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ARTWORK FAQs

WHY DO I NEED TO GET THE CORRECT ARTWORK ?

To achieve a quality imprint on the clippie products, we must ensure we obtain the correct file. There are 2 types of graphic files, BITMAP & VECTOR . Below is a description of the difference between the two files.

BITMAP GRAPHICS
Bitmap images include the following file extensions: 1 .bmp 2 .gif 3 .jpg 4 .pict 5 .tiff.Bitmaps are a collection of bits (pixels) that form an image, it is nothing more than thousands (or millions) of pixels arranged to create an image. A logo in a bitmap format is limited to its resolution - the larger the image increases the worse it will look. When you stretch or resize a bitmap image you are increasing the quantity of pixels, and as this happens the pixels just adopt randomly what colour they will be based on the other pixels surrounding them. Bitmap images CANNOT be printed in spot color (one ink for each color). Each pixel is a solid colour and by placing them together you get an image or shadow effect etc. When you print a logo that appears to be 2 colours but is in bitmap format, you cannot separate the colours because what appears to be a solid colour actually are thousands of square pixels leaving jagged lines.

To the left you see an image and to the right a 250 percent enlargement of the top of one of the mountains. As you can see the image consists of hundreds of rows and columns of pixels. The human eye is not capable of seeing each individual pixel so we perceive a picture with smooth gradations. Trying to separate each of these pixels would result in an image of over 10 colours.

VECTOR GRAPHICS
Vector images include the following file extensions: 1 .eps 2 .ai 3 .cdr 4 .pdf Rather than using a grid of pixels to create the image, vector files use a series of points and join these points to create smooth lines and curves. Instead of pixels to represent an image, a vector drawing application draws shapes which can be independently manipulated. The objects are resolution-independent, meaning that they can be resized and not loose any clarity. All lines, shapes, etc. of a vector-based image are independent of one another. The sample shown below is an image of a rose and one leaf of the same rose magnified, along with the paths and handles used within vector images. Vector Graphics can be easily colour separated, therefore in the spot-colour printing industry, like at That's My Ball, we have to use vector graphics all the time. For example, using a 2 colour logo consisting of green and pink, the two colours can be separated, as if they were two separate images and then used to create the necessary plates for the pad printing machine to print each golf ball with the appropriate colour. Applications that can handle vector data. There are hundreds of applications on the market that can be used to create or modify vector data, the industry standard is Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw. OR send your artwork to: sales@sterlingpromotions.ca