Graphic design can have many challenges. From being creative to working with poor quality customer artwork. In this blog article, let’s talk about THINKING a job through before we even begin.
How to Avoid or Remove the Windows 7 End-of-Life Popup
(image used with permission)
In April, Windows 7 users will start receiving periodic pop up reminders from Microsoft with the reminder that Windows 7 won’t be supported after January 2020. Here’s how to prevent or remove those notifications.
Starting in April, Windows 7 users will start seeing a pop up with a reminder that Microsoft will no longer provide free security updates, bug fixes, or technical support for Windows 7. Notifications are scheduled to appear after the release of KB4493132. The patch will be released April 18, 2019 and will be installed if Windows Update is set to automatically install updates. It won’t appear on machines that have Windows Update disabled. (See important note below if you’ve disabled Windows Update.)
The reminder says, “After 10 years of servicing, January 14, 2020, is the last day Microsoft will offer security updates for computers running Windows 7 SP1. This update enables reminders about Windows 7 end of support. More information about Windows 7 end of support can be found here“.
You can avoid installing the update by setting Windows Update to, “Check for updates but let me choose whether to download on install them” and not installing KB4493132 when it’s issued.
You can hide it and any other update in Windows Update and keep it from reappearing by right clicking on an update and choosing Hide Update. It shouldn’t reappear in Windows Update, but I’d keep an eye out for it showing up again. There are a few non-critical updates I’ve hidden that reappear regularly, such as Microsoft Silverlight.
If the update gets installed for some reason (early release, etc.) you can remove it. If you’re unfamiliar with how to find and uninstall an update, you can find out how to remove any update and keep it from reappearing here.
If you’d rather not uninstall it, check the “Do not remind me again” box when the notification pops up in April.
If Windows Update is turned off, Windows 7 patch updates will stop working in July 2019 if a critical patch isn’t installed. The security updates were released on March 12, 2019. If you don’t want to install them through Windows Update, you can download and install the updates manually. Links to the download and more information are in this Microsoft bulletin:
2019 SHA-2 Code Signing Support requirement for Windows and WSUS
This article at Bleeping Computer has in depth details if you want to know more:
KB4493132 Update Notifies Windows 7 Users of End of Support Date
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Find out more about how to upgrade your FlexiSIGN software. If you are using version 7,8 or even 10 on Windows 7, now if the time to consider upgrading.
Read MoreOnly a Few Seats Left in Atlanta Flexi & Color Management Workshop!
HURRY! HURRY! HURRY!
Only a few seats left for the awesome workshop that is going to dial in your colors on that wide format printer!
MUTOH, MIMAKI, ROLAND, HP, EPSON?
You are still welcome, just never forget who took the time to teach you!
Find Out More NOW!!!
https://www.thinkmutoh.com/event/flexi-atl-2019
“Mark truly understands the program from the inside out. He explains efficiently the strengths of the program along with its limitations.” Jeff Fredwich – SIGNARAMA Willow Grove
“Learned a lot that I thought I already knew.” Akhay Putri – Avery Dennison
“Best software training class I have EVER attended!” – Adrienne Latiolias, AWA Printing
“Mark explains things in an easy to understand way for beginners!” Josh Munn, Munn Enterprises, Inc.
“The class was great! I came in not really knowing anything about Flexi, but after the class, I now feel confident in my abilities to use the program to make high-quality product.” Melanie Cooley, Magnolia Decal & Graphics
“Great training course! Any new to advanced users should attend.” Jeremy Carter, Munn Enterprises
“Mark is the best instructor for Flexi!” – Mark Bourg, A+ Signs
Instructor: Mark A. Rugen, MUTOH, FLEXISIGN & COLOR MANAGEMENT EXPERT
Read MoreLet’s THINK About a Design
In fact, sometimes it comes down to the simple things. Spelling, punctuation, grammar are all items in a design that we must THINK through. By THINK I also mean we need to SLOW DOWN enough to allow for that thinking to take place! Not doing so could be very embarrassing!
Making a List & Checking It Twice
Well, why do you think Santa keeps a list and checks it twice. The wrong toy to the wrong child could be disastrous! LOL! But seriously, it’s good advice to make a checklist that you use on each design. What should that list contain? Well, to better answer that question, maybe we should go through all the consideration in design.
Visualize the Final Installed Product
The best way to begin thinking about design is to start by knowing what the final product is supposed to do and how it will be constructed.
- Is the sign indoors or outdoors? This will affect the choice of design media, print, vinyl laminated, not laminated etc.
- How large will the sign be? This is important to the number of design elements to be used, the size of those elements, whether they can be all done in one application or must they be applied separately etc.
- What material will be used for the messaging area? This can determine whether the sign can be made using certain types of materials; vinyl, channel lettering, neon etc.
- Will the signage be eye level or elevated? Again, this can determine things like print resolutions, sizes of design elements etc.
- Will the sign be lighted? Front or back? Could effect things like the choice in colors etc.
- Will you make the sign in your shop or will elements be added in the field? Access to in the field signage can determine some of the sign elements sizes, etc.
Who is the Designer You or Your Customer?
This is a really important question to consider. Remember, you are the professional, so it’s important that you “guide” your customer to a better design, but they pay the bill so ultimately, you may have to bend a little. This is where you may have to allow your customer to “design” what they want, but perhaps you may have to come up with 2 or 3 “alternatives” to show the customer to perhaps help them consider other factors like the ones previously described.
- Do a thorough customer interview. You’ll want to not only find out what the customer is trying to do with the design but spending a bit of time with the customer can help you “frame” the job and set expectations for the finished product.
- Will the customer be providing some of the design elements? This is very important to know ahead of the design. It can determine how much time you will be spending cleaning up poor quality art or whether you can match a logo color etc.
- What are the top 3 elements of the design that are most important to the client? Phone numbers, services, logo, color? It will determine how you will use those elements.
Gather the Right Design Tools
Now, this is a bit of a tricky subject since design tools and a lot like choosing a car. Everyone has their own opinion of what make and model is the best choice. So, what I am sharing here is my opinion and I want to hear yours in the comments. That said, let’s jump in with both feet!
- MAC or PC? Yep. I told you everyone will have an opinion! What I really want you to think through is design vs. production design. So in my opinion, the answer could be both.
- Now for the last 30 years, I’ve just used PC hardware, primarily because of output devices (production in mind). Most of the cutter, engraver, routers, wide format printers connect with PC devices. At the same time, when I do MUTOH live training workshop, I do come across numerous people who prefer to design on a MAC and then use a PC as a server to run the output devices. So can we just settle on looking at the workflow and tweak your hardware so that you get the easiest, most productive workflow.
- What software will you use for design? Again, this can be a tricky choice. In my opinion, there is no right choice. Over the last 30 years in this business, I’ve seen Adobe and Corel become great design software choices, but I have also seen their weaknesses. Of course, programs such as SignLAB or FlexiSIGN were originally created to offer a balance between design and production, so they are in own opinion, a must for the productive shop. Then there are stand-alone RIPs such as those made by ONYX, Wasatch and others. In addition to “design” software, you will also need to think about plugins or even stand-alone software that do things like resample images for enlargement, or trace bitmaps for vinyl cutting. I’ve even seen a great software choice that does vectorize and finds fonts, GraphicTracer Pro. Here are my recommendations:
- Commercial Sign Software such as FlexiSIGN.
- Adobe or Corel for handling tricky bitmaps and to take advantage of plugins for more design range.
- PhotoZoom Pro for enlarging bitmaps.
- VectorMagic or GraphicsTracer pro for vectorizing bitmaps.
- SignElements for access to a collection of fonts, clipart, vehicle templates and more.
- How will you communicate with your customer? This doesn’t sound much like a design tool, but it actually can be. Customers may want to preview a design, make changes or corrections and the like before you actually begin manufacturing the design. Will you send me drafts using emails or will you have another way for them to review the copy. For instance, FlexiSIGN has a feature called the “Artwork Approval Tool” that allows you to upload a copy of the design and then allows your customer to add comments but not the ability to download the file and take it elsewhere. It also keeps track of revisions.
Match Software Features with Output Devices
Now that you have many of the design factors in mind, it’s time to consider the relationship between your software choices and your output device choices.
When designing, it’s a good idea to know the features and capabilities of your output devices so you can design for those devices.
- How wide are your printer and vinyl cutter? This is going to determine where you will apply overlaps if your design is wider than your devices.
- What are the contour cut and perfcut options for your printer/cutter? If your design calls for some elements that will be printed and then contour cut, you will need to know your software options very clearly. While you can certainly “design” a perfcut, some cutter, like the MUTOH VC series of cutters, may have built-in options for this that can take the guesswork out of the design.
Of course, there are other cutters with similar options, but the point is if you as the designer did not know this feature was available, you might spend hours trying to get a perf cut to work properly.
That’s not only design time that could be used on other projects but also cost for your company in design time and maybe even materials used to test your perf cut settings.
- Do you know the right color management settings for the job? Color management is probaby the number one tech support call that a software company receives. Lots of folks try to match a color and because they do not understand the color management options neeeded to do so, they struggle, maybe even printing lots of test swatches until they get close. Good color management would include applying the right monitor profile so you can use soft proofing while designing. Now, if you’ree interesting in a real-world application workshop on color management check out our nationwide tour of live seminar events where we teach students how to set up and use color management. https://www.thinkmutoh.com/live-flexi-training-2019-schedule
- What is the best media choice? Finally, be sure to consider the media choice. If outdoors signage, obviously durability may be an issue. If indoor, perhaps a textile could give the design not only a visual impact but also a tactile one. Will the final print need lamination or even anti-graffiti laminate.
Create A Checklist and Use It
Hopefully, we have covered many of the considerations in creating a great design. At this point, you should develop a checklist for yourself and be sure to use it. Once you hve one done, or if you already have one, why not share it with the rest of our community so we all get better at design?
MUTOH Workshops…Not Just Another Boring Training Seminar
We promise…you will NOT be bored!
No excuses! Sign up today!
Find out more? https://www.thinkmutoh.com/live-flexi-training-2019-schedule
Read More
MUTOH to Conduct LIVE Color Management Training at Graphics Canada Trade Show
REAL WORLD COLOR MANAGEMENT NOT THEORY
MUTOH will conduct a color management workshop on April 12, 2019 at the Graphics Canada tradeshow. This will not be a theory class like so many others are offering, rather this is a real-world workshop by expert Mark Rugen.
“Forget the theory, I want to share some of my 30 years of tips and trick to make your wide format printer print color like it never has before and that means showing you some real-world solutions.”
What to Expect
This workshop will be filled with lessons such as:
- How to enlarge low-resolution images with little loss in quality,
- How to remove complex background without using Photoshop,
- How to match your monitor colors to your printer output,
- How to tweak simply color management settings for bright, more vivid colors,
- How to use the correct options for contour and perf cutting in the creation of decals.
Yes, these and many more topics will be discussed in the one-day workshop.
Who Should Attend?
No matter what model or make of wide format printer you own, you and your production staff should attend this seminar. It will change the way you do business. The seminar is designed for any level of expertise from g=beginner to advanced.
What Does it Cost?
The cost to attend is only $99 US and includes a free FlexiSIGN training DVD valued at $299! We will be using FlexiSIGn as well as Photoshop to teach. Users of Flexi will appreciate the over 10 hours of video training on the free DVD that each student will receive.
How do You Register?
Use this link to register now because seating will be limited: www.thinkmutoh.com/events/mutohcanadatraining