Process from idea to computer?

Good evening,

 

I am just getting started with my letterpress hobby and plan to follow the photopolymer route. Although I have plenty of ideas of great designs in my head, I am struggling with how to get those ideas into a computer so I can have plates printed from them.

 

What process does everyone else follow? Any tips/advice on software (i.e. Adobe Illustrator) and hardware (i.e. tablet PC)?

 

Thanks!

-TDS

I am on a mac and I use the whole creative suite to put my ideas in the computer. I will either start in the computer using Illustrator to draw my idea or I will start with a sketch that I scan into Photoshop. I will then convert my art into bitmaps to bring into Illustrator. If you are working with type, Illustrator and InDesign are the way to go since it is vector based. I will put each plate on it’s own layer to keep things straight so I know how it will print. InDesign is great for multiple page documents and for setting up files 2-up.Hope this helps!Adina

Thanks, Adina! I also asked a graphic artist friend of mine the same question and received a similar response. It looks like I’ll be going the direction of Illustrator! 🙂

good luck! The convert to outlines feature (then expand) is extremely helpful for scaling your art 😀

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