Personally I would reccomend CorelDraw for the beginner as it is fairly easy to get to grips with. Adobe Illustrator is a printing industry standard, but you should find that most printshops have access to both. If not, both programs offer a save file type that will be accepted.
You do however need to download the games rom files which is illegal unless you own the original cartridge itself.
Larger artwork such as front cover images is best taken by scanning an original insert or marquee. Most sites that offer insert downloads dont give a high enough resolution to work with, making the end result a little grainy...
Work from an original if you can.
The 'SNK', 'NEO-GEO', 'MEGA' etc logos are best re-drawn using one of the above programs. Work from a scan and 'trace' over the top.
This way you can increase / decrease the size without loosing any quality...
You may even be able to find a matching font.
Other text and titles are best just typed using the fonts of your choice.
I like my inserts to look different from originals, so I try to use styles that 'fit-in' with the genre of the game but are different enough from the originals...
This however is up to you.
Most printshops have computers running CorelDraw or Illustrator that are directly connected to a copier. Using the correct glossy paper can produce brilliant results for very resonable prices. In the region of 1 - 2 UK POUNDS per copy often depending on the quantity. A small setup charge may be required...
Just dont forget to mention that these are not standard paper sizes!
If you have just simply downloaded a high quality bitmap, rather then created your own. All printshops should be able output it the regardless of the sofware it was planned / scanned on.
Labels and stickers are best taken to a signmakers who have access to a GERBER EDGE. They can size and output a bitmap file onto a high quality glossy vinyl with a neat rounded cornered cutline ready for you to apply. This is also relatively cheap, once again depending on quantity.
The beauty of the above methods is that there is no minimum order required. Where obviously the price is cheaper per copy the more you have, the setup is almost non-existant (no expensive plates to be made, design time is all your own) normally having a huge setup charge can only be justified by ordering massive quantites... hundreds, thousands etc.
Chances are SNK would have done this for their original inserts... I wonder where those plates and artwork are now???
Any questions, spelling errors?!... theredparlour@hotmail.com
Most good sign makers should have access to one.