by Myra Ray | Feb 10, 2020 | Training
Logos are an integral part of an organization’s branding. Maintaining consistency in color plays a crucial part in helping an organization convey a consistent brand message across all its channels. For different mediums, different logo files need to be used. In this short guide, we will help you decide which logo file format to use for different programs or applications.
Why Are There Multiple Logo Formats?
Different display mediums use different color codes to reproduce color in images e.g. digital screen use the RGB (Red Green Blue) code and most prints utilize CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow Black) and Pantone color codes. This means that what will look good on one medium may end giving an inconsistent result for another.
Furthermore, there is also the issue of file size. In some applications, a small size may be preferable while in others, high quality needs to be maintained, which certainly would result in a larger file size. Different logo formats exist to address this diversity in applications.
JPG
Thanks to its widespread compatibility across various digital platforms, JPG (or JPEG) is one of the most recognizable image formats. Since it supports both RGB and CMYK, it can work well for both digital and print mediums. However, since JPG files are pixel-based, there is a limit to how much they can be enlarged before a noticeable compromise in quality is spotted.
Pros
Supported in both Digital and Print formats
Small file size
Cons
Does not enlarge well
PNG
Like JPG, PNG is also a widely supported format. Since PNG formats support transparency, they work great for such digital applications as image manipulation and graphic editing. They don’t work well with print so be sure to change logo format before you decide to produce a physical copy of the file.
Pros
Best for many digital applications
Cons
Takes up a lot of space
Not recommended for printing
GIF
One of the key features of GIF formats is that they support simple animation, making them ideal for digital applications where an animated logo might be needed e.g. on the loading page of a company’s website. However, one of the major drawbacks of GIF formats is that it has very limited color support compared to other formats. Like the previous two, being pixel-based, enlargement compromises quality.
Pros
Supports animation
Cons
Very limited color spectrum
Does not enlarge well
Print not supported
EPS/AI
Considered the ‘holy grails’ of logo formats, the biggest advantage of using EPS or AI is that, since they are not pixel-based, files can be enlarged to infinity without any compromise to quality. However, this format is not widely supported.
Pros
Infinite scaling
Cons
Not widely supported
Large file size
SVG
SVG is a new type of logo format that is becoming more common across the digital medium because it allows for the resizing of images without loss of quality. This especially makes it ideal for use in responsive web applications.
Pros
Infinite scaling
Small file size
Cons
Print not supported
Hire the best when it comes to your designing needs – try us! To avail of our service, or for any queries, call (919) 891-0545 or email us at Info@PrintandWebDesigner.com.
by Myra Ray | Feb 10, 2020 | Training
When it comes to designing logos, your graphic designer may provide you with samples in both a ‘Vector’ and ‘Raster’ format. So what’s the difference between a vector logo and a raster logo? In this article, we attempt to explain exactly that and also highlight each of their pros and cons.
Vector Logo
Vector files such as PDF, AI, and EPS render an image using complex mathematical algorithms of points and lines. Since the rendered image or logo is not pixel-based, the biggest advantage a vector format offers is that the said image can be infinitely scaled without it losing its quality or having changes to its file size. They are also easier to export; being very easy to transform into other formats. Furthermore, since images are defined by mathematical calculations instead of pixels, vector files also generally tend to be smaller in size than their raster counterparts.
While this would make vector sound like objectively the better logo format to choose, there are some limitations that restrict its usage. One is the complex images such as photographs can be very hard to vectorize and the result can often be unsatisfactory. Another is that the rendering process gets slower and uses more memory the more data you have. In the case of more complex images, it may even take hours for it to render to print size.
Pros
- Allows infinite scaling
- Easier to export in other formats
- Smaller file size
Cons
- Compatibility issues
- Slower rendering
Raster
Most people are quite familiar with raster formats such as JPEG, PNG, and GIF. Images and logos in this format are pixel-based and hence, have limitations to how much you can scale them before you see a noticeable decline in quality. Additionally, changing a file from a raster format to another one can be a very tricky process.
Designing images and logos in the raster does have its advantages. The most important is that rendering and manipulating images are both faster and easier. Working in the raster format is also more intuitive as it approximates how real-world mediums work. And, unlike vector, you don’t require dedicated software for producing logos and images in raster.
Pros
- Faster rendering
- Easier to understand
- Greater compatibility
Cons
- Harder to export in other formats
- Limited scaling
Which is Best for Designing Logos?
Since logos tend to be relatively simple images and a high degree of flexibility is required while working on them or employing them for use in other formats, going with vector is arguably the better choice.
Need quality logos designed for your brand or company? Consider working with the design pros at Print and Web Designer. To avail of our service or for any queries call (919) 891-0545 or email us at Info@PrintandWebDesigner.com.
by Myra Ray | Apr 11, 2019 | Training
What is the General Data Protection Regulation?
The General Data Protection Regulation Policy (GDPR) is a data security and privacy legislation that was implemented on 25th May 2018 for the protection of European Union citizens. It replaced the previous data protection policy that had been around since 1998 called the Data Protection Directive.
Following this policy, EU citizens have more control over their personal data collection and processing. Personal data includes basic information such as names, addresses, and photographs as well as more detailed information such as IP addresses, sexual orientation, religion, online behavior, and even political opinions.
The GDPR gives citizens the ability to request information about how their data is being used and the ability to have it deleted whenever they would like.
The policy has six main principles which are as follows;
- Lawfulness, fairness, transparency
- Purpose Limitation
- Data minimization
- Accuracy
- Storage Limitation
- Integrity and Confidentiality
How Does This Policy Impact US Organizations?
Despite being a policy created and meant for EU citizens, the GDPR has an impact on organizations within and outside the EU alike. Organizations in the United States that use any form of data involving the EU citizens will have to be compliant with this policy or else risk fines of up to 20 million euros or 4% of their annual revenue (whichever is greater).
This policy will mean different things for each organization depending on the measures they already have in place. However, in order to demonstrate that you are a complying organization, you will have to show that you are taking the following factors into consideration;
- Complying with the processing principles of the GDPR
- Complying with lawful processing principles
- Have explicit and valid consent from the subject
- Protecting privacy rights of subjects
- Reporting breaches in security within 72 hours
- Maintaining transparency about how the data is being used
- Having a Data Protection Office (DPO) in place
- Following all regulations while transferring data outside the EU
A simple way to keep people informed about your data practices as an organization is to have a comprehensive privacy policy under the GDPR that is easily accessible. This should include the following;
- How do you collect personal information?
- What does this personal information consist of exactly?
- What do you use this information for?
- What data security measures do you have in place?
- Do you share this data with other sources?
- Do people who interact with your organization have any control over their data?
- How can users contact you for questions regarding your privacy policy?
- Do you use data to make automated decisions for users?
Aside from including the above points in your privacy policy, you should also take measures to ensure that you have explicitly obtained consent from users and have informed them about their rights under the GDPR.
US Organizations that stay compliant with the GDPR should not have a lot to worry about; however, if they fail to comply, they could be risking more than just fines – they could potentially lose out on valuable business in the EU.
Contact us if you would like more information about GDPR.
by Myra Ray | Feb 22, 2019 | Inbound Marketing, Training
Facebook dominates the social media landscape today due to its massive user base. Official statistics show that over 1.5 billion people use Facebook every day and over 7 million advertisers use the platform to promote their brand.
With that kind of reach, it’s no wonder that brands like Happy Socks have been able to become global favorites through the strategic use of Facebook marketing. But is marketing your business on Facebook all that it’s hyped up to be? Here’s our take on it.
How Does Facebook Marketing Work?
Facebook Pages are not like traditional Facebook profiles that require friend request approval on both sides before you can interact. There is no limit to who can like and follow your page, and liking a Facebook page requires no approval. Businesses can create a Page for their brand and interact with consumers in a personalized, targeted manner.
There are three main ways to promote your business through Facebook Pages
Posting to the Page Itself
You can post text, links, images, videos, gifs, and create polls on your timeline.
Boosting Posts
Because of Facebook’s algorithm, not all posts are shown with equal visibility across the platform. You can pay to boost the visibility of certain posts on your timeline, so they show up on news feeds of people in your target demographic.
Facebook Ads
Instead of boosting certain posts, you can purchase Facebook advertising space. This can be in the form of traditional ads, video ads, or Facebook Story ads that show up as ‘sponsored posts’.
The Up Side of Facebook Marketing
- Wide Audience
In comparison to more local options of say, running an ad in a newspaper, Facebook marketing will allow you to access a much wider audience across the globe.
- Multimedia Marketing
You don’t need to be restricted to text adverts. The multimedia platform allows you to market your brand through a number of creative, interactive ways to boost engagement.
- Important Analytics
The analytics that Facebook generates makes it possible for you to understand who is interacting with your brand and allow you to customize your marketing techniques accordingly.
The Down Side of Facebook Marketing
- Expensive
The cost of advertising on Facebook can add up in the long run. And given the Facebook algorithm, unless you boost your posts through paid promotion, it is quite unlikely that it will get the kind of visibility you’d like – especially if you’re just starting up.
- Risky
Because the platform allows users to post freely on your business page, there is always a chance that negative feedback from competitors can pile up and tarnish your image.
- Time Consuming
A successful Facebook marketing strategy requires time and commitment. You need to invest in creating a cohesive brand image, brand tone as well as stay relevant and stay up to date with new trends. If you don’t have the kind of resources that can keep your page running and updating frequently, this may not work out as well as you want.
If you really want your business to stand out among the sea of business pages on Facebook, you can always invest in a cohesive, creative layout for the page that uses Facebook’s default design and adds a personal spin to it to make it appealing to users.
Hire professional designers like Print and Web Design to help take your Facebook business page to the next level and draw in much more interaction.
by Myra Ray | Dec 14, 2017 | Training, Web Design
Images are a critical part of your website and business blog. After all, whether your visitors are visual or not, pictures give a lot of information about you and your business and can make a blog post far more digestible.
As you upload images to your WordPress or Joomla website, you may notice a section that says “alt.” This is called the alt tag (although technically it’s not a tag). What is that, you wonder? Do I need to fill that out? The answer to the latter is yes. Here is why.
What is an alt tag?
“Alt” is short for alternative. The text you put in the alt box is what screen readers will read out loud for computer users who are visually impaired. This box is not required for you to fill out, so many Raleigh and Cary business owners leave it blank. However, if you do that, a visually impaired person hovering over the image will not hear anything, so he or she will not know what the picture or graphic contains.
Alt tags are also displayed when an image cannot be loaded for some reason. For example, your email account may not load all images until you click “display images.” However, the program will display the alt text for those images in the meantime.
Alt Tags for SEO
Alt tags aren’t just for the visually impaired. Google has indicated alt tags can improve a site’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO). That said, you shouldn’t cram a bunch of spam into your alt tags or any other place in your image, either. Here are some best practices to follow:
● Name the image something useful. The filename counts, too. If your image has a name that is numbers, like DSC 08954, you should rename it before you upload the photo to your website. The filename should, in part, describe the image or its purpose.
● Use descriptive text in your alt tags. Again, don’t cram tons of words in there, but you want more than just one word. Instead of “tree,” you can write, “Maple tree with red leaves.”
● Notice that you don’t have to write “image of” or “picture of” in the text. That part is already explained.
● Do stuff the alt tag with keywords. If you sell shoes, you can write, “Green Adidas sneakers with xyz design,” but don’t write, “sneakers, green, Adidas, shoe, shoes, best shoes for running, urban sneakers.”
● Fill out captions when you can. The captions, too, are read aloud by screen readers, so use them to describe an image and its relevance to the nearby text.
● If you have buttons or other clickable tools on your page, you absolutely must include alt tags for these. The alt tag tells a visually impaired person what action they must take on those spaces. Try to think about your website as if you can’t see it. What would someone miss if a computer is reading text out loud? Add alt tags to those buttons that say “button to subscribe to our email list” or “button to buy [name of product].”
If you have questions about alt tags or another aspect of your website, contact us to get help.
by Myra Ray | Nov 2, 2017 | Training, Web Design
When business owners build a new website with Print & Web Designer, we give them the tools they need to make adjustments. While we’re happy to help publish content or make changes, we know busy business owners must also have the power to manage their site.
After your website launches, we provide a training session on how to publish blog posts and pages, but it’s easy to forget those things later. If you’re finally getting around to that blog post and need help, here is how to insert an image into your Joomla blog post. (Related: How to Create a Page in Joomla.)
1. Log in to your website using the credentials we provided. Or, if you have changed them, use your new ones.
2. Click on “Components” at the top. You’ll see a drop-down menu of choices; click on “easy blog.”
3. That choice will offer you more options to the right. From that menu, choose “posts.”
4. Then click the green “new” button.
You have now created a new blog post. From here, you can begin writing your post or paste your text into it. Once you are ready, you can add an image. Here is how:
1. Make sure the image you want to use is saved on your computer. We recommend saving it to your desktop to make things easier, and it’s best to name it something relevant. Avoid a string of numbers.
2. Place your cursor into the text box where you want the image to go.
3. Click “add media.”
4. Then click “this post.” (You can also add media to your database “my media” for later.)
5. You have two choices. You can click “upload,” and it will guide you to choosing the image from your desktop or folder. Or, you can drag the image directly from the desktop or folder.
6. Once you have uploaded an image, click on it, so you see a yellow box around it and then click “insert.”
7. Congratulations! You now have an image in your blog post. (Be sure to click “publish.”)
Adding a Border
Do you want to add a border to the image? Once you have completed the above steps, here is how to do that:
1. Click the image you want to put a border around. You’ll see it is highlighted.
2. Click the button that looks like a picture of a lake with a white border around it.
3. You’ll see a pop-up window called “Image Manager.”
4. Look for a checkbox that says “border,” and click it with your mouse.
5. You can then adjust the thickness and style of the border as well as the color.
6. If you want, you can adjust the margins to make the image on go the left, right, or center. Just uncheck “equalize” and type how far (in pixels) the picture should be.
7. When you are done, click “update.”
If you need more help publishing content on your business website, contact us for writing, content, and posting guidance.
3. Click “add media.”
6. Once you have uploaded an image, click on it, so you see a yellow box around it and then click “insert.”
4. Look for a checkbox that says “border,” and click it with your mouse.