If you are unfamiliar with 4/4 color offset printing, reading through this list will offer you some tips and guidelines to help you create your graphic to get the best possible print.

If you are familiar with offset printing, briefly browsing through this section will offer some designing tips that are specific for 12inchSkinz.

We will assume you are reading this because you have some familiarity with photoshop or illustrator.

RGB vs. CMYK

If you have never created a design for commercial printing, then it is very important you know the diffrence between RGB and CMYK. RGB (red, green, blue) are the colors that represent the colors shown on your computer monitor (web graphics). CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and blacK) represents the colors that are printed on paper. JUST like your home inkjet printer, you will notice it requires C, M, Y & K ink cartriges. 12inchSkinz produces their skinz on a printer that uses the same inkjet technology. Graphics formatted in RGB sent to a printer will look dramatically different that what is seen on your computer monitor. That said, colors shown on your computer monitor do not accurately depict 100% CMYK inkjet colors. IF you stick to CMYK in your design, for the most part, everything will be printed as you imagined. Due to the unique nature of the printing process, the EXACT color and design displayed in web proofs may not be printed on the final product.

Be aware when creating your design that we CANNOT print with white ink. This is important when creating a design if you would like it printed on one of our BRUSHED METALLICS. Whatever you inteneded to be white, will be the color of metallic material you wish to print on. 

PIXELS Vs. VECTOR (Photoshop vs. Illustrator )

Without going into a 10 paragraph explanation of this, we will explain what you need to know to get the best possible print in both formats and why VECTOR is BETTER.

Vector: Illustrator

• Non-destructive
• Easier editability
• Best use for GRAPHICS, not photographic images (pixels)
• Requires less memory, smaller file size.
• Best use for large format printing
• Can be scaled to ANY size (most important)
• Resolution is not a factor in vector art. 

Pixel or Bitmap: Photoshop

• Destructive
• Can require more steps to get simple result in illustrator
• Requires more memory, larger file size
• Made for cropping and enhancing photographs 
• Best for web graphics
• Easy to create effects
• You can always scale pixels down, but not up. We cannot print your 130x130 pixel avatar on a 4" record label without it looking pixelated.

Vector art will ALWAYS have more contrast when printed. This may not be true for all printers but specific to the printer we use. 

Here is a simple image to ILLUSTRATE the difference of scaling vector and a bitmap.
 

TYPOGRAPHY & DESIGN

Typography is the most essential ingredient to a great design. To the non-dj looking at your gear, what do you want them to remember?......YOUR NAME of course. Your gear should be a BILLBOARD to what and who you are. 

When choosing a typeface (or FONT to the non-professional), you want to not only find something that compliments your design, but is clearly legible. For most of us dj's, we are usually in a dimly lit booth in a club or venue and making your NAME visible should be most important. 

If you do not have an idea for an elaborate design for your gear, you can always just add your name to any of our skinz. If your in need of a font creating a design or just want us to add your name on a skin, a great place to search for a FONT is: www.dafont.com

Lastly....

12inchskinz may refuse to print your design if the resolution of your design is incapable of delivering a professional print. If we so make a suggestion to you, please take no offense. We only want you to look your best.