MARCH/APRIL 2015
Endless Possible Solutions
“HOW TO” INSTRUCTION
ON THE DESIGN OF THE MONTH
¡NEW IN 2015! UNION INK PANTONE MATCHING CAN I TAKE YOUR ORDER, PLEASE? EPS LAUNCHES REFERRAL PROGRAM
elginprintshop.com
Union Ink Standard Ink Chart
EPS proudly uses Union Ink for standard ink colors If you have not received your YELLOW ink chart, be sure to request one.
Design of the Month
IN
NEW ‘15!
This month’s design tip is creating faux stitching Start with a clean vector image. Outline text, clean up live traces, make sure there is no strokes applied and expanded images. Having fewer anchor points in the art is a plus. Open the Layer’s Palette. Label your current layer “solid.” Duplicate your current layer above the “solid” layer and rename it. This layer will be the “stitch” or the stroke. I would recommend locking the “solid” layer at this point (but keep visible). On the “stitch” layer, select all and apply a contrasting stroke to objects and set fill to no color. There are couple free brush you can download that work nicely1. Once downloaded and installed into your presets, these can be opened in the brush palette. Apply the desired brush to the vector. Make adjustments to the stroke weight as you prefer. When you are satisfied with the look of the brush applied, you will want to soften the hard corners where the brush did not go all the way around the corner. Using the Pen Tool, add additional points on each side of the point you will be manipulating. This prevents the stroke from dramatically changing paths. Once the stroke width is to your liking, the next step is to create a solid shape from the stroke applied. Go to your Menu bar and select Object – Flatten Transparency. Make sure “Convert All Strokes to Outlines” is checked. Move the “Raster/Vector Balance” slider all the way over to 100. Click OK. Now each stitch is a vector object. Using the Direct Selection Tool, you can now start to select components of the stitch and change the colors to your desired colors and effects. The hole where the thread goes into the fabric should be a darker color to give the effect of the fabric being pierced by the thread. 1. http://www.vecteezy.com/illustrator-brushes/24136-free-fashion-design-brushes-zippers-stitching, http://roula33.deviantart.com/art/embroidery-artist-brushes-271015180
Union Ink Pantone Ink Matching System The sky is the limit with color choices
EPS now custom matches PMS colors in house for your professional clients. For just $15 per match, we will be happy to mix custom colors for you.
Design of the Month Sales Samples Having trendy and quality printed samples to show customers will help you meet your sales goals Elgin Print Shop offers printed samples of each month’s featured design. Minimum order quantity is 10 printed garments. Each garment is just $4 each SMALL
MEDIUM
LARGE
X-LARGE
Total number of garments (10 min.): Grand total ($4 each):
Orders should be submitted before APRIL, 15, 2015. Sample shirts will be delivered within 2 weeks of submission date. Payment in full required for all sample shirts ordered. Please make checks payable to Elgin Print Shop.
Why EPS News?
At Elgin Print Shop (EPS), we understand that screen printing is most likely not your primary source of revenue. With that said, we are pleased to introduce the first edition of our bimonthly newsletter, EPS News. The purpose of EPS News is to keep you informed of screen printing trends and to provide you with additional tools that can give you a competitive edge with your clients. EPS want you to be informed about new advancements in the screen printing industry. Being a contract-only screen printer, we are privy to information that you may not have access to. EPS News will provide you with information that will give you a competitive edge in the marketplace and superior prints that your customers will rave about. Each issue of EPS News features a cutting edge design of the month. Ask us for your sample of the shirt printed with the featured design for your showroom to use during sales presentations. Additional sample shirts with the featured design can be ordered at a minimal cost (see order form on page 2). Additionally, EPS News includes sections on “Tips and Tricks,” new screen printing techniques and offerings, information pertaining to delivery schedules and shop schedule changes. And, included with this issue, our updated wholesale pricing grid that will take effect beginning March 1, 2015.
Quick “Tips & Tricks” From Our Design Staff
Outlining art and text in your files
You have fonts, fonts and more fonts. You probably even have Bleeding Cowboys and we have that one too, but we may not have that favorite font that you have forgotten the name of, that’s okay. Just make sure you outline or expand your text before you send off your approved art to EPS. This saves time and eliminates any confusion as to how the art should be printed. And if we forget to tell you, THANK YOU, this is a small step that has a big impact. Using an offset path vs. a stroke You want to outline an object or text with a different color in your art. There are couple different ways to do that. Of course you can use the stroke but when separating it out later for film, this method could produce errors in your art. We recommend that you use the offset path instead. {OBJECT OFFSET PATH then the menu for offset path comes up}. Select the desired amount and the corner option you would like, hit enter. After you are done, select the color from the swatch palette you would like. If you need to adjust the width, take a look at your appearance menu, double click on “OFFSET PATH” and adjust up or down.
EPS values each and every one of you, our retail partners. We hope you enjoy this inaugural edition of EPS News and find some helpful information to inspire and promote screen printing to your clients.
“Can I Take Your Order Please?” EPS offers you and your colleagues lunch for referrals and EPS picks up the check and the tip Here is how it works: • Pass along how great EPS is to work with • Make sure your referral mentions where they heard about EPS • Once they have reached $1000 in paid print invoices, EPS will buy you and your colleagues lunch Additional details: • EPS will spend up to $100 on one lunch for each referral • Delivery or eat out at establishment of choice • Waiter/waitress not included
115 East Main Street, Elgin, MN 55932
elginprintshop.com
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