Prepare for printing

HELP !

I have to prepare a graphic in photoshop for print.

Its a full colour CD cover, with set sizes, bleeds, etc, how do i prepare it for print ? is it best to save as a pdf for the printing company ? :confused:

Anyone know any good links, or tutorials that could help me...

cheers,

Rikmg.

ok, the graphic is already created or its something you're going to create? are you using just photoshop or illustrator as well. do you have a page layout program like quark or indesign?

for most of my printwork i create the imagery in photoshop (generally with a 1/8" bleed if needed) then place that as a cmyk psd in an illustrator document. i'll then add the text in illustrator, then save out from illustrator as an eps file.

chris

iam gonna create the graphic from scratch, using just photoshop, i dont have a page layout program as yet. what do you recommend ? How do i set up bleeds, with the guides ?


What is the benefit of an EPS file ?

thanx for the reply !!

Rikmg

I would save as an eps. For layouts - cd covers specifically, Illustrator was my favorite. I used PageMaker 6.5 and hated it. Indesign is probably a lot better. Quark, well it's Quark, don't care for it.
I would do what Fig said and use Photoshop to work the graphics and then use a layout program for the text. Printing will come out SOOO much better that way.
I used to make CD covers for bands. You are going to have to have a template. If you don't you are shooting yourself in the foot. Whichever printer you decide to use should have templates for CD covers and the CD itself. If not, then go to a company that makes duplicates CD's, like DiscMakers or Sony or something and find some free downloadable templates. We always used DiscMakers templates and they are fine. Some companies would have to take your design and paste into their own template, but it wasn't too much a hassle for them. But the template is critical. Especially with the CD itself. If you hand a CD design to a CD printer and the dimensions are wrong or the knockout for the center hole is off slightly they will reject it.

On the CD itself, anything less than 15% density will not show. Printing in 2 colors (also using a knockout for the silver of the cd) is cheapest. Full color is significantly more, and there is also some 'magazine' quality, glass coated full color (which is pretty pricey - but real cool) You'll have to work in Channels using only 2 selected colors (Pantone), or CMYK for 4 colors.

My other advice is get ahold of a Pantone swatch and verify your colors before you send them to a printer. I had a nice Royal Blue turn out to be Dark Purple once it was printed. Then my boss decided it would be best if we got a Pantone swatch (pricey - but worth it) Otherwise talk to a printe to arrange to check the colors.

Is this a one time deal? Or are you looking to print more? Email me and I can send you some places to contact in Cd duplication and Printing. We have used Discmakers before but found some places cheaper and better. You might need to be a company though to use them.

Good luck!

* regarding EPS - you can save as an eps and it can easily be opened in any layout program, it retains transparency and paths. You never know which program the printer will be using until you ask and places use all sorts of different programs, so saving as an eps will guarantee they can open it.

many thanx for this....


what i cant get my head round is the use of the CD cover templates, i have some but its how i use it [them] in photoshop. do i open up the template directly in photoshop ? its in pdf format.

and then paste over my graphic that i created ?

its my first ever attempt at stuff like this i normally just do web stuff, and i have been thrown into the deepend and found i cant really swim....!!

is it possible you break it down the process for me in order, that would be great...

thanx very much for you help so far...

rikmg

The template is exactly that - a template. Think of it as a white piece of paper with all the dimensions outlined for you. You just do your layout on top of it and the printer will essentially "hide" the template (it will have to be on it's own layer...)

Where did you get the template?

its actually from the record company itself, they've had some stuff done in the past, but this is my first attempt.

also do i have to add the trim lines and bleeds etc ? also ive seen one were it has the pantone colours along the top in pdf format.

as far as i can grasp it...

1.create the graphic
2.open up the template ?
3.paste graphic on top of template
4.template on its own layer

cheers,

As far as bleeds go there should be a clear line where the paper gets cut, then a bit more where the template ends. You need to extend your graphic within that little bit so if the cutter is slightly off you don't get an obvious glitch.

i used discmakers recently (well, my client did) and we were very happy with the final product, looked great.

also, you'll need to be careful if you're doing small text on the packaging (lyrics, copyright info, etc.) as doing it in photoshop may result in some blurry text. if its at all possible to add that in illustrator or a page layout program that's your best option.

chris

Discmakers is real good. They also have specials that are pretty cool, like 100 free posters, or demo discs if you order a whole package with them. But if you just want your cd's you can beat their prices quite a bit by shopping around. We were doing duplication and printing and charging less than discmakers and making a bit of money off it. But Discmakers is hassle free for sure.