GRAPHICS WORKFLOW
THE BASICS FOR PRINT & WEB
ALWAYSALWAYS
First, How to Save the Authoring File
Start a graphics file at the LARGEST dimensions and resolution (dpi/ppi)
you will ever need it. (If you create a small image and enlarge it later,
your image will degrade.)
Back up all your original files (make copies) so you don’t end up accidentally
ruining your originals. Remember, web files are going to be low-quality
versions of your original files, so you don’t want to lose the original high
quality files.
Always save layers intact in your original authoring programs.
(You can’t unflatten after you’ve closed).
First, How to Save the Authoring File
Start a graphics file at the LARGEST dimensions and resolution (dpi/ppi)
you will ever need it. (If you create a small image and enlarge it later,
your image will degrade.)
Back up all your original files (make copies) so you don’t end up accidentally
ruining your originals. Remember, web files are going to be low-quality
versions of your original files, so you don’t want to lose the original high
quality files.
Always save layers intact in your original authoring programs.
(You can’t unflatten after you’ve closed).
REVIEW3 IMPORTANT FILE FEATURES
1) COLOR MODEL (CMYK OR RGB)
2) FORMAT (.JPG, .GIF, .PNG, .PSD, .AI, .PDF)
3) RESOLUTION (DPI/PPI: DOTS/POINTS PER INCH)
1) COLOR MODELS: QUICK REVIEW
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is for Print
RGB (Red Green Blue) is for Screen (TV/computers)
(For in-depth info, see Color Models PPT)
RGB
CMYK
2) RESOLUTION: QUICK REVIEW
The more pixels per inch an image has, the higher the quality the image.
Web: 72 dpi/ppi | Print: 200-300 dpi/ppi
(For in-depth info, see File Sizes & Types PPT)
4 pixels per inch 72 pixels per inch
3) WEB FORMATS: QUICK REVIEW(FOR IN-DEPTH INFO, SEE FILE SIZES & TYPES PPT)
JPG: Photos and continuous tone imagesMakes files small through compression
GIF: Solid-colored images (cartoony)Makes files small through limiting number of colors
PNG: Photos OR solid colorsPreserves transparency; creates quality file,somewhat larger file size than .jpg
PRINT GRAPHIC FORMATS: QUICK REVIEW
TIF: High quality; huge file sizes
PDF: High quality; large file sizes
Authoring Files: High Quality; large file sizesVendors can print from authoring files such as .psd, .ai, and .indd
RECAP:WHAT YOU NEED FOR
Print Images Images used in flyers, newsletters, magazines, books, etc. Format: Insert high-quality formats only, such as. psd, .ai, .tif, .pdf. Resolution: 200-300 dpi/ppiColor Mode: CMYK
Web/e PhotosPhotos/gradients inserted in web; PPT, PDF, & DOCs viewed on screenFormat: .jpg (low quality; small files)Resolution: 72 dpi/ppiColor Mode: RGB
Web/e Solid Colors Cartoons and other solid-color images inserted in web, PPT, PDF, & DOC’s viewed on screen Format: .gif (ow quality; small files)Resolution: 72 dpi/ppiColor Mode: RGB
.PSD (FILE > NEW)PRINT: 200 PPI/DPI CMYK | WEB: 72 PPI/DPI RGB
TO CHANGE .PSD DIMENSIONS OR RESOLUTION: IMAGE > IMAGE SIZE
TO CHANGE .PSD COLOR MODES: IMAGE > MODE
.AI (FILE > NEW)PRINT: CMYK | WEB: RGB
TO CHANGE .AI DIMENSIONS: FILE > DOCUMENT SETUP > EDIT ARTBOARDS (CHANGE DIMENSIONS)
TO CHANGE .AI COLOR MODES: FILE > DOCUMENT COLOR MODE
To SaveTo Save
ILLUSTRATOR.ai (File > Save As).tif (File > Export).jpg (File > Save for Web).gif (File > Save for Web)
PHOTOSHOP.psd (File > Save As).tif (File > Save As).jpg (File > Export > Save for Web).gif (File > Export > Save for Web)
ILLUSTRATOR.ai (File > Save As).tif (File > Export).jpg (File > Save for Web).gif (File > Save for Web)
PHOTOSHOP.psd (File > Save As).tif (File > Save As).jpg (File > Export > Save for Web).gif (File > Export > Save for Web)
USING YOUR FILES
printphotos
Options: tif, .pdf, .psd
InDesign (File > Place)
.psd 200 ppi /dpi CMYK
Photoshop
Options: .tif, .pdf, .ai
InDesign (File > Place)
.ai CMYK
Illustrator
printillustrations, logos
Your Authoring File
Bb uploadsSaving Print Layout Files for upload to Bb
You can save as .pdfand upload to Bb.
If the file is too large (over 4,000K/4MB):1) save as .jpg or .gif, 2) insert image in Word, 3) and create .pdf.You will need to type 20 words into the Word doc first. (Weird, I know.)
.pdf for Blackboard
.jpg
Web
.psd 72 ppi /dpi RGBFile > Export > Save for Web > .jpg high
Photoshop
Web/ephotos
.gif
WebWeb/eillustrations
.ai RGBFile > Export > gif
Illustrator
Web/eTransparency
.psd or .ai RGB 72 ppi/dpiSave as .png 24.
INSERTING GRAPHICS IN WORD DOCS• If you are planning to print a Word document
and want high quality (e.g., for a resume or flyer), then insert .tifs.
• If you are planning to view a Word document only on a computer and don’t need high quality, insert a .jpg or .gif
USING .PDF
• A .pdf has many benefits:
• It “freezes” a document so that fonts don’t change and people don’t edit the document.
• It’s a file format that most applications accept (e.g., Blackboard).
• It can be used for print or web.
QUIZ YOURSELF:• For a print graphic, what file format, resolution,
and color model would you use?• For a photo that will only be viewed on a
computer screen, what file format, resolution, and color model would you use?
• For a cartoon that will only be viewed on a computer screen, what file format, resolution, and color model would you use?
• For a web/e-file image that combines photographic and solid colored images, which format will you use?
• Imagine you have printed out your flyer. Now you want to upload it to Blackboard. How will you create a file to do that?
YOUR LOGO/RESUME
GRAPHICS
FOR USE IN PRINT AND WEB
.gif or .png 24
Web
Illustrator
logofor web
.ai RGB; File > Save for Web > .gif or .png 24
.tif or .ai
Resume (created in MS Word, Illustrator, or InDesign) and then saved as .pdf for dissemination
Illustrator
logofor print
OPTIONS:
For Illustrator or InDesign Layout:You can place the .ai authoring file for your logo inside an .ai or .indd file of your resume, or you can copy and paste.
For MS Word or InDesign Layout:In Adobe Illustrator, go to File > Export > .tif and save the file. Then, open up MS Word or InDesign and insert the .tif.
REQUIRED: PDF for download and printing
resumeAdditional Requirement
OPTIONAL: .Gif embedded in web page
Quiz YourselfQuiz Yourself
What file format will you use to save your logo for insertion into your resume?
What file format will you use to save your whole resume for dissemination?
What file format will you use to save your logo for insertion in a web page? How many dpi/ppi?
What file format will you use to save your whole resume as a graphic to embed on the web? How many dpi/ppi?
What file format will you use to save your logo for insertion into your resume?
What file format will you use to save your whole resume for dissemination?
What file format will you use to save your logo for insertion in a web page? How many dpi/ppi?
What file format will you use to save your whole resume as a graphic to embed on the web? How many dpi/ppi?
QUESTIONS?