Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Print looks different from gimp project
#1
Hello,

I am new and read some nice posts here so I thought maybe give it a try and ask. For my brother's business I created a logo. I used the vistaprint template to make a business card. Since the card itself should be black, I used a black background layer that I toggled invisible when I exported the png for printing. I created kind of a mirror effect by duplicating the logo layer and making it half transparent, and a soft glow around one element of the logo using gaussian blur. These two effects totally get lost when I do not export the png without the black background layer. The half transparent mirror layer is almost invisible without it, same with the halo effect. I tried checking all the options for export so nothing gets lost but it did not help.
I could just export with the black layer but this will be a problem when we make his work shirts. Does someone know what's going on there and help me please?

Kind regards,
Nio
Reply
#2
(12-16-2024, 09:33 AM)Nio Wrote: Hello,

I am new and read some nice posts here so I thought maybe give it a try and ask. For my brother's business I created a logo. I used the vistaprint template to make a business card. Since the card itself should be black, I used a black background layer that I toggled invisible when I exported the png for printing. I created kind of a mirror effect by duplicating the logo layer and making it half transparent, and a soft glow around one element of the logo using gaussian blur. These two effects totally get lost when I do not export the png without the black background layer. The half transparent mirror layer is almost invisible without it, same with the halo effect. I tried checking all the options for export so nothing gets lost but it did not help.

No replies ? Just my thoughts

(1) For a logo, best is a vector image, an SVG using something like Inkscape.  Then it scales without degradation  to all sizes tiny for a biz card, medium for stationary, large for posters.  From your workflow description it might not be easy to make a SVG.

(2) The printing process, Vistaprint (offset printing or similar) uses Cyan / Magenta / Yellow / Black  There is no white ink (normally) White = Transparent and takes the colour of the paper (black card) I would send your image with no transparency maybe as a jpeg or a PDF.
EDIT: Just a reminder very bright RGB colours possible in Gimp become muted when printed in CMYK.

In Gimp, a card 85 mm x 55 mm @ 300 ppi ( 1000 x 650 pix), looks like this with different backgrounds. Whatever the background, all the colours are still there. If you think the effect is too faint, then make it stronger.

   

Quote:I could just export with the black layer but this will be a problem when we make his work shirts. Does someone know what's going on there and help me please?

(3) Printing on fabric (a shirt) This is different, either screen printing with limited colours, or a transfer print and these can use white or transparency.  Ask the supplier for advice and requirements.
Reply
#3
Hey,

it looks like I should familiarize myself with Inkscape or something similar. Your explanation was very enlightening. Stupid me didn't think about white not being a color.
Now it makes sense.

Thank you for your quick reply and the help!
Reply


Forum Jump: