When to Avoid Using PhotoShop?!

First in a series of print production blogs. Up next, we’ll discuss “bleeds”.

Hint: When you're producing your own project that includes text, use a page layout program like Adobe InDesign.

Adobe PhotoShop is a brilliant program, but as with all things, it has limitations. When it comes to the quality of text in your project, you'll either have to increase the resolution to a level that may make the file unwieldy or keep it at a resolution that would sacrifice quality.

PhotoShop is a raster program, meaning that the image you see is composed of individual dots. As you can see from the associated graphic, dots result in a jagged or blurry edge. The first rule of design is to make sure your reader can consume your message as easily as possible; blurry text interferes with that goal.

Another reason to avoid PhotoShop when setting text is that it's simply harder to do than using a page layout program like InDesign. PhotoShop is not designed as a sophisticated text layout program. A page layout program is easier for initial production, but, even more importantly, editing a content heavy piece like a brochure is faster and much less frustrating.

Besides quality and ease of editing, another consideration is final application intent. Are you using the final piece on a website? If so, a document created in a layout program will have a smaller file size than one created in a paint program which results in faster access.

Please post any questions or comments that you may have or give us a call! We'll be happy to help.

Thanks!
Design Department

AlphaGraphics of Aurora
15801 East Centretech Circle
Aurora, CO 80011
303-261-1334 (office)
877-685-0618 (toll free)
303-261-1338 (fax)
us636@alphagraphics.com (email)
us636.alphagraphics.com (website)

A Note Regarding Friday's Email

We received a lot of nice feedback on Friday and over the weekend, thank you!

As some of you guessed, it was indeed an April Fool's email. On the other hand, we also received a number of very nice emails congratulating us on the new partnership and some concerns that we might be serious in renaming a state park. Of course, only the citizens can re-name a state park; however, if you're looking to re-brand your organization, give us a call. We'd love to help!

WINNERS
We would like to thank Karen Kerrick of Executive Transportation, Kristen Van Ryswyk of Horan & McConaty, and Alexa Sonn Cohn of Alexa's Supper Club for their fun contributions. You've won a Starbucks gift card.

Thank you all again for your wonderful emails!

The crew at
AlphaGraphics of Aurora