Embossing/debossing process

I used the laser cut template I made to emboss/deboss for the first time in the print room.

I was surprised at how quick it was to do and how much crisper the results were in comparison with hand embossing.

copy for pizza menu

This is the existing pizza menu and the copy that is to be included on the new one that I design.

Pizza menu research

I have been researching for my latest Hyde Park Social brief - to design a freestanding pizza menu/advertisment for the bar. I am looking to retro pizza promotions and old fashioned style imitation logos for inspiration at the moment to suit the retro decor of the social club, and I am trying to avoid the more garish tacky styles associated with pizza.

I like the faded colours of these advertisments. I think it makes them look less tacky than the take away menus you get round Leeds.

I especially like the type on this sign...

I like the shapes of these logos - mimicking the shape of a pizza. I also like the faded effect which makes them look aged.

I really like the ribbon banner and the use of muted tones on this logo. I also like the subtlety achieved by the lack of strong outlines.

Textures I am considering working with :

Red gingham is easily associated with pizza restaurants and I feel can be used in a non-tacky way.

These textures could be used to achieve the illusion of crust and other pizza elements within my design.

Ideas :

Type out of pizza - this is one of my initial ideas (although I wanted to make it out of real pizza and photograph it) - but I decided for an a5 menu this would just not work. It would be an interesting experiment for another project though.

I found this stock image which I really like. I had designed a layout similar myself already. I think that the single piece of pizza is iconic enough to dictate the subject matter of the menu and the shape fits the format (portrait a5) really well.

'Hot Pizza' typeface - I found this typeface which I think looks dated and suits the theme that I am going for.

LS6 arts and crafts fair

I recieved this email today about the LS6 Arts and Crafts fair - which could make the perfect extension for my bookfair/pop up shop brief.

Design for print workshop 1

PREFLIGHTING
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When creating an indesign file - consider first the final finished trimmed size of whatever you are designing. (This will determine the page size)

Columns, margins, bleed, slug provide you with additional guides to assist you with your layout.

'Slug' area is for printers marks/trim marks/registration marks/page information. (Things that will be printed but are not part of your layout and will be trimmed off)

A bleed value of 3mm is a good idea.

Red : bleed

Purple : margin

Black : trimmed page

You can edit the page layout etc through the 'layout' and the 'file > document setup'

Everything must be contained by a frame.

Things that need to be considered when using files from :

Photoshop

1) Images must be the actual print size.

2) Images must be in CMYK/monotone/duotone/greyscale.

3) File format - e,g, Tiff, PDF, psd, NOT jpeg, png, gif.

4) Correct resolution - 300dpi always - no need to work at any higher - unless enlarging.

When enlarging - scan the image at 600 dpi.

5) DON'T copy and paste into indesign.

Illustrator

1) Work does not need to be actual size.

2) Must work in CMYK

3) Ai. files

4) Can copy and paste into InDesign

When you place a file into indesign you are given the option 'show import options' - if this box is checked then you can edit these options (eg. transparency settings etc)

RECAP : How indesign works with images

When an image is placed it is linked to the file but not part of it - this enables you to work more quickly.

Clicking on the page number next to the image in the links panel will take you straight to that page.

In order to link all the relevant files to your document, use 'Package' from the early stages of design to avoid accidentally deleting relevant files.

You can then edit these images directly through indesign - 'edit original' or ('Alt + double click on and image'.) This may open the file in preview - in order to change this, select file in finder and 'get info' then check that it is set to open in photoshop....

...then hit 'change all' so that it always opens Tiff. files in photoshop.

After editing a file, double clicking the yellow warning triangle in the links pallet will re-link it.

If you need to work with TRANSPARENCY, then save as psd. - this is the only format that preserves layer information. Tiff. will not.

Clipping paths

To make a clipping path - use the pen tool.

Create a path on/around photoshop image.

Make sure that 'path' is selected (rather than shape) on top options bar (top right).

Once you've created the path - it will appear in the Paths palette (on the right).

The image itself doesn't change, the path is just added.

Once you have updated the link in indesign, go to Object>Clipping path>options....

Clipping paths can be used as a text wrap boundary.

IMAGE SIZE

DON'T enlarge in indesign. This reduces the resolution.

DON'T reduce the size of the image. This is just as bad as it causes serious printing errors.

When sending to commercial print - Press Quality is the option you choose.

To resize images:

When an image is selected its information (size etc) is present in the links panel...

These pieces of information show us how the image has been resized in indesign....

So open the image in photoshop....

Go to image size settings

uncheck resample image.....

change resolution to 300dpi.....

check resample image again....

change the size to be the correct size for the indesign layout....

Save this and update link in indesign.

Now information is correct.

SPOT COLOURS

You would discuss appropriate stocks and bleeds with your printer. You would discuss what colour book to use according to your stock and depending on the spot colour/pantone.

You would never make this decision without discussing it first.

Offset litho - one plate per colour

Digital - 4 colour printing.

To see the channels or 'separations' go to window>output>separations preview....

Check that there are no unused spot colours so as to avoid accidental printing. 

DON'T leave this to the printer - who won't necessarily check it for you.

check view>separations... to look at each printing plate separately...

This method can also be used to prepare screens for screen printing.

Notes on manual feed :

If you are printing in black and white, go to 'colour/quality options' (above 'finishing' under printer options on the print menu) and check 'print colour as gray' so that it will only charge you for a black and white print.