Graphics and printing

[turbomangt]

Is their anyone around that can help me on this? Recently I was in shock when I went to a printer and was quoted >65->75 a copy for a flyer I'm putting together promoting my company. Another detailer sent me his flyer and told me he bought a program called "print shop" for under 10 bucks, designed his own flyer and printed it on his home computer and printer. It REALLY LOOKED PROFESSIONAL!he said he could make 200 of them on one ink jet ($15 ) Thats .7 a copy, more in my budget. anyone have experience on this topic that can help me, that would be great. Thanks Gary

[IRPT]

Gary, there are many programs available for doing this type of work. I use Microsoft Publisher, check out e-Bay, you can find used copies or older editions of Publisher at a reasonable price, as well as other programs for publishing. Print Shop is also available:
Deluxe Version - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...7&category=185
Pro Version - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6&category=185

MicroSoft Publisher - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=41879
MicroSoft Publisher 98 - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=41879

If you have Microsoft Word you can make a flyer with it also.

[tomdenise]

I am a professional graphic designer. I've been in the industry since 1994 or so.

There is a multitude of software available to do what you are looking to do.
I use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, In-Design and Quark Express. These are generally more expensive than the programs IRPT mentioned, but I haven't checked used prices lately. Of course, there is the Limewire.com alternative...

That quote seems high, but what were they going to be doing for you? Is that including the design/layout, was it color on both sides and what weight paper were you going to use? I work at a print shop, for the time being, and have worked at several others, and depending on these variables, it could be in line.

If you need any assistance in your layout/design, I do freelance work as well. I would think that you may want to carry over the look of your website (if you like it), just to tie everything together.

I'm not sure if this was any help, but feel free to email me with any more questions.

t

My freelance email address is tom4@bd-design.biz.

[Beacon]

I also am a professional graphic artist, cheers Tom . And I know your pain Turboman, there are a ton of variables that can drive up printing costs, chief among them are what kind of stock it will be printed on, then whether you want straight black and white or a four color ink set, and lastly touch-up services if you aren't comfortable with what you submit and give your printer a little latitude with setting it up.

If your main project is flyers and such you really can't go wrong with Micro$oft Publisher. It's got the lowest learning curve and actually puts out some decent looking documents. How they look printed will depend more on the printer you use than it will the software you use to mock it up.

Illustrator and Quark are great programs but are usually more trouble than they are worth for the casual user.

If you're set on using a print service be sure to shop around and like Tom mentioned keep a close eye on what it is they are putting in the quote, sounds like they were throwing some upper shelf materials in there.

[turbomangt]

THANKS, first thing I better do is get down all the information I want in it, then get a lay out. I guess I can try some different things at home and see what I can do.