Postcard Design Center

This first draft has been submitted for review:

Original Version

Generally speaking the look and feel are much nicer. But not much has really changed in terms of placement. I have submitted design to the programmer and he has made the following comments:

“1. Buttons “Start Over”, “Email a Friend” etc. are removed … I did not even find hyperlinks to them. This functionality is not necessary any more ?

2. Tabs at the top “Home”, “Pricing” etc. look logical.

3. “Change Layout” hyperlink is removed … How to change layouts ?

4. Buttons for dark and light color look much better than hyperlinks.

5. I do no like the new rulers. Writing numbers vertically like that from my point of view is not a good idea. I think the present rulers are better.

6. A lot of space is taken for the new Search box. Though it is good to have a search box.

7. Bottom navigation is logical.

Honestly speaking the design could give different look and feel to the user. But I do not think it is really much more user-friendly than the previous one. All the main text editing elements are at the same places.

Generally page looks better than before. But not final. I think it still could be improved.

All this is my personal opinion only, of course.”

I agree with all points made and have composed a modified version of the same concept that I think better utilizes available space in top fold. The logic with this new version is to allow for a better user experience.

Revised Version

Summary of what I am proposing:

1. Adding functions to the top 4 graphics, change layout, email a friend, add stock logo and start over.
2. Remove stock logo link from current location
3. Advertising and searchbox now at the bottom
4. Stock Backgrounds will need a scrollbar or frame
5. Although there is no graphic present we will need a graphic prompt for user to “Update Proof” when required. The current sytem uses a red arrow that in on a trigger. If there is a better idea on how to prompt user I am opened for suggestions.

That’s about it for now my overall opinion is good and I like the design tallent of the graphic developer, thanks

Rob

Tags: colours, send postcard, graphic design marketing, postcard marketing, graphic design advertising

In the world of postcard marketing there are many options available when it comes time to choose the type of paper you want to print on. As a standard most printing companies print on a semi gloss paper known as Cornwall Cover. It is probably the most commonly used brand of semi gloss coated covers used by printing companies in Canada. Here is some information on the characteristics of this grade of paper:Color: Superior white shade
Finish: Gloss (65) and seven embossed finishes
Weight: 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 14 pt.
Size: Available in most popular formats, along with three
Job-oriented sizes for digital
Brightness: 92 GE
Archival: Elemental chlorine-free and acid-free (alkaline)
Recycled: 10% post-consumer fiber
FSC HP Indigo-certified

This is also the type of material that we use when asked to produce a standard postcard for our clients. We purchase multiple tons of this at one time so we can pass along a huge savings to the client on paper costs alone. When you take that into account, coupled with our ability to combine and manage many clients on 1 press sheet our end product is a supreme value for the dollar. For those of you that are not familiar with combination printing (AKA gang printing) it is when a printing company compiles multiple clients on one sheet of paper that all have the same printing specifications. Here is an example of one of our typical press sheets that we produce.

With the proper pre-press equipment, presses and staff we can do this with out sacrificing the quality of any project included on this press run. Once the press runs each order, the big sheet you see above is gillotine cutt down to finished size, packaged indivually and shiped to each customer’s doorstep. We can produce full colour postcards for as little as $135/ 500 4 X 6 postcards.

What Other Finishes are available?

There are thousands of other choices that are available to consumers that are looking for a different feel to their postcard. For example some folks like to create a vintage or antique look to their postcard. The option available for this includes materials that have a parchment finish. Here is an example of the material we use for this type of postcard application.

For softer coloured papers the CMYK printing process will be just fine. However, if a choice of paper that has a darker tone is made one must be aware of the possible influence that this may have on the CMYK printing Process. CMYK printing utilizes four primary colours of Inks Cyan, Magenta and Black.

When these colours are printed on paper the truest-to-life reproduction will always be on white paper. The reason for this is white (color of the paper) serves as a color. When the CMYK inks are printed they are printed in many different tones and screen values that overlay each other and the paper to create the illusion of the original photograph. If you decide to change the background color by selecting a paper choice other than white expect it to impact the finished look. Many graphic designers are familiar with this and apply some very interesting graphic effects, taking into account the background colour of paper to be used. Here I am going to show you the same project printed on white a madium coloured background and a dark background paper choice.

Image as accurate as possible in digital format

As you can see the backgrounds used play a role in determining the overall hue of colour printed. In these cases the exact same printing plates and settings were used. In the example marked “White Background” the image appears in its original state. In the second example marked “Medium Coloured Background” the background has influenced the image in a positive way. You will notice that the skin tones of staff members have actually improved. In the example marked “Dark Coloured Background” the effect is negative in terms of readability. In this case the effect is not a desired one. However, if you are a graphic designer and are familiar with the influence paper has on printing you can create very unique concepts by employing this graphic design technique. Often, when we use a really dark background paper for book cover or special effect printing technique we combine lithography with embossing and/or foil stamping.

If you are trying to reproduce original images via lithography and want to maintain the integrity of each image, printing on white paper is your best bet. If you look at Digital photo printing it is the process of developing digital photos into prints and is always printed on white. To create interesting appearances printing digital photos offers choices such as matte, glossy, linen or textured photo prints, but always in white.

When you are seeking the advice and professionalism of designers in the graphic design industry it is a smart plan to make sure that they will be able to meet your needs in both worlds, digital and print. There are many variables in both design fields that play a part in the finished concept and its possible applications for you. Good graphic designers will always take the steps of thinking, conceptualizing, designing and providing a real prototype of the polished look. In order to do this the designer must, first, contain the knowledge.

Tags: printing in color, graphic design, graphic designer, offset printing, postcard marketing

I am a pretty easy going person and always find time to chuckle everyday. I have had my nose to the grindstone most of my life. I just love to push the limits…it keeps me motivated. In 1989 when I started this printing and graphics related business the world was allot smaller. Today, everyone is in my backyard and lives in my neighborhood. So I wanted to share with my neighbors some of my experiences that I have ventured through.
1. In 1985- Was one of the first companies to get a fax machine in our neighborhood. The printing company I worked for at time was an industry leader and (if you could imagine) a fax machine was unheard of and unaffordable for most.
2. In 1989- I was no longer satisfied with my job, put in my notice and started this business Reprotech Printing and Digital media Services.
3. In 1999- WePrintColour joined the online business world

Over the next decade we worked diligently developing software that that helps people create their own designs online for printing purposes. We supply free graphic design tools for users to freely use. They can design from our existing postcard  templates, complete their project and get it printed or get a professional digital file (vector based). The digital file is typically used for there own purposes, such as a local printer, magazine ads or stationery, etc.

One day, I got to thinking!! I want my work to be better, more accurate and easy to do. One of the areas that we develop constantly is what can really be achieved online!!
I mean achieved by anyone. If you’re not a graphic designer, no need to worried we’ll help you with intuitive design tools and tasteful business backgrounds. That brings me to what I started talking about…I got to thinking what if I could make an administrators tool that gave administrators the ability to set up there own templates and assign appropriate layouts to them for their visitors? It came to me that we can build websites with this tool. The website quality I am talking about is not your average, run of the mill website; I am talking about a real website that is uniquely created for you. Wait a minute that doesn’t sound like anything new!

What is so special about that?

Good question! Here’s my long winded answer. Have you ever really looked at websites with the critical eye of functionality combined with aesthetics? Moreover, if you are an experienced webmaster it is always a strategic process to maintain as much visitor interest as possible, have great functionality while keeping a clean looking webpage. It is indeed a challenge that requires an acquired learning for. This concept is not for everyone, it is targeted for graphics related companies. What is unique about this is that you actually build your website from the back to the front.

What do you need to get started?

1) Read about the features
2) Try it out
Once you understand how it works it may offer some insights to you. The system works differently than other systems because of its intended use; outputting quality. Another project that is currently in the works is dashboard design. We basically worked to get the code fully functional first now we are introducing multiple dashboards for those that want to purchase a turn-key graphic design studio for their website. The system can be purchased and downloaded or we will provide installation on your server.

The real power to this tool is not what it does for the visitor but what it does for administrators that will guide the visitor through a delightful, personalized process.

For more info feel free to comment on this post or get in touch with us

Tags: postcard templates, software development, graphic graphic design software, graphic design job, ecard software, application software

We need a New Dashboard (Skin) for our Online Postcard Design Studio

Please leave a comment if you would like to bid on this project

Objective: To create a more user friendly interface from existing functions as outlined below. Shown below is an overview of how the current system is working. I have a programmer that I am currently working with.

We are looking for ideas and a concept for a new dashboard look to increase user friendliness. Our intention is to find comfort with a company that can simply make dashboard or skin concepts for this and other similar projects. Once approvals are in place all we require is the graphic design for use on the web. The concept we are looking for should simply be as clean and crisp as possible keeping in mind fast load time. The information below has been collected to help designers become familiar with funtionality
www Access Page
Click Here to Enter

Development Access Page - (used for developing applications)
Click Here to Enter

Click done and continue at the bottom and you enter advanced tools

Note: Your Name: Your Title: Telephone: Fax: Address Line 1: Address Line 2: Address Line 3: Email: are disabled when users enters panel initially.

---

1) Start Over-If users want to reset layout but retain data user can click. When user clicks “Your card design has been restored to system defaults but we have kept your data. Click here if you want data reset.” If user wants to reset data user can apply “click here” link2) Email a Friend- If user wants to email to a friend it can be done by clicking this button. Email address text field (24) must be filled in with email address

3) Help- This will link (html) to a help page which we will create one panel is completed

4) Contact Ushtml link to contact us page

5) Add Custom Background- User can upload their own background from their computer by using this feature by following these instructions

·The image must be a “png” image.· The image dimensions for a horizontal card design should be 550 X 393.

· The image dimensions for a vertical card design should be 393 X 550.

· The total upload size of the image must be less than 10Mb

NO .MPEGS, .MP3 OR .EXE Files accepted.

6) Apply transparency- User can apply a percentage transparency to any background by selecting a color then selecting percentage darker or lighter

7) Add a Stock Logo- User makes selection of logo by clicking link, a new window opens, logo category choice is mage, logo choice is made then user clicks update Proof . If logo is not desired user can reset and update to remove. Stock logo choices from these categories include:

• Education Schools
• Electronics
• Energy
• Fantasy
• Fitness
• Flags
• Gardening
• Government
• Health Medical
• Holiday
• Household
• Interior
• International
• Kids Stuff
• Landscape
• Logo Elements
• Maps
• Meteor
• Military
• Money
• Music Motivate
• Music
• Neighborhood
• Occupations
• Outdoor
• People
• Plants
• Police
• Public
• Real Estate
• Religion
• Road Signs
• Seasons Weather
• Space Science
• Special Occasions
• Sports
• Symbols
• Technology
• Time
• Tools
• Transportation
• Travel
• Trees
• Western
• Zodiac

8) Add a Custom Logo- User can add their own logo by clicking link, a new window opens then user can upload a logo from their computer by following these instructions

· The image must be a “gif” image.

· The image dimensions cannot be larger than 200 x 200

· The total upload size of the image must be less than 10Mb.

9) Align Logo- User can align logo in 9 different grid positions by clicking desired position in graphic then clicks update proof.

10) Set transparent- Adds a transparent filter to the logo. This often helps with undesirable white space surrounding logos with curves. Checkbox above executes this.

11) Stock Backgrounds- User makes selection by choosing a category:

Abstract

Art

Auto

Bar Tavern

Beauty Fashion

Boating

Business

Children

Computers

Construction

Corporate

Crafts/Hobbies

Disaster Relief

Doctor

Entertainment

Florist

Food

Futuristic

High Quality

Holiday

Home Service

Humor

International Bus

Internet

Justice

Marketing

Medical

Money

Music

Nature

Racing

Real Estate

Restaurants

Shopping

Sports

Technology

Telecom

Video

Web Resources

Stock Backgrounds and images
Once user sees a background template that is desired user clicks image, window closes and clicks update proof. Note: user can now play with background transparency effects to create further uniqueness by applying color and percentage lighter or darker.12) Update Proof- This is a function that is used the execute changes. It must be clicked after changes have been selected. When the function is required by the user a blinking arrow appears to prompt

13) Select Text Line to Edit- To begin moving text around you must first select the line you want to edit. By default “Company Name” loads. User selects the line they want to edit then they can use any of the tools shown. Tools available include numbers 13 to 23 shown on this page.14) Change Layout User can choose from stock text layouts provided by clicking the link, a new windows opens, selection is made, window closes and “update proof”. Currently there are 5 horizontal and 6 vertical layouts.

15) Choose Text Effects- Pull down menu allows user to select any line they want to edit. Options available are:

• Company Name- Select to edit
• Slogan- Select to edit
• Name- Select to edit
• Title- Select to edit
• Address- Select to edit
• Phone- Select to edit
• Fax- Select to edit
• Web- Select to edit
• Email- Select to edit
• All- Selects all text on page allowing for a font size change to be applied to all text
• All Color- Selects all text on page allowing for a single color to be applied to all text
• All Font- Selects all text on page allowing for a single font to be applied to all text
  

16) Custom Line Placement- When custom text placement is needed this allows for movement side-to-side (X position)

17) Select from light text colors- A new window will open displaying available light colors. User makes a choice, window closes and updates proof. These colors are given names e.g. “Dk. Blue. Color Chip 2623”. The number assigned is logically named after the true pantone color. This is a great option to use when attempting to color match backgrounds *to find out more about the pantone color matching system just search the internet.

18) Select from dark text colors- A new window will open displaying available dark colors. User makes a choice, window closes and updates proof. These colors are given names e.g. “Dk. Blue. Color Chip 2623”. The number assigned is logically named after the true pantone color. This is a great option to use when attempting to color match backgrounds *to find out more about the pantone color matching system just search the internet.

19) Visible Color choice- Once color of choice is made user can see a color visual chip here.

20) Manual Color selector- If user wants to apply colors to text by using pull down menus instead of windows

21) Select Font Size- User can choose what size they want.
0

• 2
• 4
• 6
• 8
• 20
• 22
• 24
• 26

22) Select font- User can choose what font style they want by clicking link, a new window opens, user selects from visual font choice, window closes and update proof.

23) Custom Y text position Tool- If user wants custom positioning of any on the text fields up and down or horizontally by choosing what line. The desired placement is determined by the visible rulers present.

24) Text fields for user to make changes- If user want to make any typographical changes it is done here by entering data and updating proof.

25) Text field disable boxes- By default the postcard design system disables the following fields when entering advanced mode:

• Name- Select to edit
• Title- Select to edit
• Address- Select to edit
• Phone- Select to edit
• Fax- Select to edit
• Email- Select to edit
  To enable any of these fields user unchecks the box and updates proof

26) Start Over- IF users want to reset layout but retain data user can click. When user clicks “Your card design has been restored to system defaults but we have kept your data. Click here if you want data reset.” If user wants to reset data user can apply “click here” link

27) Update proof- 2^nd location (first location #12) of same button for added user convenience.

28) Save Card and Continue- When you are satisfied with front design of postcard this will take you to a preview page providing options
STEP 2- Choose one of the following options:

1. Go back and modify this card- Make changes you may have missed.

2. Design another business card. - Create more cards in the same session.

3. Design the BACK SIDE of this Postcard- User can design the back of postcard using the same tools with slightly modified functions. Modifications include allowing user to choose from stock templates. For an outline of what is being done on the back side module (currently in progress) sees this page http://www.weprintcolour.com/postcard-talk/?p=6.

4. I am done; I wish to get postcards printed. - User can preview finish product, select printing options as shown - 1, 2, and 3. Once completed user clicks “Go to next step”. Final checkout page allows user to review order specifications and make payment. Payment options include:

· CLICK HERE For Secure order form

· 2 Call us directly at 905 452-3504, we accept:

· 3 PayPal- ADD TO CART NOW

5. I am done, I wish download the professional file only- User can order a professional, vector based digital file to be used by a local printer of their choice. The choices available for digital files are:

Our Basic Professional Design- Package Includes Design of:

Custom personalization of postcard front and/ or backside template in your choice of vector format.

Silver Design Package- Our Silver Professional Design Package Includes Design of:

Custom personalization of Postcard, Business Card, letterhead and envelope

Extreme Design Package- Our Extreme Professional Design Package Includes Design of: Custom personalization of Book sleeve, Brochure, Business Card, CD Label, Compliment, Envelope, Fax Cover, Label, Letterhead, Postcard, Video Label, Website.
User makes choice and follows easy checkout as outlined in step 4 above
* Due to Infringing Usages of Pantone’s proprietary rights, is why we have named our colors as such. As a printing company we use the pantone matching guide to keep colors consistent as its intented use. The only reason our lab technicians have named our colors as such “Dk. Blue. Color Chip 2623” is to let clients know what a likely pantone color may look in its html format. These colors are an estimation based on our pantone matching guide as purchase from pantone. We do not guarantee its accuracy on the web but can assure all clients that you purchase a printed product, we print with pantone printing color standards.

Tags: postcard software, graphic designer graphic design resumes, software programs, postcards software, postcard templates, graphic designer

The study of/training in the use of artistic techniques effectively to communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences via forms of printed media.

Graphic Element Placement Options

Most people think Graphic Design is intended for commercial, advertising or educational reasons only. An element you may wish to include in your corporate brochure may be images of a 35mm Slide Presentation or a screen capture of their website, plus many other graphic aids. If time is not on your side you may want to employ two graphic artists to create company ID, all necessary marketing literature. Many of the folks I have come to know are graphic designers; I enjoy my time with every one of tome because of the uniqueness in each of their creative thoughts. But there are only handfuls that are very precise at creating art that sells.

Graphics, Print Modes and General Layout Tips

All you need is a decent graphics editor like Macromedia Fireworks, Adobe PhotoShop or Corel Photo paint to edit your own graphics. When working with web graphics remember they are viewed on screen, so you should always save them in RGB mode. When you are intending for the image to produce on a commercial printing press you

will save them in CMYK Mode. When you want to send or receive a reliable file type the best one is tiff, it’s the best way to retain color and detail found in photographs and universally accepted. When you want to layout graphics for any project there are certain primary elements to be aware of such as vector file format.

Who is the Right Designer for you?

Confidence, certainty and spot on creative thinking are what separate ordinary from the extraordinary. The”Top Dogs”just know and understand where it’s at and what the goal is. They know that there is a reason for being, and will take a scientific approach that encompasses an entire identity. Only a few of today’s designers are qualified designers for print and web, these designers may outsource the print media and this is where inconsistency may occur. We must seek and find a design that knows both in order to get maximum value for your dollar. The greatest graphic artists have learned that their talents are about creation.

Service is the rent we pay to be living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time…Marian Wright Edelman

Plan a Qualified Designer for your Company

Once you have gone through your creative process and come to the acceptance step, stand back before signing off! Now, let’s take a breath and remove you for a moment. You should be seeing an innovative graphic design that will help set you apart from others in your arena. Don’t forget your company must have a website in today’s’

business climate it is not an option to not have one. There are plenty of companies you will see that offer SEO, SEM, SES and web design for 1000s of dollars. Again I say you company designer of choice should be taking care of everything for you.

 

… Don’t be annoying by sending your business customers garbage mail…send a classy postcard

Tags: graphic designer, graphic design software, graphic design companies, graphic design scholarships, graphic design job, graphic design logos