Sizing Logo for Print 2

[JustWakinUp]

Just in general what is the rule of thumb for
creating logo's? Do you create your image on
an 8 x 10 document then send it off to the printing
company and let them size it to the size requested
by the client? If someone could explain the method
of sending ai files or EPS files off to the printer
and what is the best way to get the results you intend
on getting?

 

[thombathe]

If you create the logo in illustrator it is vector art, and it does not matter what size it is. If the art is placed in a program like quark express or indesign it can be scaled there with no problem. If the logo is raster based, created with photoshop then you should reduce or increase the size you need in that program otherwise your printer will do it and charge you for it. A rule of thumb for raster files is if its inlarged more then 10% or reduced more then 20% in a desktop program then it should be scaled in photoshop.
An illustrator file reduced to 15% in a desktop program is not a problem.

Thom

Life without challenges can be very boring

http://www.thombathe.com

 

[blueark]

In general, it doesn't matter what size you use, as explained above. However, it is often helpful to create something close to the final size because:

1: If it's too small, the preview image used in some page layout packages will be a mess. More of a problem in QuarkXPress than others, and possibly not so bad in the latest release.

2: If it's too big, the preview image will take up unnecessary memory. Not so bad for a few images, but it can really add up in larger projects.

3: If the size is way off, it might not be possible to scale it correctly. For example, if you have to enlarge or reduce an image by a factor of more than 10 (ie. 10 - 1000% enlargement), some packages won't be able to scale it.

In practice, these points aren't too much of an issue, but it's worth keeping them in mind.

 

[iamjaz]

as far as what you need to submit to the printer, i suggest you ask the printing company if they need the actual size of the logo in hard copy or if they can do the re-sizing for free, just give them a disk copy of the logo file and written instructions of the proper size it should appear on print. incase they need to have the actual size, maybe it's better to provide one, but i suggest you give them a larger version of the logo to give the printer more clear detailed of the graphic.
note: if you're using adobe illustrator for your logo, you can resize the whole file by selecting the whole graphic then SHIFT-drag the mouse to get the desired size. For your file re-sizing reference,you can show the RULERS and set your desired unit preference (like inches) so you can tell the exact size of the graphic once you make a hard copy of it to endorse to the printer. Note: if your logo file is in different layers, try unlocking the layers so you can silmutaneously resize the whole logo. And don't forget to keep a back-up of the original.

 

[Triska]

One last point to add onto these excellent pointers:

Stroke / Line width.
While vector graphics are theoretically infinitely scalable, and yet *practically* limited, by software limits (such as a 22 foot Square Illustrator Artboard), and more primarily, printing capabilities...

One should watch out for the line/stroke weight scaling, especially in large scale factors. Prefs > General > Scale strokes and effects can be of service. For instance:

Our printer can't reliably hold (they appear broken) diagonal lines below .5 - .25 pt.
So if one needs to scale down a huge logo for print... Turn ON Scale Strokes, then increase stroke after the scale, to within your printers specification, if possible.

On the other hand, scaling up a logo by large amounts (Banners, Vinyl) with Scale Strokes ON may also create a gaudy, heavy final logo... and it may be desireable to thin strokes to make the overall appearance less overbearing / more elegant.

One use for Scale Strokes: OFF, is to allow fine scale adjustments of a logo, after the strokes are within thickness specs,. without needing to reset the stroke widths with each transform.

Sef.