Vector Graphic Converter Software: A Great Tool!!

If you read my last "thrilling" post about vector graphics vs raster graphics....well this is a riveting follow up!! LOL. If you have a logo or graphic already that is a bitmap (raster) graphic and you love it but need it enlarged to an unlimited size.....I would suggest purchasing a vector conversion software!


What a vector conversion software does is takes bitmap files like JPEG's, TIFF's, and PNG files and scans them and then converts them to vector line art. Now I'm gonna warn you that the more detailed the bitmap graphic is the harder it will be to convert 100% but it does come close. 


The image above was done with vector magic which can be found at  vectormagic.com. There are others out there but used this one as a trial and it worked well. 


You will see from the image above that I converted a portion of my bitmap logo into vector. 


Notice if you take the raster image and enlarge it....that it becomes distorted and fuzzy (Like silly puddy). But if you take the vector version of that logo....its crystal clear!!


The right tools makes the job alot easier!!


Check out my website for more of your graphic and website needs at www.robertcipolla.com

What is a vector graphic??

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

Often when I tell my clients they need to use a vector graphic for large signs....they say "Huh?". Let me explain. There are two types of graphics....a vector graphic and a raster(bitmap) graphic. A raster graphic is an image that is consisted of pixels....like a photograph or an image that might have airbrushing or shadow effects...basically it has texture to it. A vector graphic is a line image that can really be scaled to any size without losing its clarity.


Vector art is ideal for printing. Since the art is made from a series of mathematical curves it will print very crisply even when resized. A low-resolution raster graphic would blur or pixelate excessively if it were enlarged from business card size to billboard size. 


A raster graphic when resized is like silly puddy....it blurs when made bigger!!


So I know what you are saying.....why in the world are you telling me this nonsense!! Well if you are having someone design your logo and you know that you want to put this on a billboard or large vehicle wrap....you might want to tell your designer up front that you want this to be a Vector Graphic and not a Raster!!


Remember that each application has its uses....and both file formats are useful when used correctly!!


**There is a way to convert a Raster (Bitmap ) Graphic to vector....check out a later post!


Check out my website for more information at www.robertcipolla.com

Unlimited Logo Concepts: A Horrible Idea!!

Custom Logo Design

I see this alot on websites that offer you that $199 logo design package with unlimited concepts....and all I can say is "Erroneous" (That's for your wedding crashers fans!!) This unlimited offers idea is really bad...for a few reasons!!


1) Unlimited "poor" designs really gets you nowhere. Id rather have one really GREAT design that works than 20 bad ones. How can they really design something suitable without meeting with you and getting an idea of your tastes and preferences?


2) Outsourced Designs!! They usually have the designs outsourced in pakistan, india, phillipines etc...so their "designers" are banging out hundreds of these a day! How can your logo be personalized if they are doing these in bulk...more than likely most of the designs will look similar across the board!


3) TOO many designs confuses the client: This is probably the most important factor. Too many options often causes confusion and will get your project going backwards instead of forwards!!

When true quality is given, price is often forgotten!!

Check out some of my logos at www.robertcipolla.com

Direct Mail Marketing....Postcards are a Great ROI

Often my clients forget about the most basic but effective forms of advertising....Direct Mail Marketing!! Its a great way of getting one on one personal contact with a prospective client. Its putting your postcard and your card ONLY in their hands. Its a way to separate yourself from your competition.

Some of the advantages are:


Targeted Audience: Another advantage is that your mailing can be targeted to a specific audience by location, average income, or from a specialized mailing list. It takes out the guess work of standard print advertising like you do in magazines or newspapers.


Affordable Printing:  With the recent surge of online printing....you can print 1000 business cards as low as $35!! Not bad considering local printers will be 4-5 times that amount. 


Quick Response:  Because they only have your information in front of them, they are most likely to contact you pretty fast. 


Postal Facts: According to the United States Postal Service, 98 percent of consumers bring in their mail the day it’s delivered, and 77 percent sort through it immediately. These are pretty strong numbers and their is safety in numbers!!


Forgetting traditional methods of advertising can hurt your business!!


Check out some of my postcard designs at my website..... www.robertcipolla.com

Mobile Business Card Holders: Great Item to add to your Marketing Plan!!

Now that we have gone over in my last post regarding vehicle advertising such as vinyl wraps and magnets, there is another item that is a GREAT addition. Its a mobile business card holder that sticks to any part of your car. It could go on your rear window, rear door, side windows and or side quarter panels.


Think about it....its great to have the info wrapped on your car but how many people are actually gonna take a pen and write down your information....unfortunately people in nature can be lazy. BUT if you have this card holder on your car...they just take your card right from the holder. 


The great thing is its enclosed, so you don't have to worry about weather being an issue. This pict shows a sample of this.


Thinking outside the box is what can help your business improve!!


For more marketing ideas, please check out my website at: www.robertcipolla.com

Vehicle Advertising: A Great Way to Market Your Business!!

A great way to promote your business is by vehicle advertising! There are several different options you can take with vehicle advertising. You can do the most bold option which is a full vehicle wrap from bumper to bumper. I'm not gonna lie...this is the most effective but also the most expensive. Other options can be do partial signage like maybe a magnet with your logo and basic contact info. The magnet limits because of its size. 


A real nice alternative would be just to do a vinyl wrap on your back window if you are looking to be in a certain budget. Its nice because it doesn't dominate your vehicle's appearance but still gets your business out there. Usually a window wrap runs roughly $250. 


Above is an example of a window wrap I designed. I also use one myself. Check out my blog later for an additional post related to this one.


Dollar for Dollar....Vehicle Advertising can be the best ROI!!

Check out my portfolio at  www.robertcipolla.com

Snagit...A great tool for any graphic and web designer!!

In order for any website or design project to go smoothly you need the right tools. There is a great tool that alot of designers may not know.....its called Snagit by a company called Techsmith. What snag it does is let you capture anything you see on your monitor, desktop, software or video and captures it into an image...like taking a photograph of your screen. Far more advanced then your print screen option. It also lets you capture portions of video. Its a pretty powerful tool and its only $49.99.


Check it out at http://www.techsmith.com/snagit.html


The image above is an actual image I captured through snagit!!


Check out some of my designs at  www.robertcipolla.com