and let Publisher wrap the text automatically. This may save you lots of time, especially if you decide to change your type size later--you won't have to go back and take out all those extra Enter commands. If you need to make a line end shorter than a full line, use Shift-Enter, called a soft return.
One space or Two
Instead of putting two spaces after each sentence, just put one. This is a standard in the industry.
Putting things in the Background
Publisher uses foreground and background layers. Your work will go on the foreground by default unless you set it to be in the background. You might want to use images or text in the background. Here's how to do it: choose View-->Go To Background. This will take you to the background of the publication.
Remember to Print Hard Copy
It's very easy to miss mistakes in your document when you're looking at it only on the screen. Print it out and look at it . Check for spelling errors, spacing problems, inconsistencies, and design problems. If your project is going to be folded then fold the printout you made to see if the elements on the page are positioned right on the panels and to see if there are any problems with folding it the way you had envisioned.
Spacing Allighment
Check the alignment of frames, text, pictures and captions. It should be consistent throughout your publication. Also check spacing between headings, paragraphs, and pictures. The spacing should be consistent throughout your publication.
Spelling and Punctuation
Don't forget to check your spelling, punctuation and grammar. Run the spell checker; select Tools-->Spelling-->Check Spelling. Another good one is to check the accuracy of hyphenation: select Tools-->Language-->Hyphenation. It's a good idea to have someone else look at it too. They may see something you've been looking at and missing.
DO IT YOUR SELF!
Tips for Applying DECAL/Stickers
Small Sticker Application Instructions
Step 1 - Clean the area thoroughly. Measure and place the sticker in the desired location. Put a piece of masking tape on the sticker to hold it in place.
Hint: For best results do not install the sticker in extreme heat or cold.
Step 2 - Lift the sticker up and peel the white paper backing off the sticker. Be careful not to pull the masking tape off.
Step 3 - Slowly lower the sticker and rub it in place with a credit card or similar item.
Step 4 - Wait a few minutes then slowly peel the clear cover off at an angle. Be very careful not to pull the sticker off the surface. If the sticker pulls away from the surface repeat step 3.
Large Sticker & Windshield Decal Instructions
Step 1 - Clean the area thoroughly. Measure and place the sticker in the desired location. Put a piece of masking tape on the top of the sticker to hold it in place.
Windshield Decals - Cut into 3 parts between letters
Step 2 - Lift the sticker up and peel the white paper backing off the sticker. Be careful not to pull the masking tape off. Keep a hold of the bottom of the sticker to keep it from sticking to itself or the surface before you want it to.
Windshield Decals - Repeat step 2 & 3 for each part
Step 3 - Slowly lower the sticker and rub it in place with a credit card or similar item. Start at the top middle and then the outer edges. Firmly rub the sticker in place to make sure there is no air trapped under the sticker.
Step 4 - Wait a few minutes then slowly peel the clear cover off at an angle. Be very careful not to pull the sticker off the surface. If the sticker pulls away from the surface repeat step 3. Use a pin to poke any air bubbles in the center and push the air out through the hole.
Disclaimer: The tips and tricks provided on this site is in good faith, and should be always checked with the appopriate source(s) before acting upon at your own risk. Artwork Creations is and will not be held responsible for any damages financially or physically resulting from any actions following the reading of these tips.