CorelDRAW Help magazine fordocshare02.docshare.tips/files/24519/245196095.pdfJuly 2009 3 Click ads...
Transcript of CorelDRAW Help magazine fordocshare02.docshare.tips/files/24519/245196095.pdfJuly 2009 3 Click ads...
Published for the Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals (ACDRP) wwwcoreldrawhelpcom
CorelDRAWreg Help the entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAWreg
users worldwide
July 2009
Unisubreg Silver for Photos
Using CorelDRAWCleaning Up Bitmap Artwork
CorelDRAW AppliedImposition Layout forFull-Color Image Transfers
Inside Color Color Correction is Just the Beginning
Getting AheadIs Auto Digitizing for You
July 2009HelpCorelDRAWreg 2Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web site
July 2009 3Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Inside ACDRP
By Mike Neer Executive Director
Gain Another Perspective
Published by Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals
President John H McDanielVice President Judith McDaniel
Executive Director Michael R NeerAssoc Exec Director Steven V Neer
ACDRP Corporate Office Albany OR
OfficesMembership amp Publishing offices located at
4549 N Glenn Suite 110Fresno CA 93704
800-276-8428 559-276-8494 Fax 559-222-1390wwwCorelDRAWHelpcomeditorcoreldrawprocom
subscriptions Free to qualified individuals and businesses Send change of address to the above
AcDRP Membership $60yr See the website for details Includes exclusive content and more
Advertising Request a Media Guide or download it from wwwCorelDRAWHelpcom
Writers CorelDRAWPro accepts articles from industry experts Email publisher for details
copy Copyright 2009 by ACDRP All Rights Reserved
EDIToR PUBLIsHER ndash Michael R Neermikeneercoreldrawprocom
GRAPHICs ndash John MiseADVERTIsING ndash John McDaniel IIjhmcdaniel2coreldrawprocom
541-990-6687
JULY 2009
HelpCorelDRAWreg
Last week my oldest son Matt turned 21 I wanted to celebrate his birthday with a gift that hersquod remember for a long time After all turning 21 is a big deal ndash and I think it means a lot more than being able to legally buy a beer
I had always wanted to take my boys on a plane r ide and we hadnrsquo t had an opportunity since they were little and they donrsquot remember that I always thought wersquod travel to Washington DC or Orlando FL
or someplace fun But for this birthday the idea popped up that maybe it wouldnrsquot cost too much to charter a flight in the local area So I checked it out and for $150-$200 we could charter a single-engine prop airplane and go for a one-hour ride above the Valley
Both my boys were amazed at how small everything looked from up there The checkerboard pattern of farm lands the spaghetti lines of roads the wildly curving San Joaquin River and even buildings like City Hall the baseball stadium the schools ndash they saw everything with a new perspective
And thatrsquos my point for this column Whenever we can step back from or above the daily routines and conflicts we are able to put things in perspective Our everyday problems seem less problematic Our worries are just part of a bigger picture This perspective is really comforting relaxing and gives us motivation to take a fresh start at our dayrsquos activities
So when wersquore worried about the economy or about how our business is doing or any number of other things in our lives itrsquos a wonderful tonic to gain another perspective Just off the top of my head I can think of four great ways to do just that
1) Take an airplane ride I donrsquot know about you but I get rejuvenated flying up high I can think more clearly plan more relax more Itrsquos as if Irsquom floating above the heavy stress of earth and the inspiration and creativity is greater
2) Take a vacation One of our columnists Donna Gray plans at least one vacation every year with her husband Dave and another with some friends They have a great time and in that relaxed atmosphere they develop a marketing plan for the next 12 months They come back ready revitalize the business ndash because they have been revitalized
3 ) Ta k e a c o u r s e Continuing education is one of the best ways to gain another perspective We discover new ways to do things in our business whether it rsquos marketing f inances graphics or production We improve our skills so we have more value to offer our customers and more leadership for our employees
4) Take a daily Quiet Time We are all so busy doing outward activity that we seldom take time to go within and be quiet That puts us out of balance However you do it -- meditation prayer walk in nature ndash itrsquos valuable to spend some time everyday settling down and just being This is an immediate and satisfying way to gain another perspective Watching TV and exercising donrsquot count Itrsquos got to be quiet time where the body and mind really relax
Irsquove done all of these at one time or another and the wonderful secret about gaining another perspective is that it also opens the door to creativity Itrsquos like we have to break out of our regular patterns in order to approach our projects with a creative eye and energy For those who use CorelDRAW itrsquos essential to cultivate another perspective regularly See you up in the clouds Have a nice flight
July 2009 4Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
18884374564 bull salesepiloglasercom
From creating unique projects like architectural models to engraving on high-tech gadgets our laser systems provide a wide variety of capabilities Create all the products you see here with one very versatile laser system
Visit wwwepiloglasercomcoreldrawprohtm for more information
Tech tattoos are just the beginning
Zing 24 30-60 watt laser - 24 x 12 engraving areabullWorks like a printer - USB or Ethernet connectionbullEngrave on almost any surfacebullEasily cut wood acrylic plastic and much morebullJust import an image and print bullit to the laser
All it takes is one idea
Zing 16 Systems Starting at $7995
The New Zing 24 Laser System
July 2009HelpCorelDRAWreg 5Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web site
July 2009
Magazine sponsors Logo-LinksTour sponsors Logo-Links
Corel Corp Web AdCustom Graphic Technology Web AdEpilog Laser Corp Web AdGeo Knight amp Co Web AdJohn E Lepper Inc Web AdJohnson Plastics Web AdLasersketch Web AdNampR International Web AdParamount services Inc Web AdProLink Graphics Web Ad
sPoNsoR INDEX
DEPARTMENTs
Click ldquoWebrdquo to go to sponsorrsquos website Click ldquoAdrdquo to go to the ad in this issue Clicking the ad itself will go to website
LEARN Apply GRoW
3 Inside ACDRP Gain Another Perspective
6 Graphics News Wire26 Logo-Links
30 Focus Embroidery Products 32 GNN Network
32 Marketplace33 Contributing Writers
CorelDRAWreg Help CoNTENTs
7 Using CorelDRAW Cleaning Up Bitmap Artwork by Dave Demoret
10 CorelDRAW AppliedImposition Layout -- For Full-Color Image Transfersby John McDaniel
12 Inside Color Color Correction is Just the Beginning by David Milisock
14 Inside Transfers Unisub silver shines by Bill Leek
16 Inside Screeen Printingsetting Up the Pressby Jeff McDaniel
19 Inside SandblastingMask Equipment Requirementsby Judy McDaniel
21 Inside Engraving Hardware Design -- Bearings Part 2by John McDaniel
23 Getting Ahead Auto Digitizing Is It Right For Youby Deborah Sexton 28 Marketing Secretsstaying sharp in summerrsquos slump by Donna Gray
34 Traveling TidbitsLas Vegas Lone Pine and Rising to a New Level by Otis Veteto
ldquoGiving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more businessrdquo -- Donna Gray
July 2009 6Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICs NEWs WIREJuly 2009
Product News Headlines
Calendar (Web Link)Check out the upcoming training
classes and trade shows of interest to CorelDRAW users
CorelDRAWreg Help
bull Stahls ID offers CAD-PRINTZ Wall Graphics
bull ASI launches email marketing tool for distributors
bull Pulse Microsystem adds Interactive Community to website
bull Hirsch adds new color blended font pack for Tajima units
bull Printa Systems offers Silver Pad Printing Package
bull Floriani Embroidery Commercial Div offers No Show Nylon Mesh Fusible
bull Digital Art Solutions introduces Photo Tools Collection
bull Equipment Zone offers Printer Support Plans for DTG Units
bull Imprintables Warehouse has new premasking application tape
bull Unisub introduces ChromaLuxe Clear
bull Great Dane Graphics offers four new Kids Theme Stock Art
bull ASI introduces Distributor Success System
bull Johnson Plastics to distribute ChromaLuxe Clear
bull Stahls ID releases new Zebra Print
bull RS Owens receives three PPAI Supplier Achievement Award Nominations
bull Scott Fresener introduces T-Seps Color Separation Software
bull Scott Fresener launches T-Biz Network
bull Imprintables Warehouse adds new blog on heat transfers
bull Cotswold offers new Eco-Stick
July 2009 7Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Using CorelDRAWregTraining
Cleaning Up Bitmap ArtworkBy Dave Demoret Contributing writer
Everyone knows all too well about getting Camera-Ready Art or Well-Scanned Images from every source there is including from Professionals who are supposed to know So since we usually donrsquot get the art we need 72dpi direct from the internet we need to re-create a lot of it one way or another
Letrsquos take a look at one way to take an image in bitmap format and clean it up change it to a vector format and use as little time as necessary for the job Keep in mind that this is just one way of doing this and also that you are in business to make money and not art master pieces If you cannot profit from your work you wonrsquot work long
A customer sent in this image to show the kind of artwork they got from their customers all the time This image really is in better shape than most and will be relatively easy to show how this process works
AssEssING THE BITMAP
1 Import the bitmap image 2 Check the dpi and the sharpness of the image edges3 Here the original image was 10rdquo x 7rdquo at 72dpi We have a 72dpi in comparison to a 293dpi image at the right Figure 1 To get a higher dpi and sharper image reduce the size of the image by selecting and dragging one of the corner nodes until you have the desired dpi range4 If your image color is fairly solid and the image is fairly sharp and clear of other debris you may choose to do one of the methods to follow5 If you have an image that cannot be reduced to increase the dpi and sharpness you may need to do the following steps a) place the artwork in your scanner you may need to print it first if the bitmap was sent to you by eMail b) Re-Scan the artwork at a higher dpi of no less than 300 and probably no
more than 600dpi This will usually allow you to get a cleaner image to start with c) With the artwork at the higher dpi you again may choose one of the methods below
Method 1 Converting the Artwork to Black amp White
The reason you are changing the image to black amp white is for edge definition density of color and speed Remember yoursquore in business to make money To do this just follow these steps
1 Select your new image click on lsquobitmapsrsquo in the main menu2 Then in the pull down menu select lsquoModersquo3 In the lsquoModersquo flyout menu select lsquoBlack amp White (1bit)rsquo as in Figure 24 This will produce a pop-up menu as in Figure 3 where you will want to select lsquoLine Artrsquo in the Conversion Method box also shown in Figure 35 At this point you will select the new image go to the Property Bar and click on Trace Bitmap and chose lsquoLine Artrsquo6 This will produce the best image in a vector format as in Figure 4 The image is clean and solid but the text in the artwork
has been all but totally washed out of the image
Note Notice the text has been removed in Figure 4 This is because the color of the text was not dark enough to reproduce as black in the conversion method Most of the time you will want to select the proper
July 2009 8Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Using CorelDRAWregTraining
font and type it in yourself anyway We donrsquot worry too much about the text converting since it is more desirable to use a ldquofontrdquo so you can do editing later
7 You may now select the proper color to put back into the new vector image and add the text (For more on how to add color amp text call us)
Method 2 solidifying the Color
The second method takes just a little more time but it is sometimes necessary due to very poor color density you may choose to do the first part of this method even if you finish with the Black amp White method This is just to solidify the color (or increase the density)
After assessing the bitmap you may choose to clean up the color That is we will make the bitmap colors more of one solid color as opposed to the hundreds of color pixels seen in the original
1 The first step is to click on the bitmap image to select it2 Go to the Property Bar and click on lsquoEdit Bitmaprsquo This should take you directly into Corel PHOTO-PAINT3 With the image in PHOTO-PAINT if you zoom in closely you will easily see how different your colors are in each pixel as in Figure 5 We want to make them all the same color or red or blue4 While you are still zoomed in close select the Eyedropper Tool and chose a dark blue pixel5 Notice the blue square at the bottom of your Tool Box on the left This is the Foreground Color Square There is also a double arrow icon next to it This is for swapping colors of Foreground and Background Colors6 Click on the double arrow icon placing the blue in the background and then select a lighter shade of blue to be placed in the Foreground Color Square
Note You may also use any color from the Color Palette to swap colors as in Figure 7
7 At this point you are ready to change all the pixels to one color Simply go to the Paint Tool Flyout menu just under the bucket in your Tool Box and select the last icon Replace Color Brush Tool8 You may want to increase or decrease your lsquoNib Sizersquo from your Property Bar for this tool Here I have it at 60 but it will be relative to your zoom level and how
July 2009 9Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
fast you want to change color Just hold down your left mouse button and drag to change colors8 In some cases you may also want to increase or decrease your lsquoColor Tolerancersquo or range This will accept or reject certain pixels not falling into the tolerance you have selected Play with this to see the different effect it will have on your image9 Now all you need do is to leave PHOTO-PAINT with either a copy and paste method (much safer) or just click on the X in the red box top left corner and select lsquoyesrsquo when it asks if you wish to save changes This step will automatically put you back into CorelDRAW and place your changed image on your page10 With your colors solid you can now lsquoTrace Bitmaprsquo in color and finish your vector image using it as is or keep the graphic and ad the text separately as in Figure 8
For more information on different techniques or individual questions you may call direct at the number below We also have On-Line Training on Tuesdays as well as one-on-one On-Line Training available
I would love to hear comments and questions
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry over the past 30 years Dave has used CorelDRAWreg since version 3 and became a CorelDRAW Training Partner in 2006 During the past 5 years he has been conducting workshops all over the US and is the author of several Video CDs amp Instructional CDs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or by email at davedprolinkgscom
Using CorelDRAWreg
The legendary power of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is
all around you In promotional items brochures logos
signs and so much more
reg
copy 2009 Corel Corporation All rights reserved
Find out more at
Donrsquot own a previous version Get started for free at
wwwcorelcomcdprotrial
wwwcorelco cdm pro
With extensive file compatibility and powerful automationand customization features to optimize your workflowCorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 can deliver on any designproject - from layout and photo editing to illustration andpowerful bitmap-to-vector tracing
reg
July 2009 10Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoRELDRAW APPLIEDBy Judy and John McDaniel Learn
Imposition Layout ndash For Full-Color Image TransfersSo far in this series wersquove showed how Imposition Layout in CorelDRAW can be used to duplicate layouts for standard labels and then how it can be modified to create custom layouts
To ReviewWe can use Imposition Layout with Laser Engravers Mechanical Engravers Sublimation Printers Vinyl Cutters Sandblast Film Printers etc etc Essentially we can use it with any output device that has a print driver for Windows and even some that donrsquot
As wersquove shown before to effectively use Imposition Layout we need to use the productrsquos size as the page size in CorelDRAW or if we want to introduce a gutter between pieces a page size that is slightly larger than
the product size And then in the output devicersquos printer driver use (1) a standard paper size or (2) a custom material size or (3) the machinersquos table size
Following this practice will allow us to duplicate and distribute one layout over the output material creating as many copies as will fit
In some of the previous articles we have used this feature to ldquostep and repeatrdquo a static layout Essentially applications where all the pieces produced are identical Last time we showed how Imposition Layout can be used with variable information
Up to this point we have concentrated on simple projects that contain no photographic images applications
that are designed primarily for engraving What we will tackle now is how we can apply imposition layout tools in full-color image transfer applications First where the image is static and text information is variable then wersquoll consider an application where pictures are a part of the variable data
our First ProjectThe first project we will tackle is full-color name badges to wear in the office and at trade shows If you have a retail shop or sell your products at shows fairs etc wearing company badges is excellent advertising If at all possible itrsquos always good to wear your work It shows potential customers one of the products you
can create for them
The first decision we need to make is badge size and image transfer method For our purposes (advertising and identification) we will select a pre-cut 2x3 inch badge and transfer the image via sublimation That will give us lots of area for a full color print with vibrant colors
Since we donrsquot want to produce badges one at a time our first task is to create or purchase a holding fixture ie production jig For sublimation image transfer purposes our fixture needs to be able to withstand temperatures in a heat press (approximately 400deg F) so it needs to be made from heat resistant materials
By doing a little research on the web we found a pre-cut badge blank and production jig fixture available from Unisub The product number for the badge is 5530 and for the fixture is 5941 Basic CorelDRAW templates are available for both items on their website and the products are available from a number of sublimation material suppliers
The basic template for the badge is shown in picture 1 and for the production jig is picture 2 Both of these are OK but need a little more work to make them really usable
The Badge TemplateWersquoll start by modifying the badge template Yoursquoll notice itrsquos setup on an 85 x 11 inch page with Basic CorelDRAW template for a name badge
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CORElDRAW APPlIED
a text description of the two colored rectangles a blue rectangle on top of a green one
letrsquos first define what those areas are The blue rectangle represents the productrsquos size the green one is a suggested overprint area otherwise known as bleed
The purpose of the bleed is to insure the entire surface of the badge is printed If you donrsquot overprint the transfer a little you run the risk of having a white edge showing on the finished product That said everything that must appear on the product must fit within the blue area
The template is not usable in its present state except
as a guide Any background image can be placed within the green rectangle using the PowerClip command and the blue rectangle can be used as a reference for what will appear on the product
However we do not want to print the text and probably want to print more than one image on a sheet of transfer paper or at the very least have the option of using a smaller sheet
To make the template more usable I would suggest the following changes1 Delete the text -- left click on the text and press the delete key on the keyboard2 Resize the page to the size of the green rectangle -- 325 x 225 inches in landscape mode change the page size on the property bar with nothing in the layout selected3 Make sure the rectangles are centered on the new page -- If they are not select both rectangles and then press the P key on the keyboard4 Give the blue rectangle a blue outline (or any other color you would like) and remove its fill -- left-click on the blue rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click blue on the color palette to create a blue outline5 Give the green rectangle a green outline and remove its fill -- left-click on the green rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click green (or any other color you would like) on the color palette to create an outline
Production jig available from Unisub
6 Make sure the Object Manager Docker is visible -- If itrsquos not click on ToolsObject Manager or WindowsDockersObject Manager7 In the Object Manager create a new layer (for convention I have named the layer Product Outline)8 Optionally rename the original layer Print Area9 Drag the Blue Outline and drop it on the Product Outline layer10 Turn the Product Outline layer off for printing and editing Left-click the printer and pencil icons next to the layer name in the Object Manager Docker11 Create another new layer (Irsquove named this the Background layer) Drag this layer below the Print Area layer We will use this layer to import any background picture we want to use for the product12 Create one final new layer to contain any text and additional graphics we want to print on the product13 Make sure the layers are ordered top down -- Text amp Graphics Product Outline Print Area and Background and make sure Product Outline is off for printing and editing14 Save the layout as a CorelDRAW Template click on FileSave As TemplateSee picture 3 for the completed template
ConclusionWhat we have accomplished so far is to take a manufacturerrsquos product template and modify it for our use The original template had a single item on the page and was not suitable for use with Imposition Layout or Print Merge We have changed all of that Next time we will start with the revised template and populate it with a background and text for use with Print Merge
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWhelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training as well as one-on-one application support through an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom (For information on the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals please visit wwwCorelDRAWProcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom
Completed template
cDH
July 2009 12Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE CoLoRBy David Milisock Learn
Color Correction is Just the Beginning What Irsquove done here with the gracious consent of my friend and colleague Nancy Seibert of Advanced Signs and Graphics is to set up a situation where we can discuss not only color correction but simple image manipulation Captures A and B are the end result of an image capture of Nancy and some author who thinks he knows some stuff about color converted from RAW to Prophoto RGB with all the details as shown in capture C and then converted to US coated V2 CMYK
The most interesting and difficult concept of color is that in many instances there is no right or wrong I left the images on A and B in the file as high resolution so you
can zoom in on them and examine them more closely If we place 20 people into a room and view these two images we may get as many as 20 different opinions In my experience yoursquoll get 3 to 5 different opinions for sure The arguments will go like this Well A or B (depending on the opinion) has more natural flesh tones and B or A has more accurate whites
All of these discussions are wonderful and are the things that build character in the group Needless to say in the end on a calibrated system it is this character that will be making the decisions on how the image should be corrected
I have a very long term relationship with my monitor a Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 91TXM and know that it and no other monitor display exactly like the print The display system is regularly calibrated and work is always checked against the print In the case of these two images both display well image A displays just close to being too flat and too bluegreen and image B displays just being on the edge of being too warm but the contrast value is smoother in the shadow tones (Not to mention the corrections for camera faults that we will discuss later) With that said on the Heidelberg press that we regularly use when we run to the calibrated densitometer numbers the slight color shift will be toward the bluegreen Also I converted these using the Adobe US Coated V2 CMYK as it is readily available for all to use for proper previewing of this article Normally I would have used a Kodak CMyK profile that shipped with an older version of CorelDRAW which I believe is a superior CMyK profile
So the argument goes back and forth about the color and the fact is that while we may have our opinion there is a spread in the shifts in the color that are acceptable because in the end it comes down to our opinion Among the general opinion of the population of our client base repeatable acceptable or exceptional results in color are some of what brings them back So what are some of the other parts that bring the clients back In my opinion achieving the goal of the shot In this case we wanted snap shots that could be used to help promote our companies via print web and self promotion The key word was SNAP SHOTS to look natural Not model shots or product shots So what we simply do is to try and remove any errors
July 2009 13Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE COlOR
cDH
induced by the capture process while retaining the natural look of the subject
Notice in image A that there is a very slight amount of red eye on her right cheek and nose there was a touch of sheen Around the mouth there was some shine that was also removed All these things have been removed in image B
Image A has in my opinion issues due to this sheen Your eye does not properly focus on the center of the face of the subject I prefer the focus of an image of a person to be on the subjectrsquos eyes and toward the center left and right of the image if at all possible
The only editing done of this image was to convert from RAW to Prophoto color correction using only the tone curves via LAB Adobe RGB and US coated V2 color spaces and this included the contrast adjustment There was also a very slight amount of cloning to remove the reflection from the light source NO SMOOTH SKIN or any other effects Only the tone curves and the aforementioned cloning
Image B when almost finished displayed one issue that irked me and that was the shine in Nancyrsquos left eye right as we look at the image This shine caused the viewerrsquos focus to shift right instead of to the center You will have to zoom into the eyes on both images to get the full effect of how subtle this adjustment is I used the clone tool and removed just a very slight amount of that shine in her left eye This brings the viewerrsquos focus back toward the center of the face and creates a more pleasant experience when viewing this image
David Milisock president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc of Lancaster PA has been in the print production business since 1975 He specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite He started supporting CorelDRAW files for print output with V4 Output includes computer to plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems and also offers Giclee printing He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
What Readers say about CorelDRAWHelp MagazineDigital FormatWell thought out Well designed Easy to follow links Better than a snail-mail magazine because the provided links give immediate access to addtional information and resources Leo Lennemann Sandra Leersquos Trophy amp Gift Grove OK
I think it is easy to get around in page by page in pdf format John J Runyon South Metro Wire EDM Inc Shakopee MN
I look forward to each issue I actually print it and keep it in a binder for future reference You continue to help my awards business grow due to the educational and how-to articles Rob Thomas Celebrations Farmington MO
Excellent ContentThis magazine is a great resource I have gained a great deal of insight into the program and Irsquove also found sources of supply Nelson Wood Woodrsquos Wood Works Caledonia MI
I love reading CorelDRAWHelp Itrsquos quite informative and really gets my creative juices flowing Debbie Santiago New Jacobrsquos Chapel Clermont FL
Keeps me up to date Look forward to it Save every issue and print articles of interest to put into my lsquotrainingrsquo book for employees Chris Williams Created For You Horsehoe Bay TX
Helps keep me informed about new products and new ways to use CorelDRAW Lawrence Coen Coen Enterprises amp Graphics ElkhartKS
Your articles help keep me up to date on many new technological methods which are a tremendous help in my style of business Gary Whitener Cody Tees Ste Genevieve MO
I like all of it It is [full of] very informative clear concise articles Trish Stuart Twisted Threads Emory TX
Great info in every issue Dennis Duval Duvalrsquos Custom Etched Glass Jasper TX
CorelDRAWHelp is like a refresher course it lets me in on better ways to do graphic techniques A time saver Dianne Beck Poulsbo Church Poulsbo WAI appreciate the fact that CorelDRAWHelp is focused on helping the business owner become successful I havenrsquot read an issue that hasnrsquot given me something to assist my business Jim Good A2Z Engraving Madison AL
July 2009 14Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE TRANsFERsBy Bill Leek Apply
Universal WoodsUnisubreg of Louisville KY has just released a new series of products built around a great new silver aluminum substrate with a clear scratch and UV-resistant sublimation coating that will appeal to both the photographic and personalized products markets
The photographic reproduction products are marketed as CHROMALUXE CLEARtrade They provide an exciting addition to the already highly successful ChromLuxe white-coated photo product line The ChromaLuxe
high-definition photo panels are unlike anything else available The special clear coating on silver aluminum provides photographers with a unique and modern look to images that cannot be replicated using any other technique Photographers have sought a method for printing their images on silver for some time Some silver-coated inkjet papers have been released but they have not come close to the look and durability of this new Unisub product Black-and-white photographers will particularly like the highly reflective gloss aluminum
finish landscapes product shots and portraits come to life with a stunning elegant appearance ChromaLuxe Clear opens up a whole new printing dimension for them
ChromaLuxe panels are 045rdquo thick and have 25rdquo rounded corners They are available in 8x10 11x14 115x115 and 16x20 sizes I would like to see a 12x16 panel that could be printed on a 13x19 format printer and transferred on a 16x20 heat press As with all Unisub products pressing time is only a minute and obtaining good results is virtually foolproof
The panels can be displayed in many different ways Unisub offers an inexpensive offset mounting system Vintage black-and-white photos can be mounted in a variety of nostalgic wood frames I particularly like using low profile shadowbox modular metallic frames that complement the image These are available in many finishes and are relatively inexpensive
HoW To GET THE BEsT REsULTs
ChromaLuxe Clear will work best with higher contrast slightly darker images Proper image selection and adjustment is key for optimum results Soft pastel prints on silver will appear washed out and kind of gimmicky When working with color images with more intense colors and somewhat harsher light will provide the most stunning results Cars motorcycles and anything that has chrome on it are perfect subjects Dramatic landscapes (Ansel Adams) sunsets and seascapes also look great on this material
If your source photo does not meet these requirements you can add contrast using the TONE CURVE adjustment in Corel PHOTO-PAINTreg and apply an S CURVE (An illustration of this is included)
UNISUB SILVER SHINESUnisubrsquos Brand New Sublimation Substrate Produces Dramatic Results
S CURVE Using PhotoPaint apply
an S Curve as illustrated to
increase contrast of your image
prior to transfer
July 2009 15Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE tRAnSFERS
WAIThellipTHERErsquos MoRE
In addition Universal Woods has released license plates name badges id tags and clock kits made from the same silver aluminum These are marketed as UNISUB SILVERtradeThe combination of great looks durability and the extra thickness of the 045 aluminum make this product line world class The photos in this article speak for themselves
CoNCLUsIoNs
Universal Woods again shines and stands out as a true innovator and market leader in the sublimation marketplace ChromaLuxe Cleartrade and Unisub Silvertrade are exceptional imprintable substrates Order some samples today You wonrsquot be disappointed
Bill Leek is a industry writer based in HoustonTX He has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and has done testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
CHROME SILVER SATIN The beauty of ChromaLux Clear is demonstrated
in this high contrast image with vibrant colors
LICENSE PLATE License Plates produced with Unisub Silver have a dramatic look and
are extremely durable
SMALL SILVER ITEMS Unisub Silver provides a perfect substrate for these high quality name
badges and id tags
cDH
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
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InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
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InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
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InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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July 2009HelpCorelDRAWreg 2Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web site
July 2009 3Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Inside ACDRP
By Mike Neer Executive Director
Gain Another Perspective
Published by Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals
President John H McDanielVice President Judith McDaniel
Executive Director Michael R NeerAssoc Exec Director Steven V Neer
ACDRP Corporate Office Albany OR
OfficesMembership amp Publishing offices located at
4549 N Glenn Suite 110Fresno CA 93704
800-276-8428 559-276-8494 Fax 559-222-1390wwwCorelDRAWHelpcomeditorcoreldrawprocom
subscriptions Free to qualified individuals and businesses Send change of address to the above
AcDRP Membership $60yr See the website for details Includes exclusive content and more
Advertising Request a Media Guide or download it from wwwCorelDRAWHelpcom
Writers CorelDRAWPro accepts articles from industry experts Email publisher for details
copy Copyright 2009 by ACDRP All Rights Reserved
EDIToR PUBLIsHER ndash Michael R Neermikeneercoreldrawprocom
GRAPHICs ndash John MiseADVERTIsING ndash John McDaniel IIjhmcdaniel2coreldrawprocom
541-990-6687
JULY 2009
HelpCorelDRAWreg
Last week my oldest son Matt turned 21 I wanted to celebrate his birthday with a gift that hersquod remember for a long time After all turning 21 is a big deal ndash and I think it means a lot more than being able to legally buy a beer
I had always wanted to take my boys on a plane r ide and we hadnrsquo t had an opportunity since they were little and they donrsquot remember that I always thought wersquod travel to Washington DC or Orlando FL
or someplace fun But for this birthday the idea popped up that maybe it wouldnrsquot cost too much to charter a flight in the local area So I checked it out and for $150-$200 we could charter a single-engine prop airplane and go for a one-hour ride above the Valley
Both my boys were amazed at how small everything looked from up there The checkerboard pattern of farm lands the spaghetti lines of roads the wildly curving San Joaquin River and even buildings like City Hall the baseball stadium the schools ndash they saw everything with a new perspective
And thatrsquos my point for this column Whenever we can step back from or above the daily routines and conflicts we are able to put things in perspective Our everyday problems seem less problematic Our worries are just part of a bigger picture This perspective is really comforting relaxing and gives us motivation to take a fresh start at our dayrsquos activities
So when wersquore worried about the economy or about how our business is doing or any number of other things in our lives itrsquos a wonderful tonic to gain another perspective Just off the top of my head I can think of four great ways to do just that
1) Take an airplane ride I donrsquot know about you but I get rejuvenated flying up high I can think more clearly plan more relax more Itrsquos as if Irsquom floating above the heavy stress of earth and the inspiration and creativity is greater
2) Take a vacation One of our columnists Donna Gray plans at least one vacation every year with her husband Dave and another with some friends They have a great time and in that relaxed atmosphere they develop a marketing plan for the next 12 months They come back ready revitalize the business ndash because they have been revitalized
3 ) Ta k e a c o u r s e Continuing education is one of the best ways to gain another perspective We discover new ways to do things in our business whether it rsquos marketing f inances graphics or production We improve our skills so we have more value to offer our customers and more leadership for our employees
4) Take a daily Quiet Time We are all so busy doing outward activity that we seldom take time to go within and be quiet That puts us out of balance However you do it -- meditation prayer walk in nature ndash itrsquos valuable to spend some time everyday settling down and just being This is an immediate and satisfying way to gain another perspective Watching TV and exercising donrsquot count Itrsquos got to be quiet time where the body and mind really relax
Irsquove done all of these at one time or another and the wonderful secret about gaining another perspective is that it also opens the door to creativity Itrsquos like we have to break out of our regular patterns in order to approach our projects with a creative eye and energy For those who use CorelDRAW itrsquos essential to cultivate another perspective regularly See you up in the clouds Have a nice flight
July 2009 4Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
18884374564 bull salesepiloglasercom
From creating unique projects like architectural models to engraving on high-tech gadgets our laser systems provide a wide variety of capabilities Create all the products you see here with one very versatile laser system
Visit wwwepiloglasercomcoreldrawprohtm for more information
Tech tattoos are just the beginning
Zing 24 30-60 watt laser - 24 x 12 engraving areabullWorks like a printer - USB or Ethernet connectionbullEngrave on almost any surfacebullEasily cut wood acrylic plastic and much morebullJust import an image and print bullit to the laser
All it takes is one idea
Zing 16 Systems Starting at $7995
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July 2009HelpCorelDRAWreg 5Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web site
July 2009
Magazine sponsors Logo-LinksTour sponsors Logo-Links
Corel Corp Web AdCustom Graphic Technology Web AdEpilog Laser Corp Web AdGeo Knight amp Co Web AdJohn E Lepper Inc Web AdJohnson Plastics Web AdLasersketch Web AdNampR International Web AdParamount services Inc Web AdProLink Graphics Web Ad
sPoNsoR INDEX
DEPARTMENTs
Click ldquoWebrdquo to go to sponsorrsquos website Click ldquoAdrdquo to go to the ad in this issue Clicking the ad itself will go to website
LEARN Apply GRoW
3 Inside ACDRP Gain Another Perspective
6 Graphics News Wire26 Logo-Links
30 Focus Embroidery Products 32 GNN Network
32 Marketplace33 Contributing Writers
CorelDRAWreg Help CoNTENTs
7 Using CorelDRAW Cleaning Up Bitmap Artwork by Dave Demoret
10 CorelDRAW AppliedImposition Layout -- For Full-Color Image Transfersby John McDaniel
12 Inside Color Color Correction is Just the Beginning by David Milisock
14 Inside Transfers Unisub silver shines by Bill Leek
16 Inside Screeen Printingsetting Up the Pressby Jeff McDaniel
19 Inside SandblastingMask Equipment Requirementsby Judy McDaniel
21 Inside Engraving Hardware Design -- Bearings Part 2by John McDaniel
23 Getting Ahead Auto Digitizing Is It Right For Youby Deborah Sexton 28 Marketing Secretsstaying sharp in summerrsquos slump by Donna Gray
34 Traveling TidbitsLas Vegas Lone Pine and Rising to a New Level by Otis Veteto
ldquoGiving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more businessrdquo -- Donna Gray
July 2009 6Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICs NEWs WIREJuly 2009
Product News Headlines
Calendar (Web Link)Check out the upcoming training
classes and trade shows of interest to CorelDRAW users
CorelDRAWreg Help
bull Stahls ID offers CAD-PRINTZ Wall Graphics
bull ASI launches email marketing tool for distributors
bull Pulse Microsystem adds Interactive Community to website
bull Hirsch adds new color blended font pack for Tajima units
bull Printa Systems offers Silver Pad Printing Package
bull Floriani Embroidery Commercial Div offers No Show Nylon Mesh Fusible
bull Digital Art Solutions introduces Photo Tools Collection
bull Equipment Zone offers Printer Support Plans for DTG Units
bull Imprintables Warehouse has new premasking application tape
bull Unisub introduces ChromaLuxe Clear
bull Great Dane Graphics offers four new Kids Theme Stock Art
bull ASI introduces Distributor Success System
bull Johnson Plastics to distribute ChromaLuxe Clear
bull Stahls ID releases new Zebra Print
bull RS Owens receives three PPAI Supplier Achievement Award Nominations
bull Scott Fresener introduces T-Seps Color Separation Software
bull Scott Fresener launches T-Biz Network
bull Imprintables Warehouse adds new blog on heat transfers
bull Cotswold offers new Eco-Stick
July 2009 7Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Using CorelDRAWregTraining
Cleaning Up Bitmap ArtworkBy Dave Demoret Contributing writer
Everyone knows all too well about getting Camera-Ready Art or Well-Scanned Images from every source there is including from Professionals who are supposed to know So since we usually donrsquot get the art we need 72dpi direct from the internet we need to re-create a lot of it one way or another
Letrsquos take a look at one way to take an image in bitmap format and clean it up change it to a vector format and use as little time as necessary for the job Keep in mind that this is just one way of doing this and also that you are in business to make money and not art master pieces If you cannot profit from your work you wonrsquot work long
A customer sent in this image to show the kind of artwork they got from their customers all the time This image really is in better shape than most and will be relatively easy to show how this process works
AssEssING THE BITMAP
1 Import the bitmap image 2 Check the dpi and the sharpness of the image edges3 Here the original image was 10rdquo x 7rdquo at 72dpi We have a 72dpi in comparison to a 293dpi image at the right Figure 1 To get a higher dpi and sharper image reduce the size of the image by selecting and dragging one of the corner nodes until you have the desired dpi range4 If your image color is fairly solid and the image is fairly sharp and clear of other debris you may choose to do one of the methods to follow5 If you have an image that cannot be reduced to increase the dpi and sharpness you may need to do the following steps a) place the artwork in your scanner you may need to print it first if the bitmap was sent to you by eMail b) Re-Scan the artwork at a higher dpi of no less than 300 and probably no
more than 600dpi This will usually allow you to get a cleaner image to start with c) With the artwork at the higher dpi you again may choose one of the methods below
Method 1 Converting the Artwork to Black amp White
The reason you are changing the image to black amp white is for edge definition density of color and speed Remember yoursquore in business to make money To do this just follow these steps
1 Select your new image click on lsquobitmapsrsquo in the main menu2 Then in the pull down menu select lsquoModersquo3 In the lsquoModersquo flyout menu select lsquoBlack amp White (1bit)rsquo as in Figure 24 This will produce a pop-up menu as in Figure 3 where you will want to select lsquoLine Artrsquo in the Conversion Method box also shown in Figure 35 At this point you will select the new image go to the Property Bar and click on Trace Bitmap and chose lsquoLine Artrsquo6 This will produce the best image in a vector format as in Figure 4 The image is clean and solid but the text in the artwork
has been all but totally washed out of the image
Note Notice the text has been removed in Figure 4 This is because the color of the text was not dark enough to reproduce as black in the conversion method Most of the time you will want to select the proper
July 2009 8Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Using CorelDRAWregTraining
font and type it in yourself anyway We donrsquot worry too much about the text converting since it is more desirable to use a ldquofontrdquo so you can do editing later
7 You may now select the proper color to put back into the new vector image and add the text (For more on how to add color amp text call us)
Method 2 solidifying the Color
The second method takes just a little more time but it is sometimes necessary due to very poor color density you may choose to do the first part of this method even if you finish with the Black amp White method This is just to solidify the color (or increase the density)
After assessing the bitmap you may choose to clean up the color That is we will make the bitmap colors more of one solid color as opposed to the hundreds of color pixels seen in the original
1 The first step is to click on the bitmap image to select it2 Go to the Property Bar and click on lsquoEdit Bitmaprsquo This should take you directly into Corel PHOTO-PAINT3 With the image in PHOTO-PAINT if you zoom in closely you will easily see how different your colors are in each pixel as in Figure 5 We want to make them all the same color or red or blue4 While you are still zoomed in close select the Eyedropper Tool and chose a dark blue pixel5 Notice the blue square at the bottom of your Tool Box on the left This is the Foreground Color Square There is also a double arrow icon next to it This is for swapping colors of Foreground and Background Colors6 Click on the double arrow icon placing the blue in the background and then select a lighter shade of blue to be placed in the Foreground Color Square
Note You may also use any color from the Color Palette to swap colors as in Figure 7
7 At this point you are ready to change all the pixels to one color Simply go to the Paint Tool Flyout menu just under the bucket in your Tool Box and select the last icon Replace Color Brush Tool8 You may want to increase or decrease your lsquoNib Sizersquo from your Property Bar for this tool Here I have it at 60 but it will be relative to your zoom level and how
July 2009 9Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
fast you want to change color Just hold down your left mouse button and drag to change colors8 In some cases you may also want to increase or decrease your lsquoColor Tolerancersquo or range This will accept or reject certain pixels not falling into the tolerance you have selected Play with this to see the different effect it will have on your image9 Now all you need do is to leave PHOTO-PAINT with either a copy and paste method (much safer) or just click on the X in the red box top left corner and select lsquoyesrsquo when it asks if you wish to save changes This step will automatically put you back into CorelDRAW and place your changed image on your page10 With your colors solid you can now lsquoTrace Bitmaprsquo in color and finish your vector image using it as is or keep the graphic and ad the text separately as in Figure 8
For more information on different techniques or individual questions you may call direct at the number below We also have On-Line Training on Tuesdays as well as one-on-one On-Line Training available
I would love to hear comments and questions
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry over the past 30 years Dave has used CorelDRAWreg since version 3 and became a CorelDRAW Training Partner in 2006 During the past 5 years he has been conducting workshops all over the US and is the author of several Video CDs amp Instructional CDs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or by email at davedprolinkgscom
Using CorelDRAWreg
The legendary power of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is
all around you In promotional items brochures logos
signs and so much more
reg
copy 2009 Corel Corporation All rights reserved
Find out more at
Donrsquot own a previous version Get started for free at
wwwcorelcomcdprotrial
wwwcorelco cdm pro
With extensive file compatibility and powerful automationand customization features to optimize your workflowCorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 can deliver on any designproject - from layout and photo editing to illustration andpowerful bitmap-to-vector tracing
reg
July 2009 10Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoRELDRAW APPLIEDBy Judy and John McDaniel Learn
Imposition Layout ndash For Full-Color Image TransfersSo far in this series wersquove showed how Imposition Layout in CorelDRAW can be used to duplicate layouts for standard labels and then how it can be modified to create custom layouts
To ReviewWe can use Imposition Layout with Laser Engravers Mechanical Engravers Sublimation Printers Vinyl Cutters Sandblast Film Printers etc etc Essentially we can use it with any output device that has a print driver for Windows and even some that donrsquot
As wersquove shown before to effectively use Imposition Layout we need to use the productrsquos size as the page size in CorelDRAW or if we want to introduce a gutter between pieces a page size that is slightly larger than
the product size And then in the output devicersquos printer driver use (1) a standard paper size or (2) a custom material size or (3) the machinersquos table size
Following this practice will allow us to duplicate and distribute one layout over the output material creating as many copies as will fit
In some of the previous articles we have used this feature to ldquostep and repeatrdquo a static layout Essentially applications where all the pieces produced are identical Last time we showed how Imposition Layout can be used with variable information
Up to this point we have concentrated on simple projects that contain no photographic images applications
that are designed primarily for engraving What we will tackle now is how we can apply imposition layout tools in full-color image transfer applications First where the image is static and text information is variable then wersquoll consider an application where pictures are a part of the variable data
our First ProjectThe first project we will tackle is full-color name badges to wear in the office and at trade shows If you have a retail shop or sell your products at shows fairs etc wearing company badges is excellent advertising If at all possible itrsquos always good to wear your work It shows potential customers one of the products you
can create for them
The first decision we need to make is badge size and image transfer method For our purposes (advertising and identification) we will select a pre-cut 2x3 inch badge and transfer the image via sublimation That will give us lots of area for a full color print with vibrant colors
Since we donrsquot want to produce badges one at a time our first task is to create or purchase a holding fixture ie production jig For sublimation image transfer purposes our fixture needs to be able to withstand temperatures in a heat press (approximately 400deg F) so it needs to be made from heat resistant materials
By doing a little research on the web we found a pre-cut badge blank and production jig fixture available from Unisub The product number for the badge is 5530 and for the fixture is 5941 Basic CorelDRAW templates are available for both items on their website and the products are available from a number of sublimation material suppliers
The basic template for the badge is shown in picture 1 and for the production jig is picture 2 Both of these are OK but need a little more work to make them really usable
The Badge TemplateWersquoll start by modifying the badge template Yoursquoll notice itrsquos setup on an 85 x 11 inch page with Basic CorelDRAW template for a name badge
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CORElDRAW APPlIED
a text description of the two colored rectangles a blue rectangle on top of a green one
letrsquos first define what those areas are The blue rectangle represents the productrsquos size the green one is a suggested overprint area otherwise known as bleed
The purpose of the bleed is to insure the entire surface of the badge is printed If you donrsquot overprint the transfer a little you run the risk of having a white edge showing on the finished product That said everything that must appear on the product must fit within the blue area
The template is not usable in its present state except
as a guide Any background image can be placed within the green rectangle using the PowerClip command and the blue rectangle can be used as a reference for what will appear on the product
However we do not want to print the text and probably want to print more than one image on a sheet of transfer paper or at the very least have the option of using a smaller sheet
To make the template more usable I would suggest the following changes1 Delete the text -- left click on the text and press the delete key on the keyboard2 Resize the page to the size of the green rectangle -- 325 x 225 inches in landscape mode change the page size on the property bar with nothing in the layout selected3 Make sure the rectangles are centered on the new page -- If they are not select both rectangles and then press the P key on the keyboard4 Give the blue rectangle a blue outline (or any other color you would like) and remove its fill -- left-click on the blue rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click blue on the color palette to create a blue outline5 Give the green rectangle a green outline and remove its fill -- left-click on the green rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click green (or any other color you would like) on the color palette to create an outline
Production jig available from Unisub
6 Make sure the Object Manager Docker is visible -- If itrsquos not click on ToolsObject Manager or WindowsDockersObject Manager7 In the Object Manager create a new layer (for convention I have named the layer Product Outline)8 Optionally rename the original layer Print Area9 Drag the Blue Outline and drop it on the Product Outline layer10 Turn the Product Outline layer off for printing and editing Left-click the printer and pencil icons next to the layer name in the Object Manager Docker11 Create another new layer (Irsquove named this the Background layer) Drag this layer below the Print Area layer We will use this layer to import any background picture we want to use for the product12 Create one final new layer to contain any text and additional graphics we want to print on the product13 Make sure the layers are ordered top down -- Text amp Graphics Product Outline Print Area and Background and make sure Product Outline is off for printing and editing14 Save the layout as a CorelDRAW Template click on FileSave As TemplateSee picture 3 for the completed template
ConclusionWhat we have accomplished so far is to take a manufacturerrsquos product template and modify it for our use The original template had a single item on the page and was not suitable for use with Imposition Layout or Print Merge We have changed all of that Next time we will start with the revised template and populate it with a background and text for use with Print Merge
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWhelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training as well as one-on-one application support through an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom (For information on the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals please visit wwwCorelDRAWProcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom
Completed template
cDH
July 2009 12Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE CoLoRBy David Milisock Learn
Color Correction is Just the Beginning What Irsquove done here with the gracious consent of my friend and colleague Nancy Seibert of Advanced Signs and Graphics is to set up a situation where we can discuss not only color correction but simple image manipulation Captures A and B are the end result of an image capture of Nancy and some author who thinks he knows some stuff about color converted from RAW to Prophoto RGB with all the details as shown in capture C and then converted to US coated V2 CMYK
The most interesting and difficult concept of color is that in many instances there is no right or wrong I left the images on A and B in the file as high resolution so you
can zoom in on them and examine them more closely If we place 20 people into a room and view these two images we may get as many as 20 different opinions In my experience yoursquoll get 3 to 5 different opinions for sure The arguments will go like this Well A or B (depending on the opinion) has more natural flesh tones and B or A has more accurate whites
All of these discussions are wonderful and are the things that build character in the group Needless to say in the end on a calibrated system it is this character that will be making the decisions on how the image should be corrected
I have a very long term relationship with my monitor a Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 91TXM and know that it and no other monitor display exactly like the print The display system is regularly calibrated and work is always checked against the print In the case of these two images both display well image A displays just close to being too flat and too bluegreen and image B displays just being on the edge of being too warm but the contrast value is smoother in the shadow tones (Not to mention the corrections for camera faults that we will discuss later) With that said on the Heidelberg press that we regularly use when we run to the calibrated densitometer numbers the slight color shift will be toward the bluegreen Also I converted these using the Adobe US Coated V2 CMYK as it is readily available for all to use for proper previewing of this article Normally I would have used a Kodak CMyK profile that shipped with an older version of CorelDRAW which I believe is a superior CMyK profile
So the argument goes back and forth about the color and the fact is that while we may have our opinion there is a spread in the shifts in the color that are acceptable because in the end it comes down to our opinion Among the general opinion of the population of our client base repeatable acceptable or exceptional results in color are some of what brings them back So what are some of the other parts that bring the clients back In my opinion achieving the goal of the shot In this case we wanted snap shots that could be used to help promote our companies via print web and self promotion The key word was SNAP SHOTS to look natural Not model shots or product shots So what we simply do is to try and remove any errors
July 2009 13Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE COlOR
cDH
induced by the capture process while retaining the natural look of the subject
Notice in image A that there is a very slight amount of red eye on her right cheek and nose there was a touch of sheen Around the mouth there was some shine that was also removed All these things have been removed in image B
Image A has in my opinion issues due to this sheen Your eye does not properly focus on the center of the face of the subject I prefer the focus of an image of a person to be on the subjectrsquos eyes and toward the center left and right of the image if at all possible
The only editing done of this image was to convert from RAW to Prophoto color correction using only the tone curves via LAB Adobe RGB and US coated V2 color spaces and this included the contrast adjustment There was also a very slight amount of cloning to remove the reflection from the light source NO SMOOTH SKIN or any other effects Only the tone curves and the aforementioned cloning
Image B when almost finished displayed one issue that irked me and that was the shine in Nancyrsquos left eye right as we look at the image This shine caused the viewerrsquos focus to shift right instead of to the center You will have to zoom into the eyes on both images to get the full effect of how subtle this adjustment is I used the clone tool and removed just a very slight amount of that shine in her left eye This brings the viewerrsquos focus back toward the center of the face and creates a more pleasant experience when viewing this image
David Milisock president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc of Lancaster PA has been in the print production business since 1975 He specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite He started supporting CorelDRAW files for print output with V4 Output includes computer to plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems and also offers Giclee printing He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
What Readers say about CorelDRAWHelp MagazineDigital FormatWell thought out Well designed Easy to follow links Better than a snail-mail magazine because the provided links give immediate access to addtional information and resources Leo Lennemann Sandra Leersquos Trophy amp Gift Grove OK
I think it is easy to get around in page by page in pdf format John J Runyon South Metro Wire EDM Inc Shakopee MN
I look forward to each issue I actually print it and keep it in a binder for future reference You continue to help my awards business grow due to the educational and how-to articles Rob Thomas Celebrations Farmington MO
Excellent ContentThis magazine is a great resource I have gained a great deal of insight into the program and Irsquove also found sources of supply Nelson Wood Woodrsquos Wood Works Caledonia MI
I love reading CorelDRAWHelp Itrsquos quite informative and really gets my creative juices flowing Debbie Santiago New Jacobrsquos Chapel Clermont FL
Keeps me up to date Look forward to it Save every issue and print articles of interest to put into my lsquotrainingrsquo book for employees Chris Williams Created For You Horsehoe Bay TX
Helps keep me informed about new products and new ways to use CorelDRAW Lawrence Coen Coen Enterprises amp Graphics ElkhartKS
Your articles help keep me up to date on many new technological methods which are a tremendous help in my style of business Gary Whitener Cody Tees Ste Genevieve MO
I like all of it It is [full of] very informative clear concise articles Trish Stuart Twisted Threads Emory TX
Great info in every issue Dennis Duval Duvalrsquos Custom Etched Glass Jasper TX
CorelDRAWHelp is like a refresher course it lets me in on better ways to do graphic techniques A time saver Dianne Beck Poulsbo Church Poulsbo WAI appreciate the fact that CorelDRAWHelp is focused on helping the business owner become successful I havenrsquot read an issue that hasnrsquot given me something to assist my business Jim Good A2Z Engraving Madison AL
July 2009 14Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE TRANsFERsBy Bill Leek Apply
Universal WoodsUnisubreg of Louisville KY has just released a new series of products built around a great new silver aluminum substrate with a clear scratch and UV-resistant sublimation coating that will appeal to both the photographic and personalized products markets
The photographic reproduction products are marketed as CHROMALUXE CLEARtrade They provide an exciting addition to the already highly successful ChromLuxe white-coated photo product line The ChromaLuxe
high-definition photo panels are unlike anything else available The special clear coating on silver aluminum provides photographers with a unique and modern look to images that cannot be replicated using any other technique Photographers have sought a method for printing their images on silver for some time Some silver-coated inkjet papers have been released but they have not come close to the look and durability of this new Unisub product Black-and-white photographers will particularly like the highly reflective gloss aluminum
finish landscapes product shots and portraits come to life with a stunning elegant appearance ChromaLuxe Clear opens up a whole new printing dimension for them
ChromaLuxe panels are 045rdquo thick and have 25rdquo rounded corners They are available in 8x10 11x14 115x115 and 16x20 sizes I would like to see a 12x16 panel that could be printed on a 13x19 format printer and transferred on a 16x20 heat press As with all Unisub products pressing time is only a minute and obtaining good results is virtually foolproof
The panels can be displayed in many different ways Unisub offers an inexpensive offset mounting system Vintage black-and-white photos can be mounted in a variety of nostalgic wood frames I particularly like using low profile shadowbox modular metallic frames that complement the image These are available in many finishes and are relatively inexpensive
HoW To GET THE BEsT REsULTs
ChromaLuxe Clear will work best with higher contrast slightly darker images Proper image selection and adjustment is key for optimum results Soft pastel prints on silver will appear washed out and kind of gimmicky When working with color images with more intense colors and somewhat harsher light will provide the most stunning results Cars motorcycles and anything that has chrome on it are perfect subjects Dramatic landscapes (Ansel Adams) sunsets and seascapes also look great on this material
If your source photo does not meet these requirements you can add contrast using the TONE CURVE adjustment in Corel PHOTO-PAINTreg and apply an S CURVE (An illustration of this is included)
UNISUB SILVER SHINESUnisubrsquos Brand New Sublimation Substrate Produces Dramatic Results
S CURVE Using PhotoPaint apply
an S Curve as illustrated to
increase contrast of your image
prior to transfer
July 2009 15Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE tRAnSFERS
WAIThellipTHERErsquos MoRE
In addition Universal Woods has released license plates name badges id tags and clock kits made from the same silver aluminum These are marketed as UNISUB SILVERtradeThe combination of great looks durability and the extra thickness of the 045 aluminum make this product line world class The photos in this article speak for themselves
CoNCLUsIoNs
Universal Woods again shines and stands out as a true innovator and market leader in the sublimation marketplace ChromaLuxe Cleartrade and Unisub Silvertrade are exceptional imprintable substrates Order some samples today You wonrsquot be disappointed
Bill Leek is a industry writer based in HoustonTX He has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and has done testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
CHROME SILVER SATIN The beauty of ChromaLux Clear is demonstrated
in this high contrast image with vibrant colors
LICENSE PLATE License Plates produced with Unisub Silver have a dramatic look and
are extremely durable
SMALL SILVER ITEMS Unisub Silver provides a perfect substrate for these high quality name
badges and id tags
cDH
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
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InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
July 2009 18Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
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InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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July 2009 3Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Inside ACDRP
By Mike Neer Executive Director
Gain Another Perspective
Published by Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals
President John H McDanielVice President Judith McDaniel
Executive Director Michael R NeerAssoc Exec Director Steven V Neer
ACDRP Corporate Office Albany OR
OfficesMembership amp Publishing offices located at
4549 N Glenn Suite 110Fresno CA 93704
800-276-8428 559-276-8494 Fax 559-222-1390wwwCorelDRAWHelpcomeditorcoreldrawprocom
subscriptions Free to qualified individuals and businesses Send change of address to the above
AcDRP Membership $60yr See the website for details Includes exclusive content and more
Advertising Request a Media Guide or download it from wwwCorelDRAWHelpcom
Writers CorelDRAWPro accepts articles from industry experts Email publisher for details
copy Copyright 2009 by ACDRP All Rights Reserved
EDIToR PUBLIsHER ndash Michael R Neermikeneercoreldrawprocom
GRAPHICs ndash John MiseADVERTIsING ndash John McDaniel IIjhmcdaniel2coreldrawprocom
541-990-6687
JULY 2009
HelpCorelDRAWreg
Last week my oldest son Matt turned 21 I wanted to celebrate his birthday with a gift that hersquod remember for a long time After all turning 21 is a big deal ndash and I think it means a lot more than being able to legally buy a beer
I had always wanted to take my boys on a plane r ide and we hadnrsquo t had an opportunity since they were little and they donrsquot remember that I always thought wersquod travel to Washington DC or Orlando FL
or someplace fun But for this birthday the idea popped up that maybe it wouldnrsquot cost too much to charter a flight in the local area So I checked it out and for $150-$200 we could charter a single-engine prop airplane and go for a one-hour ride above the Valley
Both my boys were amazed at how small everything looked from up there The checkerboard pattern of farm lands the spaghetti lines of roads the wildly curving San Joaquin River and even buildings like City Hall the baseball stadium the schools ndash they saw everything with a new perspective
And thatrsquos my point for this column Whenever we can step back from or above the daily routines and conflicts we are able to put things in perspective Our everyday problems seem less problematic Our worries are just part of a bigger picture This perspective is really comforting relaxing and gives us motivation to take a fresh start at our dayrsquos activities
So when wersquore worried about the economy or about how our business is doing or any number of other things in our lives itrsquos a wonderful tonic to gain another perspective Just off the top of my head I can think of four great ways to do just that
1) Take an airplane ride I donrsquot know about you but I get rejuvenated flying up high I can think more clearly plan more relax more Itrsquos as if Irsquom floating above the heavy stress of earth and the inspiration and creativity is greater
2) Take a vacation One of our columnists Donna Gray plans at least one vacation every year with her husband Dave and another with some friends They have a great time and in that relaxed atmosphere they develop a marketing plan for the next 12 months They come back ready revitalize the business ndash because they have been revitalized
3 ) Ta k e a c o u r s e Continuing education is one of the best ways to gain another perspective We discover new ways to do things in our business whether it rsquos marketing f inances graphics or production We improve our skills so we have more value to offer our customers and more leadership for our employees
4) Take a daily Quiet Time We are all so busy doing outward activity that we seldom take time to go within and be quiet That puts us out of balance However you do it -- meditation prayer walk in nature ndash itrsquos valuable to spend some time everyday settling down and just being This is an immediate and satisfying way to gain another perspective Watching TV and exercising donrsquot count Itrsquos got to be quiet time where the body and mind really relax
Irsquove done all of these at one time or another and the wonderful secret about gaining another perspective is that it also opens the door to creativity Itrsquos like we have to break out of our regular patterns in order to approach our projects with a creative eye and energy For those who use CorelDRAW itrsquos essential to cultivate another perspective regularly See you up in the clouds Have a nice flight
July 2009 4Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
18884374564 bull salesepiloglasercom
From creating unique projects like architectural models to engraving on high-tech gadgets our laser systems provide a wide variety of capabilities Create all the products you see here with one very versatile laser system
Visit wwwepiloglasercomcoreldrawprohtm for more information
Tech tattoos are just the beginning
Zing 24 30-60 watt laser - 24 x 12 engraving areabullWorks like a printer - USB or Ethernet connectionbullEngrave on almost any surfacebullEasily cut wood acrylic plastic and much morebullJust import an image and print bullit to the laser
All it takes is one idea
Zing 16 Systems Starting at $7995
The New Zing 24 Laser System
July 2009HelpCorelDRAWreg 5Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web site
July 2009
Magazine sponsors Logo-LinksTour sponsors Logo-Links
Corel Corp Web AdCustom Graphic Technology Web AdEpilog Laser Corp Web AdGeo Knight amp Co Web AdJohn E Lepper Inc Web AdJohnson Plastics Web AdLasersketch Web AdNampR International Web AdParamount services Inc Web AdProLink Graphics Web Ad
sPoNsoR INDEX
DEPARTMENTs
Click ldquoWebrdquo to go to sponsorrsquos website Click ldquoAdrdquo to go to the ad in this issue Clicking the ad itself will go to website
LEARN Apply GRoW
3 Inside ACDRP Gain Another Perspective
6 Graphics News Wire26 Logo-Links
30 Focus Embroidery Products 32 GNN Network
32 Marketplace33 Contributing Writers
CorelDRAWreg Help CoNTENTs
7 Using CorelDRAW Cleaning Up Bitmap Artwork by Dave Demoret
10 CorelDRAW AppliedImposition Layout -- For Full-Color Image Transfersby John McDaniel
12 Inside Color Color Correction is Just the Beginning by David Milisock
14 Inside Transfers Unisub silver shines by Bill Leek
16 Inside Screeen Printingsetting Up the Pressby Jeff McDaniel
19 Inside SandblastingMask Equipment Requirementsby Judy McDaniel
21 Inside Engraving Hardware Design -- Bearings Part 2by John McDaniel
23 Getting Ahead Auto Digitizing Is It Right For Youby Deborah Sexton 28 Marketing Secretsstaying sharp in summerrsquos slump by Donna Gray
34 Traveling TidbitsLas Vegas Lone Pine and Rising to a New Level by Otis Veteto
ldquoGiving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more businessrdquo -- Donna Gray
July 2009 6Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICs NEWs WIREJuly 2009
Product News Headlines
Calendar (Web Link)Check out the upcoming training
classes and trade shows of interest to CorelDRAW users
CorelDRAWreg Help
bull Stahls ID offers CAD-PRINTZ Wall Graphics
bull ASI launches email marketing tool for distributors
bull Pulse Microsystem adds Interactive Community to website
bull Hirsch adds new color blended font pack for Tajima units
bull Printa Systems offers Silver Pad Printing Package
bull Floriani Embroidery Commercial Div offers No Show Nylon Mesh Fusible
bull Digital Art Solutions introduces Photo Tools Collection
bull Equipment Zone offers Printer Support Plans for DTG Units
bull Imprintables Warehouse has new premasking application tape
bull Unisub introduces ChromaLuxe Clear
bull Great Dane Graphics offers four new Kids Theme Stock Art
bull ASI introduces Distributor Success System
bull Johnson Plastics to distribute ChromaLuxe Clear
bull Stahls ID releases new Zebra Print
bull RS Owens receives three PPAI Supplier Achievement Award Nominations
bull Scott Fresener introduces T-Seps Color Separation Software
bull Scott Fresener launches T-Biz Network
bull Imprintables Warehouse adds new blog on heat transfers
bull Cotswold offers new Eco-Stick
July 2009 7Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Using CorelDRAWregTraining
Cleaning Up Bitmap ArtworkBy Dave Demoret Contributing writer
Everyone knows all too well about getting Camera-Ready Art or Well-Scanned Images from every source there is including from Professionals who are supposed to know So since we usually donrsquot get the art we need 72dpi direct from the internet we need to re-create a lot of it one way or another
Letrsquos take a look at one way to take an image in bitmap format and clean it up change it to a vector format and use as little time as necessary for the job Keep in mind that this is just one way of doing this and also that you are in business to make money and not art master pieces If you cannot profit from your work you wonrsquot work long
A customer sent in this image to show the kind of artwork they got from their customers all the time This image really is in better shape than most and will be relatively easy to show how this process works
AssEssING THE BITMAP
1 Import the bitmap image 2 Check the dpi and the sharpness of the image edges3 Here the original image was 10rdquo x 7rdquo at 72dpi We have a 72dpi in comparison to a 293dpi image at the right Figure 1 To get a higher dpi and sharper image reduce the size of the image by selecting and dragging one of the corner nodes until you have the desired dpi range4 If your image color is fairly solid and the image is fairly sharp and clear of other debris you may choose to do one of the methods to follow5 If you have an image that cannot be reduced to increase the dpi and sharpness you may need to do the following steps a) place the artwork in your scanner you may need to print it first if the bitmap was sent to you by eMail b) Re-Scan the artwork at a higher dpi of no less than 300 and probably no
more than 600dpi This will usually allow you to get a cleaner image to start with c) With the artwork at the higher dpi you again may choose one of the methods below
Method 1 Converting the Artwork to Black amp White
The reason you are changing the image to black amp white is for edge definition density of color and speed Remember yoursquore in business to make money To do this just follow these steps
1 Select your new image click on lsquobitmapsrsquo in the main menu2 Then in the pull down menu select lsquoModersquo3 In the lsquoModersquo flyout menu select lsquoBlack amp White (1bit)rsquo as in Figure 24 This will produce a pop-up menu as in Figure 3 where you will want to select lsquoLine Artrsquo in the Conversion Method box also shown in Figure 35 At this point you will select the new image go to the Property Bar and click on Trace Bitmap and chose lsquoLine Artrsquo6 This will produce the best image in a vector format as in Figure 4 The image is clean and solid but the text in the artwork
has been all but totally washed out of the image
Note Notice the text has been removed in Figure 4 This is because the color of the text was not dark enough to reproduce as black in the conversion method Most of the time you will want to select the proper
July 2009 8Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Using CorelDRAWregTraining
font and type it in yourself anyway We donrsquot worry too much about the text converting since it is more desirable to use a ldquofontrdquo so you can do editing later
7 You may now select the proper color to put back into the new vector image and add the text (For more on how to add color amp text call us)
Method 2 solidifying the Color
The second method takes just a little more time but it is sometimes necessary due to very poor color density you may choose to do the first part of this method even if you finish with the Black amp White method This is just to solidify the color (or increase the density)
After assessing the bitmap you may choose to clean up the color That is we will make the bitmap colors more of one solid color as opposed to the hundreds of color pixels seen in the original
1 The first step is to click on the bitmap image to select it2 Go to the Property Bar and click on lsquoEdit Bitmaprsquo This should take you directly into Corel PHOTO-PAINT3 With the image in PHOTO-PAINT if you zoom in closely you will easily see how different your colors are in each pixel as in Figure 5 We want to make them all the same color or red or blue4 While you are still zoomed in close select the Eyedropper Tool and chose a dark blue pixel5 Notice the blue square at the bottom of your Tool Box on the left This is the Foreground Color Square There is also a double arrow icon next to it This is for swapping colors of Foreground and Background Colors6 Click on the double arrow icon placing the blue in the background and then select a lighter shade of blue to be placed in the Foreground Color Square
Note You may also use any color from the Color Palette to swap colors as in Figure 7
7 At this point you are ready to change all the pixels to one color Simply go to the Paint Tool Flyout menu just under the bucket in your Tool Box and select the last icon Replace Color Brush Tool8 You may want to increase or decrease your lsquoNib Sizersquo from your Property Bar for this tool Here I have it at 60 but it will be relative to your zoom level and how
July 2009 9Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
fast you want to change color Just hold down your left mouse button and drag to change colors8 In some cases you may also want to increase or decrease your lsquoColor Tolerancersquo or range This will accept or reject certain pixels not falling into the tolerance you have selected Play with this to see the different effect it will have on your image9 Now all you need do is to leave PHOTO-PAINT with either a copy and paste method (much safer) or just click on the X in the red box top left corner and select lsquoyesrsquo when it asks if you wish to save changes This step will automatically put you back into CorelDRAW and place your changed image on your page10 With your colors solid you can now lsquoTrace Bitmaprsquo in color and finish your vector image using it as is or keep the graphic and ad the text separately as in Figure 8
For more information on different techniques or individual questions you may call direct at the number below We also have On-Line Training on Tuesdays as well as one-on-one On-Line Training available
I would love to hear comments and questions
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry over the past 30 years Dave has used CorelDRAWreg since version 3 and became a CorelDRAW Training Partner in 2006 During the past 5 years he has been conducting workshops all over the US and is the author of several Video CDs amp Instructional CDs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or by email at davedprolinkgscom
Using CorelDRAWreg
The legendary power of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is
all around you In promotional items brochures logos
signs and so much more
reg
copy 2009 Corel Corporation All rights reserved
Find out more at
Donrsquot own a previous version Get started for free at
wwwcorelcomcdprotrial
wwwcorelco cdm pro
With extensive file compatibility and powerful automationand customization features to optimize your workflowCorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 can deliver on any designproject - from layout and photo editing to illustration andpowerful bitmap-to-vector tracing
reg
July 2009 10Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoRELDRAW APPLIEDBy Judy and John McDaniel Learn
Imposition Layout ndash For Full-Color Image TransfersSo far in this series wersquove showed how Imposition Layout in CorelDRAW can be used to duplicate layouts for standard labels and then how it can be modified to create custom layouts
To ReviewWe can use Imposition Layout with Laser Engravers Mechanical Engravers Sublimation Printers Vinyl Cutters Sandblast Film Printers etc etc Essentially we can use it with any output device that has a print driver for Windows and even some that donrsquot
As wersquove shown before to effectively use Imposition Layout we need to use the productrsquos size as the page size in CorelDRAW or if we want to introduce a gutter between pieces a page size that is slightly larger than
the product size And then in the output devicersquos printer driver use (1) a standard paper size or (2) a custom material size or (3) the machinersquos table size
Following this practice will allow us to duplicate and distribute one layout over the output material creating as many copies as will fit
In some of the previous articles we have used this feature to ldquostep and repeatrdquo a static layout Essentially applications where all the pieces produced are identical Last time we showed how Imposition Layout can be used with variable information
Up to this point we have concentrated on simple projects that contain no photographic images applications
that are designed primarily for engraving What we will tackle now is how we can apply imposition layout tools in full-color image transfer applications First where the image is static and text information is variable then wersquoll consider an application where pictures are a part of the variable data
our First ProjectThe first project we will tackle is full-color name badges to wear in the office and at trade shows If you have a retail shop or sell your products at shows fairs etc wearing company badges is excellent advertising If at all possible itrsquos always good to wear your work It shows potential customers one of the products you
can create for them
The first decision we need to make is badge size and image transfer method For our purposes (advertising and identification) we will select a pre-cut 2x3 inch badge and transfer the image via sublimation That will give us lots of area for a full color print with vibrant colors
Since we donrsquot want to produce badges one at a time our first task is to create or purchase a holding fixture ie production jig For sublimation image transfer purposes our fixture needs to be able to withstand temperatures in a heat press (approximately 400deg F) so it needs to be made from heat resistant materials
By doing a little research on the web we found a pre-cut badge blank and production jig fixture available from Unisub The product number for the badge is 5530 and for the fixture is 5941 Basic CorelDRAW templates are available for both items on their website and the products are available from a number of sublimation material suppliers
The basic template for the badge is shown in picture 1 and for the production jig is picture 2 Both of these are OK but need a little more work to make them really usable
The Badge TemplateWersquoll start by modifying the badge template Yoursquoll notice itrsquos setup on an 85 x 11 inch page with Basic CorelDRAW template for a name badge
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CORElDRAW APPlIED
a text description of the two colored rectangles a blue rectangle on top of a green one
letrsquos first define what those areas are The blue rectangle represents the productrsquos size the green one is a suggested overprint area otherwise known as bleed
The purpose of the bleed is to insure the entire surface of the badge is printed If you donrsquot overprint the transfer a little you run the risk of having a white edge showing on the finished product That said everything that must appear on the product must fit within the blue area
The template is not usable in its present state except
as a guide Any background image can be placed within the green rectangle using the PowerClip command and the blue rectangle can be used as a reference for what will appear on the product
However we do not want to print the text and probably want to print more than one image on a sheet of transfer paper or at the very least have the option of using a smaller sheet
To make the template more usable I would suggest the following changes1 Delete the text -- left click on the text and press the delete key on the keyboard2 Resize the page to the size of the green rectangle -- 325 x 225 inches in landscape mode change the page size on the property bar with nothing in the layout selected3 Make sure the rectangles are centered on the new page -- If they are not select both rectangles and then press the P key on the keyboard4 Give the blue rectangle a blue outline (or any other color you would like) and remove its fill -- left-click on the blue rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click blue on the color palette to create a blue outline5 Give the green rectangle a green outline and remove its fill -- left-click on the green rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click green (or any other color you would like) on the color palette to create an outline
Production jig available from Unisub
6 Make sure the Object Manager Docker is visible -- If itrsquos not click on ToolsObject Manager or WindowsDockersObject Manager7 In the Object Manager create a new layer (for convention I have named the layer Product Outline)8 Optionally rename the original layer Print Area9 Drag the Blue Outline and drop it on the Product Outline layer10 Turn the Product Outline layer off for printing and editing Left-click the printer and pencil icons next to the layer name in the Object Manager Docker11 Create another new layer (Irsquove named this the Background layer) Drag this layer below the Print Area layer We will use this layer to import any background picture we want to use for the product12 Create one final new layer to contain any text and additional graphics we want to print on the product13 Make sure the layers are ordered top down -- Text amp Graphics Product Outline Print Area and Background and make sure Product Outline is off for printing and editing14 Save the layout as a CorelDRAW Template click on FileSave As TemplateSee picture 3 for the completed template
ConclusionWhat we have accomplished so far is to take a manufacturerrsquos product template and modify it for our use The original template had a single item on the page and was not suitable for use with Imposition Layout or Print Merge We have changed all of that Next time we will start with the revised template and populate it with a background and text for use with Print Merge
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWhelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training as well as one-on-one application support through an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom (For information on the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals please visit wwwCorelDRAWProcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom
Completed template
cDH
July 2009 12Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE CoLoRBy David Milisock Learn
Color Correction is Just the Beginning What Irsquove done here with the gracious consent of my friend and colleague Nancy Seibert of Advanced Signs and Graphics is to set up a situation where we can discuss not only color correction but simple image manipulation Captures A and B are the end result of an image capture of Nancy and some author who thinks he knows some stuff about color converted from RAW to Prophoto RGB with all the details as shown in capture C and then converted to US coated V2 CMYK
The most interesting and difficult concept of color is that in many instances there is no right or wrong I left the images on A and B in the file as high resolution so you
can zoom in on them and examine them more closely If we place 20 people into a room and view these two images we may get as many as 20 different opinions In my experience yoursquoll get 3 to 5 different opinions for sure The arguments will go like this Well A or B (depending on the opinion) has more natural flesh tones and B or A has more accurate whites
All of these discussions are wonderful and are the things that build character in the group Needless to say in the end on a calibrated system it is this character that will be making the decisions on how the image should be corrected
I have a very long term relationship with my monitor a Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 91TXM and know that it and no other monitor display exactly like the print The display system is regularly calibrated and work is always checked against the print In the case of these two images both display well image A displays just close to being too flat and too bluegreen and image B displays just being on the edge of being too warm but the contrast value is smoother in the shadow tones (Not to mention the corrections for camera faults that we will discuss later) With that said on the Heidelberg press that we regularly use when we run to the calibrated densitometer numbers the slight color shift will be toward the bluegreen Also I converted these using the Adobe US Coated V2 CMYK as it is readily available for all to use for proper previewing of this article Normally I would have used a Kodak CMyK profile that shipped with an older version of CorelDRAW which I believe is a superior CMyK profile
So the argument goes back and forth about the color and the fact is that while we may have our opinion there is a spread in the shifts in the color that are acceptable because in the end it comes down to our opinion Among the general opinion of the population of our client base repeatable acceptable or exceptional results in color are some of what brings them back So what are some of the other parts that bring the clients back In my opinion achieving the goal of the shot In this case we wanted snap shots that could be used to help promote our companies via print web and self promotion The key word was SNAP SHOTS to look natural Not model shots or product shots So what we simply do is to try and remove any errors
July 2009 13Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE COlOR
cDH
induced by the capture process while retaining the natural look of the subject
Notice in image A that there is a very slight amount of red eye on her right cheek and nose there was a touch of sheen Around the mouth there was some shine that was also removed All these things have been removed in image B
Image A has in my opinion issues due to this sheen Your eye does not properly focus on the center of the face of the subject I prefer the focus of an image of a person to be on the subjectrsquos eyes and toward the center left and right of the image if at all possible
The only editing done of this image was to convert from RAW to Prophoto color correction using only the tone curves via LAB Adobe RGB and US coated V2 color spaces and this included the contrast adjustment There was also a very slight amount of cloning to remove the reflection from the light source NO SMOOTH SKIN or any other effects Only the tone curves and the aforementioned cloning
Image B when almost finished displayed one issue that irked me and that was the shine in Nancyrsquos left eye right as we look at the image This shine caused the viewerrsquos focus to shift right instead of to the center You will have to zoom into the eyes on both images to get the full effect of how subtle this adjustment is I used the clone tool and removed just a very slight amount of that shine in her left eye This brings the viewerrsquos focus back toward the center of the face and creates a more pleasant experience when viewing this image
David Milisock president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc of Lancaster PA has been in the print production business since 1975 He specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite He started supporting CorelDRAW files for print output with V4 Output includes computer to plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems and also offers Giclee printing He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
What Readers say about CorelDRAWHelp MagazineDigital FormatWell thought out Well designed Easy to follow links Better than a snail-mail magazine because the provided links give immediate access to addtional information and resources Leo Lennemann Sandra Leersquos Trophy amp Gift Grove OK
I think it is easy to get around in page by page in pdf format John J Runyon South Metro Wire EDM Inc Shakopee MN
I look forward to each issue I actually print it and keep it in a binder for future reference You continue to help my awards business grow due to the educational and how-to articles Rob Thomas Celebrations Farmington MO
Excellent ContentThis magazine is a great resource I have gained a great deal of insight into the program and Irsquove also found sources of supply Nelson Wood Woodrsquos Wood Works Caledonia MI
I love reading CorelDRAWHelp Itrsquos quite informative and really gets my creative juices flowing Debbie Santiago New Jacobrsquos Chapel Clermont FL
Keeps me up to date Look forward to it Save every issue and print articles of interest to put into my lsquotrainingrsquo book for employees Chris Williams Created For You Horsehoe Bay TX
Helps keep me informed about new products and new ways to use CorelDRAW Lawrence Coen Coen Enterprises amp Graphics ElkhartKS
Your articles help keep me up to date on many new technological methods which are a tremendous help in my style of business Gary Whitener Cody Tees Ste Genevieve MO
I like all of it It is [full of] very informative clear concise articles Trish Stuart Twisted Threads Emory TX
Great info in every issue Dennis Duval Duvalrsquos Custom Etched Glass Jasper TX
CorelDRAWHelp is like a refresher course it lets me in on better ways to do graphic techniques A time saver Dianne Beck Poulsbo Church Poulsbo WAI appreciate the fact that CorelDRAWHelp is focused on helping the business owner become successful I havenrsquot read an issue that hasnrsquot given me something to assist my business Jim Good A2Z Engraving Madison AL
July 2009 14Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE TRANsFERsBy Bill Leek Apply
Universal WoodsUnisubreg of Louisville KY has just released a new series of products built around a great new silver aluminum substrate with a clear scratch and UV-resistant sublimation coating that will appeal to both the photographic and personalized products markets
The photographic reproduction products are marketed as CHROMALUXE CLEARtrade They provide an exciting addition to the already highly successful ChromLuxe white-coated photo product line The ChromaLuxe
high-definition photo panels are unlike anything else available The special clear coating on silver aluminum provides photographers with a unique and modern look to images that cannot be replicated using any other technique Photographers have sought a method for printing their images on silver for some time Some silver-coated inkjet papers have been released but they have not come close to the look and durability of this new Unisub product Black-and-white photographers will particularly like the highly reflective gloss aluminum
finish landscapes product shots and portraits come to life with a stunning elegant appearance ChromaLuxe Clear opens up a whole new printing dimension for them
ChromaLuxe panels are 045rdquo thick and have 25rdquo rounded corners They are available in 8x10 11x14 115x115 and 16x20 sizes I would like to see a 12x16 panel that could be printed on a 13x19 format printer and transferred on a 16x20 heat press As with all Unisub products pressing time is only a minute and obtaining good results is virtually foolproof
The panels can be displayed in many different ways Unisub offers an inexpensive offset mounting system Vintage black-and-white photos can be mounted in a variety of nostalgic wood frames I particularly like using low profile shadowbox modular metallic frames that complement the image These are available in many finishes and are relatively inexpensive
HoW To GET THE BEsT REsULTs
ChromaLuxe Clear will work best with higher contrast slightly darker images Proper image selection and adjustment is key for optimum results Soft pastel prints on silver will appear washed out and kind of gimmicky When working with color images with more intense colors and somewhat harsher light will provide the most stunning results Cars motorcycles and anything that has chrome on it are perfect subjects Dramatic landscapes (Ansel Adams) sunsets and seascapes also look great on this material
If your source photo does not meet these requirements you can add contrast using the TONE CURVE adjustment in Corel PHOTO-PAINTreg and apply an S CURVE (An illustration of this is included)
UNISUB SILVER SHINESUnisubrsquos Brand New Sublimation Substrate Produces Dramatic Results
S CURVE Using PhotoPaint apply
an S Curve as illustrated to
increase contrast of your image
prior to transfer
July 2009 15Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE tRAnSFERS
WAIThellipTHERErsquos MoRE
In addition Universal Woods has released license plates name badges id tags and clock kits made from the same silver aluminum These are marketed as UNISUB SILVERtradeThe combination of great looks durability and the extra thickness of the 045 aluminum make this product line world class The photos in this article speak for themselves
CoNCLUsIoNs
Universal Woods again shines and stands out as a true innovator and market leader in the sublimation marketplace ChromaLuxe Cleartrade and Unisub Silvertrade are exceptional imprintable substrates Order some samples today You wonrsquot be disappointed
Bill Leek is a industry writer based in HoustonTX He has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and has done testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
CHROME SILVER SATIN The beauty of ChromaLux Clear is demonstrated
in this high contrast image with vibrant colors
LICENSE PLATE License Plates produced with Unisub Silver have a dramatic look and
are extremely durable
SMALL SILVER ITEMS Unisub Silver provides a perfect substrate for these high quality name
badges and id tags
cDH
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
July 2009 17Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
July 2009 18Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 4Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
18884374564 bull salesepiloglasercom
From creating unique projects like architectural models to engraving on high-tech gadgets our laser systems provide a wide variety of capabilities Create all the products you see here with one very versatile laser system
Visit wwwepiloglasercomcoreldrawprohtm for more information
Tech tattoos are just the beginning
Zing 24 30-60 watt laser - 24 x 12 engraving areabullWorks like a printer - USB or Ethernet connectionbullEngrave on almost any surfacebullEasily cut wood acrylic plastic and much morebullJust import an image and print bullit to the laser
All it takes is one idea
Zing 16 Systems Starting at $7995
The New Zing 24 Laser System
July 2009HelpCorelDRAWreg 5Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web site
July 2009
Magazine sponsors Logo-LinksTour sponsors Logo-Links
Corel Corp Web AdCustom Graphic Technology Web AdEpilog Laser Corp Web AdGeo Knight amp Co Web AdJohn E Lepper Inc Web AdJohnson Plastics Web AdLasersketch Web AdNampR International Web AdParamount services Inc Web AdProLink Graphics Web Ad
sPoNsoR INDEX
DEPARTMENTs
Click ldquoWebrdquo to go to sponsorrsquos website Click ldquoAdrdquo to go to the ad in this issue Clicking the ad itself will go to website
LEARN Apply GRoW
3 Inside ACDRP Gain Another Perspective
6 Graphics News Wire26 Logo-Links
30 Focus Embroidery Products 32 GNN Network
32 Marketplace33 Contributing Writers
CorelDRAWreg Help CoNTENTs
7 Using CorelDRAW Cleaning Up Bitmap Artwork by Dave Demoret
10 CorelDRAW AppliedImposition Layout -- For Full-Color Image Transfersby John McDaniel
12 Inside Color Color Correction is Just the Beginning by David Milisock
14 Inside Transfers Unisub silver shines by Bill Leek
16 Inside Screeen Printingsetting Up the Pressby Jeff McDaniel
19 Inside SandblastingMask Equipment Requirementsby Judy McDaniel
21 Inside Engraving Hardware Design -- Bearings Part 2by John McDaniel
23 Getting Ahead Auto Digitizing Is It Right For Youby Deborah Sexton 28 Marketing Secretsstaying sharp in summerrsquos slump by Donna Gray
34 Traveling TidbitsLas Vegas Lone Pine and Rising to a New Level by Otis Veteto
ldquoGiving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more businessrdquo -- Donna Gray
July 2009 6Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICs NEWs WIREJuly 2009
Product News Headlines
Calendar (Web Link)Check out the upcoming training
classes and trade shows of interest to CorelDRAW users
CorelDRAWreg Help
bull Stahls ID offers CAD-PRINTZ Wall Graphics
bull ASI launches email marketing tool for distributors
bull Pulse Microsystem adds Interactive Community to website
bull Hirsch adds new color blended font pack for Tajima units
bull Printa Systems offers Silver Pad Printing Package
bull Floriani Embroidery Commercial Div offers No Show Nylon Mesh Fusible
bull Digital Art Solutions introduces Photo Tools Collection
bull Equipment Zone offers Printer Support Plans for DTG Units
bull Imprintables Warehouse has new premasking application tape
bull Unisub introduces ChromaLuxe Clear
bull Great Dane Graphics offers four new Kids Theme Stock Art
bull ASI introduces Distributor Success System
bull Johnson Plastics to distribute ChromaLuxe Clear
bull Stahls ID releases new Zebra Print
bull RS Owens receives three PPAI Supplier Achievement Award Nominations
bull Scott Fresener introduces T-Seps Color Separation Software
bull Scott Fresener launches T-Biz Network
bull Imprintables Warehouse adds new blog on heat transfers
bull Cotswold offers new Eco-Stick
July 2009 7Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Using CorelDRAWregTraining
Cleaning Up Bitmap ArtworkBy Dave Demoret Contributing writer
Everyone knows all too well about getting Camera-Ready Art or Well-Scanned Images from every source there is including from Professionals who are supposed to know So since we usually donrsquot get the art we need 72dpi direct from the internet we need to re-create a lot of it one way or another
Letrsquos take a look at one way to take an image in bitmap format and clean it up change it to a vector format and use as little time as necessary for the job Keep in mind that this is just one way of doing this and also that you are in business to make money and not art master pieces If you cannot profit from your work you wonrsquot work long
A customer sent in this image to show the kind of artwork they got from their customers all the time This image really is in better shape than most and will be relatively easy to show how this process works
AssEssING THE BITMAP
1 Import the bitmap image 2 Check the dpi and the sharpness of the image edges3 Here the original image was 10rdquo x 7rdquo at 72dpi We have a 72dpi in comparison to a 293dpi image at the right Figure 1 To get a higher dpi and sharper image reduce the size of the image by selecting and dragging one of the corner nodes until you have the desired dpi range4 If your image color is fairly solid and the image is fairly sharp and clear of other debris you may choose to do one of the methods to follow5 If you have an image that cannot be reduced to increase the dpi and sharpness you may need to do the following steps a) place the artwork in your scanner you may need to print it first if the bitmap was sent to you by eMail b) Re-Scan the artwork at a higher dpi of no less than 300 and probably no
more than 600dpi This will usually allow you to get a cleaner image to start with c) With the artwork at the higher dpi you again may choose one of the methods below
Method 1 Converting the Artwork to Black amp White
The reason you are changing the image to black amp white is for edge definition density of color and speed Remember yoursquore in business to make money To do this just follow these steps
1 Select your new image click on lsquobitmapsrsquo in the main menu2 Then in the pull down menu select lsquoModersquo3 In the lsquoModersquo flyout menu select lsquoBlack amp White (1bit)rsquo as in Figure 24 This will produce a pop-up menu as in Figure 3 where you will want to select lsquoLine Artrsquo in the Conversion Method box also shown in Figure 35 At this point you will select the new image go to the Property Bar and click on Trace Bitmap and chose lsquoLine Artrsquo6 This will produce the best image in a vector format as in Figure 4 The image is clean and solid but the text in the artwork
has been all but totally washed out of the image
Note Notice the text has been removed in Figure 4 This is because the color of the text was not dark enough to reproduce as black in the conversion method Most of the time you will want to select the proper
July 2009 8Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Using CorelDRAWregTraining
font and type it in yourself anyway We donrsquot worry too much about the text converting since it is more desirable to use a ldquofontrdquo so you can do editing later
7 You may now select the proper color to put back into the new vector image and add the text (For more on how to add color amp text call us)
Method 2 solidifying the Color
The second method takes just a little more time but it is sometimes necessary due to very poor color density you may choose to do the first part of this method even if you finish with the Black amp White method This is just to solidify the color (or increase the density)
After assessing the bitmap you may choose to clean up the color That is we will make the bitmap colors more of one solid color as opposed to the hundreds of color pixels seen in the original
1 The first step is to click on the bitmap image to select it2 Go to the Property Bar and click on lsquoEdit Bitmaprsquo This should take you directly into Corel PHOTO-PAINT3 With the image in PHOTO-PAINT if you zoom in closely you will easily see how different your colors are in each pixel as in Figure 5 We want to make them all the same color or red or blue4 While you are still zoomed in close select the Eyedropper Tool and chose a dark blue pixel5 Notice the blue square at the bottom of your Tool Box on the left This is the Foreground Color Square There is also a double arrow icon next to it This is for swapping colors of Foreground and Background Colors6 Click on the double arrow icon placing the blue in the background and then select a lighter shade of blue to be placed in the Foreground Color Square
Note You may also use any color from the Color Palette to swap colors as in Figure 7
7 At this point you are ready to change all the pixels to one color Simply go to the Paint Tool Flyout menu just under the bucket in your Tool Box and select the last icon Replace Color Brush Tool8 You may want to increase or decrease your lsquoNib Sizersquo from your Property Bar for this tool Here I have it at 60 but it will be relative to your zoom level and how
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fast you want to change color Just hold down your left mouse button and drag to change colors8 In some cases you may also want to increase or decrease your lsquoColor Tolerancersquo or range This will accept or reject certain pixels not falling into the tolerance you have selected Play with this to see the different effect it will have on your image9 Now all you need do is to leave PHOTO-PAINT with either a copy and paste method (much safer) or just click on the X in the red box top left corner and select lsquoyesrsquo when it asks if you wish to save changes This step will automatically put you back into CorelDRAW and place your changed image on your page10 With your colors solid you can now lsquoTrace Bitmaprsquo in color and finish your vector image using it as is or keep the graphic and ad the text separately as in Figure 8
For more information on different techniques or individual questions you may call direct at the number below We also have On-Line Training on Tuesdays as well as one-on-one On-Line Training available
I would love to hear comments and questions
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry over the past 30 years Dave has used CorelDRAWreg since version 3 and became a CorelDRAW Training Partner in 2006 During the past 5 years he has been conducting workshops all over the US and is the author of several Video CDs amp Instructional CDs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or by email at davedprolinkgscom
Using CorelDRAWreg
The legendary power of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is
all around you In promotional items brochures logos
signs and so much more
reg
copy 2009 Corel Corporation All rights reserved
Find out more at
Donrsquot own a previous version Get started for free at
wwwcorelcomcdprotrial
wwwcorelco cdm pro
With extensive file compatibility and powerful automationand customization features to optimize your workflowCorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 can deliver on any designproject - from layout and photo editing to illustration andpowerful bitmap-to-vector tracing
reg
July 2009 10Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoRELDRAW APPLIEDBy Judy and John McDaniel Learn
Imposition Layout ndash For Full-Color Image TransfersSo far in this series wersquove showed how Imposition Layout in CorelDRAW can be used to duplicate layouts for standard labels and then how it can be modified to create custom layouts
To ReviewWe can use Imposition Layout with Laser Engravers Mechanical Engravers Sublimation Printers Vinyl Cutters Sandblast Film Printers etc etc Essentially we can use it with any output device that has a print driver for Windows and even some that donrsquot
As wersquove shown before to effectively use Imposition Layout we need to use the productrsquos size as the page size in CorelDRAW or if we want to introduce a gutter between pieces a page size that is slightly larger than
the product size And then in the output devicersquos printer driver use (1) a standard paper size or (2) a custom material size or (3) the machinersquos table size
Following this practice will allow us to duplicate and distribute one layout over the output material creating as many copies as will fit
In some of the previous articles we have used this feature to ldquostep and repeatrdquo a static layout Essentially applications where all the pieces produced are identical Last time we showed how Imposition Layout can be used with variable information
Up to this point we have concentrated on simple projects that contain no photographic images applications
that are designed primarily for engraving What we will tackle now is how we can apply imposition layout tools in full-color image transfer applications First where the image is static and text information is variable then wersquoll consider an application where pictures are a part of the variable data
our First ProjectThe first project we will tackle is full-color name badges to wear in the office and at trade shows If you have a retail shop or sell your products at shows fairs etc wearing company badges is excellent advertising If at all possible itrsquos always good to wear your work It shows potential customers one of the products you
can create for them
The first decision we need to make is badge size and image transfer method For our purposes (advertising and identification) we will select a pre-cut 2x3 inch badge and transfer the image via sublimation That will give us lots of area for a full color print with vibrant colors
Since we donrsquot want to produce badges one at a time our first task is to create or purchase a holding fixture ie production jig For sublimation image transfer purposes our fixture needs to be able to withstand temperatures in a heat press (approximately 400deg F) so it needs to be made from heat resistant materials
By doing a little research on the web we found a pre-cut badge blank and production jig fixture available from Unisub The product number for the badge is 5530 and for the fixture is 5941 Basic CorelDRAW templates are available for both items on their website and the products are available from a number of sublimation material suppliers
The basic template for the badge is shown in picture 1 and for the production jig is picture 2 Both of these are OK but need a little more work to make them really usable
The Badge TemplateWersquoll start by modifying the badge template Yoursquoll notice itrsquos setup on an 85 x 11 inch page with Basic CorelDRAW template for a name badge
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CORElDRAW APPlIED
a text description of the two colored rectangles a blue rectangle on top of a green one
letrsquos first define what those areas are The blue rectangle represents the productrsquos size the green one is a suggested overprint area otherwise known as bleed
The purpose of the bleed is to insure the entire surface of the badge is printed If you donrsquot overprint the transfer a little you run the risk of having a white edge showing on the finished product That said everything that must appear on the product must fit within the blue area
The template is not usable in its present state except
as a guide Any background image can be placed within the green rectangle using the PowerClip command and the blue rectangle can be used as a reference for what will appear on the product
However we do not want to print the text and probably want to print more than one image on a sheet of transfer paper or at the very least have the option of using a smaller sheet
To make the template more usable I would suggest the following changes1 Delete the text -- left click on the text and press the delete key on the keyboard2 Resize the page to the size of the green rectangle -- 325 x 225 inches in landscape mode change the page size on the property bar with nothing in the layout selected3 Make sure the rectangles are centered on the new page -- If they are not select both rectangles and then press the P key on the keyboard4 Give the blue rectangle a blue outline (or any other color you would like) and remove its fill -- left-click on the blue rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click blue on the color palette to create a blue outline5 Give the green rectangle a green outline and remove its fill -- left-click on the green rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click green (or any other color you would like) on the color palette to create an outline
Production jig available from Unisub
6 Make sure the Object Manager Docker is visible -- If itrsquos not click on ToolsObject Manager or WindowsDockersObject Manager7 In the Object Manager create a new layer (for convention I have named the layer Product Outline)8 Optionally rename the original layer Print Area9 Drag the Blue Outline and drop it on the Product Outline layer10 Turn the Product Outline layer off for printing and editing Left-click the printer and pencil icons next to the layer name in the Object Manager Docker11 Create another new layer (Irsquove named this the Background layer) Drag this layer below the Print Area layer We will use this layer to import any background picture we want to use for the product12 Create one final new layer to contain any text and additional graphics we want to print on the product13 Make sure the layers are ordered top down -- Text amp Graphics Product Outline Print Area and Background and make sure Product Outline is off for printing and editing14 Save the layout as a CorelDRAW Template click on FileSave As TemplateSee picture 3 for the completed template
ConclusionWhat we have accomplished so far is to take a manufacturerrsquos product template and modify it for our use The original template had a single item on the page and was not suitable for use with Imposition Layout or Print Merge We have changed all of that Next time we will start with the revised template and populate it with a background and text for use with Print Merge
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWhelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training as well as one-on-one application support through an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom (For information on the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals please visit wwwCorelDRAWProcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom
Completed template
cDH
July 2009 12Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE CoLoRBy David Milisock Learn
Color Correction is Just the Beginning What Irsquove done here with the gracious consent of my friend and colleague Nancy Seibert of Advanced Signs and Graphics is to set up a situation where we can discuss not only color correction but simple image manipulation Captures A and B are the end result of an image capture of Nancy and some author who thinks he knows some stuff about color converted from RAW to Prophoto RGB with all the details as shown in capture C and then converted to US coated V2 CMYK
The most interesting and difficult concept of color is that in many instances there is no right or wrong I left the images on A and B in the file as high resolution so you
can zoom in on them and examine them more closely If we place 20 people into a room and view these two images we may get as many as 20 different opinions In my experience yoursquoll get 3 to 5 different opinions for sure The arguments will go like this Well A or B (depending on the opinion) has more natural flesh tones and B or A has more accurate whites
All of these discussions are wonderful and are the things that build character in the group Needless to say in the end on a calibrated system it is this character that will be making the decisions on how the image should be corrected
I have a very long term relationship with my monitor a Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 91TXM and know that it and no other monitor display exactly like the print The display system is regularly calibrated and work is always checked against the print In the case of these two images both display well image A displays just close to being too flat and too bluegreen and image B displays just being on the edge of being too warm but the contrast value is smoother in the shadow tones (Not to mention the corrections for camera faults that we will discuss later) With that said on the Heidelberg press that we regularly use when we run to the calibrated densitometer numbers the slight color shift will be toward the bluegreen Also I converted these using the Adobe US Coated V2 CMYK as it is readily available for all to use for proper previewing of this article Normally I would have used a Kodak CMyK profile that shipped with an older version of CorelDRAW which I believe is a superior CMyK profile
So the argument goes back and forth about the color and the fact is that while we may have our opinion there is a spread in the shifts in the color that are acceptable because in the end it comes down to our opinion Among the general opinion of the population of our client base repeatable acceptable or exceptional results in color are some of what brings them back So what are some of the other parts that bring the clients back In my opinion achieving the goal of the shot In this case we wanted snap shots that could be used to help promote our companies via print web and self promotion The key word was SNAP SHOTS to look natural Not model shots or product shots So what we simply do is to try and remove any errors
July 2009 13Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE COlOR
cDH
induced by the capture process while retaining the natural look of the subject
Notice in image A that there is a very slight amount of red eye on her right cheek and nose there was a touch of sheen Around the mouth there was some shine that was also removed All these things have been removed in image B
Image A has in my opinion issues due to this sheen Your eye does not properly focus on the center of the face of the subject I prefer the focus of an image of a person to be on the subjectrsquos eyes and toward the center left and right of the image if at all possible
The only editing done of this image was to convert from RAW to Prophoto color correction using only the tone curves via LAB Adobe RGB and US coated V2 color spaces and this included the contrast adjustment There was also a very slight amount of cloning to remove the reflection from the light source NO SMOOTH SKIN or any other effects Only the tone curves and the aforementioned cloning
Image B when almost finished displayed one issue that irked me and that was the shine in Nancyrsquos left eye right as we look at the image This shine caused the viewerrsquos focus to shift right instead of to the center You will have to zoom into the eyes on both images to get the full effect of how subtle this adjustment is I used the clone tool and removed just a very slight amount of that shine in her left eye This brings the viewerrsquos focus back toward the center of the face and creates a more pleasant experience when viewing this image
David Milisock president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc of Lancaster PA has been in the print production business since 1975 He specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite He started supporting CorelDRAW files for print output with V4 Output includes computer to plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems and also offers Giclee printing He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
What Readers say about CorelDRAWHelp MagazineDigital FormatWell thought out Well designed Easy to follow links Better than a snail-mail magazine because the provided links give immediate access to addtional information and resources Leo Lennemann Sandra Leersquos Trophy amp Gift Grove OK
I think it is easy to get around in page by page in pdf format John J Runyon South Metro Wire EDM Inc Shakopee MN
I look forward to each issue I actually print it and keep it in a binder for future reference You continue to help my awards business grow due to the educational and how-to articles Rob Thomas Celebrations Farmington MO
Excellent ContentThis magazine is a great resource I have gained a great deal of insight into the program and Irsquove also found sources of supply Nelson Wood Woodrsquos Wood Works Caledonia MI
I love reading CorelDRAWHelp Itrsquos quite informative and really gets my creative juices flowing Debbie Santiago New Jacobrsquos Chapel Clermont FL
Keeps me up to date Look forward to it Save every issue and print articles of interest to put into my lsquotrainingrsquo book for employees Chris Williams Created For You Horsehoe Bay TX
Helps keep me informed about new products and new ways to use CorelDRAW Lawrence Coen Coen Enterprises amp Graphics ElkhartKS
Your articles help keep me up to date on many new technological methods which are a tremendous help in my style of business Gary Whitener Cody Tees Ste Genevieve MO
I like all of it It is [full of] very informative clear concise articles Trish Stuart Twisted Threads Emory TX
Great info in every issue Dennis Duval Duvalrsquos Custom Etched Glass Jasper TX
CorelDRAWHelp is like a refresher course it lets me in on better ways to do graphic techniques A time saver Dianne Beck Poulsbo Church Poulsbo WAI appreciate the fact that CorelDRAWHelp is focused on helping the business owner become successful I havenrsquot read an issue that hasnrsquot given me something to assist my business Jim Good A2Z Engraving Madison AL
July 2009 14Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE TRANsFERsBy Bill Leek Apply
Universal WoodsUnisubreg of Louisville KY has just released a new series of products built around a great new silver aluminum substrate with a clear scratch and UV-resistant sublimation coating that will appeal to both the photographic and personalized products markets
The photographic reproduction products are marketed as CHROMALUXE CLEARtrade They provide an exciting addition to the already highly successful ChromLuxe white-coated photo product line The ChromaLuxe
high-definition photo panels are unlike anything else available The special clear coating on silver aluminum provides photographers with a unique and modern look to images that cannot be replicated using any other technique Photographers have sought a method for printing their images on silver for some time Some silver-coated inkjet papers have been released but they have not come close to the look and durability of this new Unisub product Black-and-white photographers will particularly like the highly reflective gloss aluminum
finish landscapes product shots and portraits come to life with a stunning elegant appearance ChromaLuxe Clear opens up a whole new printing dimension for them
ChromaLuxe panels are 045rdquo thick and have 25rdquo rounded corners They are available in 8x10 11x14 115x115 and 16x20 sizes I would like to see a 12x16 panel that could be printed on a 13x19 format printer and transferred on a 16x20 heat press As with all Unisub products pressing time is only a minute and obtaining good results is virtually foolproof
The panels can be displayed in many different ways Unisub offers an inexpensive offset mounting system Vintage black-and-white photos can be mounted in a variety of nostalgic wood frames I particularly like using low profile shadowbox modular metallic frames that complement the image These are available in many finishes and are relatively inexpensive
HoW To GET THE BEsT REsULTs
ChromaLuxe Clear will work best with higher contrast slightly darker images Proper image selection and adjustment is key for optimum results Soft pastel prints on silver will appear washed out and kind of gimmicky When working with color images with more intense colors and somewhat harsher light will provide the most stunning results Cars motorcycles and anything that has chrome on it are perfect subjects Dramatic landscapes (Ansel Adams) sunsets and seascapes also look great on this material
If your source photo does not meet these requirements you can add contrast using the TONE CURVE adjustment in Corel PHOTO-PAINTreg and apply an S CURVE (An illustration of this is included)
UNISUB SILVER SHINESUnisubrsquos Brand New Sublimation Substrate Produces Dramatic Results
S CURVE Using PhotoPaint apply
an S Curve as illustrated to
increase contrast of your image
prior to transfer
July 2009 15Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE tRAnSFERS
WAIThellipTHERErsquos MoRE
In addition Universal Woods has released license plates name badges id tags and clock kits made from the same silver aluminum These are marketed as UNISUB SILVERtradeThe combination of great looks durability and the extra thickness of the 045 aluminum make this product line world class The photos in this article speak for themselves
CoNCLUsIoNs
Universal Woods again shines and stands out as a true innovator and market leader in the sublimation marketplace ChromaLuxe Cleartrade and Unisub Silvertrade are exceptional imprintable substrates Order some samples today You wonrsquot be disappointed
Bill Leek is a industry writer based in HoustonTX He has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and has done testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
CHROME SILVER SATIN The beauty of ChromaLux Clear is demonstrated
in this high contrast image with vibrant colors
LICENSE PLATE License Plates produced with Unisub Silver have a dramatic look and
are extremely durable
SMALL SILVER ITEMS Unisub Silver provides a perfect substrate for these high quality name
badges and id tags
cDH
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
July 2009 17Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
July 2009 18Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009HelpCorelDRAWreg 5Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web site
July 2009
Magazine sponsors Logo-LinksTour sponsors Logo-Links
Corel Corp Web AdCustom Graphic Technology Web AdEpilog Laser Corp Web AdGeo Knight amp Co Web AdJohn E Lepper Inc Web AdJohnson Plastics Web AdLasersketch Web AdNampR International Web AdParamount services Inc Web AdProLink Graphics Web Ad
sPoNsoR INDEX
DEPARTMENTs
Click ldquoWebrdquo to go to sponsorrsquos website Click ldquoAdrdquo to go to the ad in this issue Clicking the ad itself will go to website
LEARN Apply GRoW
3 Inside ACDRP Gain Another Perspective
6 Graphics News Wire26 Logo-Links
30 Focus Embroidery Products 32 GNN Network
32 Marketplace33 Contributing Writers
CorelDRAWreg Help CoNTENTs
7 Using CorelDRAW Cleaning Up Bitmap Artwork by Dave Demoret
10 CorelDRAW AppliedImposition Layout -- For Full-Color Image Transfersby John McDaniel
12 Inside Color Color Correction is Just the Beginning by David Milisock
14 Inside Transfers Unisub silver shines by Bill Leek
16 Inside Screeen Printingsetting Up the Pressby Jeff McDaniel
19 Inside SandblastingMask Equipment Requirementsby Judy McDaniel
21 Inside Engraving Hardware Design -- Bearings Part 2by John McDaniel
23 Getting Ahead Auto Digitizing Is It Right For Youby Deborah Sexton 28 Marketing Secretsstaying sharp in summerrsquos slump by Donna Gray
34 Traveling TidbitsLas Vegas Lone Pine and Rising to a New Level by Otis Veteto
ldquoGiving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more businessrdquo -- Donna Gray
July 2009 6Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICs NEWs WIREJuly 2009
Product News Headlines
Calendar (Web Link)Check out the upcoming training
classes and trade shows of interest to CorelDRAW users
CorelDRAWreg Help
bull Stahls ID offers CAD-PRINTZ Wall Graphics
bull ASI launches email marketing tool for distributors
bull Pulse Microsystem adds Interactive Community to website
bull Hirsch adds new color blended font pack for Tajima units
bull Printa Systems offers Silver Pad Printing Package
bull Floriani Embroidery Commercial Div offers No Show Nylon Mesh Fusible
bull Digital Art Solutions introduces Photo Tools Collection
bull Equipment Zone offers Printer Support Plans for DTG Units
bull Imprintables Warehouse has new premasking application tape
bull Unisub introduces ChromaLuxe Clear
bull Great Dane Graphics offers four new Kids Theme Stock Art
bull ASI introduces Distributor Success System
bull Johnson Plastics to distribute ChromaLuxe Clear
bull Stahls ID releases new Zebra Print
bull RS Owens receives three PPAI Supplier Achievement Award Nominations
bull Scott Fresener introduces T-Seps Color Separation Software
bull Scott Fresener launches T-Biz Network
bull Imprintables Warehouse adds new blog on heat transfers
bull Cotswold offers new Eco-Stick
July 2009 7Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Using CorelDRAWregTraining
Cleaning Up Bitmap ArtworkBy Dave Demoret Contributing writer
Everyone knows all too well about getting Camera-Ready Art or Well-Scanned Images from every source there is including from Professionals who are supposed to know So since we usually donrsquot get the art we need 72dpi direct from the internet we need to re-create a lot of it one way or another
Letrsquos take a look at one way to take an image in bitmap format and clean it up change it to a vector format and use as little time as necessary for the job Keep in mind that this is just one way of doing this and also that you are in business to make money and not art master pieces If you cannot profit from your work you wonrsquot work long
A customer sent in this image to show the kind of artwork they got from their customers all the time This image really is in better shape than most and will be relatively easy to show how this process works
AssEssING THE BITMAP
1 Import the bitmap image 2 Check the dpi and the sharpness of the image edges3 Here the original image was 10rdquo x 7rdquo at 72dpi We have a 72dpi in comparison to a 293dpi image at the right Figure 1 To get a higher dpi and sharper image reduce the size of the image by selecting and dragging one of the corner nodes until you have the desired dpi range4 If your image color is fairly solid and the image is fairly sharp and clear of other debris you may choose to do one of the methods to follow5 If you have an image that cannot be reduced to increase the dpi and sharpness you may need to do the following steps a) place the artwork in your scanner you may need to print it first if the bitmap was sent to you by eMail b) Re-Scan the artwork at a higher dpi of no less than 300 and probably no
more than 600dpi This will usually allow you to get a cleaner image to start with c) With the artwork at the higher dpi you again may choose one of the methods below
Method 1 Converting the Artwork to Black amp White
The reason you are changing the image to black amp white is for edge definition density of color and speed Remember yoursquore in business to make money To do this just follow these steps
1 Select your new image click on lsquobitmapsrsquo in the main menu2 Then in the pull down menu select lsquoModersquo3 In the lsquoModersquo flyout menu select lsquoBlack amp White (1bit)rsquo as in Figure 24 This will produce a pop-up menu as in Figure 3 where you will want to select lsquoLine Artrsquo in the Conversion Method box also shown in Figure 35 At this point you will select the new image go to the Property Bar and click on Trace Bitmap and chose lsquoLine Artrsquo6 This will produce the best image in a vector format as in Figure 4 The image is clean and solid but the text in the artwork
has been all but totally washed out of the image
Note Notice the text has been removed in Figure 4 This is because the color of the text was not dark enough to reproduce as black in the conversion method Most of the time you will want to select the proper
July 2009 8Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Using CorelDRAWregTraining
font and type it in yourself anyway We donrsquot worry too much about the text converting since it is more desirable to use a ldquofontrdquo so you can do editing later
7 You may now select the proper color to put back into the new vector image and add the text (For more on how to add color amp text call us)
Method 2 solidifying the Color
The second method takes just a little more time but it is sometimes necessary due to very poor color density you may choose to do the first part of this method even if you finish with the Black amp White method This is just to solidify the color (or increase the density)
After assessing the bitmap you may choose to clean up the color That is we will make the bitmap colors more of one solid color as opposed to the hundreds of color pixels seen in the original
1 The first step is to click on the bitmap image to select it2 Go to the Property Bar and click on lsquoEdit Bitmaprsquo This should take you directly into Corel PHOTO-PAINT3 With the image in PHOTO-PAINT if you zoom in closely you will easily see how different your colors are in each pixel as in Figure 5 We want to make them all the same color or red or blue4 While you are still zoomed in close select the Eyedropper Tool and chose a dark blue pixel5 Notice the blue square at the bottom of your Tool Box on the left This is the Foreground Color Square There is also a double arrow icon next to it This is for swapping colors of Foreground and Background Colors6 Click on the double arrow icon placing the blue in the background and then select a lighter shade of blue to be placed in the Foreground Color Square
Note You may also use any color from the Color Palette to swap colors as in Figure 7
7 At this point you are ready to change all the pixels to one color Simply go to the Paint Tool Flyout menu just under the bucket in your Tool Box and select the last icon Replace Color Brush Tool8 You may want to increase or decrease your lsquoNib Sizersquo from your Property Bar for this tool Here I have it at 60 but it will be relative to your zoom level and how
July 2009 9Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
fast you want to change color Just hold down your left mouse button and drag to change colors8 In some cases you may also want to increase or decrease your lsquoColor Tolerancersquo or range This will accept or reject certain pixels not falling into the tolerance you have selected Play with this to see the different effect it will have on your image9 Now all you need do is to leave PHOTO-PAINT with either a copy and paste method (much safer) or just click on the X in the red box top left corner and select lsquoyesrsquo when it asks if you wish to save changes This step will automatically put you back into CorelDRAW and place your changed image on your page10 With your colors solid you can now lsquoTrace Bitmaprsquo in color and finish your vector image using it as is or keep the graphic and ad the text separately as in Figure 8
For more information on different techniques or individual questions you may call direct at the number below We also have On-Line Training on Tuesdays as well as one-on-one On-Line Training available
I would love to hear comments and questions
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry over the past 30 years Dave has used CorelDRAWreg since version 3 and became a CorelDRAW Training Partner in 2006 During the past 5 years he has been conducting workshops all over the US and is the author of several Video CDs amp Instructional CDs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or by email at davedprolinkgscom
Using CorelDRAWreg
The legendary power of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is
all around you In promotional items brochures logos
signs and so much more
reg
copy 2009 Corel Corporation All rights reserved
Find out more at
Donrsquot own a previous version Get started for free at
wwwcorelcomcdprotrial
wwwcorelco cdm pro
With extensive file compatibility and powerful automationand customization features to optimize your workflowCorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 can deliver on any designproject - from layout and photo editing to illustration andpowerful bitmap-to-vector tracing
reg
July 2009 10Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoRELDRAW APPLIEDBy Judy and John McDaniel Learn
Imposition Layout ndash For Full-Color Image TransfersSo far in this series wersquove showed how Imposition Layout in CorelDRAW can be used to duplicate layouts for standard labels and then how it can be modified to create custom layouts
To ReviewWe can use Imposition Layout with Laser Engravers Mechanical Engravers Sublimation Printers Vinyl Cutters Sandblast Film Printers etc etc Essentially we can use it with any output device that has a print driver for Windows and even some that donrsquot
As wersquove shown before to effectively use Imposition Layout we need to use the productrsquos size as the page size in CorelDRAW or if we want to introduce a gutter between pieces a page size that is slightly larger than
the product size And then in the output devicersquos printer driver use (1) a standard paper size or (2) a custom material size or (3) the machinersquos table size
Following this practice will allow us to duplicate and distribute one layout over the output material creating as many copies as will fit
In some of the previous articles we have used this feature to ldquostep and repeatrdquo a static layout Essentially applications where all the pieces produced are identical Last time we showed how Imposition Layout can be used with variable information
Up to this point we have concentrated on simple projects that contain no photographic images applications
that are designed primarily for engraving What we will tackle now is how we can apply imposition layout tools in full-color image transfer applications First where the image is static and text information is variable then wersquoll consider an application where pictures are a part of the variable data
our First ProjectThe first project we will tackle is full-color name badges to wear in the office and at trade shows If you have a retail shop or sell your products at shows fairs etc wearing company badges is excellent advertising If at all possible itrsquos always good to wear your work It shows potential customers one of the products you
can create for them
The first decision we need to make is badge size and image transfer method For our purposes (advertising and identification) we will select a pre-cut 2x3 inch badge and transfer the image via sublimation That will give us lots of area for a full color print with vibrant colors
Since we donrsquot want to produce badges one at a time our first task is to create or purchase a holding fixture ie production jig For sublimation image transfer purposes our fixture needs to be able to withstand temperatures in a heat press (approximately 400deg F) so it needs to be made from heat resistant materials
By doing a little research on the web we found a pre-cut badge blank and production jig fixture available from Unisub The product number for the badge is 5530 and for the fixture is 5941 Basic CorelDRAW templates are available for both items on their website and the products are available from a number of sublimation material suppliers
The basic template for the badge is shown in picture 1 and for the production jig is picture 2 Both of these are OK but need a little more work to make them really usable
The Badge TemplateWersquoll start by modifying the badge template Yoursquoll notice itrsquos setup on an 85 x 11 inch page with Basic CorelDRAW template for a name badge
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CORElDRAW APPlIED
a text description of the two colored rectangles a blue rectangle on top of a green one
letrsquos first define what those areas are The blue rectangle represents the productrsquos size the green one is a suggested overprint area otherwise known as bleed
The purpose of the bleed is to insure the entire surface of the badge is printed If you donrsquot overprint the transfer a little you run the risk of having a white edge showing on the finished product That said everything that must appear on the product must fit within the blue area
The template is not usable in its present state except
as a guide Any background image can be placed within the green rectangle using the PowerClip command and the blue rectangle can be used as a reference for what will appear on the product
However we do not want to print the text and probably want to print more than one image on a sheet of transfer paper or at the very least have the option of using a smaller sheet
To make the template more usable I would suggest the following changes1 Delete the text -- left click on the text and press the delete key on the keyboard2 Resize the page to the size of the green rectangle -- 325 x 225 inches in landscape mode change the page size on the property bar with nothing in the layout selected3 Make sure the rectangles are centered on the new page -- If they are not select both rectangles and then press the P key on the keyboard4 Give the blue rectangle a blue outline (or any other color you would like) and remove its fill -- left-click on the blue rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click blue on the color palette to create a blue outline5 Give the green rectangle a green outline and remove its fill -- left-click on the green rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click green (or any other color you would like) on the color palette to create an outline
Production jig available from Unisub
6 Make sure the Object Manager Docker is visible -- If itrsquos not click on ToolsObject Manager or WindowsDockersObject Manager7 In the Object Manager create a new layer (for convention I have named the layer Product Outline)8 Optionally rename the original layer Print Area9 Drag the Blue Outline and drop it on the Product Outline layer10 Turn the Product Outline layer off for printing and editing Left-click the printer and pencil icons next to the layer name in the Object Manager Docker11 Create another new layer (Irsquove named this the Background layer) Drag this layer below the Print Area layer We will use this layer to import any background picture we want to use for the product12 Create one final new layer to contain any text and additional graphics we want to print on the product13 Make sure the layers are ordered top down -- Text amp Graphics Product Outline Print Area and Background and make sure Product Outline is off for printing and editing14 Save the layout as a CorelDRAW Template click on FileSave As TemplateSee picture 3 for the completed template
ConclusionWhat we have accomplished so far is to take a manufacturerrsquos product template and modify it for our use The original template had a single item on the page and was not suitable for use with Imposition Layout or Print Merge We have changed all of that Next time we will start with the revised template and populate it with a background and text for use with Print Merge
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWhelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training as well as one-on-one application support through an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom (For information on the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals please visit wwwCorelDRAWProcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom
Completed template
cDH
July 2009 12Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE CoLoRBy David Milisock Learn
Color Correction is Just the Beginning What Irsquove done here with the gracious consent of my friend and colleague Nancy Seibert of Advanced Signs and Graphics is to set up a situation where we can discuss not only color correction but simple image manipulation Captures A and B are the end result of an image capture of Nancy and some author who thinks he knows some stuff about color converted from RAW to Prophoto RGB with all the details as shown in capture C and then converted to US coated V2 CMYK
The most interesting and difficult concept of color is that in many instances there is no right or wrong I left the images on A and B in the file as high resolution so you
can zoom in on them and examine them more closely If we place 20 people into a room and view these two images we may get as many as 20 different opinions In my experience yoursquoll get 3 to 5 different opinions for sure The arguments will go like this Well A or B (depending on the opinion) has more natural flesh tones and B or A has more accurate whites
All of these discussions are wonderful and are the things that build character in the group Needless to say in the end on a calibrated system it is this character that will be making the decisions on how the image should be corrected
I have a very long term relationship with my monitor a Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 91TXM and know that it and no other monitor display exactly like the print The display system is regularly calibrated and work is always checked against the print In the case of these two images both display well image A displays just close to being too flat and too bluegreen and image B displays just being on the edge of being too warm but the contrast value is smoother in the shadow tones (Not to mention the corrections for camera faults that we will discuss later) With that said on the Heidelberg press that we regularly use when we run to the calibrated densitometer numbers the slight color shift will be toward the bluegreen Also I converted these using the Adobe US Coated V2 CMYK as it is readily available for all to use for proper previewing of this article Normally I would have used a Kodak CMyK profile that shipped with an older version of CorelDRAW which I believe is a superior CMyK profile
So the argument goes back and forth about the color and the fact is that while we may have our opinion there is a spread in the shifts in the color that are acceptable because in the end it comes down to our opinion Among the general opinion of the population of our client base repeatable acceptable or exceptional results in color are some of what brings them back So what are some of the other parts that bring the clients back In my opinion achieving the goal of the shot In this case we wanted snap shots that could be used to help promote our companies via print web and self promotion The key word was SNAP SHOTS to look natural Not model shots or product shots So what we simply do is to try and remove any errors
July 2009 13Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE COlOR
cDH
induced by the capture process while retaining the natural look of the subject
Notice in image A that there is a very slight amount of red eye on her right cheek and nose there was a touch of sheen Around the mouth there was some shine that was also removed All these things have been removed in image B
Image A has in my opinion issues due to this sheen Your eye does not properly focus on the center of the face of the subject I prefer the focus of an image of a person to be on the subjectrsquos eyes and toward the center left and right of the image if at all possible
The only editing done of this image was to convert from RAW to Prophoto color correction using only the tone curves via LAB Adobe RGB and US coated V2 color spaces and this included the contrast adjustment There was also a very slight amount of cloning to remove the reflection from the light source NO SMOOTH SKIN or any other effects Only the tone curves and the aforementioned cloning
Image B when almost finished displayed one issue that irked me and that was the shine in Nancyrsquos left eye right as we look at the image This shine caused the viewerrsquos focus to shift right instead of to the center You will have to zoom into the eyes on both images to get the full effect of how subtle this adjustment is I used the clone tool and removed just a very slight amount of that shine in her left eye This brings the viewerrsquos focus back toward the center of the face and creates a more pleasant experience when viewing this image
David Milisock president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc of Lancaster PA has been in the print production business since 1975 He specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite He started supporting CorelDRAW files for print output with V4 Output includes computer to plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems and also offers Giclee printing He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
What Readers say about CorelDRAWHelp MagazineDigital FormatWell thought out Well designed Easy to follow links Better than a snail-mail magazine because the provided links give immediate access to addtional information and resources Leo Lennemann Sandra Leersquos Trophy amp Gift Grove OK
I think it is easy to get around in page by page in pdf format John J Runyon South Metro Wire EDM Inc Shakopee MN
I look forward to each issue I actually print it and keep it in a binder for future reference You continue to help my awards business grow due to the educational and how-to articles Rob Thomas Celebrations Farmington MO
Excellent ContentThis magazine is a great resource I have gained a great deal of insight into the program and Irsquove also found sources of supply Nelson Wood Woodrsquos Wood Works Caledonia MI
I love reading CorelDRAWHelp Itrsquos quite informative and really gets my creative juices flowing Debbie Santiago New Jacobrsquos Chapel Clermont FL
Keeps me up to date Look forward to it Save every issue and print articles of interest to put into my lsquotrainingrsquo book for employees Chris Williams Created For You Horsehoe Bay TX
Helps keep me informed about new products and new ways to use CorelDRAW Lawrence Coen Coen Enterprises amp Graphics ElkhartKS
Your articles help keep me up to date on many new technological methods which are a tremendous help in my style of business Gary Whitener Cody Tees Ste Genevieve MO
I like all of it It is [full of] very informative clear concise articles Trish Stuart Twisted Threads Emory TX
Great info in every issue Dennis Duval Duvalrsquos Custom Etched Glass Jasper TX
CorelDRAWHelp is like a refresher course it lets me in on better ways to do graphic techniques A time saver Dianne Beck Poulsbo Church Poulsbo WAI appreciate the fact that CorelDRAWHelp is focused on helping the business owner become successful I havenrsquot read an issue that hasnrsquot given me something to assist my business Jim Good A2Z Engraving Madison AL
July 2009 14Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE TRANsFERsBy Bill Leek Apply
Universal WoodsUnisubreg of Louisville KY has just released a new series of products built around a great new silver aluminum substrate with a clear scratch and UV-resistant sublimation coating that will appeal to both the photographic and personalized products markets
The photographic reproduction products are marketed as CHROMALUXE CLEARtrade They provide an exciting addition to the already highly successful ChromLuxe white-coated photo product line The ChromaLuxe
high-definition photo panels are unlike anything else available The special clear coating on silver aluminum provides photographers with a unique and modern look to images that cannot be replicated using any other technique Photographers have sought a method for printing their images on silver for some time Some silver-coated inkjet papers have been released but they have not come close to the look and durability of this new Unisub product Black-and-white photographers will particularly like the highly reflective gloss aluminum
finish landscapes product shots and portraits come to life with a stunning elegant appearance ChromaLuxe Clear opens up a whole new printing dimension for them
ChromaLuxe panels are 045rdquo thick and have 25rdquo rounded corners They are available in 8x10 11x14 115x115 and 16x20 sizes I would like to see a 12x16 panel that could be printed on a 13x19 format printer and transferred on a 16x20 heat press As with all Unisub products pressing time is only a minute and obtaining good results is virtually foolproof
The panels can be displayed in many different ways Unisub offers an inexpensive offset mounting system Vintage black-and-white photos can be mounted in a variety of nostalgic wood frames I particularly like using low profile shadowbox modular metallic frames that complement the image These are available in many finishes and are relatively inexpensive
HoW To GET THE BEsT REsULTs
ChromaLuxe Clear will work best with higher contrast slightly darker images Proper image selection and adjustment is key for optimum results Soft pastel prints on silver will appear washed out and kind of gimmicky When working with color images with more intense colors and somewhat harsher light will provide the most stunning results Cars motorcycles and anything that has chrome on it are perfect subjects Dramatic landscapes (Ansel Adams) sunsets and seascapes also look great on this material
If your source photo does not meet these requirements you can add contrast using the TONE CURVE adjustment in Corel PHOTO-PAINTreg and apply an S CURVE (An illustration of this is included)
UNISUB SILVER SHINESUnisubrsquos Brand New Sublimation Substrate Produces Dramatic Results
S CURVE Using PhotoPaint apply
an S Curve as illustrated to
increase contrast of your image
prior to transfer
July 2009 15Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE tRAnSFERS
WAIThellipTHERErsquos MoRE
In addition Universal Woods has released license plates name badges id tags and clock kits made from the same silver aluminum These are marketed as UNISUB SILVERtradeThe combination of great looks durability and the extra thickness of the 045 aluminum make this product line world class The photos in this article speak for themselves
CoNCLUsIoNs
Universal Woods again shines and stands out as a true innovator and market leader in the sublimation marketplace ChromaLuxe Cleartrade and Unisub Silvertrade are exceptional imprintable substrates Order some samples today You wonrsquot be disappointed
Bill Leek is a industry writer based in HoustonTX He has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and has done testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
CHROME SILVER SATIN The beauty of ChromaLux Clear is demonstrated
in this high contrast image with vibrant colors
LICENSE PLATE License Plates produced with Unisub Silver have a dramatic look and
are extremely durable
SMALL SILVER ITEMS Unisub Silver provides a perfect substrate for these high quality name
badges and id tags
cDH
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
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InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
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InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
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InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
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some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 6Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICs NEWs WIREJuly 2009
Product News Headlines
Calendar (Web Link)Check out the upcoming training
classes and trade shows of interest to CorelDRAW users
CorelDRAWreg Help
bull Stahls ID offers CAD-PRINTZ Wall Graphics
bull ASI launches email marketing tool for distributors
bull Pulse Microsystem adds Interactive Community to website
bull Hirsch adds new color blended font pack for Tajima units
bull Printa Systems offers Silver Pad Printing Package
bull Floriani Embroidery Commercial Div offers No Show Nylon Mesh Fusible
bull Digital Art Solutions introduces Photo Tools Collection
bull Equipment Zone offers Printer Support Plans for DTG Units
bull Imprintables Warehouse has new premasking application tape
bull Unisub introduces ChromaLuxe Clear
bull Great Dane Graphics offers four new Kids Theme Stock Art
bull ASI introduces Distributor Success System
bull Johnson Plastics to distribute ChromaLuxe Clear
bull Stahls ID releases new Zebra Print
bull RS Owens receives three PPAI Supplier Achievement Award Nominations
bull Scott Fresener introduces T-Seps Color Separation Software
bull Scott Fresener launches T-Biz Network
bull Imprintables Warehouse adds new blog on heat transfers
bull Cotswold offers new Eco-Stick
July 2009 7Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Using CorelDRAWregTraining
Cleaning Up Bitmap ArtworkBy Dave Demoret Contributing writer
Everyone knows all too well about getting Camera-Ready Art or Well-Scanned Images from every source there is including from Professionals who are supposed to know So since we usually donrsquot get the art we need 72dpi direct from the internet we need to re-create a lot of it one way or another
Letrsquos take a look at one way to take an image in bitmap format and clean it up change it to a vector format and use as little time as necessary for the job Keep in mind that this is just one way of doing this and also that you are in business to make money and not art master pieces If you cannot profit from your work you wonrsquot work long
A customer sent in this image to show the kind of artwork they got from their customers all the time This image really is in better shape than most and will be relatively easy to show how this process works
AssEssING THE BITMAP
1 Import the bitmap image 2 Check the dpi and the sharpness of the image edges3 Here the original image was 10rdquo x 7rdquo at 72dpi We have a 72dpi in comparison to a 293dpi image at the right Figure 1 To get a higher dpi and sharper image reduce the size of the image by selecting and dragging one of the corner nodes until you have the desired dpi range4 If your image color is fairly solid and the image is fairly sharp and clear of other debris you may choose to do one of the methods to follow5 If you have an image that cannot be reduced to increase the dpi and sharpness you may need to do the following steps a) place the artwork in your scanner you may need to print it first if the bitmap was sent to you by eMail b) Re-Scan the artwork at a higher dpi of no less than 300 and probably no
more than 600dpi This will usually allow you to get a cleaner image to start with c) With the artwork at the higher dpi you again may choose one of the methods below
Method 1 Converting the Artwork to Black amp White
The reason you are changing the image to black amp white is for edge definition density of color and speed Remember yoursquore in business to make money To do this just follow these steps
1 Select your new image click on lsquobitmapsrsquo in the main menu2 Then in the pull down menu select lsquoModersquo3 In the lsquoModersquo flyout menu select lsquoBlack amp White (1bit)rsquo as in Figure 24 This will produce a pop-up menu as in Figure 3 where you will want to select lsquoLine Artrsquo in the Conversion Method box also shown in Figure 35 At this point you will select the new image go to the Property Bar and click on Trace Bitmap and chose lsquoLine Artrsquo6 This will produce the best image in a vector format as in Figure 4 The image is clean and solid but the text in the artwork
has been all but totally washed out of the image
Note Notice the text has been removed in Figure 4 This is because the color of the text was not dark enough to reproduce as black in the conversion method Most of the time you will want to select the proper
July 2009 8Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Using CorelDRAWregTraining
font and type it in yourself anyway We donrsquot worry too much about the text converting since it is more desirable to use a ldquofontrdquo so you can do editing later
7 You may now select the proper color to put back into the new vector image and add the text (For more on how to add color amp text call us)
Method 2 solidifying the Color
The second method takes just a little more time but it is sometimes necessary due to very poor color density you may choose to do the first part of this method even if you finish with the Black amp White method This is just to solidify the color (or increase the density)
After assessing the bitmap you may choose to clean up the color That is we will make the bitmap colors more of one solid color as opposed to the hundreds of color pixels seen in the original
1 The first step is to click on the bitmap image to select it2 Go to the Property Bar and click on lsquoEdit Bitmaprsquo This should take you directly into Corel PHOTO-PAINT3 With the image in PHOTO-PAINT if you zoom in closely you will easily see how different your colors are in each pixel as in Figure 5 We want to make them all the same color or red or blue4 While you are still zoomed in close select the Eyedropper Tool and chose a dark blue pixel5 Notice the blue square at the bottom of your Tool Box on the left This is the Foreground Color Square There is also a double arrow icon next to it This is for swapping colors of Foreground and Background Colors6 Click on the double arrow icon placing the blue in the background and then select a lighter shade of blue to be placed in the Foreground Color Square
Note You may also use any color from the Color Palette to swap colors as in Figure 7
7 At this point you are ready to change all the pixels to one color Simply go to the Paint Tool Flyout menu just under the bucket in your Tool Box and select the last icon Replace Color Brush Tool8 You may want to increase or decrease your lsquoNib Sizersquo from your Property Bar for this tool Here I have it at 60 but it will be relative to your zoom level and how
July 2009 9Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
fast you want to change color Just hold down your left mouse button and drag to change colors8 In some cases you may also want to increase or decrease your lsquoColor Tolerancersquo or range This will accept or reject certain pixels not falling into the tolerance you have selected Play with this to see the different effect it will have on your image9 Now all you need do is to leave PHOTO-PAINT with either a copy and paste method (much safer) or just click on the X in the red box top left corner and select lsquoyesrsquo when it asks if you wish to save changes This step will automatically put you back into CorelDRAW and place your changed image on your page10 With your colors solid you can now lsquoTrace Bitmaprsquo in color and finish your vector image using it as is or keep the graphic and ad the text separately as in Figure 8
For more information on different techniques or individual questions you may call direct at the number below We also have On-Line Training on Tuesdays as well as one-on-one On-Line Training available
I would love to hear comments and questions
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry over the past 30 years Dave has used CorelDRAWreg since version 3 and became a CorelDRAW Training Partner in 2006 During the past 5 years he has been conducting workshops all over the US and is the author of several Video CDs amp Instructional CDs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or by email at davedprolinkgscom
Using CorelDRAWreg
The legendary power of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is
all around you In promotional items brochures logos
signs and so much more
reg
copy 2009 Corel Corporation All rights reserved
Find out more at
Donrsquot own a previous version Get started for free at
wwwcorelcomcdprotrial
wwwcorelco cdm pro
With extensive file compatibility and powerful automationand customization features to optimize your workflowCorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 can deliver on any designproject - from layout and photo editing to illustration andpowerful bitmap-to-vector tracing
reg
July 2009 10Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoRELDRAW APPLIEDBy Judy and John McDaniel Learn
Imposition Layout ndash For Full-Color Image TransfersSo far in this series wersquove showed how Imposition Layout in CorelDRAW can be used to duplicate layouts for standard labels and then how it can be modified to create custom layouts
To ReviewWe can use Imposition Layout with Laser Engravers Mechanical Engravers Sublimation Printers Vinyl Cutters Sandblast Film Printers etc etc Essentially we can use it with any output device that has a print driver for Windows and even some that donrsquot
As wersquove shown before to effectively use Imposition Layout we need to use the productrsquos size as the page size in CorelDRAW or if we want to introduce a gutter between pieces a page size that is slightly larger than
the product size And then in the output devicersquos printer driver use (1) a standard paper size or (2) a custom material size or (3) the machinersquos table size
Following this practice will allow us to duplicate and distribute one layout over the output material creating as many copies as will fit
In some of the previous articles we have used this feature to ldquostep and repeatrdquo a static layout Essentially applications where all the pieces produced are identical Last time we showed how Imposition Layout can be used with variable information
Up to this point we have concentrated on simple projects that contain no photographic images applications
that are designed primarily for engraving What we will tackle now is how we can apply imposition layout tools in full-color image transfer applications First where the image is static and text information is variable then wersquoll consider an application where pictures are a part of the variable data
our First ProjectThe first project we will tackle is full-color name badges to wear in the office and at trade shows If you have a retail shop or sell your products at shows fairs etc wearing company badges is excellent advertising If at all possible itrsquos always good to wear your work It shows potential customers one of the products you
can create for them
The first decision we need to make is badge size and image transfer method For our purposes (advertising and identification) we will select a pre-cut 2x3 inch badge and transfer the image via sublimation That will give us lots of area for a full color print with vibrant colors
Since we donrsquot want to produce badges one at a time our first task is to create or purchase a holding fixture ie production jig For sublimation image transfer purposes our fixture needs to be able to withstand temperatures in a heat press (approximately 400deg F) so it needs to be made from heat resistant materials
By doing a little research on the web we found a pre-cut badge blank and production jig fixture available from Unisub The product number for the badge is 5530 and for the fixture is 5941 Basic CorelDRAW templates are available for both items on their website and the products are available from a number of sublimation material suppliers
The basic template for the badge is shown in picture 1 and for the production jig is picture 2 Both of these are OK but need a little more work to make them really usable
The Badge TemplateWersquoll start by modifying the badge template Yoursquoll notice itrsquos setup on an 85 x 11 inch page with Basic CorelDRAW template for a name badge
July 2009 11Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CORElDRAW APPlIED
a text description of the two colored rectangles a blue rectangle on top of a green one
letrsquos first define what those areas are The blue rectangle represents the productrsquos size the green one is a suggested overprint area otherwise known as bleed
The purpose of the bleed is to insure the entire surface of the badge is printed If you donrsquot overprint the transfer a little you run the risk of having a white edge showing on the finished product That said everything that must appear on the product must fit within the blue area
The template is not usable in its present state except
as a guide Any background image can be placed within the green rectangle using the PowerClip command and the blue rectangle can be used as a reference for what will appear on the product
However we do not want to print the text and probably want to print more than one image on a sheet of transfer paper or at the very least have the option of using a smaller sheet
To make the template more usable I would suggest the following changes1 Delete the text -- left click on the text and press the delete key on the keyboard2 Resize the page to the size of the green rectangle -- 325 x 225 inches in landscape mode change the page size on the property bar with nothing in the layout selected3 Make sure the rectangles are centered on the new page -- If they are not select both rectangles and then press the P key on the keyboard4 Give the blue rectangle a blue outline (or any other color you would like) and remove its fill -- left-click on the blue rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click blue on the color palette to create a blue outline5 Give the green rectangle a green outline and remove its fill -- left-click on the green rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click green (or any other color you would like) on the color palette to create an outline
Production jig available from Unisub
6 Make sure the Object Manager Docker is visible -- If itrsquos not click on ToolsObject Manager or WindowsDockersObject Manager7 In the Object Manager create a new layer (for convention I have named the layer Product Outline)8 Optionally rename the original layer Print Area9 Drag the Blue Outline and drop it on the Product Outline layer10 Turn the Product Outline layer off for printing and editing Left-click the printer and pencil icons next to the layer name in the Object Manager Docker11 Create another new layer (Irsquove named this the Background layer) Drag this layer below the Print Area layer We will use this layer to import any background picture we want to use for the product12 Create one final new layer to contain any text and additional graphics we want to print on the product13 Make sure the layers are ordered top down -- Text amp Graphics Product Outline Print Area and Background and make sure Product Outline is off for printing and editing14 Save the layout as a CorelDRAW Template click on FileSave As TemplateSee picture 3 for the completed template
ConclusionWhat we have accomplished so far is to take a manufacturerrsquos product template and modify it for our use The original template had a single item on the page and was not suitable for use with Imposition Layout or Print Merge We have changed all of that Next time we will start with the revised template and populate it with a background and text for use with Print Merge
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWhelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training as well as one-on-one application support through an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom (For information on the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals please visit wwwCorelDRAWProcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom
Completed template
cDH
July 2009 12Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE CoLoRBy David Milisock Learn
Color Correction is Just the Beginning What Irsquove done here with the gracious consent of my friend and colleague Nancy Seibert of Advanced Signs and Graphics is to set up a situation where we can discuss not only color correction but simple image manipulation Captures A and B are the end result of an image capture of Nancy and some author who thinks he knows some stuff about color converted from RAW to Prophoto RGB with all the details as shown in capture C and then converted to US coated V2 CMYK
The most interesting and difficult concept of color is that in many instances there is no right or wrong I left the images on A and B in the file as high resolution so you
can zoom in on them and examine them more closely If we place 20 people into a room and view these two images we may get as many as 20 different opinions In my experience yoursquoll get 3 to 5 different opinions for sure The arguments will go like this Well A or B (depending on the opinion) has more natural flesh tones and B or A has more accurate whites
All of these discussions are wonderful and are the things that build character in the group Needless to say in the end on a calibrated system it is this character that will be making the decisions on how the image should be corrected
I have a very long term relationship with my monitor a Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 91TXM and know that it and no other monitor display exactly like the print The display system is regularly calibrated and work is always checked against the print In the case of these two images both display well image A displays just close to being too flat and too bluegreen and image B displays just being on the edge of being too warm but the contrast value is smoother in the shadow tones (Not to mention the corrections for camera faults that we will discuss later) With that said on the Heidelberg press that we regularly use when we run to the calibrated densitometer numbers the slight color shift will be toward the bluegreen Also I converted these using the Adobe US Coated V2 CMYK as it is readily available for all to use for proper previewing of this article Normally I would have used a Kodak CMyK profile that shipped with an older version of CorelDRAW which I believe is a superior CMyK profile
So the argument goes back and forth about the color and the fact is that while we may have our opinion there is a spread in the shifts in the color that are acceptable because in the end it comes down to our opinion Among the general opinion of the population of our client base repeatable acceptable or exceptional results in color are some of what brings them back So what are some of the other parts that bring the clients back In my opinion achieving the goal of the shot In this case we wanted snap shots that could be used to help promote our companies via print web and self promotion The key word was SNAP SHOTS to look natural Not model shots or product shots So what we simply do is to try and remove any errors
July 2009 13Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE COlOR
cDH
induced by the capture process while retaining the natural look of the subject
Notice in image A that there is a very slight amount of red eye on her right cheek and nose there was a touch of sheen Around the mouth there was some shine that was also removed All these things have been removed in image B
Image A has in my opinion issues due to this sheen Your eye does not properly focus on the center of the face of the subject I prefer the focus of an image of a person to be on the subjectrsquos eyes and toward the center left and right of the image if at all possible
The only editing done of this image was to convert from RAW to Prophoto color correction using only the tone curves via LAB Adobe RGB and US coated V2 color spaces and this included the contrast adjustment There was also a very slight amount of cloning to remove the reflection from the light source NO SMOOTH SKIN or any other effects Only the tone curves and the aforementioned cloning
Image B when almost finished displayed one issue that irked me and that was the shine in Nancyrsquos left eye right as we look at the image This shine caused the viewerrsquos focus to shift right instead of to the center You will have to zoom into the eyes on both images to get the full effect of how subtle this adjustment is I used the clone tool and removed just a very slight amount of that shine in her left eye This brings the viewerrsquos focus back toward the center of the face and creates a more pleasant experience when viewing this image
David Milisock president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc of Lancaster PA has been in the print production business since 1975 He specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite He started supporting CorelDRAW files for print output with V4 Output includes computer to plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems and also offers Giclee printing He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
What Readers say about CorelDRAWHelp MagazineDigital FormatWell thought out Well designed Easy to follow links Better than a snail-mail magazine because the provided links give immediate access to addtional information and resources Leo Lennemann Sandra Leersquos Trophy amp Gift Grove OK
I think it is easy to get around in page by page in pdf format John J Runyon South Metro Wire EDM Inc Shakopee MN
I look forward to each issue I actually print it and keep it in a binder for future reference You continue to help my awards business grow due to the educational and how-to articles Rob Thomas Celebrations Farmington MO
Excellent ContentThis magazine is a great resource I have gained a great deal of insight into the program and Irsquove also found sources of supply Nelson Wood Woodrsquos Wood Works Caledonia MI
I love reading CorelDRAWHelp Itrsquos quite informative and really gets my creative juices flowing Debbie Santiago New Jacobrsquos Chapel Clermont FL
Keeps me up to date Look forward to it Save every issue and print articles of interest to put into my lsquotrainingrsquo book for employees Chris Williams Created For You Horsehoe Bay TX
Helps keep me informed about new products and new ways to use CorelDRAW Lawrence Coen Coen Enterprises amp Graphics ElkhartKS
Your articles help keep me up to date on many new technological methods which are a tremendous help in my style of business Gary Whitener Cody Tees Ste Genevieve MO
I like all of it It is [full of] very informative clear concise articles Trish Stuart Twisted Threads Emory TX
Great info in every issue Dennis Duval Duvalrsquos Custom Etched Glass Jasper TX
CorelDRAWHelp is like a refresher course it lets me in on better ways to do graphic techniques A time saver Dianne Beck Poulsbo Church Poulsbo WAI appreciate the fact that CorelDRAWHelp is focused on helping the business owner become successful I havenrsquot read an issue that hasnrsquot given me something to assist my business Jim Good A2Z Engraving Madison AL
July 2009 14Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE TRANsFERsBy Bill Leek Apply
Universal WoodsUnisubreg of Louisville KY has just released a new series of products built around a great new silver aluminum substrate with a clear scratch and UV-resistant sublimation coating that will appeal to both the photographic and personalized products markets
The photographic reproduction products are marketed as CHROMALUXE CLEARtrade They provide an exciting addition to the already highly successful ChromLuxe white-coated photo product line The ChromaLuxe
high-definition photo panels are unlike anything else available The special clear coating on silver aluminum provides photographers with a unique and modern look to images that cannot be replicated using any other technique Photographers have sought a method for printing their images on silver for some time Some silver-coated inkjet papers have been released but they have not come close to the look and durability of this new Unisub product Black-and-white photographers will particularly like the highly reflective gloss aluminum
finish landscapes product shots and portraits come to life with a stunning elegant appearance ChromaLuxe Clear opens up a whole new printing dimension for them
ChromaLuxe panels are 045rdquo thick and have 25rdquo rounded corners They are available in 8x10 11x14 115x115 and 16x20 sizes I would like to see a 12x16 panel that could be printed on a 13x19 format printer and transferred on a 16x20 heat press As with all Unisub products pressing time is only a minute and obtaining good results is virtually foolproof
The panels can be displayed in many different ways Unisub offers an inexpensive offset mounting system Vintage black-and-white photos can be mounted in a variety of nostalgic wood frames I particularly like using low profile shadowbox modular metallic frames that complement the image These are available in many finishes and are relatively inexpensive
HoW To GET THE BEsT REsULTs
ChromaLuxe Clear will work best with higher contrast slightly darker images Proper image selection and adjustment is key for optimum results Soft pastel prints on silver will appear washed out and kind of gimmicky When working with color images with more intense colors and somewhat harsher light will provide the most stunning results Cars motorcycles and anything that has chrome on it are perfect subjects Dramatic landscapes (Ansel Adams) sunsets and seascapes also look great on this material
If your source photo does not meet these requirements you can add contrast using the TONE CURVE adjustment in Corel PHOTO-PAINTreg and apply an S CURVE (An illustration of this is included)
UNISUB SILVER SHINESUnisubrsquos Brand New Sublimation Substrate Produces Dramatic Results
S CURVE Using PhotoPaint apply
an S Curve as illustrated to
increase contrast of your image
prior to transfer
July 2009 15Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE tRAnSFERS
WAIThellipTHERErsquos MoRE
In addition Universal Woods has released license plates name badges id tags and clock kits made from the same silver aluminum These are marketed as UNISUB SILVERtradeThe combination of great looks durability and the extra thickness of the 045 aluminum make this product line world class The photos in this article speak for themselves
CoNCLUsIoNs
Universal Woods again shines and stands out as a true innovator and market leader in the sublimation marketplace ChromaLuxe Cleartrade and Unisub Silvertrade are exceptional imprintable substrates Order some samples today You wonrsquot be disappointed
Bill Leek is a industry writer based in HoustonTX He has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and has done testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
CHROME SILVER SATIN The beauty of ChromaLux Clear is demonstrated
in this high contrast image with vibrant colors
LICENSE PLATE License Plates produced with Unisub Silver have a dramatic look and
are extremely durable
SMALL SILVER ITEMS Unisub Silver provides a perfect substrate for these high quality name
badges and id tags
cDH
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
July 2009 17Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
July 2009 18Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
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All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
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Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 7Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Using CorelDRAWregTraining
Cleaning Up Bitmap ArtworkBy Dave Demoret Contributing writer
Everyone knows all too well about getting Camera-Ready Art or Well-Scanned Images from every source there is including from Professionals who are supposed to know So since we usually donrsquot get the art we need 72dpi direct from the internet we need to re-create a lot of it one way or another
Letrsquos take a look at one way to take an image in bitmap format and clean it up change it to a vector format and use as little time as necessary for the job Keep in mind that this is just one way of doing this and also that you are in business to make money and not art master pieces If you cannot profit from your work you wonrsquot work long
A customer sent in this image to show the kind of artwork they got from their customers all the time This image really is in better shape than most and will be relatively easy to show how this process works
AssEssING THE BITMAP
1 Import the bitmap image 2 Check the dpi and the sharpness of the image edges3 Here the original image was 10rdquo x 7rdquo at 72dpi We have a 72dpi in comparison to a 293dpi image at the right Figure 1 To get a higher dpi and sharper image reduce the size of the image by selecting and dragging one of the corner nodes until you have the desired dpi range4 If your image color is fairly solid and the image is fairly sharp and clear of other debris you may choose to do one of the methods to follow5 If you have an image that cannot be reduced to increase the dpi and sharpness you may need to do the following steps a) place the artwork in your scanner you may need to print it first if the bitmap was sent to you by eMail b) Re-Scan the artwork at a higher dpi of no less than 300 and probably no
more than 600dpi This will usually allow you to get a cleaner image to start with c) With the artwork at the higher dpi you again may choose one of the methods below
Method 1 Converting the Artwork to Black amp White
The reason you are changing the image to black amp white is for edge definition density of color and speed Remember yoursquore in business to make money To do this just follow these steps
1 Select your new image click on lsquobitmapsrsquo in the main menu2 Then in the pull down menu select lsquoModersquo3 In the lsquoModersquo flyout menu select lsquoBlack amp White (1bit)rsquo as in Figure 24 This will produce a pop-up menu as in Figure 3 where you will want to select lsquoLine Artrsquo in the Conversion Method box also shown in Figure 35 At this point you will select the new image go to the Property Bar and click on Trace Bitmap and chose lsquoLine Artrsquo6 This will produce the best image in a vector format as in Figure 4 The image is clean and solid but the text in the artwork
has been all but totally washed out of the image
Note Notice the text has been removed in Figure 4 This is because the color of the text was not dark enough to reproduce as black in the conversion method Most of the time you will want to select the proper
July 2009 8Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Using CorelDRAWregTraining
font and type it in yourself anyway We donrsquot worry too much about the text converting since it is more desirable to use a ldquofontrdquo so you can do editing later
7 You may now select the proper color to put back into the new vector image and add the text (For more on how to add color amp text call us)
Method 2 solidifying the Color
The second method takes just a little more time but it is sometimes necessary due to very poor color density you may choose to do the first part of this method even if you finish with the Black amp White method This is just to solidify the color (or increase the density)
After assessing the bitmap you may choose to clean up the color That is we will make the bitmap colors more of one solid color as opposed to the hundreds of color pixels seen in the original
1 The first step is to click on the bitmap image to select it2 Go to the Property Bar and click on lsquoEdit Bitmaprsquo This should take you directly into Corel PHOTO-PAINT3 With the image in PHOTO-PAINT if you zoom in closely you will easily see how different your colors are in each pixel as in Figure 5 We want to make them all the same color or red or blue4 While you are still zoomed in close select the Eyedropper Tool and chose a dark blue pixel5 Notice the blue square at the bottom of your Tool Box on the left This is the Foreground Color Square There is also a double arrow icon next to it This is for swapping colors of Foreground and Background Colors6 Click on the double arrow icon placing the blue in the background and then select a lighter shade of blue to be placed in the Foreground Color Square
Note You may also use any color from the Color Palette to swap colors as in Figure 7
7 At this point you are ready to change all the pixels to one color Simply go to the Paint Tool Flyout menu just under the bucket in your Tool Box and select the last icon Replace Color Brush Tool8 You may want to increase or decrease your lsquoNib Sizersquo from your Property Bar for this tool Here I have it at 60 but it will be relative to your zoom level and how
July 2009 9Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
fast you want to change color Just hold down your left mouse button and drag to change colors8 In some cases you may also want to increase or decrease your lsquoColor Tolerancersquo or range This will accept or reject certain pixels not falling into the tolerance you have selected Play with this to see the different effect it will have on your image9 Now all you need do is to leave PHOTO-PAINT with either a copy and paste method (much safer) or just click on the X in the red box top left corner and select lsquoyesrsquo when it asks if you wish to save changes This step will automatically put you back into CorelDRAW and place your changed image on your page10 With your colors solid you can now lsquoTrace Bitmaprsquo in color and finish your vector image using it as is or keep the graphic and ad the text separately as in Figure 8
For more information on different techniques or individual questions you may call direct at the number below We also have On-Line Training on Tuesdays as well as one-on-one On-Line Training available
I would love to hear comments and questions
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry over the past 30 years Dave has used CorelDRAWreg since version 3 and became a CorelDRAW Training Partner in 2006 During the past 5 years he has been conducting workshops all over the US and is the author of several Video CDs amp Instructional CDs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or by email at davedprolinkgscom
Using CorelDRAWreg
The legendary power of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is
all around you In promotional items brochures logos
signs and so much more
reg
copy 2009 Corel Corporation All rights reserved
Find out more at
Donrsquot own a previous version Get started for free at
wwwcorelcomcdprotrial
wwwcorelco cdm pro
With extensive file compatibility and powerful automationand customization features to optimize your workflowCorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 can deliver on any designproject - from layout and photo editing to illustration andpowerful bitmap-to-vector tracing
reg
July 2009 10Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoRELDRAW APPLIEDBy Judy and John McDaniel Learn
Imposition Layout ndash For Full-Color Image TransfersSo far in this series wersquove showed how Imposition Layout in CorelDRAW can be used to duplicate layouts for standard labels and then how it can be modified to create custom layouts
To ReviewWe can use Imposition Layout with Laser Engravers Mechanical Engravers Sublimation Printers Vinyl Cutters Sandblast Film Printers etc etc Essentially we can use it with any output device that has a print driver for Windows and even some that donrsquot
As wersquove shown before to effectively use Imposition Layout we need to use the productrsquos size as the page size in CorelDRAW or if we want to introduce a gutter between pieces a page size that is slightly larger than
the product size And then in the output devicersquos printer driver use (1) a standard paper size or (2) a custom material size or (3) the machinersquos table size
Following this practice will allow us to duplicate and distribute one layout over the output material creating as many copies as will fit
In some of the previous articles we have used this feature to ldquostep and repeatrdquo a static layout Essentially applications where all the pieces produced are identical Last time we showed how Imposition Layout can be used with variable information
Up to this point we have concentrated on simple projects that contain no photographic images applications
that are designed primarily for engraving What we will tackle now is how we can apply imposition layout tools in full-color image transfer applications First where the image is static and text information is variable then wersquoll consider an application where pictures are a part of the variable data
our First ProjectThe first project we will tackle is full-color name badges to wear in the office and at trade shows If you have a retail shop or sell your products at shows fairs etc wearing company badges is excellent advertising If at all possible itrsquos always good to wear your work It shows potential customers one of the products you
can create for them
The first decision we need to make is badge size and image transfer method For our purposes (advertising and identification) we will select a pre-cut 2x3 inch badge and transfer the image via sublimation That will give us lots of area for a full color print with vibrant colors
Since we donrsquot want to produce badges one at a time our first task is to create or purchase a holding fixture ie production jig For sublimation image transfer purposes our fixture needs to be able to withstand temperatures in a heat press (approximately 400deg F) so it needs to be made from heat resistant materials
By doing a little research on the web we found a pre-cut badge blank and production jig fixture available from Unisub The product number for the badge is 5530 and for the fixture is 5941 Basic CorelDRAW templates are available for both items on their website and the products are available from a number of sublimation material suppliers
The basic template for the badge is shown in picture 1 and for the production jig is picture 2 Both of these are OK but need a little more work to make them really usable
The Badge TemplateWersquoll start by modifying the badge template Yoursquoll notice itrsquos setup on an 85 x 11 inch page with Basic CorelDRAW template for a name badge
July 2009 11Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CORElDRAW APPlIED
a text description of the two colored rectangles a blue rectangle on top of a green one
letrsquos first define what those areas are The blue rectangle represents the productrsquos size the green one is a suggested overprint area otherwise known as bleed
The purpose of the bleed is to insure the entire surface of the badge is printed If you donrsquot overprint the transfer a little you run the risk of having a white edge showing on the finished product That said everything that must appear on the product must fit within the blue area
The template is not usable in its present state except
as a guide Any background image can be placed within the green rectangle using the PowerClip command and the blue rectangle can be used as a reference for what will appear on the product
However we do not want to print the text and probably want to print more than one image on a sheet of transfer paper or at the very least have the option of using a smaller sheet
To make the template more usable I would suggest the following changes1 Delete the text -- left click on the text and press the delete key on the keyboard2 Resize the page to the size of the green rectangle -- 325 x 225 inches in landscape mode change the page size on the property bar with nothing in the layout selected3 Make sure the rectangles are centered on the new page -- If they are not select both rectangles and then press the P key on the keyboard4 Give the blue rectangle a blue outline (or any other color you would like) and remove its fill -- left-click on the blue rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click blue on the color palette to create a blue outline5 Give the green rectangle a green outline and remove its fill -- left-click on the green rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click green (or any other color you would like) on the color palette to create an outline
Production jig available from Unisub
6 Make sure the Object Manager Docker is visible -- If itrsquos not click on ToolsObject Manager or WindowsDockersObject Manager7 In the Object Manager create a new layer (for convention I have named the layer Product Outline)8 Optionally rename the original layer Print Area9 Drag the Blue Outline and drop it on the Product Outline layer10 Turn the Product Outline layer off for printing and editing Left-click the printer and pencil icons next to the layer name in the Object Manager Docker11 Create another new layer (Irsquove named this the Background layer) Drag this layer below the Print Area layer We will use this layer to import any background picture we want to use for the product12 Create one final new layer to contain any text and additional graphics we want to print on the product13 Make sure the layers are ordered top down -- Text amp Graphics Product Outline Print Area and Background and make sure Product Outline is off for printing and editing14 Save the layout as a CorelDRAW Template click on FileSave As TemplateSee picture 3 for the completed template
ConclusionWhat we have accomplished so far is to take a manufacturerrsquos product template and modify it for our use The original template had a single item on the page and was not suitable for use with Imposition Layout or Print Merge We have changed all of that Next time we will start with the revised template and populate it with a background and text for use with Print Merge
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWhelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training as well as one-on-one application support through an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom (For information on the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals please visit wwwCorelDRAWProcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom
Completed template
cDH
July 2009 12Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE CoLoRBy David Milisock Learn
Color Correction is Just the Beginning What Irsquove done here with the gracious consent of my friend and colleague Nancy Seibert of Advanced Signs and Graphics is to set up a situation where we can discuss not only color correction but simple image manipulation Captures A and B are the end result of an image capture of Nancy and some author who thinks he knows some stuff about color converted from RAW to Prophoto RGB with all the details as shown in capture C and then converted to US coated V2 CMYK
The most interesting and difficult concept of color is that in many instances there is no right or wrong I left the images on A and B in the file as high resolution so you
can zoom in on them and examine them more closely If we place 20 people into a room and view these two images we may get as many as 20 different opinions In my experience yoursquoll get 3 to 5 different opinions for sure The arguments will go like this Well A or B (depending on the opinion) has more natural flesh tones and B or A has more accurate whites
All of these discussions are wonderful and are the things that build character in the group Needless to say in the end on a calibrated system it is this character that will be making the decisions on how the image should be corrected
I have a very long term relationship with my monitor a Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 91TXM and know that it and no other monitor display exactly like the print The display system is regularly calibrated and work is always checked against the print In the case of these two images both display well image A displays just close to being too flat and too bluegreen and image B displays just being on the edge of being too warm but the contrast value is smoother in the shadow tones (Not to mention the corrections for camera faults that we will discuss later) With that said on the Heidelberg press that we regularly use when we run to the calibrated densitometer numbers the slight color shift will be toward the bluegreen Also I converted these using the Adobe US Coated V2 CMYK as it is readily available for all to use for proper previewing of this article Normally I would have used a Kodak CMyK profile that shipped with an older version of CorelDRAW which I believe is a superior CMyK profile
So the argument goes back and forth about the color and the fact is that while we may have our opinion there is a spread in the shifts in the color that are acceptable because in the end it comes down to our opinion Among the general opinion of the population of our client base repeatable acceptable or exceptional results in color are some of what brings them back So what are some of the other parts that bring the clients back In my opinion achieving the goal of the shot In this case we wanted snap shots that could be used to help promote our companies via print web and self promotion The key word was SNAP SHOTS to look natural Not model shots or product shots So what we simply do is to try and remove any errors
July 2009 13Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE COlOR
cDH
induced by the capture process while retaining the natural look of the subject
Notice in image A that there is a very slight amount of red eye on her right cheek and nose there was a touch of sheen Around the mouth there was some shine that was also removed All these things have been removed in image B
Image A has in my opinion issues due to this sheen Your eye does not properly focus on the center of the face of the subject I prefer the focus of an image of a person to be on the subjectrsquos eyes and toward the center left and right of the image if at all possible
The only editing done of this image was to convert from RAW to Prophoto color correction using only the tone curves via LAB Adobe RGB and US coated V2 color spaces and this included the contrast adjustment There was also a very slight amount of cloning to remove the reflection from the light source NO SMOOTH SKIN or any other effects Only the tone curves and the aforementioned cloning
Image B when almost finished displayed one issue that irked me and that was the shine in Nancyrsquos left eye right as we look at the image This shine caused the viewerrsquos focus to shift right instead of to the center You will have to zoom into the eyes on both images to get the full effect of how subtle this adjustment is I used the clone tool and removed just a very slight amount of that shine in her left eye This brings the viewerrsquos focus back toward the center of the face and creates a more pleasant experience when viewing this image
David Milisock president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc of Lancaster PA has been in the print production business since 1975 He specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite He started supporting CorelDRAW files for print output with V4 Output includes computer to plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems and also offers Giclee printing He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
What Readers say about CorelDRAWHelp MagazineDigital FormatWell thought out Well designed Easy to follow links Better than a snail-mail magazine because the provided links give immediate access to addtional information and resources Leo Lennemann Sandra Leersquos Trophy amp Gift Grove OK
I think it is easy to get around in page by page in pdf format John J Runyon South Metro Wire EDM Inc Shakopee MN
I look forward to each issue I actually print it and keep it in a binder for future reference You continue to help my awards business grow due to the educational and how-to articles Rob Thomas Celebrations Farmington MO
Excellent ContentThis magazine is a great resource I have gained a great deal of insight into the program and Irsquove also found sources of supply Nelson Wood Woodrsquos Wood Works Caledonia MI
I love reading CorelDRAWHelp Itrsquos quite informative and really gets my creative juices flowing Debbie Santiago New Jacobrsquos Chapel Clermont FL
Keeps me up to date Look forward to it Save every issue and print articles of interest to put into my lsquotrainingrsquo book for employees Chris Williams Created For You Horsehoe Bay TX
Helps keep me informed about new products and new ways to use CorelDRAW Lawrence Coen Coen Enterprises amp Graphics ElkhartKS
Your articles help keep me up to date on many new technological methods which are a tremendous help in my style of business Gary Whitener Cody Tees Ste Genevieve MO
I like all of it It is [full of] very informative clear concise articles Trish Stuart Twisted Threads Emory TX
Great info in every issue Dennis Duval Duvalrsquos Custom Etched Glass Jasper TX
CorelDRAWHelp is like a refresher course it lets me in on better ways to do graphic techniques A time saver Dianne Beck Poulsbo Church Poulsbo WAI appreciate the fact that CorelDRAWHelp is focused on helping the business owner become successful I havenrsquot read an issue that hasnrsquot given me something to assist my business Jim Good A2Z Engraving Madison AL
July 2009 14Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE TRANsFERsBy Bill Leek Apply
Universal WoodsUnisubreg of Louisville KY has just released a new series of products built around a great new silver aluminum substrate with a clear scratch and UV-resistant sublimation coating that will appeal to both the photographic and personalized products markets
The photographic reproduction products are marketed as CHROMALUXE CLEARtrade They provide an exciting addition to the already highly successful ChromLuxe white-coated photo product line The ChromaLuxe
high-definition photo panels are unlike anything else available The special clear coating on silver aluminum provides photographers with a unique and modern look to images that cannot be replicated using any other technique Photographers have sought a method for printing their images on silver for some time Some silver-coated inkjet papers have been released but they have not come close to the look and durability of this new Unisub product Black-and-white photographers will particularly like the highly reflective gloss aluminum
finish landscapes product shots and portraits come to life with a stunning elegant appearance ChromaLuxe Clear opens up a whole new printing dimension for them
ChromaLuxe panels are 045rdquo thick and have 25rdquo rounded corners They are available in 8x10 11x14 115x115 and 16x20 sizes I would like to see a 12x16 panel that could be printed on a 13x19 format printer and transferred on a 16x20 heat press As with all Unisub products pressing time is only a minute and obtaining good results is virtually foolproof
The panels can be displayed in many different ways Unisub offers an inexpensive offset mounting system Vintage black-and-white photos can be mounted in a variety of nostalgic wood frames I particularly like using low profile shadowbox modular metallic frames that complement the image These are available in many finishes and are relatively inexpensive
HoW To GET THE BEsT REsULTs
ChromaLuxe Clear will work best with higher contrast slightly darker images Proper image selection and adjustment is key for optimum results Soft pastel prints on silver will appear washed out and kind of gimmicky When working with color images with more intense colors and somewhat harsher light will provide the most stunning results Cars motorcycles and anything that has chrome on it are perfect subjects Dramatic landscapes (Ansel Adams) sunsets and seascapes also look great on this material
If your source photo does not meet these requirements you can add contrast using the TONE CURVE adjustment in Corel PHOTO-PAINTreg and apply an S CURVE (An illustration of this is included)
UNISUB SILVER SHINESUnisubrsquos Brand New Sublimation Substrate Produces Dramatic Results
S CURVE Using PhotoPaint apply
an S Curve as illustrated to
increase contrast of your image
prior to transfer
July 2009 15Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE tRAnSFERS
WAIThellipTHERErsquos MoRE
In addition Universal Woods has released license plates name badges id tags and clock kits made from the same silver aluminum These are marketed as UNISUB SILVERtradeThe combination of great looks durability and the extra thickness of the 045 aluminum make this product line world class The photos in this article speak for themselves
CoNCLUsIoNs
Universal Woods again shines and stands out as a true innovator and market leader in the sublimation marketplace ChromaLuxe Cleartrade and Unisub Silvertrade are exceptional imprintable substrates Order some samples today You wonrsquot be disappointed
Bill Leek is a industry writer based in HoustonTX He has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and has done testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
CHROME SILVER SATIN The beauty of ChromaLux Clear is demonstrated
in this high contrast image with vibrant colors
LICENSE PLATE License Plates produced with Unisub Silver have a dramatic look and
are extremely durable
SMALL SILVER ITEMS Unisub Silver provides a perfect substrate for these high quality name
badges and id tags
cDH
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
July 2009 17Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
July 2009 18Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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July 2009 8Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
Using CorelDRAWregTraining
font and type it in yourself anyway We donrsquot worry too much about the text converting since it is more desirable to use a ldquofontrdquo so you can do editing later
7 You may now select the proper color to put back into the new vector image and add the text (For more on how to add color amp text call us)
Method 2 solidifying the Color
The second method takes just a little more time but it is sometimes necessary due to very poor color density you may choose to do the first part of this method even if you finish with the Black amp White method This is just to solidify the color (or increase the density)
After assessing the bitmap you may choose to clean up the color That is we will make the bitmap colors more of one solid color as opposed to the hundreds of color pixels seen in the original
1 The first step is to click on the bitmap image to select it2 Go to the Property Bar and click on lsquoEdit Bitmaprsquo This should take you directly into Corel PHOTO-PAINT3 With the image in PHOTO-PAINT if you zoom in closely you will easily see how different your colors are in each pixel as in Figure 5 We want to make them all the same color or red or blue4 While you are still zoomed in close select the Eyedropper Tool and chose a dark blue pixel5 Notice the blue square at the bottom of your Tool Box on the left This is the Foreground Color Square There is also a double arrow icon next to it This is for swapping colors of Foreground and Background Colors6 Click on the double arrow icon placing the blue in the background and then select a lighter shade of blue to be placed in the Foreground Color Square
Note You may also use any color from the Color Palette to swap colors as in Figure 7
7 At this point you are ready to change all the pixels to one color Simply go to the Paint Tool Flyout menu just under the bucket in your Tool Box and select the last icon Replace Color Brush Tool8 You may want to increase or decrease your lsquoNib Sizersquo from your Property Bar for this tool Here I have it at 60 but it will be relative to your zoom level and how
July 2009 9Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
fast you want to change color Just hold down your left mouse button and drag to change colors8 In some cases you may also want to increase or decrease your lsquoColor Tolerancersquo or range This will accept or reject certain pixels not falling into the tolerance you have selected Play with this to see the different effect it will have on your image9 Now all you need do is to leave PHOTO-PAINT with either a copy and paste method (much safer) or just click on the X in the red box top left corner and select lsquoyesrsquo when it asks if you wish to save changes This step will automatically put you back into CorelDRAW and place your changed image on your page10 With your colors solid you can now lsquoTrace Bitmaprsquo in color and finish your vector image using it as is or keep the graphic and ad the text separately as in Figure 8
For more information on different techniques or individual questions you may call direct at the number below We also have On-Line Training on Tuesdays as well as one-on-one On-Line Training available
I would love to hear comments and questions
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry over the past 30 years Dave has used CorelDRAWreg since version 3 and became a CorelDRAW Training Partner in 2006 During the past 5 years he has been conducting workshops all over the US and is the author of several Video CDs amp Instructional CDs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or by email at davedprolinkgscom
Using CorelDRAWreg
The legendary power of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is
all around you In promotional items brochures logos
signs and so much more
reg
copy 2009 Corel Corporation All rights reserved
Find out more at
Donrsquot own a previous version Get started for free at
wwwcorelcomcdprotrial
wwwcorelco cdm pro
With extensive file compatibility and powerful automationand customization features to optimize your workflowCorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 can deliver on any designproject - from layout and photo editing to illustration andpowerful bitmap-to-vector tracing
reg
July 2009 10Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoRELDRAW APPLIEDBy Judy and John McDaniel Learn
Imposition Layout ndash For Full-Color Image TransfersSo far in this series wersquove showed how Imposition Layout in CorelDRAW can be used to duplicate layouts for standard labels and then how it can be modified to create custom layouts
To ReviewWe can use Imposition Layout with Laser Engravers Mechanical Engravers Sublimation Printers Vinyl Cutters Sandblast Film Printers etc etc Essentially we can use it with any output device that has a print driver for Windows and even some that donrsquot
As wersquove shown before to effectively use Imposition Layout we need to use the productrsquos size as the page size in CorelDRAW or if we want to introduce a gutter between pieces a page size that is slightly larger than
the product size And then in the output devicersquos printer driver use (1) a standard paper size or (2) a custom material size or (3) the machinersquos table size
Following this practice will allow us to duplicate and distribute one layout over the output material creating as many copies as will fit
In some of the previous articles we have used this feature to ldquostep and repeatrdquo a static layout Essentially applications where all the pieces produced are identical Last time we showed how Imposition Layout can be used with variable information
Up to this point we have concentrated on simple projects that contain no photographic images applications
that are designed primarily for engraving What we will tackle now is how we can apply imposition layout tools in full-color image transfer applications First where the image is static and text information is variable then wersquoll consider an application where pictures are a part of the variable data
our First ProjectThe first project we will tackle is full-color name badges to wear in the office and at trade shows If you have a retail shop or sell your products at shows fairs etc wearing company badges is excellent advertising If at all possible itrsquos always good to wear your work It shows potential customers one of the products you
can create for them
The first decision we need to make is badge size and image transfer method For our purposes (advertising and identification) we will select a pre-cut 2x3 inch badge and transfer the image via sublimation That will give us lots of area for a full color print with vibrant colors
Since we donrsquot want to produce badges one at a time our first task is to create or purchase a holding fixture ie production jig For sublimation image transfer purposes our fixture needs to be able to withstand temperatures in a heat press (approximately 400deg F) so it needs to be made from heat resistant materials
By doing a little research on the web we found a pre-cut badge blank and production jig fixture available from Unisub The product number for the badge is 5530 and for the fixture is 5941 Basic CorelDRAW templates are available for both items on their website and the products are available from a number of sublimation material suppliers
The basic template for the badge is shown in picture 1 and for the production jig is picture 2 Both of these are OK but need a little more work to make them really usable
The Badge TemplateWersquoll start by modifying the badge template Yoursquoll notice itrsquos setup on an 85 x 11 inch page with Basic CorelDRAW template for a name badge
July 2009 11Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CORElDRAW APPlIED
a text description of the two colored rectangles a blue rectangle on top of a green one
letrsquos first define what those areas are The blue rectangle represents the productrsquos size the green one is a suggested overprint area otherwise known as bleed
The purpose of the bleed is to insure the entire surface of the badge is printed If you donrsquot overprint the transfer a little you run the risk of having a white edge showing on the finished product That said everything that must appear on the product must fit within the blue area
The template is not usable in its present state except
as a guide Any background image can be placed within the green rectangle using the PowerClip command and the blue rectangle can be used as a reference for what will appear on the product
However we do not want to print the text and probably want to print more than one image on a sheet of transfer paper or at the very least have the option of using a smaller sheet
To make the template more usable I would suggest the following changes1 Delete the text -- left click on the text and press the delete key on the keyboard2 Resize the page to the size of the green rectangle -- 325 x 225 inches in landscape mode change the page size on the property bar with nothing in the layout selected3 Make sure the rectangles are centered on the new page -- If they are not select both rectangles and then press the P key on the keyboard4 Give the blue rectangle a blue outline (or any other color you would like) and remove its fill -- left-click on the blue rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click blue on the color palette to create a blue outline5 Give the green rectangle a green outline and remove its fill -- left-click on the green rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click green (or any other color you would like) on the color palette to create an outline
Production jig available from Unisub
6 Make sure the Object Manager Docker is visible -- If itrsquos not click on ToolsObject Manager or WindowsDockersObject Manager7 In the Object Manager create a new layer (for convention I have named the layer Product Outline)8 Optionally rename the original layer Print Area9 Drag the Blue Outline and drop it on the Product Outline layer10 Turn the Product Outline layer off for printing and editing Left-click the printer and pencil icons next to the layer name in the Object Manager Docker11 Create another new layer (Irsquove named this the Background layer) Drag this layer below the Print Area layer We will use this layer to import any background picture we want to use for the product12 Create one final new layer to contain any text and additional graphics we want to print on the product13 Make sure the layers are ordered top down -- Text amp Graphics Product Outline Print Area and Background and make sure Product Outline is off for printing and editing14 Save the layout as a CorelDRAW Template click on FileSave As TemplateSee picture 3 for the completed template
ConclusionWhat we have accomplished so far is to take a manufacturerrsquos product template and modify it for our use The original template had a single item on the page and was not suitable for use with Imposition Layout or Print Merge We have changed all of that Next time we will start with the revised template and populate it with a background and text for use with Print Merge
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWhelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training as well as one-on-one application support through an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom (For information on the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals please visit wwwCorelDRAWProcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom
Completed template
cDH
July 2009 12Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE CoLoRBy David Milisock Learn
Color Correction is Just the Beginning What Irsquove done here with the gracious consent of my friend and colleague Nancy Seibert of Advanced Signs and Graphics is to set up a situation where we can discuss not only color correction but simple image manipulation Captures A and B are the end result of an image capture of Nancy and some author who thinks he knows some stuff about color converted from RAW to Prophoto RGB with all the details as shown in capture C and then converted to US coated V2 CMYK
The most interesting and difficult concept of color is that in many instances there is no right or wrong I left the images on A and B in the file as high resolution so you
can zoom in on them and examine them more closely If we place 20 people into a room and view these two images we may get as many as 20 different opinions In my experience yoursquoll get 3 to 5 different opinions for sure The arguments will go like this Well A or B (depending on the opinion) has more natural flesh tones and B or A has more accurate whites
All of these discussions are wonderful and are the things that build character in the group Needless to say in the end on a calibrated system it is this character that will be making the decisions on how the image should be corrected
I have a very long term relationship with my monitor a Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 91TXM and know that it and no other monitor display exactly like the print The display system is regularly calibrated and work is always checked against the print In the case of these two images both display well image A displays just close to being too flat and too bluegreen and image B displays just being on the edge of being too warm but the contrast value is smoother in the shadow tones (Not to mention the corrections for camera faults that we will discuss later) With that said on the Heidelberg press that we regularly use when we run to the calibrated densitometer numbers the slight color shift will be toward the bluegreen Also I converted these using the Adobe US Coated V2 CMYK as it is readily available for all to use for proper previewing of this article Normally I would have used a Kodak CMyK profile that shipped with an older version of CorelDRAW which I believe is a superior CMyK profile
So the argument goes back and forth about the color and the fact is that while we may have our opinion there is a spread in the shifts in the color that are acceptable because in the end it comes down to our opinion Among the general opinion of the population of our client base repeatable acceptable or exceptional results in color are some of what brings them back So what are some of the other parts that bring the clients back In my opinion achieving the goal of the shot In this case we wanted snap shots that could be used to help promote our companies via print web and self promotion The key word was SNAP SHOTS to look natural Not model shots or product shots So what we simply do is to try and remove any errors
July 2009 13Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE COlOR
cDH
induced by the capture process while retaining the natural look of the subject
Notice in image A that there is a very slight amount of red eye on her right cheek and nose there was a touch of sheen Around the mouth there was some shine that was also removed All these things have been removed in image B
Image A has in my opinion issues due to this sheen Your eye does not properly focus on the center of the face of the subject I prefer the focus of an image of a person to be on the subjectrsquos eyes and toward the center left and right of the image if at all possible
The only editing done of this image was to convert from RAW to Prophoto color correction using only the tone curves via LAB Adobe RGB and US coated V2 color spaces and this included the contrast adjustment There was also a very slight amount of cloning to remove the reflection from the light source NO SMOOTH SKIN or any other effects Only the tone curves and the aforementioned cloning
Image B when almost finished displayed one issue that irked me and that was the shine in Nancyrsquos left eye right as we look at the image This shine caused the viewerrsquos focus to shift right instead of to the center You will have to zoom into the eyes on both images to get the full effect of how subtle this adjustment is I used the clone tool and removed just a very slight amount of that shine in her left eye This brings the viewerrsquos focus back toward the center of the face and creates a more pleasant experience when viewing this image
David Milisock president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc of Lancaster PA has been in the print production business since 1975 He specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite He started supporting CorelDRAW files for print output with V4 Output includes computer to plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems and also offers Giclee printing He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
What Readers say about CorelDRAWHelp MagazineDigital FormatWell thought out Well designed Easy to follow links Better than a snail-mail magazine because the provided links give immediate access to addtional information and resources Leo Lennemann Sandra Leersquos Trophy amp Gift Grove OK
I think it is easy to get around in page by page in pdf format John J Runyon South Metro Wire EDM Inc Shakopee MN
I look forward to each issue I actually print it and keep it in a binder for future reference You continue to help my awards business grow due to the educational and how-to articles Rob Thomas Celebrations Farmington MO
Excellent ContentThis magazine is a great resource I have gained a great deal of insight into the program and Irsquove also found sources of supply Nelson Wood Woodrsquos Wood Works Caledonia MI
I love reading CorelDRAWHelp Itrsquos quite informative and really gets my creative juices flowing Debbie Santiago New Jacobrsquos Chapel Clermont FL
Keeps me up to date Look forward to it Save every issue and print articles of interest to put into my lsquotrainingrsquo book for employees Chris Williams Created For You Horsehoe Bay TX
Helps keep me informed about new products and new ways to use CorelDRAW Lawrence Coen Coen Enterprises amp Graphics ElkhartKS
Your articles help keep me up to date on many new technological methods which are a tremendous help in my style of business Gary Whitener Cody Tees Ste Genevieve MO
I like all of it It is [full of] very informative clear concise articles Trish Stuart Twisted Threads Emory TX
Great info in every issue Dennis Duval Duvalrsquos Custom Etched Glass Jasper TX
CorelDRAWHelp is like a refresher course it lets me in on better ways to do graphic techniques A time saver Dianne Beck Poulsbo Church Poulsbo WAI appreciate the fact that CorelDRAWHelp is focused on helping the business owner become successful I havenrsquot read an issue that hasnrsquot given me something to assist my business Jim Good A2Z Engraving Madison AL
July 2009 14Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE TRANsFERsBy Bill Leek Apply
Universal WoodsUnisubreg of Louisville KY has just released a new series of products built around a great new silver aluminum substrate with a clear scratch and UV-resistant sublimation coating that will appeal to both the photographic and personalized products markets
The photographic reproduction products are marketed as CHROMALUXE CLEARtrade They provide an exciting addition to the already highly successful ChromLuxe white-coated photo product line The ChromaLuxe
high-definition photo panels are unlike anything else available The special clear coating on silver aluminum provides photographers with a unique and modern look to images that cannot be replicated using any other technique Photographers have sought a method for printing their images on silver for some time Some silver-coated inkjet papers have been released but they have not come close to the look and durability of this new Unisub product Black-and-white photographers will particularly like the highly reflective gloss aluminum
finish landscapes product shots and portraits come to life with a stunning elegant appearance ChromaLuxe Clear opens up a whole new printing dimension for them
ChromaLuxe panels are 045rdquo thick and have 25rdquo rounded corners They are available in 8x10 11x14 115x115 and 16x20 sizes I would like to see a 12x16 panel that could be printed on a 13x19 format printer and transferred on a 16x20 heat press As with all Unisub products pressing time is only a minute and obtaining good results is virtually foolproof
The panels can be displayed in many different ways Unisub offers an inexpensive offset mounting system Vintage black-and-white photos can be mounted in a variety of nostalgic wood frames I particularly like using low profile shadowbox modular metallic frames that complement the image These are available in many finishes and are relatively inexpensive
HoW To GET THE BEsT REsULTs
ChromaLuxe Clear will work best with higher contrast slightly darker images Proper image selection and adjustment is key for optimum results Soft pastel prints on silver will appear washed out and kind of gimmicky When working with color images with more intense colors and somewhat harsher light will provide the most stunning results Cars motorcycles and anything that has chrome on it are perfect subjects Dramatic landscapes (Ansel Adams) sunsets and seascapes also look great on this material
If your source photo does not meet these requirements you can add contrast using the TONE CURVE adjustment in Corel PHOTO-PAINTreg and apply an S CURVE (An illustration of this is included)
UNISUB SILVER SHINESUnisubrsquos Brand New Sublimation Substrate Produces Dramatic Results
S CURVE Using PhotoPaint apply
an S Curve as illustrated to
increase contrast of your image
prior to transfer
July 2009 15Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE tRAnSFERS
WAIThellipTHERErsquos MoRE
In addition Universal Woods has released license plates name badges id tags and clock kits made from the same silver aluminum These are marketed as UNISUB SILVERtradeThe combination of great looks durability and the extra thickness of the 045 aluminum make this product line world class The photos in this article speak for themselves
CoNCLUsIoNs
Universal Woods again shines and stands out as a true innovator and market leader in the sublimation marketplace ChromaLuxe Cleartrade and Unisub Silvertrade are exceptional imprintable substrates Order some samples today You wonrsquot be disappointed
Bill Leek is a industry writer based in HoustonTX He has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and has done testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
CHROME SILVER SATIN The beauty of ChromaLux Clear is demonstrated
in this high contrast image with vibrant colors
LICENSE PLATE License Plates produced with Unisub Silver have a dramatic look and
are extremely durable
SMALL SILVER ITEMS Unisub Silver provides a perfect substrate for these high quality name
badges and id tags
cDH
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
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InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
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InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
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InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 9Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
fast you want to change color Just hold down your left mouse button and drag to change colors8 In some cases you may also want to increase or decrease your lsquoColor Tolerancersquo or range This will accept or reject certain pixels not falling into the tolerance you have selected Play with this to see the different effect it will have on your image9 Now all you need do is to leave PHOTO-PAINT with either a copy and paste method (much safer) or just click on the X in the red box top left corner and select lsquoyesrsquo when it asks if you wish to save changes This step will automatically put you back into CorelDRAW and place your changed image on your page10 With your colors solid you can now lsquoTrace Bitmaprsquo in color and finish your vector image using it as is or keep the graphic and ad the text separately as in Figure 8
For more information on different techniques or individual questions you may call direct at the number below We also have On-Line Training on Tuesdays as well as one-on-one On-Line Training available
I would love to hear comments and questions
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry over the past 30 years Dave has used CorelDRAWreg since version 3 and became a CorelDRAW Training Partner in 2006 During the past 5 years he has been conducting workshops all over the US and is the author of several Video CDs amp Instructional CDs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or by email at davedprolinkgscom
Using CorelDRAWreg
The legendary power of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is
all around you In promotional items brochures logos
signs and so much more
reg
copy 2009 Corel Corporation All rights reserved
Find out more at
Donrsquot own a previous version Get started for free at
wwwcorelcomcdprotrial
wwwcorelco cdm pro
With extensive file compatibility and powerful automationand customization features to optimize your workflowCorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 can deliver on any designproject - from layout and photo editing to illustration andpowerful bitmap-to-vector tracing
reg
July 2009 10Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoRELDRAW APPLIEDBy Judy and John McDaniel Learn
Imposition Layout ndash For Full-Color Image TransfersSo far in this series wersquove showed how Imposition Layout in CorelDRAW can be used to duplicate layouts for standard labels and then how it can be modified to create custom layouts
To ReviewWe can use Imposition Layout with Laser Engravers Mechanical Engravers Sublimation Printers Vinyl Cutters Sandblast Film Printers etc etc Essentially we can use it with any output device that has a print driver for Windows and even some that donrsquot
As wersquove shown before to effectively use Imposition Layout we need to use the productrsquos size as the page size in CorelDRAW or if we want to introduce a gutter between pieces a page size that is slightly larger than
the product size And then in the output devicersquos printer driver use (1) a standard paper size or (2) a custom material size or (3) the machinersquos table size
Following this practice will allow us to duplicate and distribute one layout over the output material creating as many copies as will fit
In some of the previous articles we have used this feature to ldquostep and repeatrdquo a static layout Essentially applications where all the pieces produced are identical Last time we showed how Imposition Layout can be used with variable information
Up to this point we have concentrated on simple projects that contain no photographic images applications
that are designed primarily for engraving What we will tackle now is how we can apply imposition layout tools in full-color image transfer applications First where the image is static and text information is variable then wersquoll consider an application where pictures are a part of the variable data
our First ProjectThe first project we will tackle is full-color name badges to wear in the office and at trade shows If you have a retail shop or sell your products at shows fairs etc wearing company badges is excellent advertising If at all possible itrsquos always good to wear your work It shows potential customers one of the products you
can create for them
The first decision we need to make is badge size and image transfer method For our purposes (advertising and identification) we will select a pre-cut 2x3 inch badge and transfer the image via sublimation That will give us lots of area for a full color print with vibrant colors
Since we donrsquot want to produce badges one at a time our first task is to create or purchase a holding fixture ie production jig For sublimation image transfer purposes our fixture needs to be able to withstand temperatures in a heat press (approximately 400deg F) so it needs to be made from heat resistant materials
By doing a little research on the web we found a pre-cut badge blank and production jig fixture available from Unisub The product number for the badge is 5530 and for the fixture is 5941 Basic CorelDRAW templates are available for both items on their website and the products are available from a number of sublimation material suppliers
The basic template for the badge is shown in picture 1 and for the production jig is picture 2 Both of these are OK but need a little more work to make them really usable
The Badge TemplateWersquoll start by modifying the badge template Yoursquoll notice itrsquos setup on an 85 x 11 inch page with Basic CorelDRAW template for a name badge
July 2009 11Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CORElDRAW APPlIED
a text description of the two colored rectangles a blue rectangle on top of a green one
letrsquos first define what those areas are The blue rectangle represents the productrsquos size the green one is a suggested overprint area otherwise known as bleed
The purpose of the bleed is to insure the entire surface of the badge is printed If you donrsquot overprint the transfer a little you run the risk of having a white edge showing on the finished product That said everything that must appear on the product must fit within the blue area
The template is not usable in its present state except
as a guide Any background image can be placed within the green rectangle using the PowerClip command and the blue rectangle can be used as a reference for what will appear on the product
However we do not want to print the text and probably want to print more than one image on a sheet of transfer paper or at the very least have the option of using a smaller sheet
To make the template more usable I would suggest the following changes1 Delete the text -- left click on the text and press the delete key on the keyboard2 Resize the page to the size of the green rectangle -- 325 x 225 inches in landscape mode change the page size on the property bar with nothing in the layout selected3 Make sure the rectangles are centered on the new page -- If they are not select both rectangles and then press the P key on the keyboard4 Give the blue rectangle a blue outline (or any other color you would like) and remove its fill -- left-click on the blue rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click blue on the color palette to create a blue outline5 Give the green rectangle a green outline and remove its fill -- left-click on the green rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click green (or any other color you would like) on the color palette to create an outline
Production jig available from Unisub
6 Make sure the Object Manager Docker is visible -- If itrsquos not click on ToolsObject Manager or WindowsDockersObject Manager7 In the Object Manager create a new layer (for convention I have named the layer Product Outline)8 Optionally rename the original layer Print Area9 Drag the Blue Outline and drop it on the Product Outline layer10 Turn the Product Outline layer off for printing and editing Left-click the printer and pencil icons next to the layer name in the Object Manager Docker11 Create another new layer (Irsquove named this the Background layer) Drag this layer below the Print Area layer We will use this layer to import any background picture we want to use for the product12 Create one final new layer to contain any text and additional graphics we want to print on the product13 Make sure the layers are ordered top down -- Text amp Graphics Product Outline Print Area and Background and make sure Product Outline is off for printing and editing14 Save the layout as a CorelDRAW Template click on FileSave As TemplateSee picture 3 for the completed template
ConclusionWhat we have accomplished so far is to take a manufacturerrsquos product template and modify it for our use The original template had a single item on the page and was not suitable for use with Imposition Layout or Print Merge We have changed all of that Next time we will start with the revised template and populate it with a background and text for use with Print Merge
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWhelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training as well as one-on-one application support through an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom (For information on the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals please visit wwwCorelDRAWProcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom
Completed template
cDH
July 2009 12Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE CoLoRBy David Milisock Learn
Color Correction is Just the Beginning What Irsquove done here with the gracious consent of my friend and colleague Nancy Seibert of Advanced Signs and Graphics is to set up a situation where we can discuss not only color correction but simple image manipulation Captures A and B are the end result of an image capture of Nancy and some author who thinks he knows some stuff about color converted from RAW to Prophoto RGB with all the details as shown in capture C and then converted to US coated V2 CMYK
The most interesting and difficult concept of color is that in many instances there is no right or wrong I left the images on A and B in the file as high resolution so you
can zoom in on them and examine them more closely If we place 20 people into a room and view these two images we may get as many as 20 different opinions In my experience yoursquoll get 3 to 5 different opinions for sure The arguments will go like this Well A or B (depending on the opinion) has more natural flesh tones and B or A has more accurate whites
All of these discussions are wonderful and are the things that build character in the group Needless to say in the end on a calibrated system it is this character that will be making the decisions on how the image should be corrected
I have a very long term relationship with my monitor a Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 91TXM and know that it and no other monitor display exactly like the print The display system is regularly calibrated and work is always checked against the print In the case of these two images both display well image A displays just close to being too flat and too bluegreen and image B displays just being on the edge of being too warm but the contrast value is smoother in the shadow tones (Not to mention the corrections for camera faults that we will discuss later) With that said on the Heidelberg press that we regularly use when we run to the calibrated densitometer numbers the slight color shift will be toward the bluegreen Also I converted these using the Adobe US Coated V2 CMYK as it is readily available for all to use for proper previewing of this article Normally I would have used a Kodak CMyK profile that shipped with an older version of CorelDRAW which I believe is a superior CMyK profile
So the argument goes back and forth about the color and the fact is that while we may have our opinion there is a spread in the shifts in the color that are acceptable because in the end it comes down to our opinion Among the general opinion of the population of our client base repeatable acceptable or exceptional results in color are some of what brings them back So what are some of the other parts that bring the clients back In my opinion achieving the goal of the shot In this case we wanted snap shots that could be used to help promote our companies via print web and self promotion The key word was SNAP SHOTS to look natural Not model shots or product shots So what we simply do is to try and remove any errors
July 2009 13Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE COlOR
cDH
induced by the capture process while retaining the natural look of the subject
Notice in image A that there is a very slight amount of red eye on her right cheek and nose there was a touch of sheen Around the mouth there was some shine that was also removed All these things have been removed in image B
Image A has in my opinion issues due to this sheen Your eye does not properly focus on the center of the face of the subject I prefer the focus of an image of a person to be on the subjectrsquos eyes and toward the center left and right of the image if at all possible
The only editing done of this image was to convert from RAW to Prophoto color correction using only the tone curves via LAB Adobe RGB and US coated V2 color spaces and this included the contrast adjustment There was also a very slight amount of cloning to remove the reflection from the light source NO SMOOTH SKIN or any other effects Only the tone curves and the aforementioned cloning
Image B when almost finished displayed one issue that irked me and that was the shine in Nancyrsquos left eye right as we look at the image This shine caused the viewerrsquos focus to shift right instead of to the center You will have to zoom into the eyes on both images to get the full effect of how subtle this adjustment is I used the clone tool and removed just a very slight amount of that shine in her left eye This brings the viewerrsquos focus back toward the center of the face and creates a more pleasant experience when viewing this image
David Milisock president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc of Lancaster PA has been in the print production business since 1975 He specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite He started supporting CorelDRAW files for print output with V4 Output includes computer to plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems and also offers Giclee printing He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
What Readers say about CorelDRAWHelp MagazineDigital FormatWell thought out Well designed Easy to follow links Better than a snail-mail magazine because the provided links give immediate access to addtional information and resources Leo Lennemann Sandra Leersquos Trophy amp Gift Grove OK
I think it is easy to get around in page by page in pdf format John J Runyon South Metro Wire EDM Inc Shakopee MN
I look forward to each issue I actually print it and keep it in a binder for future reference You continue to help my awards business grow due to the educational and how-to articles Rob Thomas Celebrations Farmington MO
Excellent ContentThis magazine is a great resource I have gained a great deal of insight into the program and Irsquove also found sources of supply Nelson Wood Woodrsquos Wood Works Caledonia MI
I love reading CorelDRAWHelp Itrsquos quite informative and really gets my creative juices flowing Debbie Santiago New Jacobrsquos Chapel Clermont FL
Keeps me up to date Look forward to it Save every issue and print articles of interest to put into my lsquotrainingrsquo book for employees Chris Williams Created For You Horsehoe Bay TX
Helps keep me informed about new products and new ways to use CorelDRAW Lawrence Coen Coen Enterprises amp Graphics ElkhartKS
Your articles help keep me up to date on many new technological methods which are a tremendous help in my style of business Gary Whitener Cody Tees Ste Genevieve MO
I like all of it It is [full of] very informative clear concise articles Trish Stuart Twisted Threads Emory TX
Great info in every issue Dennis Duval Duvalrsquos Custom Etched Glass Jasper TX
CorelDRAWHelp is like a refresher course it lets me in on better ways to do graphic techniques A time saver Dianne Beck Poulsbo Church Poulsbo WAI appreciate the fact that CorelDRAWHelp is focused on helping the business owner become successful I havenrsquot read an issue that hasnrsquot given me something to assist my business Jim Good A2Z Engraving Madison AL
July 2009 14Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE TRANsFERsBy Bill Leek Apply
Universal WoodsUnisubreg of Louisville KY has just released a new series of products built around a great new silver aluminum substrate with a clear scratch and UV-resistant sublimation coating that will appeal to both the photographic and personalized products markets
The photographic reproduction products are marketed as CHROMALUXE CLEARtrade They provide an exciting addition to the already highly successful ChromLuxe white-coated photo product line The ChromaLuxe
high-definition photo panels are unlike anything else available The special clear coating on silver aluminum provides photographers with a unique and modern look to images that cannot be replicated using any other technique Photographers have sought a method for printing their images on silver for some time Some silver-coated inkjet papers have been released but they have not come close to the look and durability of this new Unisub product Black-and-white photographers will particularly like the highly reflective gloss aluminum
finish landscapes product shots and portraits come to life with a stunning elegant appearance ChromaLuxe Clear opens up a whole new printing dimension for them
ChromaLuxe panels are 045rdquo thick and have 25rdquo rounded corners They are available in 8x10 11x14 115x115 and 16x20 sizes I would like to see a 12x16 panel that could be printed on a 13x19 format printer and transferred on a 16x20 heat press As with all Unisub products pressing time is only a minute and obtaining good results is virtually foolproof
The panels can be displayed in many different ways Unisub offers an inexpensive offset mounting system Vintage black-and-white photos can be mounted in a variety of nostalgic wood frames I particularly like using low profile shadowbox modular metallic frames that complement the image These are available in many finishes and are relatively inexpensive
HoW To GET THE BEsT REsULTs
ChromaLuxe Clear will work best with higher contrast slightly darker images Proper image selection and adjustment is key for optimum results Soft pastel prints on silver will appear washed out and kind of gimmicky When working with color images with more intense colors and somewhat harsher light will provide the most stunning results Cars motorcycles and anything that has chrome on it are perfect subjects Dramatic landscapes (Ansel Adams) sunsets and seascapes also look great on this material
If your source photo does not meet these requirements you can add contrast using the TONE CURVE adjustment in Corel PHOTO-PAINTreg and apply an S CURVE (An illustration of this is included)
UNISUB SILVER SHINESUnisubrsquos Brand New Sublimation Substrate Produces Dramatic Results
S CURVE Using PhotoPaint apply
an S Curve as illustrated to
increase contrast of your image
prior to transfer
July 2009 15Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE tRAnSFERS
WAIThellipTHERErsquos MoRE
In addition Universal Woods has released license plates name badges id tags and clock kits made from the same silver aluminum These are marketed as UNISUB SILVERtradeThe combination of great looks durability and the extra thickness of the 045 aluminum make this product line world class The photos in this article speak for themselves
CoNCLUsIoNs
Universal Woods again shines and stands out as a true innovator and market leader in the sublimation marketplace ChromaLuxe Cleartrade and Unisub Silvertrade are exceptional imprintable substrates Order some samples today You wonrsquot be disappointed
Bill Leek is a industry writer based in HoustonTX He has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and has done testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
CHROME SILVER SATIN The beauty of ChromaLux Clear is demonstrated
in this high contrast image with vibrant colors
LICENSE PLATE License Plates produced with Unisub Silver have a dramatic look and
are extremely durable
SMALL SILVER ITEMS Unisub Silver provides a perfect substrate for these high quality name
badges and id tags
cDH
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
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InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
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InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
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InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
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sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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July 2009 10Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoRELDRAW APPLIEDBy Judy and John McDaniel Learn
Imposition Layout ndash For Full-Color Image TransfersSo far in this series wersquove showed how Imposition Layout in CorelDRAW can be used to duplicate layouts for standard labels and then how it can be modified to create custom layouts
To ReviewWe can use Imposition Layout with Laser Engravers Mechanical Engravers Sublimation Printers Vinyl Cutters Sandblast Film Printers etc etc Essentially we can use it with any output device that has a print driver for Windows and even some that donrsquot
As wersquove shown before to effectively use Imposition Layout we need to use the productrsquos size as the page size in CorelDRAW or if we want to introduce a gutter between pieces a page size that is slightly larger than
the product size And then in the output devicersquos printer driver use (1) a standard paper size or (2) a custom material size or (3) the machinersquos table size
Following this practice will allow us to duplicate and distribute one layout over the output material creating as many copies as will fit
In some of the previous articles we have used this feature to ldquostep and repeatrdquo a static layout Essentially applications where all the pieces produced are identical Last time we showed how Imposition Layout can be used with variable information
Up to this point we have concentrated on simple projects that contain no photographic images applications
that are designed primarily for engraving What we will tackle now is how we can apply imposition layout tools in full-color image transfer applications First where the image is static and text information is variable then wersquoll consider an application where pictures are a part of the variable data
our First ProjectThe first project we will tackle is full-color name badges to wear in the office and at trade shows If you have a retail shop or sell your products at shows fairs etc wearing company badges is excellent advertising If at all possible itrsquos always good to wear your work It shows potential customers one of the products you
can create for them
The first decision we need to make is badge size and image transfer method For our purposes (advertising and identification) we will select a pre-cut 2x3 inch badge and transfer the image via sublimation That will give us lots of area for a full color print with vibrant colors
Since we donrsquot want to produce badges one at a time our first task is to create or purchase a holding fixture ie production jig For sublimation image transfer purposes our fixture needs to be able to withstand temperatures in a heat press (approximately 400deg F) so it needs to be made from heat resistant materials
By doing a little research on the web we found a pre-cut badge blank and production jig fixture available from Unisub The product number for the badge is 5530 and for the fixture is 5941 Basic CorelDRAW templates are available for both items on their website and the products are available from a number of sublimation material suppliers
The basic template for the badge is shown in picture 1 and for the production jig is picture 2 Both of these are OK but need a little more work to make them really usable
The Badge TemplateWersquoll start by modifying the badge template Yoursquoll notice itrsquos setup on an 85 x 11 inch page with Basic CorelDRAW template for a name badge
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CORElDRAW APPlIED
a text description of the two colored rectangles a blue rectangle on top of a green one
letrsquos first define what those areas are The blue rectangle represents the productrsquos size the green one is a suggested overprint area otherwise known as bleed
The purpose of the bleed is to insure the entire surface of the badge is printed If you donrsquot overprint the transfer a little you run the risk of having a white edge showing on the finished product That said everything that must appear on the product must fit within the blue area
The template is not usable in its present state except
as a guide Any background image can be placed within the green rectangle using the PowerClip command and the blue rectangle can be used as a reference for what will appear on the product
However we do not want to print the text and probably want to print more than one image on a sheet of transfer paper or at the very least have the option of using a smaller sheet
To make the template more usable I would suggest the following changes1 Delete the text -- left click on the text and press the delete key on the keyboard2 Resize the page to the size of the green rectangle -- 325 x 225 inches in landscape mode change the page size on the property bar with nothing in the layout selected3 Make sure the rectangles are centered on the new page -- If they are not select both rectangles and then press the P key on the keyboard4 Give the blue rectangle a blue outline (or any other color you would like) and remove its fill -- left-click on the blue rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click blue on the color palette to create a blue outline5 Give the green rectangle a green outline and remove its fill -- left-click on the green rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click green (or any other color you would like) on the color palette to create an outline
Production jig available from Unisub
6 Make sure the Object Manager Docker is visible -- If itrsquos not click on ToolsObject Manager or WindowsDockersObject Manager7 In the Object Manager create a new layer (for convention I have named the layer Product Outline)8 Optionally rename the original layer Print Area9 Drag the Blue Outline and drop it on the Product Outline layer10 Turn the Product Outline layer off for printing and editing Left-click the printer and pencil icons next to the layer name in the Object Manager Docker11 Create another new layer (Irsquove named this the Background layer) Drag this layer below the Print Area layer We will use this layer to import any background picture we want to use for the product12 Create one final new layer to contain any text and additional graphics we want to print on the product13 Make sure the layers are ordered top down -- Text amp Graphics Product Outline Print Area and Background and make sure Product Outline is off for printing and editing14 Save the layout as a CorelDRAW Template click on FileSave As TemplateSee picture 3 for the completed template
ConclusionWhat we have accomplished so far is to take a manufacturerrsquos product template and modify it for our use The original template had a single item on the page and was not suitable for use with Imposition Layout or Print Merge We have changed all of that Next time we will start with the revised template and populate it with a background and text for use with Print Merge
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWhelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training as well as one-on-one application support through an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom (For information on the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals please visit wwwCorelDRAWProcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom
Completed template
cDH
July 2009 12Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE CoLoRBy David Milisock Learn
Color Correction is Just the Beginning What Irsquove done here with the gracious consent of my friend and colleague Nancy Seibert of Advanced Signs and Graphics is to set up a situation where we can discuss not only color correction but simple image manipulation Captures A and B are the end result of an image capture of Nancy and some author who thinks he knows some stuff about color converted from RAW to Prophoto RGB with all the details as shown in capture C and then converted to US coated V2 CMYK
The most interesting and difficult concept of color is that in many instances there is no right or wrong I left the images on A and B in the file as high resolution so you
can zoom in on them and examine them more closely If we place 20 people into a room and view these two images we may get as many as 20 different opinions In my experience yoursquoll get 3 to 5 different opinions for sure The arguments will go like this Well A or B (depending on the opinion) has more natural flesh tones and B or A has more accurate whites
All of these discussions are wonderful and are the things that build character in the group Needless to say in the end on a calibrated system it is this character that will be making the decisions on how the image should be corrected
I have a very long term relationship with my monitor a Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 91TXM and know that it and no other monitor display exactly like the print The display system is regularly calibrated and work is always checked against the print In the case of these two images both display well image A displays just close to being too flat and too bluegreen and image B displays just being on the edge of being too warm but the contrast value is smoother in the shadow tones (Not to mention the corrections for camera faults that we will discuss later) With that said on the Heidelberg press that we regularly use when we run to the calibrated densitometer numbers the slight color shift will be toward the bluegreen Also I converted these using the Adobe US Coated V2 CMYK as it is readily available for all to use for proper previewing of this article Normally I would have used a Kodak CMyK profile that shipped with an older version of CorelDRAW which I believe is a superior CMyK profile
So the argument goes back and forth about the color and the fact is that while we may have our opinion there is a spread in the shifts in the color that are acceptable because in the end it comes down to our opinion Among the general opinion of the population of our client base repeatable acceptable or exceptional results in color are some of what brings them back So what are some of the other parts that bring the clients back In my opinion achieving the goal of the shot In this case we wanted snap shots that could be used to help promote our companies via print web and self promotion The key word was SNAP SHOTS to look natural Not model shots or product shots So what we simply do is to try and remove any errors
July 2009 13Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE COlOR
cDH
induced by the capture process while retaining the natural look of the subject
Notice in image A that there is a very slight amount of red eye on her right cheek and nose there was a touch of sheen Around the mouth there was some shine that was also removed All these things have been removed in image B
Image A has in my opinion issues due to this sheen Your eye does not properly focus on the center of the face of the subject I prefer the focus of an image of a person to be on the subjectrsquos eyes and toward the center left and right of the image if at all possible
The only editing done of this image was to convert from RAW to Prophoto color correction using only the tone curves via LAB Adobe RGB and US coated V2 color spaces and this included the contrast adjustment There was also a very slight amount of cloning to remove the reflection from the light source NO SMOOTH SKIN or any other effects Only the tone curves and the aforementioned cloning
Image B when almost finished displayed one issue that irked me and that was the shine in Nancyrsquos left eye right as we look at the image This shine caused the viewerrsquos focus to shift right instead of to the center You will have to zoom into the eyes on both images to get the full effect of how subtle this adjustment is I used the clone tool and removed just a very slight amount of that shine in her left eye This brings the viewerrsquos focus back toward the center of the face and creates a more pleasant experience when viewing this image
David Milisock president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc of Lancaster PA has been in the print production business since 1975 He specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite He started supporting CorelDRAW files for print output with V4 Output includes computer to plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems and also offers Giclee printing He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
What Readers say about CorelDRAWHelp MagazineDigital FormatWell thought out Well designed Easy to follow links Better than a snail-mail magazine because the provided links give immediate access to addtional information and resources Leo Lennemann Sandra Leersquos Trophy amp Gift Grove OK
I think it is easy to get around in page by page in pdf format John J Runyon South Metro Wire EDM Inc Shakopee MN
I look forward to each issue I actually print it and keep it in a binder for future reference You continue to help my awards business grow due to the educational and how-to articles Rob Thomas Celebrations Farmington MO
Excellent ContentThis magazine is a great resource I have gained a great deal of insight into the program and Irsquove also found sources of supply Nelson Wood Woodrsquos Wood Works Caledonia MI
I love reading CorelDRAWHelp Itrsquos quite informative and really gets my creative juices flowing Debbie Santiago New Jacobrsquos Chapel Clermont FL
Keeps me up to date Look forward to it Save every issue and print articles of interest to put into my lsquotrainingrsquo book for employees Chris Williams Created For You Horsehoe Bay TX
Helps keep me informed about new products and new ways to use CorelDRAW Lawrence Coen Coen Enterprises amp Graphics ElkhartKS
Your articles help keep me up to date on many new technological methods which are a tremendous help in my style of business Gary Whitener Cody Tees Ste Genevieve MO
I like all of it It is [full of] very informative clear concise articles Trish Stuart Twisted Threads Emory TX
Great info in every issue Dennis Duval Duvalrsquos Custom Etched Glass Jasper TX
CorelDRAWHelp is like a refresher course it lets me in on better ways to do graphic techniques A time saver Dianne Beck Poulsbo Church Poulsbo WAI appreciate the fact that CorelDRAWHelp is focused on helping the business owner become successful I havenrsquot read an issue that hasnrsquot given me something to assist my business Jim Good A2Z Engraving Madison AL
July 2009 14Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE TRANsFERsBy Bill Leek Apply
Universal WoodsUnisubreg of Louisville KY has just released a new series of products built around a great new silver aluminum substrate with a clear scratch and UV-resistant sublimation coating that will appeal to both the photographic and personalized products markets
The photographic reproduction products are marketed as CHROMALUXE CLEARtrade They provide an exciting addition to the already highly successful ChromLuxe white-coated photo product line The ChromaLuxe
high-definition photo panels are unlike anything else available The special clear coating on silver aluminum provides photographers with a unique and modern look to images that cannot be replicated using any other technique Photographers have sought a method for printing their images on silver for some time Some silver-coated inkjet papers have been released but they have not come close to the look and durability of this new Unisub product Black-and-white photographers will particularly like the highly reflective gloss aluminum
finish landscapes product shots and portraits come to life with a stunning elegant appearance ChromaLuxe Clear opens up a whole new printing dimension for them
ChromaLuxe panels are 045rdquo thick and have 25rdquo rounded corners They are available in 8x10 11x14 115x115 and 16x20 sizes I would like to see a 12x16 panel that could be printed on a 13x19 format printer and transferred on a 16x20 heat press As with all Unisub products pressing time is only a minute and obtaining good results is virtually foolproof
The panels can be displayed in many different ways Unisub offers an inexpensive offset mounting system Vintage black-and-white photos can be mounted in a variety of nostalgic wood frames I particularly like using low profile shadowbox modular metallic frames that complement the image These are available in many finishes and are relatively inexpensive
HoW To GET THE BEsT REsULTs
ChromaLuxe Clear will work best with higher contrast slightly darker images Proper image selection and adjustment is key for optimum results Soft pastel prints on silver will appear washed out and kind of gimmicky When working with color images with more intense colors and somewhat harsher light will provide the most stunning results Cars motorcycles and anything that has chrome on it are perfect subjects Dramatic landscapes (Ansel Adams) sunsets and seascapes also look great on this material
If your source photo does not meet these requirements you can add contrast using the TONE CURVE adjustment in Corel PHOTO-PAINTreg and apply an S CURVE (An illustration of this is included)
UNISUB SILVER SHINESUnisubrsquos Brand New Sublimation Substrate Produces Dramatic Results
S CURVE Using PhotoPaint apply
an S Curve as illustrated to
increase contrast of your image
prior to transfer
July 2009 15Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE tRAnSFERS
WAIThellipTHERErsquos MoRE
In addition Universal Woods has released license plates name badges id tags and clock kits made from the same silver aluminum These are marketed as UNISUB SILVERtradeThe combination of great looks durability and the extra thickness of the 045 aluminum make this product line world class The photos in this article speak for themselves
CoNCLUsIoNs
Universal Woods again shines and stands out as a true innovator and market leader in the sublimation marketplace ChromaLuxe Cleartrade and Unisub Silvertrade are exceptional imprintable substrates Order some samples today You wonrsquot be disappointed
Bill Leek is a industry writer based in HoustonTX He has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and has done testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
CHROME SILVER SATIN The beauty of ChromaLux Clear is demonstrated
in this high contrast image with vibrant colors
LICENSE PLATE License Plates produced with Unisub Silver have a dramatic look and
are extremely durable
SMALL SILVER ITEMS Unisub Silver provides a perfect substrate for these high quality name
badges and id tags
cDH
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
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InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
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InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
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InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
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some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 11Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CORElDRAW APPlIED
a text description of the two colored rectangles a blue rectangle on top of a green one
letrsquos first define what those areas are The blue rectangle represents the productrsquos size the green one is a suggested overprint area otherwise known as bleed
The purpose of the bleed is to insure the entire surface of the badge is printed If you donrsquot overprint the transfer a little you run the risk of having a white edge showing on the finished product That said everything that must appear on the product must fit within the blue area
The template is not usable in its present state except
as a guide Any background image can be placed within the green rectangle using the PowerClip command and the blue rectangle can be used as a reference for what will appear on the product
However we do not want to print the text and probably want to print more than one image on a sheet of transfer paper or at the very least have the option of using a smaller sheet
To make the template more usable I would suggest the following changes1 Delete the text -- left click on the text and press the delete key on the keyboard2 Resize the page to the size of the green rectangle -- 325 x 225 inches in landscape mode change the page size on the property bar with nothing in the layout selected3 Make sure the rectangles are centered on the new page -- If they are not select both rectangles and then press the P key on the keyboard4 Give the blue rectangle a blue outline (or any other color you would like) and remove its fill -- left-click on the blue rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click blue on the color palette to create a blue outline5 Give the green rectangle a green outline and remove its fill -- left-click on the green rectangle then left-click in the X well on the color palette to remove the fill and right-click green (or any other color you would like) on the color palette to create an outline
Production jig available from Unisub
6 Make sure the Object Manager Docker is visible -- If itrsquos not click on ToolsObject Manager or WindowsDockersObject Manager7 In the Object Manager create a new layer (for convention I have named the layer Product Outline)8 Optionally rename the original layer Print Area9 Drag the Blue Outline and drop it on the Product Outline layer10 Turn the Product Outline layer off for printing and editing Left-click the printer and pencil icons next to the layer name in the Object Manager Docker11 Create another new layer (Irsquove named this the Background layer) Drag this layer below the Print Area layer We will use this layer to import any background picture we want to use for the product12 Create one final new layer to contain any text and additional graphics we want to print on the product13 Make sure the layers are ordered top down -- Text amp Graphics Product Outline Print Area and Background and make sure Product Outline is off for printing and editing14 Save the layout as a CorelDRAW Template click on FileSave As TemplateSee picture 3 for the completed template
ConclusionWhat we have accomplished so far is to take a manufacturerrsquos product template and modify it for our use The original template had a single item on the page and was not suitable for use with Imposition Layout or Print Merge We have changed all of that Next time we will start with the revised template and populate it with a background and text for use with Print Merge
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWhelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training as well as one-on-one application support through an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom (For information on the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals please visit wwwCorelDRAWProcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom
Completed template
cDH
July 2009 12Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE CoLoRBy David Milisock Learn
Color Correction is Just the Beginning What Irsquove done here with the gracious consent of my friend and colleague Nancy Seibert of Advanced Signs and Graphics is to set up a situation where we can discuss not only color correction but simple image manipulation Captures A and B are the end result of an image capture of Nancy and some author who thinks he knows some stuff about color converted from RAW to Prophoto RGB with all the details as shown in capture C and then converted to US coated V2 CMYK
The most interesting and difficult concept of color is that in many instances there is no right or wrong I left the images on A and B in the file as high resolution so you
can zoom in on them and examine them more closely If we place 20 people into a room and view these two images we may get as many as 20 different opinions In my experience yoursquoll get 3 to 5 different opinions for sure The arguments will go like this Well A or B (depending on the opinion) has more natural flesh tones and B or A has more accurate whites
All of these discussions are wonderful and are the things that build character in the group Needless to say in the end on a calibrated system it is this character that will be making the decisions on how the image should be corrected
I have a very long term relationship with my monitor a Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 91TXM and know that it and no other monitor display exactly like the print The display system is regularly calibrated and work is always checked against the print In the case of these two images both display well image A displays just close to being too flat and too bluegreen and image B displays just being on the edge of being too warm but the contrast value is smoother in the shadow tones (Not to mention the corrections for camera faults that we will discuss later) With that said on the Heidelberg press that we regularly use when we run to the calibrated densitometer numbers the slight color shift will be toward the bluegreen Also I converted these using the Adobe US Coated V2 CMYK as it is readily available for all to use for proper previewing of this article Normally I would have used a Kodak CMyK profile that shipped with an older version of CorelDRAW which I believe is a superior CMyK profile
So the argument goes back and forth about the color and the fact is that while we may have our opinion there is a spread in the shifts in the color that are acceptable because in the end it comes down to our opinion Among the general opinion of the population of our client base repeatable acceptable or exceptional results in color are some of what brings them back So what are some of the other parts that bring the clients back In my opinion achieving the goal of the shot In this case we wanted snap shots that could be used to help promote our companies via print web and self promotion The key word was SNAP SHOTS to look natural Not model shots or product shots So what we simply do is to try and remove any errors
July 2009 13Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE COlOR
cDH
induced by the capture process while retaining the natural look of the subject
Notice in image A that there is a very slight amount of red eye on her right cheek and nose there was a touch of sheen Around the mouth there was some shine that was also removed All these things have been removed in image B
Image A has in my opinion issues due to this sheen Your eye does not properly focus on the center of the face of the subject I prefer the focus of an image of a person to be on the subjectrsquos eyes and toward the center left and right of the image if at all possible
The only editing done of this image was to convert from RAW to Prophoto color correction using only the tone curves via LAB Adobe RGB and US coated V2 color spaces and this included the contrast adjustment There was also a very slight amount of cloning to remove the reflection from the light source NO SMOOTH SKIN or any other effects Only the tone curves and the aforementioned cloning
Image B when almost finished displayed one issue that irked me and that was the shine in Nancyrsquos left eye right as we look at the image This shine caused the viewerrsquos focus to shift right instead of to the center You will have to zoom into the eyes on both images to get the full effect of how subtle this adjustment is I used the clone tool and removed just a very slight amount of that shine in her left eye This brings the viewerrsquos focus back toward the center of the face and creates a more pleasant experience when viewing this image
David Milisock president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc of Lancaster PA has been in the print production business since 1975 He specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite He started supporting CorelDRAW files for print output with V4 Output includes computer to plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems and also offers Giclee printing He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
What Readers say about CorelDRAWHelp MagazineDigital FormatWell thought out Well designed Easy to follow links Better than a snail-mail magazine because the provided links give immediate access to addtional information and resources Leo Lennemann Sandra Leersquos Trophy amp Gift Grove OK
I think it is easy to get around in page by page in pdf format John J Runyon South Metro Wire EDM Inc Shakopee MN
I look forward to each issue I actually print it and keep it in a binder for future reference You continue to help my awards business grow due to the educational and how-to articles Rob Thomas Celebrations Farmington MO
Excellent ContentThis magazine is a great resource I have gained a great deal of insight into the program and Irsquove also found sources of supply Nelson Wood Woodrsquos Wood Works Caledonia MI
I love reading CorelDRAWHelp Itrsquos quite informative and really gets my creative juices flowing Debbie Santiago New Jacobrsquos Chapel Clermont FL
Keeps me up to date Look forward to it Save every issue and print articles of interest to put into my lsquotrainingrsquo book for employees Chris Williams Created For You Horsehoe Bay TX
Helps keep me informed about new products and new ways to use CorelDRAW Lawrence Coen Coen Enterprises amp Graphics ElkhartKS
Your articles help keep me up to date on many new technological methods which are a tremendous help in my style of business Gary Whitener Cody Tees Ste Genevieve MO
I like all of it It is [full of] very informative clear concise articles Trish Stuart Twisted Threads Emory TX
Great info in every issue Dennis Duval Duvalrsquos Custom Etched Glass Jasper TX
CorelDRAWHelp is like a refresher course it lets me in on better ways to do graphic techniques A time saver Dianne Beck Poulsbo Church Poulsbo WAI appreciate the fact that CorelDRAWHelp is focused on helping the business owner become successful I havenrsquot read an issue that hasnrsquot given me something to assist my business Jim Good A2Z Engraving Madison AL
July 2009 14Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE TRANsFERsBy Bill Leek Apply
Universal WoodsUnisubreg of Louisville KY has just released a new series of products built around a great new silver aluminum substrate with a clear scratch and UV-resistant sublimation coating that will appeal to both the photographic and personalized products markets
The photographic reproduction products are marketed as CHROMALUXE CLEARtrade They provide an exciting addition to the already highly successful ChromLuxe white-coated photo product line The ChromaLuxe
high-definition photo panels are unlike anything else available The special clear coating on silver aluminum provides photographers with a unique and modern look to images that cannot be replicated using any other technique Photographers have sought a method for printing their images on silver for some time Some silver-coated inkjet papers have been released but they have not come close to the look and durability of this new Unisub product Black-and-white photographers will particularly like the highly reflective gloss aluminum
finish landscapes product shots and portraits come to life with a stunning elegant appearance ChromaLuxe Clear opens up a whole new printing dimension for them
ChromaLuxe panels are 045rdquo thick and have 25rdquo rounded corners They are available in 8x10 11x14 115x115 and 16x20 sizes I would like to see a 12x16 panel that could be printed on a 13x19 format printer and transferred on a 16x20 heat press As with all Unisub products pressing time is only a minute and obtaining good results is virtually foolproof
The panels can be displayed in many different ways Unisub offers an inexpensive offset mounting system Vintage black-and-white photos can be mounted in a variety of nostalgic wood frames I particularly like using low profile shadowbox modular metallic frames that complement the image These are available in many finishes and are relatively inexpensive
HoW To GET THE BEsT REsULTs
ChromaLuxe Clear will work best with higher contrast slightly darker images Proper image selection and adjustment is key for optimum results Soft pastel prints on silver will appear washed out and kind of gimmicky When working with color images with more intense colors and somewhat harsher light will provide the most stunning results Cars motorcycles and anything that has chrome on it are perfect subjects Dramatic landscapes (Ansel Adams) sunsets and seascapes also look great on this material
If your source photo does not meet these requirements you can add contrast using the TONE CURVE adjustment in Corel PHOTO-PAINTreg and apply an S CURVE (An illustration of this is included)
UNISUB SILVER SHINESUnisubrsquos Brand New Sublimation Substrate Produces Dramatic Results
S CURVE Using PhotoPaint apply
an S Curve as illustrated to
increase contrast of your image
prior to transfer
July 2009 15Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE tRAnSFERS
WAIThellipTHERErsquos MoRE
In addition Universal Woods has released license plates name badges id tags and clock kits made from the same silver aluminum These are marketed as UNISUB SILVERtradeThe combination of great looks durability and the extra thickness of the 045 aluminum make this product line world class The photos in this article speak for themselves
CoNCLUsIoNs
Universal Woods again shines and stands out as a true innovator and market leader in the sublimation marketplace ChromaLuxe Cleartrade and Unisub Silvertrade are exceptional imprintable substrates Order some samples today You wonrsquot be disappointed
Bill Leek is a industry writer based in HoustonTX He has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and has done testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
CHROME SILVER SATIN The beauty of ChromaLux Clear is demonstrated
in this high contrast image with vibrant colors
LICENSE PLATE License Plates produced with Unisub Silver have a dramatic look and
are extremely durable
SMALL SILVER ITEMS Unisub Silver provides a perfect substrate for these high quality name
badges and id tags
cDH
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
July 2009 17Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
July 2009 18Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
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InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
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InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
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Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
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sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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July 2009 12Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE CoLoRBy David Milisock Learn
Color Correction is Just the Beginning What Irsquove done here with the gracious consent of my friend and colleague Nancy Seibert of Advanced Signs and Graphics is to set up a situation where we can discuss not only color correction but simple image manipulation Captures A and B are the end result of an image capture of Nancy and some author who thinks he knows some stuff about color converted from RAW to Prophoto RGB with all the details as shown in capture C and then converted to US coated V2 CMYK
The most interesting and difficult concept of color is that in many instances there is no right or wrong I left the images on A and B in the file as high resolution so you
can zoom in on them and examine them more closely If we place 20 people into a room and view these two images we may get as many as 20 different opinions In my experience yoursquoll get 3 to 5 different opinions for sure The arguments will go like this Well A or B (depending on the opinion) has more natural flesh tones and B or A has more accurate whites
All of these discussions are wonderful and are the things that build character in the group Needless to say in the end on a calibrated system it is this character that will be making the decisions on how the image should be corrected
I have a very long term relationship with my monitor a Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 91TXM and know that it and no other monitor display exactly like the print The display system is regularly calibrated and work is always checked against the print In the case of these two images both display well image A displays just close to being too flat and too bluegreen and image B displays just being on the edge of being too warm but the contrast value is smoother in the shadow tones (Not to mention the corrections for camera faults that we will discuss later) With that said on the Heidelberg press that we regularly use when we run to the calibrated densitometer numbers the slight color shift will be toward the bluegreen Also I converted these using the Adobe US Coated V2 CMYK as it is readily available for all to use for proper previewing of this article Normally I would have used a Kodak CMyK profile that shipped with an older version of CorelDRAW which I believe is a superior CMyK profile
So the argument goes back and forth about the color and the fact is that while we may have our opinion there is a spread in the shifts in the color that are acceptable because in the end it comes down to our opinion Among the general opinion of the population of our client base repeatable acceptable or exceptional results in color are some of what brings them back So what are some of the other parts that bring the clients back In my opinion achieving the goal of the shot In this case we wanted snap shots that could be used to help promote our companies via print web and self promotion The key word was SNAP SHOTS to look natural Not model shots or product shots So what we simply do is to try and remove any errors
July 2009 13Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE COlOR
cDH
induced by the capture process while retaining the natural look of the subject
Notice in image A that there is a very slight amount of red eye on her right cheek and nose there was a touch of sheen Around the mouth there was some shine that was also removed All these things have been removed in image B
Image A has in my opinion issues due to this sheen Your eye does not properly focus on the center of the face of the subject I prefer the focus of an image of a person to be on the subjectrsquos eyes and toward the center left and right of the image if at all possible
The only editing done of this image was to convert from RAW to Prophoto color correction using only the tone curves via LAB Adobe RGB and US coated V2 color spaces and this included the contrast adjustment There was also a very slight amount of cloning to remove the reflection from the light source NO SMOOTH SKIN or any other effects Only the tone curves and the aforementioned cloning
Image B when almost finished displayed one issue that irked me and that was the shine in Nancyrsquos left eye right as we look at the image This shine caused the viewerrsquos focus to shift right instead of to the center You will have to zoom into the eyes on both images to get the full effect of how subtle this adjustment is I used the clone tool and removed just a very slight amount of that shine in her left eye This brings the viewerrsquos focus back toward the center of the face and creates a more pleasant experience when viewing this image
David Milisock president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc of Lancaster PA has been in the print production business since 1975 He specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite He started supporting CorelDRAW files for print output with V4 Output includes computer to plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems and also offers Giclee printing He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
What Readers say about CorelDRAWHelp MagazineDigital FormatWell thought out Well designed Easy to follow links Better than a snail-mail magazine because the provided links give immediate access to addtional information and resources Leo Lennemann Sandra Leersquos Trophy amp Gift Grove OK
I think it is easy to get around in page by page in pdf format John J Runyon South Metro Wire EDM Inc Shakopee MN
I look forward to each issue I actually print it and keep it in a binder for future reference You continue to help my awards business grow due to the educational and how-to articles Rob Thomas Celebrations Farmington MO
Excellent ContentThis magazine is a great resource I have gained a great deal of insight into the program and Irsquove also found sources of supply Nelson Wood Woodrsquos Wood Works Caledonia MI
I love reading CorelDRAWHelp Itrsquos quite informative and really gets my creative juices flowing Debbie Santiago New Jacobrsquos Chapel Clermont FL
Keeps me up to date Look forward to it Save every issue and print articles of interest to put into my lsquotrainingrsquo book for employees Chris Williams Created For You Horsehoe Bay TX
Helps keep me informed about new products and new ways to use CorelDRAW Lawrence Coen Coen Enterprises amp Graphics ElkhartKS
Your articles help keep me up to date on many new technological methods which are a tremendous help in my style of business Gary Whitener Cody Tees Ste Genevieve MO
I like all of it It is [full of] very informative clear concise articles Trish Stuart Twisted Threads Emory TX
Great info in every issue Dennis Duval Duvalrsquos Custom Etched Glass Jasper TX
CorelDRAWHelp is like a refresher course it lets me in on better ways to do graphic techniques A time saver Dianne Beck Poulsbo Church Poulsbo WAI appreciate the fact that CorelDRAWHelp is focused on helping the business owner become successful I havenrsquot read an issue that hasnrsquot given me something to assist my business Jim Good A2Z Engraving Madison AL
July 2009 14Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE TRANsFERsBy Bill Leek Apply
Universal WoodsUnisubreg of Louisville KY has just released a new series of products built around a great new silver aluminum substrate with a clear scratch and UV-resistant sublimation coating that will appeal to both the photographic and personalized products markets
The photographic reproduction products are marketed as CHROMALUXE CLEARtrade They provide an exciting addition to the already highly successful ChromLuxe white-coated photo product line The ChromaLuxe
high-definition photo panels are unlike anything else available The special clear coating on silver aluminum provides photographers with a unique and modern look to images that cannot be replicated using any other technique Photographers have sought a method for printing their images on silver for some time Some silver-coated inkjet papers have been released but they have not come close to the look and durability of this new Unisub product Black-and-white photographers will particularly like the highly reflective gloss aluminum
finish landscapes product shots and portraits come to life with a stunning elegant appearance ChromaLuxe Clear opens up a whole new printing dimension for them
ChromaLuxe panels are 045rdquo thick and have 25rdquo rounded corners They are available in 8x10 11x14 115x115 and 16x20 sizes I would like to see a 12x16 panel that could be printed on a 13x19 format printer and transferred on a 16x20 heat press As with all Unisub products pressing time is only a minute and obtaining good results is virtually foolproof
The panels can be displayed in many different ways Unisub offers an inexpensive offset mounting system Vintage black-and-white photos can be mounted in a variety of nostalgic wood frames I particularly like using low profile shadowbox modular metallic frames that complement the image These are available in many finishes and are relatively inexpensive
HoW To GET THE BEsT REsULTs
ChromaLuxe Clear will work best with higher contrast slightly darker images Proper image selection and adjustment is key for optimum results Soft pastel prints on silver will appear washed out and kind of gimmicky When working with color images with more intense colors and somewhat harsher light will provide the most stunning results Cars motorcycles and anything that has chrome on it are perfect subjects Dramatic landscapes (Ansel Adams) sunsets and seascapes also look great on this material
If your source photo does not meet these requirements you can add contrast using the TONE CURVE adjustment in Corel PHOTO-PAINTreg and apply an S CURVE (An illustration of this is included)
UNISUB SILVER SHINESUnisubrsquos Brand New Sublimation Substrate Produces Dramatic Results
S CURVE Using PhotoPaint apply
an S Curve as illustrated to
increase contrast of your image
prior to transfer
July 2009 15Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE tRAnSFERS
WAIThellipTHERErsquos MoRE
In addition Universal Woods has released license plates name badges id tags and clock kits made from the same silver aluminum These are marketed as UNISUB SILVERtradeThe combination of great looks durability and the extra thickness of the 045 aluminum make this product line world class The photos in this article speak for themselves
CoNCLUsIoNs
Universal Woods again shines and stands out as a true innovator and market leader in the sublimation marketplace ChromaLuxe Cleartrade and Unisub Silvertrade are exceptional imprintable substrates Order some samples today You wonrsquot be disappointed
Bill Leek is a industry writer based in HoustonTX He has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and has done testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
CHROME SILVER SATIN The beauty of ChromaLux Clear is demonstrated
in this high contrast image with vibrant colors
LICENSE PLATE License Plates produced with Unisub Silver have a dramatic look and
are extremely durable
SMALL SILVER ITEMS Unisub Silver provides a perfect substrate for these high quality name
badges and id tags
cDH
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
July 2009 17Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
July 2009 18Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
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InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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July 2009 13Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE COlOR
cDH
induced by the capture process while retaining the natural look of the subject
Notice in image A that there is a very slight amount of red eye on her right cheek and nose there was a touch of sheen Around the mouth there was some shine that was also removed All these things have been removed in image B
Image A has in my opinion issues due to this sheen Your eye does not properly focus on the center of the face of the subject I prefer the focus of an image of a person to be on the subjectrsquos eyes and toward the center left and right of the image if at all possible
The only editing done of this image was to convert from RAW to Prophoto color correction using only the tone curves via LAB Adobe RGB and US coated V2 color spaces and this included the contrast adjustment There was also a very slight amount of cloning to remove the reflection from the light source NO SMOOTH SKIN or any other effects Only the tone curves and the aforementioned cloning
Image B when almost finished displayed one issue that irked me and that was the shine in Nancyrsquos left eye right as we look at the image This shine caused the viewerrsquos focus to shift right instead of to the center You will have to zoom into the eyes on both images to get the full effect of how subtle this adjustment is I used the clone tool and removed just a very slight amount of that shine in her left eye This brings the viewerrsquos focus back toward the center of the face and creates a more pleasant experience when viewing this image
David Milisock president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc of Lancaster PA has been in the print production business since 1975 He specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite He started supporting CorelDRAW files for print output with V4 Output includes computer to plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems and also offers Giclee printing He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
What Readers say about CorelDRAWHelp MagazineDigital FormatWell thought out Well designed Easy to follow links Better than a snail-mail magazine because the provided links give immediate access to addtional information and resources Leo Lennemann Sandra Leersquos Trophy amp Gift Grove OK
I think it is easy to get around in page by page in pdf format John J Runyon South Metro Wire EDM Inc Shakopee MN
I look forward to each issue I actually print it and keep it in a binder for future reference You continue to help my awards business grow due to the educational and how-to articles Rob Thomas Celebrations Farmington MO
Excellent ContentThis magazine is a great resource I have gained a great deal of insight into the program and Irsquove also found sources of supply Nelson Wood Woodrsquos Wood Works Caledonia MI
I love reading CorelDRAWHelp Itrsquos quite informative and really gets my creative juices flowing Debbie Santiago New Jacobrsquos Chapel Clermont FL
Keeps me up to date Look forward to it Save every issue and print articles of interest to put into my lsquotrainingrsquo book for employees Chris Williams Created For You Horsehoe Bay TX
Helps keep me informed about new products and new ways to use CorelDRAW Lawrence Coen Coen Enterprises amp Graphics ElkhartKS
Your articles help keep me up to date on many new technological methods which are a tremendous help in my style of business Gary Whitener Cody Tees Ste Genevieve MO
I like all of it It is [full of] very informative clear concise articles Trish Stuart Twisted Threads Emory TX
Great info in every issue Dennis Duval Duvalrsquos Custom Etched Glass Jasper TX
CorelDRAWHelp is like a refresher course it lets me in on better ways to do graphic techniques A time saver Dianne Beck Poulsbo Church Poulsbo WAI appreciate the fact that CorelDRAWHelp is focused on helping the business owner become successful I havenrsquot read an issue that hasnrsquot given me something to assist my business Jim Good A2Z Engraving Madison AL
July 2009 14Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE TRANsFERsBy Bill Leek Apply
Universal WoodsUnisubreg of Louisville KY has just released a new series of products built around a great new silver aluminum substrate with a clear scratch and UV-resistant sublimation coating that will appeal to both the photographic and personalized products markets
The photographic reproduction products are marketed as CHROMALUXE CLEARtrade They provide an exciting addition to the already highly successful ChromLuxe white-coated photo product line The ChromaLuxe
high-definition photo panels are unlike anything else available The special clear coating on silver aluminum provides photographers with a unique and modern look to images that cannot be replicated using any other technique Photographers have sought a method for printing their images on silver for some time Some silver-coated inkjet papers have been released but they have not come close to the look and durability of this new Unisub product Black-and-white photographers will particularly like the highly reflective gloss aluminum
finish landscapes product shots and portraits come to life with a stunning elegant appearance ChromaLuxe Clear opens up a whole new printing dimension for them
ChromaLuxe panels are 045rdquo thick and have 25rdquo rounded corners They are available in 8x10 11x14 115x115 and 16x20 sizes I would like to see a 12x16 panel that could be printed on a 13x19 format printer and transferred on a 16x20 heat press As with all Unisub products pressing time is only a minute and obtaining good results is virtually foolproof
The panels can be displayed in many different ways Unisub offers an inexpensive offset mounting system Vintage black-and-white photos can be mounted in a variety of nostalgic wood frames I particularly like using low profile shadowbox modular metallic frames that complement the image These are available in many finishes and are relatively inexpensive
HoW To GET THE BEsT REsULTs
ChromaLuxe Clear will work best with higher contrast slightly darker images Proper image selection and adjustment is key for optimum results Soft pastel prints on silver will appear washed out and kind of gimmicky When working with color images with more intense colors and somewhat harsher light will provide the most stunning results Cars motorcycles and anything that has chrome on it are perfect subjects Dramatic landscapes (Ansel Adams) sunsets and seascapes also look great on this material
If your source photo does not meet these requirements you can add contrast using the TONE CURVE adjustment in Corel PHOTO-PAINTreg and apply an S CURVE (An illustration of this is included)
UNISUB SILVER SHINESUnisubrsquos Brand New Sublimation Substrate Produces Dramatic Results
S CURVE Using PhotoPaint apply
an S Curve as illustrated to
increase contrast of your image
prior to transfer
July 2009 15Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE tRAnSFERS
WAIThellipTHERErsquos MoRE
In addition Universal Woods has released license plates name badges id tags and clock kits made from the same silver aluminum These are marketed as UNISUB SILVERtradeThe combination of great looks durability and the extra thickness of the 045 aluminum make this product line world class The photos in this article speak for themselves
CoNCLUsIoNs
Universal Woods again shines and stands out as a true innovator and market leader in the sublimation marketplace ChromaLuxe Cleartrade and Unisub Silvertrade are exceptional imprintable substrates Order some samples today You wonrsquot be disappointed
Bill Leek is a industry writer based in HoustonTX He has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and has done testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
CHROME SILVER SATIN The beauty of ChromaLux Clear is demonstrated
in this high contrast image with vibrant colors
LICENSE PLATE License Plates produced with Unisub Silver have a dramatic look and
are extremely durable
SMALL SILVER ITEMS Unisub Silver provides a perfect substrate for these high quality name
badges and id tags
cDH
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
July 2009 17Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
July 2009 18Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 14Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE TRANsFERsBy Bill Leek Apply
Universal WoodsUnisubreg of Louisville KY has just released a new series of products built around a great new silver aluminum substrate with a clear scratch and UV-resistant sublimation coating that will appeal to both the photographic and personalized products markets
The photographic reproduction products are marketed as CHROMALUXE CLEARtrade They provide an exciting addition to the already highly successful ChromLuxe white-coated photo product line The ChromaLuxe
high-definition photo panels are unlike anything else available The special clear coating on silver aluminum provides photographers with a unique and modern look to images that cannot be replicated using any other technique Photographers have sought a method for printing their images on silver for some time Some silver-coated inkjet papers have been released but they have not come close to the look and durability of this new Unisub product Black-and-white photographers will particularly like the highly reflective gloss aluminum
finish landscapes product shots and portraits come to life with a stunning elegant appearance ChromaLuxe Clear opens up a whole new printing dimension for them
ChromaLuxe panels are 045rdquo thick and have 25rdquo rounded corners They are available in 8x10 11x14 115x115 and 16x20 sizes I would like to see a 12x16 panel that could be printed on a 13x19 format printer and transferred on a 16x20 heat press As with all Unisub products pressing time is only a minute and obtaining good results is virtually foolproof
The panels can be displayed in many different ways Unisub offers an inexpensive offset mounting system Vintage black-and-white photos can be mounted in a variety of nostalgic wood frames I particularly like using low profile shadowbox modular metallic frames that complement the image These are available in many finishes and are relatively inexpensive
HoW To GET THE BEsT REsULTs
ChromaLuxe Clear will work best with higher contrast slightly darker images Proper image selection and adjustment is key for optimum results Soft pastel prints on silver will appear washed out and kind of gimmicky When working with color images with more intense colors and somewhat harsher light will provide the most stunning results Cars motorcycles and anything that has chrome on it are perfect subjects Dramatic landscapes (Ansel Adams) sunsets and seascapes also look great on this material
If your source photo does not meet these requirements you can add contrast using the TONE CURVE adjustment in Corel PHOTO-PAINTreg and apply an S CURVE (An illustration of this is included)
UNISUB SILVER SHINESUnisubrsquos Brand New Sublimation Substrate Produces Dramatic Results
S CURVE Using PhotoPaint apply
an S Curve as illustrated to
increase contrast of your image
prior to transfer
July 2009 15Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE tRAnSFERS
WAIThellipTHERErsquos MoRE
In addition Universal Woods has released license plates name badges id tags and clock kits made from the same silver aluminum These are marketed as UNISUB SILVERtradeThe combination of great looks durability and the extra thickness of the 045 aluminum make this product line world class The photos in this article speak for themselves
CoNCLUsIoNs
Universal Woods again shines and stands out as a true innovator and market leader in the sublimation marketplace ChromaLuxe Cleartrade and Unisub Silvertrade are exceptional imprintable substrates Order some samples today You wonrsquot be disappointed
Bill Leek is a industry writer based in HoustonTX He has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and has done testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
CHROME SILVER SATIN The beauty of ChromaLux Clear is demonstrated
in this high contrast image with vibrant colors
LICENSE PLATE License Plates produced with Unisub Silver have a dramatic look and
are extremely durable
SMALL SILVER ITEMS Unisub Silver provides a perfect substrate for these high quality name
badges and id tags
cDH
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
July 2009 17Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
July 2009 18Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 15Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE tRAnSFERS
WAIThellipTHERErsquos MoRE
In addition Universal Woods has released license plates name badges id tags and clock kits made from the same silver aluminum These are marketed as UNISUB SILVERtradeThe combination of great looks durability and the extra thickness of the 045 aluminum make this product line world class The photos in this article speak for themselves
CoNCLUsIoNs
Universal Woods again shines and stands out as a true innovator and market leader in the sublimation marketplace ChromaLuxe Cleartrade and Unisub Silvertrade are exceptional imprintable substrates Order some samples today You wonrsquot be disappointed
Bill Leek is a industry writer based in HoustonTX He has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and has done testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
CHROME SILVER SATIN The beauty of ChromaLux Clear is demonstrated
in this high contrast image with vibrant colors
LICENSE PLATE License Plates produced with Unisub Silver have a dramatic look and
are extremely durable
SMALL SILVER ITEMS Unisub Silver provides a perfect substrate for these high quality name
badges and id tags
cDH
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
July 2009 17Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
July 2009 18Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 16Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Apply
BackgroundAt the end of our last article our screens were in the drying cabinet after transferring the image to our capillary film In this article we are going to re-install our screens on the screen printing press and set up to print
our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770 Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below Some specific features of the Printa 770 that apply to this articleThere are a couple of features on the Printa 770 that make re-aligning your screens very easy The screens used with the Printa 770 have tapered alignment pins on the back side that slip into the press armatures (see Image 1) This allows us to be close to aligned simply by placing the screen back on the press The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-alignment of the screen (see Image 2)
Re-aligning your screens to the artworkAfter transferring our artwork from positive to the screen we need to re-align our screens Generally we will leave the exposure unit on the machine with the trap or choke layer artwork on top Next we will place our screen back on the printing press armature and lower the artwork over our exposure unit If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted (see Image 3) This job is fairly simple and we could probably leave the screen where it is but we have found that it is always a good idea to line everything up as closely as possible to avoid halting the production run once we have started
To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust the micro adjustments until our artwork is correctly aligned (see Image 4) The registration marks we printed on our original artwork and washed out in the screen are an excellent indicator of how close we are Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against our trap artwork (see Image 5) If necessary we can again unlock
Setting Up the Press
Image 1 Tapered alignment pins slip into the press armatures on the Printa 770
Image 2 The armatures have linear skew and angle micro adjustments for easy re-
alignment of the screen
Image 3 If you look closely at our screen you can see that the artwork is slightly shifted
Image 4 To align the artwork on the Printa we simply unlock the armature and adjust
the micro adjustments
July 2009 17Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
July 2009 18Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 17Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
the armature and use the micro-adjustments to bring the artwork into proper alignment
Installing the PlatensNow that we are satisfied with the alignment of our artwork we can install the platens Our press has 4
printing stations on it so we can install 4 platens We use a set amount of space between our platen and the screen armature so that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen (see Image 6)
After placing the platens we strip off the old protective
tape and place new tape on the platen surface (see Image 7) The protective tape we use is a standard 16-18 tack transfer tape that we also use in the shop to transfer vinyl lettering Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our screen and our platen (see
Image 5 Once we have our first layer done we will proceed to our next screen and check it against
our trap artwork
Image 6 We make sure that all of our platens have the same relative distance from armature to platen
Image 7 After placing the platens we strip off the old protective tape and place new tape on
the platen surface
Image 8 Before we finish preparing our platens we need to double-check our height offset between our
screen and our platen
Image 9 To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen
Image 10 Use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface
July 2009 18Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- Sponsors
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- News
July 2009 18Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SCREEn PRIntInG
Image 8) This screen has a little more than 532rdquo (about 4mm) of clearance between the screen and the platen The clearance allows the screen to snap away from the garment during the printing stroke If you are working with heavier garments like thick sweatshirts a larger clearance might be required
Once we are happy with the clearance between our screen and platen we can finish preparing the platen for use During the printing process we need something that will hold the garment firmly in place while we screen print our image To achieve this we use a platen adhesive Platen adhesive is somewhat like the old white wood glue that we used to use in school The platen adhesive however does not completely dry To apply platen adhesive simply lay a bead down on the platen (see Image 9) and use a squeegee to create a thin layer of adhesive across the entire surface (see Image 10) You can test to see if the adhesive is sufficiently dry for use by touching it with your finger If your finger comes away wet the adhesive needs to dry further When the adhesive is properly dried it should feel sticky but not wet
Masking off the screensThe parts of the screen that are not covered by capillary film must be masked off so that the ink will not flow through the blank areas onto the work piece For masking off our screens we use a special screen masking tape The screen masking tape can be overlapped if necessary to cover wide areas that are not covered by the capillary film Our first image shows the screen partially masked off (see
Image 11) We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered (see Image 12)
Using block outBlock out is a liquid that can be used to cover pin holes and imperfections in our screen We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are (see Image 13) We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-15 minutes to dry (see Image 14)
ConclusionIn this article we covered re-aligning our artwork setting up our platens and masking out our screens In our next article we will set up our flash cure unit and start printing
Jeff McDaniel is the OwnerOperator of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials You can contact Jeff by email at Jeffcreativegraphicnet cDHImage 11 Our first image shows the screen
partially masked off
Image 12 We will continue to lay down the tape until the entire blank area of the screen is covered
Image 13 We generally like to use block out on the underside of the screen where the alignment marks are
Image 14 We apply the block out with a small squeegee Once the block out is applied it takes 10-
15 minutes to dry
July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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July 2009 19Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE sANDBLAsTINGBy John and Judy McDaniel Applications
Mask Equipment Requirements
In our first article we explained some of the reasons we chose sandblasting We went on to define decorative sandblasting as ldquoThe controlled disruption of a materialrsquos surface resulting in a recognizable patternrdquo We further explained that (1) surface disruption is achieved using a pressurized abrasive air stream and (2) control is achieved using masksresistsstencils and with artistic use of the abrasive air stream As a result the basic requirements for a sandblast operation can be divided into two major categories
The equipment needed for the sandblast process ie to create and control the abrasive air streamhellip This equipment includesI A blast cabinet -- Pressure pot or Siphon systemII Nozzles to shape the air streamIII A dust collectorIV An air compressor
The equipment needed to create sandblast masksresistsstencil includesI A computer system with graphic software ndash CorelDRAW etcII A mask-making system of some type A For Photo MaskinghellipAn inkjet or laser printer and a UV exposure unit B For Vinyl MaskinghellipA vinyl cutter C For Laser MaskinghellipA laser engraver is required A rotary attachment is recommended
As with all equipment purchases there are various configurations you can choose at differing budgets You can add a decent sandblasting system with photo masking capability to your operation assuming you already have a computer for as little as $2500 to $3000 If yoursquore starting from scratch without anything plan on
$3500 to $5000 From there other features may be acquired later which can bring your total investment closer to $10000 to $15000 Your equipment choices should be dictated by your customersrsquo needs and as always by your anticipated revenues
So far we prov ided an overv iew o f the equipment needed for the sandblast process and last time we covered the bas ic computer system requirements This time we will provide an overv iew o f the equipment needed to
create sandblast masksresistsstencils
Mask Creation systemshellipOnce you have your design completed in the computer you need some method to create a sandblast mask from it Currently there are 3 main methods of doing that (1) photo-masking (2) vinyl cutting and (3) laser masking Each method has varying artwork and equipment requirements The following is a brief overview of the equipment requirements for each method We will cover each in greater detail in future articles
Photo-MaskingThis method uses some type of computer printer and ultraviolet (UV) exposure unit
The most basic cost effective configuration will include an inkjet printer inkjet receptive film and a simple UV exposure unit Costs for such a setup should be less than $500 for film sizes up to 85 x 10 inches Inkjet receptive film is around $100 per sheet and is suitable for high detailed work Not all inkjet printers will work well with inkjet receptive film check with the film supplier for their recommendations
A laser printer and velum will also work very well for most photo-mask applications However for very detailed images such as photographic halftones or images with fine lines a laser printer and velum wonrsquot provide sufficient detail For fine detail work you will need an inkjet system or direct-to-film printer
The advantages of photo-masking are (1) high detail and (2) low initial equipment costs The disadvantages are (1) high consumables costs and (2) limitations of image size For large images photo-masking equipment and consumables can be very costly
Vinyl CuttingCutting vinyl for masking has been used for many years and actually predates all other methods Some artists cut vinyl by hand First they apply it to the product draw their design on the surface and then cut it by hand This method is typically used for one-of-a-kind designs
Computer-controlled vinyl cutters are generally used for multi-piece production Desktop vinyl cutters are available in the $600 to $800 dollar range floor models in the $1000 to $5000 dollar range
The advantages of vinyl-masking are (1) low cost of consumable material (2) large image sizes are easy to create and (3) vinyl is suitable to
Example of a glass with laser masking
July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
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Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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July 2009 20Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE SAnDblAStInG
cDH
use on materials that can be damaged by water like wood The disadvantages of vinyl-masking are (1) it is not suitable for highly detailed images and (2) vinyl requires additional steps in application
Adding a vinyl cutter to your equipment inventory will have the advantage of giving you the ability of creating vinyl signs
Laser MaskingA laser engraver is another device that can be used for creating sandblast masks Several companies are producing films that can be applied to glass and then cut with a laser engraver This form of masking can produce excellent detail To purchase a laser for this purpose would cost in the area of $10000 to $15000 dollars
Adding a laser engraver will also add all types of laser-engraved items to your available product offerings and expand your capabilities
ConclusionSetting up a sandblast operation is easy and relatively inexpensive Complete photo mask startup packages that include some photo mask materials an exposure unit a pressure pot cabinet and a dust collector start in the $1500 range To this package you would only need to add an air compressor and computer assuming you didnrsquot already have one
You could also choose to create masks with a vinyl cutter or laser engraver Then you wouldnrsquot necessarily need the photo-masking component of the package You could cut masks with the vinyl cutter or burn them with the laser
In short sandblasting is one of the least expensive and most rewarding personalization processes you can add to your business
Next time we will describe some of the products that you can create with sandblasting along with the type of masking that was used for each item
Judy McDaniel and her husband John are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners They offer private training at selected locations throughout the US and on location for corporate customers They have a series of interactive CDs teaching CorelDRAWreg available at the CorelDrawHelpcom bookstore In addition they provide one-on-one CorelDRAWreg Application Support Service through CASS an email subscription service (For information on training services offered and their application support service visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) You may contact them via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
HelpCorelDRAWreg
BookSToRE
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 21Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
INsIDE ENGRAVINGBy John McDaniel Apply
Hardware Design Bearings Part 2Individual machine components work together to produce the engraved products we sell These components include Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders Tachometers (speed Control) Bearings spindles Material Hold Down and the Electronic Interface
Many engineering techniques are used in different machines to accomplish a similar result The differences between these techniques determine the machinersquos Accuracy Reliability serviceability and obsolescence
The quality and accuracy of machine components properly chosen during the design of the machine have a direct effect on the reliability of our machine and the quality of our products
In past articles wersquove discussed Motors the Drive Unit Guide Rails Encoders and touched on Bearings This time wersquoll conclude our look at bearings and their application in spindles that are used in mechanical engraving machines
Parts Move on BearingsAs we pointed out last time every part that moves in an engraving machine moves on a bearing Bearings are in the motors they attach the table or gantry to the lead screws They allow the gantry or table to move on the rails They attach the Z platform to the frame In mechanical engravers they are contained within the spindle and allow the cutting tool to rotate
The type and quality of bearings used in a machinersquos design have a tremendous impact on the type of work the machine is capable of and the quality of work the machine will produce For mechanical engraving
equipment lightweight bearings will not stand up under the loads produced in deep 3D cutting or in shallow cutting of some materials In laser engraving equipment transport bearings keep the laser beam properly positioned Sloppy bearings will always produce sloppy work
In previous articles wersquove discussed the lead screw and lead screw nut lead screw bearings and rail bearings The last remaining area for discussion of bearings is the spindle
spindle BearingsIn a mechanical engraver the cutting tool must be free to rotate without wobble while at the same time it must not be able to move in an axial direction Cutting tool wobble is referred to as run-out and axial movement is movement in the direction of the axis of a shaft (See Picture 1)
Largely the bearings used in a spindlersquos design determine how well it can perform its functions and overcome natural mechanical forces exerted during cutting
Rotational MovementThe first and primary motion of a spindle is rotational Every spindle is equipped with some type of radial bearing (picture 2) which permits shaft rotation in a stationary fixture
The radial bearing must permit the cutting tool to rotate on the exact center of the shaft If it doesnrsquot and the cutter wobbles it will produce little donut-shaped movements which will at least widen the cut path and at worst produce visible irregularities
Radial bearings can be sleeve or ball bearings Sleeve bearings are less expensive to implement but will wear over time and produce run-out Ball bearings provide superior wear and tighter tolerances
An ABEC number grades ball bearings in quality ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee ABEC-1 is standard ABEC-3 is a precision bearing and has less looseness and run-out than ABEC-1 ABEC-3 -7 and -9 progressively decrease looseness and run-out and increase their degree of precision as the dash number increases
July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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July 2009 22Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
InSIDE EnGRAvInG
Axial MovementAnother motion the spindlersquos cutting tool is subject to is plunging into the material This motion creates an upward push on the cutter If the cutter is loose in the shaft it will simply move up and not cut into the material In addition if the cutter were a spiral fluted end mill once it began cutting it would tend to pull itself down into the material In either case the depth of cut would not be consistent
Standard radial bearings are not designed to resist axial movement No matter how precise the bearing all radial bearings will allow some axial movement
There is a special class of bearings known as thrust bearings (picture 3) which do resist axial movement Thrust bearings can be as simple as brass-washers wave-washers or as sophisticated as angular contact
ball bearings All are designed to resist axial movement
Many spindles are produced without any form of thrust bearings They rely on the resistance of the radial bearings for thrust movements This design is acceptable for very light duty engraving
Some spindle designs incorporate brass washers or wave washers to resist thrust movement These designs although an improvement are not much better they should only be considered for light to medium work
The most rugged designs will incorporate angular contact ball bearings Angular contact means that the bearing race is offset on an angle
An angular contact ball bearing will resist axial movement in one direction They are designed to be used in pairs one to resist movement in one direction the other to resist movement in the opposite direction The bearing pairs are ldquopreloadedrdquo that is locked together on the spindle shaft thereby resisting axial movement in either direction
ConclusionThe most critical bearing in a spindlersquos design is the radial bearing(s) In any engraving application a poor quality radial bearing will produce run-out which in turn can affect engraving quality
As far as thrust bearings are concerned if your primary application is diamond drag and you are using a spring-loaded tool or if yoursquore using a nosecone that rides on the materialrsquos surface then you shouldnrsquot be too concerned about minor axial movement
On the other hand quality thrust bearings are vital if your work requires precisely controlling cutting depths
As with any design feature it is important to decide the type of work your machine will be required to perform Spindle designs that incorporate high quality heavy-duty bearings will generally cost more In fact precision
spindles can cost more than some entire engraving machines However if performance quality and versatility are requirements theyrsquore worth every penny
Next time wersquoll conclude our look at spindles and focus on tool holding methods
Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAWreghelp Inc They provide consulting and training services for the industry Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars They also offer one-on-one application support consulting through CASS an email subscription service (For more information please visit wwwCorelDRAWhelpcom) They can be reached via email at JHMcDanielCorelDRAWhelpcom cDH
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 23Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GETTING AHEADBy Deborah sexton Grow
Auto Digitizing Is it Right for You
A look at the pros and cons of automatic digitizing software
Everyone loves the fantasy of simply pressing a button to complete a task no matter its complexity Imagine quickly cleaning your messy
office by just hitting a button Or finishing all of your incomplete orders at the touch of a button Or digitizing designs with the press of a button
Good news You really can convert artwork into an embroidery-ready design with just a few button presses thanks to auto digitizing software However you must have a realistic understanding of the strengths and limitations of the technology if you want to get the most out of it instead of getting distracted by fantasies suppliers say ldquoMany people get the impression that they just scan in the design and therersquos nothing more that needs to be donerdquo says Toby Diamond software support specialist Brother Bridgewater NJ ldquoThatrsquos not the caserdquo
Beyond the Fantasy Basically auto digitizing softwarersquos ldquomagicrdquo is that it converts artwork into embroidery with only limited user input This type of program which generally is part of a larger embroidery design software package also can do lettering using any True Type font from your computer ldquoThe software does all the thinking and heavy liftingrdquo explains Preeti Suri director marketing services Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario ldquoIt automatically applies stitches to segments based on mathematical algorithmsrdquo
However the seemingly straightforward promise of auto digitizing software mdash converting graphics into embroidery-ready digitizing mdash is sometimes either misrepresented or misunderstood ldquoYou have to make sure you understand what yoursquore gettingrdquo says Josh Orosco support manager and education director Pantograms Tampa Fla ldquoItrsquos not going to take care of all your digitizing needsrdquo
Adds Suri ldquoSome companies give people a false
belief that they can magically transform artwork into embroidery with just the click of a button No technology available today can create stellar designs from artwork in a completely hands-free automated wayrdquo she says ldquoTechnology cannot substitute for the skill and experience of a digitizer mdash but it can come close in some cases depending on the artworkrdquo
ldquoIt does speed up the process but it will never replace the quality of manual digitizingrdquo notes DJ Anderson
director Floriani Embroidery Knoxville Tenn ldquoHowever some elements convert properly and you can use it along with manual digitizingrdquo
Whatrsquos most important to understand about auto digitizing software is that it doesnrsquot magically eliminate the variables involved in embroidery including type of fabric artwork size and quality and stitch densitymdashbut that itrsquos still a useful tool if used for the right applications
ldquoIn the absence of human judgment and input an automatic digitizing tool can only follow its basic written instructionsrdquo says Joe Wirsing sales manager Compucon Greensboro NC ldquoIt requires intelligent human evaluations for decisions such as the best sequence for sewing color blocks ideal placement of the firstlast stitch locations for each color or efficient routing from one block of color to the nextrdquo
some auto digitizing programs will let you choose from a limited selection of fabrics that the design will be sewn on But even if it has a piqueacute knit selection for example there are many varieties of piqueacute knits that will require digitizing adjustments that the program can not automatically compensate for Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 24Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga agrees ldquoYou still need to understand what makes embroidery-friendly artwork and adjust your designs before converting to embroideryrdquo
At Its BestWhich applications make the most sense then for auto digitizing software Suppliers say that itrsquos ideal for simple clean artwork with a minimum of colors often requiring only a minimum of adjustments ldquoIt works well for smaller ordersrdquo Diamond says ldquoas well as simple designs like lettermanrsquos jacket logos and block or script letteringrdquo
The software lends itself well to simple designs and bolder shapes as well as fill stitches and satin stitches
Diamond says Higher-end auto digitizing software also works well with small lettering An educational tool Auto digitizing software also can serve as a learning tool industry veterans say ldquoI wouldnrsquot consider it a digitizing lesson but it might tell you on a small shape that you shouldnrsquot use silk for examplerdquo Diamond says
ldquoYou can get up to speed a lot quicker and itrsquos a less daunting way to start embroidery It doesnrsquot replace human creativity or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners create embroidery designs with little or no experiencerdquo Maranthe says ldquoStart with the auto digitizing and when yoursquore ready you can learn more advanced feature-rich programs
However some suppliers say that auto digitizing software is a less-than-ideal way to learn digitizing ldquoIt helps you get a leg up while yoursquore learning how to digitize but your time is better spent with a full-featured programrdquo Orosco says ldquoTherersquos only one way to learn to digitize and thatrsquos to sit down and do itrdquo
A starting point The software can be extremely helpful in digitizing a design that users can then edit to create a final design ldquoyou canrsquot tweak density or underlay or add pull compensation but you can do basic editingrdquo Orosco says
ldquoProfessionals can speed up their digitizing time by using the automatic conversion to stitches as a starting pointrdquo Maranthe suggests ldquoThen they simply edit and add more creativity to it using manual digitizing toolsrdquo
Just be sure that yoursquore aware of the true extent to which you can edit designs using auto digitizing software ldquoYou canrsquot edit your way to paradiserdquo Wirsing says ldquoBut you can edit your way to an improvementrdquo
small orders ldquoAuto digitizing software is great if you donrsquot want to wait for turnaround on digitizing or you donrsquot want the expense of sending it out for just one or two piecesrdquo Diamond says
Estimates For complex designs auto digitizing software can be helpful as a stitch estimator suppliers say ldquoEmbroiderers can use the program to estimate the number of stitches the final design will haverdquo Suri says ldquoThis saves them a lot of time and effort as they donrsquot have to digitize the design first mdash and the estimates are quite accurate for the purpose of quotingrdquo
Adds Wirsing ldquoIn two minutes you can have an idea of the designrsquos stitch count Auto digitizing is a very quick way to get an overview of the count for pricing purposesrdquo
Best ResultsUsers who get the most satisfaction from their auto digitizing software are those who understand where it shines and where itrsquos less than optimal For instance it does well at digitizing artwork in the most efficient manner possible For example the software might not put an even number of points on both sides of a column in a satin stitch requiring the user to make manual adjustments However such limitations
shopping for softwareAccording to some industry veterans many auto digitizing programs offer comparable features so shoppers should focus more on the entire digitizing package rather than just the auto digitizing module However others firmly disagree ldquoThere is a wide spectrum of quality that yoursquoll achieve in different auto digitizing packages they are not all created equalrdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom DecoStudio and EmbroideryStudio Wilcom Norcross Ga ldquoThe quality of the stitchout is the real testrdquo
According to Maranthe questions to consider when choosing an auto-digitizing program include
bull Does it maintain individual objects and layers so you can move them and adjust them independently
bull Does it factor in the underlay pul l compensation and stitch densities to suit the fabric you will be stitching the design on
bull Does it automatically create appliqueacute from your artwork
bull Does it stitch well
ldquoAuto digitizing doesnrsquot replace human creativity
or judgment but is a tool to improve productivity or to help beginners
create embroidery designs with little
or no experiencerdquo says Charuta Maranthe product manager Wilcom
Photo courtesy of Wilcom Norcross Ga
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- Sponsors
-
- Page 3 Off
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-
- News
July 2009 25Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GEttInG AHEAD
may be less of an issue for smaller shops Diamond says ldquoIf yoursquore doing one piece you may not care about sewing inefficienciesrdquo
Yoursquoll also get higher-quality results by starting with higher-quality artwork Maranthe says ldquoIf you use a scanned-in blurry image you will not get a good result compared with a clean vector imagerdquo she says ldquoRubbish in rubbish out so to speakrdquo
Finally stick with simple solid color shapes text and logos Maranthe says ldquoDepending on the sophistication of the software you can get great results with more complex designs alsordquo
By understanding these limitations and strengths yoursquoll be able to make a better-informed decision about how auto digitizing software may be able to help your shop
Deborah sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
The purpose of an auto digitizing program is to scan in artwork and have the program automatically convert it to stitches It cannot replace the sewing quality and efficiency of manual digitizing but may be useful for simple shapes and lettering Photo courtesy of Pulse Microsystems Mississauga Ontario
What an auto digitizing program should not be expected to do is replace an experienced digitizer sophisticated designs such as this one can only be created by using a full-featured manual digitizing program Photo courtesy of RNK Distributing Knoxville Tenn
cDH
Share CorelDRAWreg Tips
In recent surveys readers of this magazine have said theyrsquod like to have more tips on CorelDRAW and theyrsquod like to know how other people are using the program for different projects So we invite you to submit examples of artwork yoursquove created along with a description of how you did it and your bio with a photo We are looking for everything from brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork
To share your tips just send an email to the editor at editorcoreldrawhelpcom Thanks much
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 26Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
sPoNsoRs MAGAzINEclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
These are the proud sponsors of CorelDRAWHelp magazine Be sure to thank these companies for bringing you this magazine free of charge
sPoNsoRs IN THE NEWsThis month our sponsors have been making these headlines
sPoNsoRs ToURclick these Logo-Links to go directly to sponsor websites
Visit the CorelDRAW Digital Help Tour
Great Dane Graphics has four new Kids Theme
stock Art
Imprintables Warehouse has new blog on heat transfers
Johnson Plastics offers ChromaLuxe Clear
stahls ID releases new CAD-PRTINz zebra Fill
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 27Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
The Association of CorelDRAWreg Professionals is The Education amp Business Resource for CorelDRAW Users Worldwide Its goal is to help 1) iMPROVe your CorelDRAW skills and 2) MAKe MONeY with those skills You can participate in ACDRP services in four ways
tHe WORLDrsquos ONLY AssOciAtiON fOR cOReLDRAWreg UseRsiNVites YOU tO MAKe MORe MONeY WitH cOReLDRAW
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month focused on Industry news via the Graphics news Wire links to valuable resources and a complete educa-tion and show Calendar s
CorelDRAWHelp the Entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW users features in-depth content on How to Use corelDRAW -- tips tricks advanced ar twork success s to r ies in te rv iews and more How to Apply corelDRAW -- for graphic production processes such as embroidery engraving heat printing laser promo products printing sandblasting signmaking sublimation and screenprinting How to Profit from CorelDRAW -- Product news business columns reviews profiles and advertising with live links
sUBsCRIBE -- No CHARGE JoIN -- $60 PER YEAR
All users of CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite are qualified to subscribe free to CorelDRAWHelp magazine (PDF format) and CorelDRAWHelp E-News
subscription to CorelDRAWHelp amp CorelDRAWHelp E-News
ttf Newsletter Subscription to the monthly Tips Templates amp Fixtures newsletter only available to members
GsG Basic Listing You can list your services in the Graphic Services Guide in one category as part of membership (a $25 value)
Access to QuickLearn A keyword searchable database of 100s of articles on CorelDRAW graphics production and business
All users of CorelDRAWreg are invited to join the Association and take advantage of exclusive content discounts and profes-sional recognition ACDRP membership includes
TTF
QuickLearn
QuickTNT
Archives
BAsIC GsG LIsTING -- $25 PER YR
the Graphic Services Guide is the Industry Yellow Pages for Services and Finished Goods GSG is promoted in all our publi-cations and our website to the world of CorelDRAW users Your listing gives you the opportunity to promote your services (in any of 40 categories) to other CorelDRAW usersthe basic listing includes your company description email link and listing in one category Additional service categories are $10 each per year
the Enhanced GSG listing is for companies that want to list in two categories and add a photo or logo
ENHANCED GsG LIsTING -- $50$75 PER YR
Classifieds
Access to Quicktnt A growing database of CorelDRAW tips for understanding the fine points of the program and templates that can be downloaded to speed up your production
Access to Archives Past issues of CorelDRAWHelp are available to members with live links
Bookstore Discounts Members receive a 10 discount on all products in the Corel-DRAWHelp bookstore
Professional Recognition Use of the ACDRP logo for professional identification on business cards websites and letterhead You also receive a membership certificate
Classified Ads Members can place one classified ad per year at no charge with photo and run it till the item is sold (a $35 value)
HoW To PARTICIPATE To Subscribe (no charge) To Join ($60yr) To List in the Graphic Services Guide ($25 Basic $50$75 Enhanced or $120145 for Multi-Service)
CorelDRAWreg is a registered trademark of Corel Corp and is used with permission
Visit wwwcoreldrawhelpcomand click on the appropriate links
800-276-8428
the Multi-Service GSG listing allows you to list up to 40 differ-ent service categories with detailed descriptions and add a photo or logo
MULTI-sERVICE GsG LIsTING -- $120$145 PER YR
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 28Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARKETING sECRETsBy Donna M Gray CRM Grow
Staying Sharp in Summerrsquos Slump
Donna Grayrsquos 2nd book Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in a Family Busi-ness was published in September 2007
It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business and family businesses in particular She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore wwwcorel-drawprocomAllBookstorehtm
It doesnrsquot take a genius to recognize the symptomshellipthe summer slump has arrived Customers are either on vacation or just lookinghellipbut not ready to order products for their fall projects Business friends are complaining to one another about how slow things are Those that use our kinds of products and services are not in a hurry to buy
Staying sharp during the summer slump is difficult in ordinary years This year with a difficult economy itrsquos downright painful for some Itrsquos affecting every business in every industry Itrsquos a challenge for most every
company to get customers to sign on the dotted line
But even with all the whining and complaining about how bad it ishellipIrsquom still seeing those who are holding their own
New ways to sellTherersquos no doubt that times are tough Companies and organizations are cutting back on their spending Cities counties and states are tightening their belts Decision makers are holding off on making buying plans So companies have to look for and find new ways to increase productivity and make more money Selling in this difficult economy requires a different approach than the way many of us grew our businesses
Remember the old sell the sizzle not the steak advertising rule Well value and benefits (the sizzle) are now important pieces of our selling tool box Our industryrsquos sizzle is sometimes appreciation and applause Sometimes our sizzle is ideas Sometimes itrsquos our ability to take that idea and turn it into a whole program Sometimes itrsquos all of the above and more
New stories for our productsJuly is historically a slow month in our trade except maybe for those who are big into summer sports awards Some of us have time to create some sizzle to sell Irsquove heard that when things are slow itrsquos time to create a new story for each of our products and serviceshellipthat means writing down all the benefits the points that stand out the things that make us unique
Mary Kay Plantes in her new book Beyond Price explains why we should not consider our products and
services to be commodities Companies should work to differentiate themselves from the competition however selling in this economy does not mean we should make ourselves different by giving away the store Giving away profits with the hope that we will make it up in volume is not the answer for how to get more business
Companies all over the world spend millions of dollars telling their team what to say but much less than that on educating them about the companyrsquos history its mission and about the value of their product or service None of us should assume that everyone has the same knowledge of what our company is about Summerrsquos slump is a good time to train and share Itrsquos also a great time to get team members ideas on new products ways to improve production techniques and their input on prospective customers Team members because they can see the forest for the trees have good input on ways to
bull Find new product ideas for customersbull Find ways to increase customer contacts Even
when we have all the business we can handle we need to keep that customer contact going strong
bull Develop ideas for special customer eventsbull Find products to use as leave behinds at
customer visits bull Find information we can pass on that will be
valuable to customers and prospects bull Plan unique ways to follow up after a sales callbull Develop questions to ask at after sale
opportunities
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 29Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
MARkEtInG SECREtS
Get back to basicsBecause the selling buying environment is not the same as it was a couple years ago itrsquos time to get back to basics Staying sharp in summerrsquos slump includes basics like
bull Choose where we spend time prospecting It doesnrsquot make a lot of sense to waste time chasing business that we really donrsquot want just to make a sale Itrsquos better to concentrate on romancing existing clients or to dig deeper into those accounts Remember 80 of good business comes from 20 of our customers
bull Find ways to get our offerings to the top of the customerrsquos priority list Since many clients are waiting and seeing find ways to show them the benefit of placing their order and getting it off their to-do list
bull Plan and practice for the objections Avoid being negative
bull Look for and present exciting new product ideas for the coming season
bull Draft some good questions to ask customers Good questions and good listening skills often get the sale wersquore looking for
bull Communicate with prospects Create proposals Follow up with details
bull Find ways to make it easy for customers to buy If you donrsquot already take credit cards get a program in place
bull Ask for referrals bull Donrsquot get discouraged ldquoThis too shall passrdquo
Time for RampDSummerrsquos slump will fade away however while wersquore in the middle of a slow time why not invest in research and development This is a great time to go through all last yearrsquos industry information with an eye to finding new vendors new product ideas and reading about all the changes that took place in the industry when we were too busy to look This is a good time to do research on
how good your support team of accountants attorneys bankers attorneys and insurance companies are doing for your company
Are they on top of your needs Are they looking for ways to help your company succeed Are they introducing your business to their contacts Have you asked them to introduce your company to their connections Typically July and August are our companyrsquos time to make sure wersquore getting our moneyrsquos worth from our support team Thatrsquos when we get our insurance (both business operating and health) renewal rates That means we really look at what wersquore getting and if necessary negotiate for something betterhellipor make necessary changes Therersquos never really time to give this a good RampD look during busy season
Fill the pipelineSummerrsquos slump is also a good time to develop some sharp marketing ideas for fall and winter During the slow times we want to keep our marketing functions going strong so we can keep the pipeline filled for the coming months Itrsquos also a good time to connect with other area business people to keep tabs on how the local market is surviving thriving or making it through Connecting with fellow business people is a good way to increase the companyrsquos visibility within the business community
Working to be sharp through summerrsquos slump will get results Use this time to connect with industry peers While wersquore all competitorshellipwersquore all professionalshellipand professionals help each other succeed Staying sharp requires us to have a focus on exactly what we expect for a bottom line at the end of summer Itrsquos time to get savvy Use this time to develop world class sales skills Create a new marketing plan that will get your companyrsquos foot in the doors that have been closed Refuse to participate in tough times Get tough and get going Summerrsquos slump doesnrsquot bother those who stay sharp
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977 She has presented seminars nationwide won awards as Business Woman of the Year Retail Marketer of the Year and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award She is also the author of two books on family business Itrsquos All Relative Surviving amp Thriving in A Family Business (2007) and Never Quit The Ups amp Downs of Running a Family Business (2004) She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master She can be reached by email at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
cDH
PUT YoUR ART oN THE CoVER
You are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user (wwwcoreldrawprocomcoverarthtm)
There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist and describes briefly how you created it Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 30Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
Embroidery Products
IMPRINTABLEs WAREHoUsE HAs PoLY-TWILL BACKING FoR EMBLEMs AND MoRE
Poly-Twilltrade is a 100 polyester twill material with a thermal-adhesive backing from Imprintables Warehouse of Masontown PA that can be used to make emblems patches appliqueacutes letters and numbers It works on 100 cotton 100 polyester polycotton blends fleece nylon and polyester knits
Poly-Twill comes in 20 of the most popular athletic and fashion colors including metallic gold and silver Imprintables Warehouse also sells 100 polyester embroidery thread for sewing the emblems down Poly-Twill is a great way to keep stitch counts low by using the twill as a background for designs instead of stitches
Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers digital cutters digital cutting software heat-applied materials and heat presses For more information contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax 724-583-0426 e-mail infoimprintableswarehousecom or visit wwwimprintablescom
CoTsWoLD oFFERs FUsIBLE DIAGoNAL MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Cotswold Industries of New York NY
which is specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer shows through the front of the shirt is now available in a fusible version By fusing the stabilizer to the garment it prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching in the hoop which can affect registration
Another advantage of the fusible version of this versatile stabilizer is that you can avoid using messy adhesive sprays for the same purpose Overspray often lands on fabric the machine and needles leaving gummy residue that attracts dust and lint and can affect the performance of the embroidery machine
Fusible Diagonal Mesh is made with a specially formulated low-melt adhesive It
bonds at only 260 degrees F which ensures it will not scorch or shrink the fabric When an embroidery is finished the edges can be re-fused and the excess can be trimmed
In addition to being an ideal support for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro mesh itrsquos also great for T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-fiber performance wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
One layer of Diagonal Fusible Mesh supports between 10000 and 12000 stitches in a moderately dense design If you need support for a higher stitch count an additional layer of tearaway works well Diagonal Fusible Mesh comes in 15-inch width by 25 yards and 100 yards 20-inch width by 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards and 30-inch width by 50 yards All stabilizers can be custom cut upon request
MARATHoN AMERICA oFFERs THERMAL sTICK Turn your embroidery designs into appliqueacutes or patches with Thermal
Stick a brand-new unique pressure-sensitive fusible stabilizer offered by Marathon America of Carrollton TX Thermal Stickrsquos specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary It also wonrsquot gum up your needles causing thread breaks needle breaks or damage to garments It is machine washable and dry-cleanable
With Thermal Stick you can make emblems that can be applied to jackets jeans tote bags sweat shirts and more Once heat is applied Thermal Stick creates a permanent bond with almost any fabric
Thermal Stick comes in a range of the most popular quantities and sizes A 40-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards A 20-inch roll comes in 25 yards 50 yards and 100 yards Precut squares in an 8-inch by 8-inch size are available in packages of 250 sheets
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 31Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
PRoDUCT FoCUsOpportunity
HIRsCH oFFERs THE VERsATILE THIRD HAND AIR CAP FRAMING sYsTEM
With The Third Hand from Hirsch International of Hauppauge NY you can hoop caps quickly easily and perfectly every time The Third Hand is an air-driven hat and cap framing system designed by contract embroidery shop Campus Chalet The device can be used anywhere It can be attached to an embroidery machine or to a table to create an instant convenient cap-hooping station
It eliminates back strain and reduces stress on the hands due to the normal stretching and pulling needed with traditional cap hooping systems
Another benefit of The Third Hand is that it hoops caps tighter and more accurately which eliminates loss of registration and results in higher quality embroidery overall Help eliminate workerrsquos compensation costs and improve your cap embroidery with The Third Hand
Hirsch International offers a full line of embroidery screen printing and textile laser equipment accessories and supplies It has 25 locations throughout the United States more than 50 technicians in the field and 80 plus customer service operators providing phone support
AMERICAN EMBRoIDERY sUPPLY oFFERs sUPER BRITE PoLYEsTER THREAD
For a durable thread with a super bright shine Super Brite Polyesterreg from American Embroidery Supply in Columbus GA has a high tensile strength with a sheen similar to rayon The thread is 120 denier two-ply 40 weight thread that is designed to work with an 1175 needle
Itrsquos bleach resistant so it can be used for uniforms that will go through industrial laundering as well as hold up to everyday wear and tear Thread colors can be matched to 450 Pantonereg licensed colors so you can accommodate logo colors for any client It comes in two sizes a king-size spool that contains 5500 yards and a mini-king spool that holds 1000 meters of thread
All online orders are shipped the same or next business day Detailed instructions on how to use many of the specialty stabilizers are available on the Web site
BRooKs INDUsTRIEs oFFERs DIAGoNAL No-sHoW NYLoN MEsHDiagonal No Show Nylon Mesh offered by Brooks Industries of Vernon CA is
specifically designed to be used with light-colored fabrics where traditional stabilizer
shows through the front of the shirt It is ideal for left chest logos on polo shirts made of piqueacute knit jersey or micro
mesh Other uses include T-shirts infant items and all types of micro-f iber per fo rmance
wear Its super softness makes it ideal as a covering to use over stitching that may feel scratchy next to the skin It also drapes very well and is almost invisible from the front
What is unique about Diagonal No Show Nylon Mesh is its construction Itrsquos made of nylon mesh with a diagonal embossed pattern which makes it more directionally stable This allows it to hold more stitches per single layer than traditional perpendicular patterned mesh The result is tighter registration and more definition per layer It also can easily support higher stitch counts by adding a mid-weight tearaway as a sandwich layer
DALCo ATHLETIC HAs LETTER PLACEMENT ADHEsIVE sPRAYs Adhesive sprays can make the job of appliqueacute placement easier and faster They
help keep fabric in place while itrsquos being tacked down and finished Dalco Athletic of Dallas TX offers two adhesive sprays for embroiderers
The AADH Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is designed for temporary appliqueacute placement Itrsquos ideal for sewing quilting embroidery appliqueacute and craft projects To use simply apply a light coat on the back side of the fabric It can be repositioned and it contains no ozone-depleting chemicals
The MSA 1000 Madeira Letter Placement Adhesive Spray is clear repositionable and non-staining It has a pleasant fresh lemon scent and a quick tack It is ideal for any type of appliqueacute work and the spray does not build up on needles or machine parts It also does not contain any CFCs or corrosive chemicals that could harm your equipment
Dalco Athletic offers a full line of officialrsquos uniforms and accessories as well as die-cut water-jet cut and kiss-cut letters numbers shapes and mascots in a range of materials for creating team and spirit wear They also offer roll materials to cut your own
To request information from any of the suppliers in the Product Focus simply click here on INFo REQUEsT It will open an electronic request card which you can minimize at the bottom of the page and then check when you want more info
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 32Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the
Graphics News Network developed for ACDRP The goal is ldquoAll the News All the Time mdash For the World of Graphicsrdquo
GRAPHICS NewsWirethe Graphics News Wire is the always live always updated source for graphics news mdash products equipment technology and more Make it (CorelDRAWProcomnewsPagehtm) your home page or favorite to gain access to breaking news updated regularly new Classified Ads new Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic productsQuickSourceTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive amp Easy-To-Use
Search Engine
It gives you one-click access to suppliers products phone numbers and live links to ACDRP Member Suppliers Itrsquos always up-to-date searchable by keyword and accessible from your desktop
Quick TnTTM
The Industryrsquos Newest Resource for Graphics Tips amp Templates
Gain access to a growing library of CorelDRAW tips and templates that will make your work easier
QuickLearnTM
The Industryrsquos Most Comprehensive and
Easy-To-Use Article Library
Gain access to hundreds of articles on graphics-related and business topics searchable by keyword
MARKET PLACEQuality Engravable Jewelry
Hand-crafted in New England
Gifts amp Accessories for Women And men
John E Lepper Inc800-835-3623 Fax 508-222-2732
wwwjeleppercom
GenuineWhite-tone
Pewter amp Gold
JoIN ToDAY
the worldrsquos only association for CorelDRAWreg Users
wwwcoreldrawprocomJoinhtm
GET LIsTED ToDAY
Generate new businessby doing jobs for others
list your company in GsG the Digital Yellow Pages for the industry wwwcoreldrawprocomListGsGhtm
Sponsor the magazine with a Logo-Link for $100month
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
The Entrepreneurial Magazine for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp Magazine is delivered to you once a month in PDF format It features in-depth content that readers rave about including articles on how to use CorelDRAW how to apply CorelDRAW and how to profit from CorelDRAW
HelpCorelDRAWreg
News Tips amp Resources for CorelDRAW Users
CorelDRAWHelp E-News is a free digital newsletter delivered to you twice a month mdash about the 15th and 25th It brings you highly targeted content that you wonrsquot find elsewhere including CorelDRAW tips extensive product news links and a calendar of shows and training
HelpCorelDRAWreg
E-News
Your ad here could reach thousands of potential customers
Find out how by calling our Ad Representative John McDaniel II
541-990-6687
the entrepreneurial magazine
HelpCorelDRAWreg
some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in stone
Call for a free color catalog
NampR International1155 Allgood Rd 13Marietta GA 30062
678-560-4088Fax 678-560-1157
Importers amp Wholesalers of MarbleOnyx
Gifts amp Accessories
July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
- Full Screen 1
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-
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-
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-
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July 2009 33Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs
Louie Alvarez started in the industry working for one of the largest trophy shops in Central California and then opened one of the first retail laser engraving businesses He has given seminars and workshops on CorelDRAW and Laser for many years and has written for several publications He is now with Vytek Industrial Lasers and is based in Las Vegas NV He can be reached at alvarezwritinggmailcom
Dave Demoret founded Prolink Graphic Services to help people understand and profit from learning CorelDRAW He has been in both the Flat Graphics Industry and the Decorating Graphics Industry for 30 years He has written articles for several publications is a Corel Training Partner and conducts workshops nationwide and online He is the author of several CD Instructional programs on CorelDRAW He can be reached at 765-DO COLOR (362-6567) or davedprolinkgscom
Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards Promotions amp Gift (aka AwardsMallcom) in Madison Wis She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977 She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide and has won many marketing awards She is the author of two books on family business and can be reached at donnagrayAwardsMallcom
Bill Leek is a color consultant for JBL Graphics in Houston TX and has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design He has developed several lines of color imprintable products and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers He can be reached at wfleekjblgraphicscom or 281-970-6677
Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath Oregon He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business Creative Graphic offers laser engraving rotary engraving sandblasting sublimation image transfers vinyl signs banners screen printing and promotional products Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials Contact him at Jeffcreativegraphicnet
John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years and writes about hardware design software laser engraving sublimation and more He is a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals For information on training and more call 541-967-4271 or write to mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany OR which provides consulting and training services for the industry Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years She is a regular columnist on sandblasting sublimation and diversifying business as well as a Corel Training Partner and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals She can be reached at 541-967-4271 fax 541-967-4272 or via email at mailCorelDRAWhelpcom
David Milisock is president of Custom Graphic Technologies Inc in Pennsylvania He has been in the print production business since 1975 and specializes in professional support for CorelDRAWreg Graphics Suite Output includes computer-to-plate processes for all commercial digital front-end applications as well as Postscript-compliant graphic applications He offers technical and color management support for all RIP-driven corporate digital output systems He can be reached at 717-509-3523 or davidmilisockcomcastnet
Deborah Sexton former editor of Impressions Magazine has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981 She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies and is a columnist for several industry publications She can be reached at dsextonsbcglobalnet
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at 916-567-1867
CorelDRAWreg Help
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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- News
July 2009 34Click ads to go directly to advertiserrsquos web siteHelpCorelDRAWreg
by Otis Veteto
Traveling Tidbits
Otis Veteto is the Western Regional Manager for the
RS Owens amp Co Inc manufacturer and supplier of
the Elegance in Awards amp Gifts line With more than 30 years experience in the industry he offers the ldquoPROspectiverdquo of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas people and places that he visits Itrsquos a fun and
informative column focusing on the human-interest side of
the industry Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars
for industry organizations and some of that knowledge
will rub off as well He can be reached in Sacramento CA ndash when not on the road ndash at
916-567-1867
Las Vegas Lone Pine amp the Next Level
NBA in Las VegasHere is something you might consider putting in your traveling plans for July 2010hellipIF you really like NBA Basketball What I am talking about is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas Nevada This is a 1-week league in July for newly drafted players mixed with a few 1st and 2nd year veterans Itrsquos exciting fast-paced entertainment The prices are very reasonable and there was no charge for parking You also have in-out privileges so you can watch a game leave and come back for another game later the same day Some of the more notable players I had a chance to watch recently were Jason Thomson and Omri Casspi from the Kings Stephen CurryClippers the 1 draft pick Blake GriffinClippers and 7rsquo3rdquo Hasheem ThabeetGrizzlies Like I said if you really like NBA basketball this might be a good place to visit next year in JulyhellipOh yeah the casinos are open also
Lake Mead Food amp sightsAnd as the saying goes ldquoif you want a good place to eat find where the locals gordquo Well in the Lake Mead area not far from the Hoover Dam the locals eat at the Harbor House Cafeacute located right on the water in Horsepower Cove Betty Gripentog owns the Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead and runs it with the help of her children their children and even their children
At the Marina you can rent a boat take a sight-seeing cruise or enjoy a nice meal you can even feed the fish off the pier lake Mead is 110 miles long and in some places over 500 feet deep Not too bad considering itrsquos in the desert If you like to fish lake Mead has trout striped bass bluegill catfish and boasts some of the best largemouth bass in the country
Lone Pine CalifOn the way back to Sacramento from Las Vegas I stayed overnight
in Lone Pine CA where they have a real unique movie museum The lone pine area has long been a favorite spot for filming both movie and television westerns Classics like Ambush starring Hopalong Cassidy and Charge of the Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn was filmed there The Rawhide series for television was filmed in the Alabama Hills around lone pine Steve McQueen Roy Rogers Kirk Douglas and too many more to mention have chased bad guys all through the hills around this little town
Lone Pine is located at the base of Mt Whitney An interesting tidbit Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14 496rsquo and it is only 90 miles from there to Death Valley which boasts the lowest point in the contiguous United States at a spot called Badwater which is at 282rsquo below sea level If you are a western movie buff on Oct 10-11 2009 there is the Lone Pine Film Festival featuring bus tours into the Alabama Hills movie stars stuntmen producers ad more Check it out at wwwlonepinefilmfestivalorg
Taking it to the next levelI will close with a unique birthday gift idea Editor Mike Neerrsquos oldest son Matthew turned 21 this month and Mike wanted to do something special as a birthday gift He chartered a single engine Cessna prop airplane for a 1 hour flight over the Fresno CA valley To Matthewrsquos surprise the pilot let him handle the take-off and landing Talk about taking a birthday gift to the next levelhelliphelliphmm maybe thatrsquos what we all need to do with our businesseshellipthink about how to take our marketing to the next level with some kind of unique promotion
Thatrsquos all for now Remember to save some time for yourself and your family And when you travel please travel safe
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