Color Options: What does it all mean!?

If you work or have associated yourself in the printing world, you should know what your color options are. We're talking about Pantone colors, 4/1 printing, and what not. So really, what should you know about color?

First, lets talk about the numbers. I'm sure a lot of you have seen them before, such as 2/1, 4/2, 4/0 and even 6/0! But what does all this mean!?!?

Well, the numbers are telling us how many colors are on what side. The first number represents one side of the paper, while the second number refers to the opposite side. As for the numbers, it refers to how many colors you can have on the specified side. So let's say, for instance, you need a custom printed postcard printed as 4/2 (would be said as "Four-over-two"). This would require that you would have 4 colors on one side and then only 2 colors on the other side. Now, there's A LOT of rookies out there who immediately think that a 2 color process only involves the use of 2 of the 4 colors on a CMYK press. Well, young padawan, much to learn, you have.

To be quick about this, this is what they mean:

4 color = CMYK. This means you can print photographs and images such as a picture of your dog or monkey.

2 color = 2 Pantone colors. This means you can ONLY use 2 Pantone colors given from the color pallette. No exceptions. The easiest way to do this is to use Illustrator and select the 2 colors you need from the Pantone color palette. If you're in Photoshop and you want to change a photograph into a 2 color process, follow this tutorial.

1 color = 1 Pantone color. Same thing as using a 2 color, but only using one.

6 color = The use of CMYK as well as 2 Pantone colors. Thus, bringing the color count to 6.

So there you have it for that hooplah.

Now, Pantone colors are probably the best thing since sliced bread. What makes them so great is that they have something available called a "Pantone Color Guide". When you look at this guide, you can accurately see what kind of color that will print. There's no color shift. No nothing. It's a guaranteed color.

Let's apply what you've learned to a real world situation.

If you're trying to print on a 9x12 envelope and you need it processed as 2/1. So that would mean there is going to be only 2 Pantone colors on one side and then only 1 Pantone color on the other.That's it!

If you have any questions regarding this, please leave a comment below and we will gladly answer it for you.

Designing Not Your Thing? We've Got You Covered

So there is one thing that happens to a lot of people out there who own or work for a small business; they are in need of a spiffy visual identity. What is a visual identity? Well, I'm glad you asked! It's what your company is trying to portray and having the items and designs that showcase what you're trying to portray. While it might seem easy, more often than not, it's very hard to figure out.

Now this is where we come into play, to let everyone know, we offer pre-made designs. So with this, you simply just log into our store, select what type of business your in, and then select a design you like. After that you can start typing in your information and voila! You got yourself a professional looking design without any hassle. If you're looking for multiple types of stationary and wanting them to look identical, many designs we carry will have matching business cards, envelopes, and letterheads. That way, you can keep your brand in check.

Okay, so if you have a vision on how you want your company to be portrayed but you lack the design skills to do it, PurpleMonkeyPrinting.com offers graphic design services that will create a logo that fits your business. We also just don't design logos, our graphic design services extend out to letterheads, envelopes, presentation folders, notepads, flyers, brochures, postcards, business cards, and calendars all for a great price!

Come check out our store today.


http://purplemonkeyprinting.com/showDocument.php?id=23

Make your business stand out from the rest.

You're friend, 

Pete the Purple Primate

Tutorial: Recreate Popular Video Game Logos

http://www.planetphotoshop.com/modern-warfare.html

This tutorial is based on the new video game phenomenon, Call of Duty - Modern Warfare 2 (which is, by far, one of the sweetest games ever). This video will show you how to recreate it's logo with text of your choice which is extremely handy if you're looking to create a forum logo based on the game or whatever else your heart desires.

The tools you'll need is just Adobe Photoshop.

Take a peek.

Also, I'm going to give a HUGE shout out to our main man Pete. He's been a great customer for us and he delivered me cookies. Delicious. Thanks Pete!

Vun Vun

$299.99 Sale is Almost Over!

So it's officially almost over. Our sale for 1000 full color, full bleed, flat converted envelopes and letterheads is ending on January 1st of 2010.

This type of stuff is perfect if you're a new business owner and needing to get some stationary printed so you look more professional, or even if you're just looking for a replenishment of them both. For $299.99, it's a fantastic savings.

Stop on in to www.purplemonkeyprinting.com and capitalize before it's too late!

Brush up on your Adobe Creative Suite Software

Need a refresher course on Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, or any other Adobe Creative Suites Software?

What you should check out is Adobe's Design Center. It is LOADED with helpful tutorial videos for all of your favorite Adobe software. Whether you need help with Photoshop's integrated HTML linker, or just how to use the pen tool, you will definitely learn something new even if you're a veteran with years of experience.

http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/video_workshop/

This is the video workshop. You should definitely bookmark that site because you will learn something new every time you watch it.

The best thing about the tutorials is that Lynda Tutorials helped out with much of the videos, and they are so detailed yet so simple to follow that literally anyone can learn to use Adobe software.

So do it to it!

Your friendly purple hued primate,

Vun Vun

Sale Extended!

So all the hooplah about our sale ending is false because we extended it!

January 1st, 2010 is the final day to capitalize on 1000 count of full-bleed and full-color envelopes and letterheads. Yup, you get 1000 of both envelopes and letterheads. A phenomenal deal. That's a savings of $132.06.

This is perfect if you're looking for a great price for your new business, if you're creating a visual identity for a client, needing a replenishment of letterheads and envelopes, or whatever the reason, it's a great price!

So head on over to purplemonkeyprinting.com and get your full bleed, full color envelopes and letterheads today!