I thought this was discussed somewhere, but I can't seem to put my eyes on it in search.
I designed a simple looking logo for a local website design company using CorelDRAW 9.0. I used a few features like a beveled shape background and a drop shadow for the company name (I've never designed a logo before).
I sent it for them to view as a bitmap attachment (I send everything as a bitmap for customers to view - usually line art). The client really likes the design and after a few tweaks, we will finish the transaction.
My question is this: how do I actually save the file to disk? I should say, what format(s) should I save it in. I would normally export it as .ai, .eps., and .cdr. I know the .cdr extension will open correctly, but will the other formats correctly show the drop shadow and bevels if my client gives the artwork to a different print shop?
Or is their something I should do to these effects BEFORE I export them?
Thanks for any help. Randy
-------------------- Randy Graphic Details Promotional Merchandise Distributor South Glens Falls, NY Posts: 381 | From: South Glens Falls, NY USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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For vectored files, I like to use EPS or AI.
For bitmaps, I like to use either BMP or TIF. The Image must be at full size and 300 DPI.
Then there is PDF. I think PDF is going to be the wave of the near future. It handles both vectored and bitmap images at the same time. Plus, access to it can be controlled and limited.
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Randy, Finding a printer or other service bureau that can open a Corel file is rare. I wouldn't trust proprietary Corel effects like transparent filters and postscript or gradient fills to translate safely in .eps or .ai. Going cross-platform from PC to Mac compounds it. Even fonts are a risk, so for logo art, I convert everything to curves first. Simpler jobs in one or two solid colors should be safe as .eps. With multi colored and highly effected graphics it is usually safest to convert them to a universal bitmap format like tiff. But that's only good for 4-color offset printing (or for inkjet or color laser). Bottom line is you have to ask the service bureau what formats and color they can manage, and be available to resend another format if they have trouble opening it. Predictable color seperating to a film imager is one of the biggest headaches ad agencies face. As the sign business starts overlapping those services, we find lots to learn.
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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If you are giving the logo to your client to have printed offset (4 color process), make sure you convert your file to CMYK colors in Photoshop. The printer will need this for separation purposes. If you give it to them in RGB, the logo will show up as black when they go to film. Try to get the resolution 300-400dpi minimum. I would then save as a .tif. For his website save as a .jpeg or .gif in RGB. This one only has to be 72dpi since that is all a computer monitor will read anyway. I don't know if Corel has any of these capabilities since I don't use it. I'm a graphic artist (my regular job) and I work with printers and our webmaster everyday.
As far as the drop shadow goes, it will work if the background you are printing on is white. Same for the web. If it isn't you will have to make a transparent .gif in Photoshop or Photo Editor in order for it to work without a white box around it.
I hope this helps.
-------------------- John Cordova Gitano Design Studio Albuquerque, NM Posts: 268 | From: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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