Frequenty Asked Questions

 

What is Vector Art?

It is Electronic artwork that is generated by the Image Builders Art Department using the software Adobe Illustrator. Vector art is the most perferable format for most of our vendors because it creates perfectly smooth lines no matter how high or low the image is scaled.

 

What do you mean by " font's converted to outlines"?

You see there are many different kinds of Fonts in the computer world. Even the same font can be different on a Macintosh than it would be on a PC. Often times when transfering files if the font is not included with the actual file, then the text in that file will not look the same. The best way to resolve this issue is to convert the text on a page into outlines. In essence the type will no longer be actual editable words, but it will be more like a picture of words. As if instead of typing the "A" you instead drew the letter "A."

Text created in a Bit Map file Format. When flattened will create this effect. A Vector File, such as the "Industry Standard" Adobe Illustrator, has a feature in the "Type" pull down menu that will do this for you.

 

What qualifies as Camera Ready Art?

Before electronic files were the industry standard, artwork was printed in a high resolution on thick white paper commonly called a "Slick". Then that "Slick" with the black line art would be mailed to a vendor who would put it on a large very bright camera. A plate of film was placed on the other side of the "Slick." After the Film was developed there would be an area exactly like the black art on the Slick where ink could pass through. Thus the "Plate" would be put over the product being printed on and a squeege of ink would run over the plate, allowing the ink to pass through the area and imprint on the product.

 

Thanks to the wide popularity and affordability of high resolution Lazer printers, some people can create their own Camera Ready art. Or have "Slicks" provided for them by whoever created the artwork.

For a piece of art to truely be considered Camera Ready it must be Black and white (Color seperated if there are multiple colors) and printed at a resolution of 600 DPI.

 

What is a Bit Map file?

A bit map file is unlike a Vector file, in that it is made up of pixels which scale up very poorly. The resolution of a Bit Map file is determined by DPI or Dots Per Inch. The easiest rule of thumb to determine if the file you have is considered a Bit Map is that if you enlarge it and the edges look like a ragged staircase.

 

What does DPI stand for?

DPI is a measure of resolution in Dots Per Inch.

 

What is the average turn around time from the point where you recieve an art request to the point where I will see a proof?

Most artwork can be created and ready to proof within one business day. Obviously some simple jobs can be ready for approval faster than that. As well some more complicated jobs may take longer to set up for approval.

 

What does the Image Builders Art Department charge for artwork services?

The standard rate is $50 an hour, broken up into 15 minute segements. Also in certain cases there are minor additional charges for materials or for rush service. A rush that requires immediate turn around will add an additional $5 to the charge. Materials such as disk copies and the like will be assesed on the time needed to copy the file, and the cost of the disk.

 

If I am interested in setting up my own on-line store for my promotional campaign what can you do to help me with that?

Setting up an on-line store can be a very difficult process to take from the ground up. Luckily there are several different companies affiliated with Image Builders who provide this service and can integrate it with Image Builders. Then you would simply let the Art Department know what images and products you'd like, and we coordinate seemlessly with these on-line store providers. For more information on this please feel free to contact Mike Fanslau mike@imagebuild.com

 

Can Image Builders do my brochure design as well?

Yes Image Builders designs all variety of brochures, direct mailings, pamphlets etc...

 

If you are designing my brochure and I want to include photos how should I send them to you?

A: You can send them on disk or via e-mail. The most important thing is that they are at 300 DPI.

 

If you do a project for me how long will you keep it in your electronic archive?

The Art Department keeps a very extensive archive; Your files will be kept in the dormant archive for at least three years. Some files may remain in the archive longer than that, but the safe bet is three years.