Creating artwork for screen designs can sometimes pose a challenge. Clients demand professional design quality. All too often, the artist can not create the art or type effects desired by the client without the use of computer software. Specialized computer software like Adobe Illustrator and Corel DRAW offer artists the tools they need to not only create special art and type effects, but also to output color separations directly from the computer printer.
There are a few simple skills that can be quickly learned to help the beginning artist to create some great looking effects, without being a great artist. These are also very desirable to clients and will add that look of professionalism to help sell your work.
Of course, you must have access to a computer, and also to the software. Students in this program will be using Corel DRAW to create their designs for their second screen print, and also to create certain effects in their design. We will look at the four basic areas in some illustrations. You will then learn and review those skills by utilizing "hands-on" training in your class.
The four skills to be mastered are as follows:
Creating Type
The Corel DRAW software program is especially useful to artists and sign painters. It includes approximately 850 type fonts. It really is not much different than creating type in a simple word processor. The major difference is the ability to change not only the type style, but the type color and outline. This allows for creative type manipulation when designing.
The illustration above shows the Corel DRAW program window
that allows for the formatting of type. The software allows the artist to apply special
effects to type. Some of the changes include Changing font size, colors, outlines, type
alignment, etc. This program allows much flexibility in creating type to match a design.
Importing Clip Art
The Corel DRAW software also comes with "clip art" images to allow the artist to use or change the artwork to fit the artist's specific design. This can save a lot of time over using traditional hand methods of creating art. "Clip art" is a collection of images (and sometimes photos) that can be accessed off of a CD, disk or online. The artist sometimes pays a royalty to the company to use the image. The Corel DRAW images are royalty free, and may be used as often as the artist wishes, without paying royalties. The act of placing a clip art image into a design or layout is called "importing" the image.
The illustration above shows the menu selection for importing clip art into a design. The artist selects the file menu and then the "Import" command. The art can also be imported by using the icons on the graphical menu bar.
Shaping Objects
One of the best features for creating custom screen designs is the ability of Corel DRAW to "shape" objects. Some interesting effects can be created by changing the shape of both art and text. The effect is called "adding an envelope" to the design. The effect is created by selecting the "Effects" menu from the menu bar. When the drop down menu appears, "Envelope" is selected. There are several options that may be selected in the "Envelope Dialogue Box". The artist should experiment with these options to apply variations to the artwork.
The illustration above shows the "Envelope Dialogue Box" on the Corel DRAW screen. There are several options that the artist may select, including already made "Presets". The envelope can be seen in the text on the top left of the design. The type has been bent around the artwork to create a new shape for the text. The artist should experiment with these options on a design, to test different effects for a design.
Outputting Color Separations
One of the truly outstanding features for the screen artist is Corel DRAW's ability to automatically create color separations. The default separation would be a four color process separation. Those are not usually used for screen prints of two or three colors. The artist can use "Pantone" spot colors to create the design. It is then easy to output separations right from the laser printer or from an imagesetter. This eliminates the need to create mechanical color separations using films and overlays.
The illustration above shows the "Print Options Dialogue Box". This option can be selected from the main "Print" dialogue box. The "Separations" Tab must be selected. Then the artist can place a check mark in the "Print separations box. This allows the artist to output color separations directly from Corel DRAW. The positives for a screen design may then be created right from the laser printed originals.
Your instructor will review some hands-on practice with you on how to use Corel DRAW to create the above effects. Please review this material again, and study the illustrations to become familiar with them.
Review the page again to be sure that you understand the material. REMEMBER, YOU WILL BE TESTED ON THIS MATERIAL!
TOC / Top of This Page / Home