i Don't have AI and am not really interested in getting it. I'm not a fan of the subscription based structure at all.
If I were using it a lot more than as the occasional hobbyist it might be worth it but I'm afraid that's just not the case for me.
So my question is, has anyone used their UV printing services and uploaded filed from other than AI software?
More specifically, has anyone used graphics created in Inkscape?
Any tips, tricks or pointers?
I Have not used it myself yet but I have read that you can also use the much more affordable (one time purchase, no sub) and apparently pretty good Affinity Designer for it instead of Adobe Illustrator. I have used only Affinity Photo so far and that rocks as it goes for photo editing software.
Quote from: cooder on January 04, 2021, 08:47:09 PM
I Have not used it myself yet but I have read that you can also use the much more affordable (one time purchase, no sub) and apparently pretty good Affinity Designer for it instead of Adobe Illustrator. I have used only Affinity Photo so far and that rocks as it goes for photo editing software.
I've been looking at Affinity over the past few days actually. I think it would be a much more cost effective option for me.
Still not sure about the workflow for uploading the graphics for printing though. I'm definitely way behind the learning curve on all the graphic design stuff :(
I feel you on the subscription. I bought the Adobe suite in college and every Apple update I lose a little more functionality. I'm actually planning on breaking out an old PC to set up in the garage that still has a functioning copy of AI.
Looking over the instructions on Tayda, I would check out the manual from the Roland Versaworks UV printer. It might recommend some software alternatives.
There isn't anything that specifically requires illustrator. The files just have to be vector graphics and the indicated colors/print effects (e.g., gloss) need to have the correct VersaWorks swatch applied. The attached .ase file can be imported into the Affinity Designer (or other compatible program) swatch contextual menu.
I've got my graphics vectorized. There's just one color layer, no need for white or gloss/emboss.
I'm sure this is a lot easier than I'm making it but I'm having trouble getting my graphic onto their PDF template.
I remember having trouble with an order (quite a while ago) with PPP but they had some great real-time customer support.....
But of course, I forgot what I learned back then.
I only skimmed the Tayda instructions, but I see nothing that you wouldn't be able to with Inkscape.
I'm sure that I can use my Inkscape created graphics. They provide artboard templates in PDF form. My problem is that once I downloaded their 1590bb template, I can't figure out how to add my graphic to it so that I can make sure it's centered.
I could just send them my vectorized graphic but the site specifically says they won't do any editing/tweaking. I wanna make sure I've got my image aligned properly in the "printable" area.
I'd say just export a PDF page from Inkscape to the exact dimensions they give in mm with their templates.
> Please create your artwork with CMYK (not RGB)
https://logosbynick.com/export-cmyk-with-inkscape/
Well, I think I have it figured out. Placed the order yesterday so I'll let everyone know how it works out.....
Quote from: Drew Hallenbeck on January 08, 2021, 04:28:57 PM
Well, I think I have it figured out. Placed the order yesterday so I'll let everyone know how it works out.....
Please do, I have been interested in seeing how their UV printing looks.
I'm with you on the subscription model for software. I have been using GIMP for years because it is free and decent. Now that I am a little older and could afford it I might consider a spending some money on software that I know would be supported for a long time. But a subscription that I might only use at most a few times a month.. no thanks.
So I got my enclosures in the mail today. I've gotta say, I'm pretty impressed! There are a couple minor things that I would change but that's all on me and the source material being uploaded for printing.
The pink one probably doesn't need much explanation, it's our take on the Klon. The control labels are all a little bit too far to the left but I don't think it had anything to do with the quality of the service. I'm sure the graphic has always been a little off and I've just been making up for it when I placed the decals.
I've been getting better with KiCad and have had some boards made for us to use with this one. We've built and sold a couple handfuls of these but have always used PCBs from other suppliers. Now, with our own boards and a more professional looking finish, I'll feel a lot better about selling them.
The gray one is a custom request from a customer and the basic idea for the graphic was his. It's gonna be a PedalPCB Parenthesis. (I really like the strange juxtaposition of the whale flying above the forested mountainside) He really digs whales and figured the sounds this pedal is capable of are the type of thing you might hear if you were seeing this in real life!
Love the graphics on both. My Little Klony would make for a great T-shirt.
Agreed, they both look great. Thanks for posting the results, I've been curious to see how their printing looks.
Where is the whales little friend the bowl of petunias?
Looking great! So did that all work out for you in inkscape or did you use any additional software?
Quote from: Matmosphere on January 20, 2021, 09:27:17 AM
Where is the whales little friend the bowl of petunias?
Ha, brilliant! I have to read those books again, they seem pretty contemporary right now...
Haha, bowl of petunias!! I should read that one again too, it's been a few years.
And yes, I ended up doing all of the work in Inkscape.
Quote from: Matmosphere on January 20, 2021, 09:27:17 AM
Agreed, they both look great. Thanks for posting the results, I've been curious to see how their printing looks.
I don't want to hijack the thread, but I think they do a pretty good job. You loose a bit of fine detail when converting to a vector image though. Maybe you don't have to, but I couldn't work out a way to do it better.
Quote from: Willybomb on January 20, 2021, 11:57:35 AM
You loose a bit of fine detail when converting to a vector image though.
I've redrawn a few images by hand when I haven't been happy with the conversion results (which has been the case almost every time I've tried it).
To illustrate (see what I did there?), here's the original:
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81Tje9S2dlL._SL1500_.jpg)
And here's the vector image, redrawn by moi in Inkscape:
(https://ola.rinta-koski.net/Pedals/Bloodstone/front.jpg)
It's not exactly the same image after it's been redrawn (in part by deliberate choice), but fine details are not a problem.
Thanks everyone for posting the results. Will try out soon too I guess.
@Willybomb: did you use Inkscape too? If so how did you deal with the three layers? Tayda is asking in their instructions for "RDG_WHITE", but I haven't been able to import their color template file.
I still never tried it, but I would. And if I can, without to use Illustrator. Maybe just on not coloured box or a light color like white, or yellow...
One of my question is: is there any important difference in the color between the graphic file and the print on the box?
For example: a dark blue printed slightly lighter, or a brilliant yellow printed too pale...
Quote from: TFZ on January 20, 2021, 03:41:16 PM
Thanks everyone for posting the results. Will try out soon too I guess.
@Willybomb: did you use Inkscape too? If so how did you deal with the three layers? Tayda is asking in their instructions for "RDG_WHITE", but I haven't been able to import their color template file.
I did mine in Illustrator, sorry, back when they were doing the trial offer. All I did was send them the EPS files after vectorising the graphics. The instructions on their page look a lot more complex now than what they were then, and I can't remember doing anything in regards to colour separation beyond sending it as a YMBK file.
QuoteOne of my question is: is there any important difference in the color between the graphic file and the print on the box?
I didn't notice any real colour difference. There was a bit of banding in the solid red on Godzilla.
FWIW, I'd use them again if I was doing a standard pedalpcb drilled box probably. Not sure I'd bother with it on a DD, but it would be worth trying. The price is great, so... maybe when I start building again I will.