[WolfPack]

I have seen it mentioned that a file should be send in this format for custom ceramics.

I have my art in JPG format and have no clue about this vector image, can someone tell me what it is and how to get my images in this format?

[jk2587]

Vector graphics aren't defined by resolution, they can be scaled to whatever size needed without quality loss because they are not made up of pixels until rasterized out to a jpg or equivalent.
If your art is currently a jpg, there is no real simple conversion to make it vector, you basically have to redraw it in a vector graphics program like illustrator.

[jk2587]

check out this link for a better explanation of what makes up vector graphics.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_graphics

[circlencircle]

Originally Posted by WolfPack

I have seen it mentioned that a file should be send in this format for custom ceramics.

I have my art in JPG format and have no clue about this vector image, can someone tell me what it is and how to get my images in this format?

Honestly, this is a bunch of crap imo. The only reason companies say images have to be in *.ai, or vector in general or he!! Even CMYK for that matter is because they don’t want to deal with explaining to people some of the finer points. It takes approximately 1.5 min to convert from RGB to CMYK - one particular manufacturer I dealt with wouldn’t take my image as a JPG and insisted that it be an *.ai so I just opened the jpg in illustrator and then resaved it as and ai. It took me about 45 seconds to do that and suddenly they were happy - they would have charged me $25 AND it didn’t even change the image - it was still a raster - so it was almost pointless!

[jk2587]

yeah, for chips if you have a decent image it won't really make a difference on the final product. It's more of an issue when you print something large like a poster. The only thing you may notice a difference in is the text, but even that is unlikely.

[WolfPack]

ok so my jpg should be good. thanks guys

[circlencircle]

Originally Posted by WolfPack

ok so my jpg should be good. thanks guys

Well, yes and no. I apologize for just ranting and not really answering your question. Your JPEG SHOULD BE fine but it may not be if whoever you are going through is a stickler about it. Post what you've got or if your worried about someone stealing it you could pm me with it and I can give you a more definite answer. Also, there are minimum requirements for resolution and size if you are going to use a raster (in this case jpeg) image.

[Devilboy]

If you made the image with Photoshop you'll always get raster images. If this is what you're doing then make sure you save it with at least 600 dpi. If your image is already 300dpi then you're stuck with it - you can't increase the resolution.

If you used InDesign or something like that you should save your artwork as a PDF which will conserve the line-art and other vector elements. This will ensure maximum quality, especially for text. Raster elements can be output at 300DPI (e.g. photos or images) but keep the text in vector format.

[Devilboy]

Here's a quick demonstration to show you what the difference between raster and vector artwork is:



This is my ASM chip artwork viewed at high magnification. On the left you'll see the reflection of the buildings in the water - notice that you can see the individual pixels (looks 'blocky') - that's a raster image. Raster images has a finite amount of detail and looks worse the more you zoom in.

Now on the right is my $ sign - in vector format. Notice that the edges still look great and sharp even under heavy magnification.

Obviously photos and such cannot be done in vector format but all text or solid-coloured line-art normally starts their lives as vector graphics, and if you rasterise those you'll lose detail.

Raster graphics (e.g. photos) prints out great at 300 DPI but text and line-art needs to be 600DPI if rasterised for chips.

Ask Vietrounder to send you high-quality scans of his new and his old chips - he rasterised it all and his new ones are 600DPI while the old ones are 300DPI. He definitely sees a big difference, since his artwork is mainly line-art and text.

BTW here's a the artwork I supplied to ASM (in PDF format)

[puzzlemonkey]

Originally Posted by circlencircle

Well, yes and no. I apologize for just ranting and not really answering your question. Your JPEG SHOULD BE fine but it may not be if whoever you are going through is a stickler about it. Post what you've got or if your worried about someone stealing it you could pm me with it and I can give you a more definite answer. Also, there are minimum requirements for resolution and size if you are going to use a raster (in this case jpeg) image.

Chipco requires that chip designs be submitted as .ai vector files. Period. It's a part of their manufacturing process which is proprietary and they won't alter.

If you send your .jpgs to them, they'll place them into a vector file and convert the colors to work with their process. The results will be up to them. I have no real knowledge on the overall success of their raster file color conversion, but if you're not using very specific colors, you may not notice a difference.