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If you've never used photoshop, I'm not sure I'd wholeheartedly recommend it, as it's not the most intuitive of programs. Having said that, if you've got a lot of time, maybe give it a go? Everything I learnt on photoshop was through googling! Internet is your friend :) There are so many tutorials etc online.
I have Photoshop Elements and have only tried to use it one time so far. It was really hard! I dont get Photoshop at all. I dont think its a user friendly program at all. You can go to Adobe TV to get help with it. That is my plans. You can also download a free trial of Adobe Lightroom which is way easier to use. The free trial lasts for 30 days!
If you've never used it before, I don't think a big event is something to start using it for. It's pretty rough unless you've been using it for a while. There's not really any good tutorials either. It's all user learning!
I used photoshop for all of my wedding "paper" myself. I downloaded a free 30 day trial and googled like crazy. Once I got the hang of formatting and positioning each layer, it was pretty easy to get going. Of course, I will say my layout is pretty simple.
What I will say is that I have had better luck saving my files as GIF images and then printing them using the windows photo viewer function that comes standard on most computers/laptops. Printing as an image allowed me to easily choose how many of a certain item I wanted on a single sheet. For instance, I was able to select the image for printing and choose 2 5X7 images to be printed on a single sheet..or 4 Response cards, etc.
I think it depends on what you're wanting to do, how tech savvy you are, and how much time you have.
I had NEVER used any adobe programs before wedding planning and now I can atleast get the things I want done done... chaging colors, getting "parts" of pictures, etc.
I'd set aside a good weekend to try it out and watch some tutorials.... I basically said to myself "I know this program can do this... I just gotta figure it out!" lol
^It worked for me lol
EDIT: Also, some first things to figure out...
getting a "transparent" background (this will allow you to place images on top of each other without the "white" background)
also save as a png... this is also part of the only image/no background so that you can layer.
If I think of anything else I'll add it =)
By the way, have you considered using Word or Publisher or even Powerpoint which might be something you've worked with before and therefore easier? (also these are sooo much more user-friendly)
I used Word to do my invitations and I don't think they turned out too badly:
Oh...
I really like sxc.hu for free high resolution graphics
When you download it and open it in Photoshop some may be "locked" you'll see the little padlock pic down in the box where your layer shows (bottom right)
To "fix this" make a "new image", wand the original graphic, grab it, and pull it to the "new image" window.
Then you can wand/highlight what you want and move and delete
I think... it's been awhile since I'v messed around with it, but that's basically the idea
Also, dafont.com is great for fonts!
Photoshop is really not ideal for paper products. It's intended for photos, not vectors or type. Illustrator is the best for manipulating type while InDesign is a layout program.
But there are a ton of books out there. I have a whole reference set and it's helpful.
I also agree that Word in many cases can serve people just fine for invitation design. All of the invites pictured on this thread could easily be done with Word just by using text boxes :)
Totally agree @ribbons on text manipulation... come to think about it I changed my images in Photoshop.. made them png files and used them in Illustrator to add text and place where I wanted.
I never learned about "vectors" but apparentley haven't needed too (I've since made several formal invites/paper prodcuts for our Non-Profit)
I've seen alot of ladies that have done awesome things in Microsoft Programs but I personally suck at them and just had better luck with the Adobe. lol
@ribbons: You're right for the most part. I ended up doing everything in Photoshop b/c whenever I tried to "watermark" the monogram onto the Information and RSVP cards in MS Word, it would show up on the print preview, but wouldn't actually print =(. I am using word for some other things though.
Thanks for the responses so far! Well basically I love the sorta vintage/carnival themed type fonts. Like the below links. We are having a destination wedding in Vegas and will only be having 50 guests so the quantity won't be that much, not that that matters though as the design can be duplicated as much as I want. This is what I want to do exactly:
1. Program Fan which only requires a front and back. (25 of these)
2. 2 different favor tags for the two edible favors we are having, just standard circle ones. (50)
3. One menu for easel (One)
4. One cake menu for easel (One)
5. One sign to put on the sparkler bin (One)
6. Small tag for rose Petal toss instructions, this dosn't even have to have a design on it, just in the vintage font in black. (50)
7. Welcome Bag label (50)
Basically my main goal is to have something with vibrant color (our colors are fuschia, grey with a little magenta mixed in), and have that vintage font, I already have some fonts downloaded including the main vintage one like the Eat Me Lettering. So I don't think there would have to be a ton of design elements to get the look I want.
Is this something that can be done with Word? The fonts I have downloaded, are you able to use them in any program like word etc. Thanks again for the insight!!
I agree, I prefer Illustrator for text & vector graphics -- that beings said, can use photoshop for those things (just with more difficultly/lesser quality).
OP:
if you are tech savvy & a quick study, take some time following through tutorials and if you plan on a simple design you can probably pull it off. One note however is that standard 'quality' in photoshop is set to 72dpi/ppi [pixels per inch], you will probably want to increase that number for higher quality images when printing.
FWIW I made my invites in photoshop elements (since I don't have a copy of illustrator at home) and I think they turned out alright.
@Gizmo19: After looking at your links, I think there is a bee on here who has a similar invite design. I am not sure what she used to design her invites. I will see if I can find the link.
ETA: Mrs Duck has a similar layout http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-my-invites-for-a-semi-formal-wedding. I am sure you can change the font to be whatever you want. The fonts that I downloaded from DaFont can be used with any program.
@PitBulLover: Do you think Adobe Lightroom could do do something like the links I posted? I think I may download the free trial tonight...
@ribbons: very true, except the fact that illustrator and indesign aren't great for art-heavy designs or using brushes. (My biggest complaint about them, but there are obvious reason WHY they don't use brushes...)
I used photoshop for mine, because
a) I'm using my own artwork
b) I'm really proficient with it
c) I loves my brushes
d) I know plenty of tricks (not easy ones, alas) on how to get photoshop to do what I want
e) I'm using standard 8.5x11" paper (ok, so it's cardstock) and it's easier for me to design.
f) I do not have illustrator or indesign loaded on my laptop, which is where I do the majority of my designing
I'm working on a tutorial on using photoshop brushes. The best part of the latest version of photoshop (ok, so my version is last years version :P) is you can use "U.S. Photo" and can choose from landscape (sideways) or portrait (up and down) and the standard photo sizes. It also puts it at the correct dpi (300) for you.
I suggest using photoshop brushes and dafont for free fonts.
@missmouse29: 72dpi is for anything web-based, NOT print. If you want it printed, you HAVE to have it set at 300dpi at the very least. Otherwise it will be blurry when printed. The higher the dpi (dots per inch) the better the quality. HOWEVER, the norm is 300dpi and is what the majority of places print at.
lightroom is more for tweaking the lighting/contrast etc of photos especially RAW files. It is not so much for graphics and text [at least in my experience].
You can download Inkscape for free it is a program similar to Illustrator.
Ok sounds like you're going to need Illustrator, you could do this in photoshop but it'll be more complicated this way. You defintely won't need Lightroom, Lightroom is more so for photographers, or anyone who edits their photos.
Illustrator will give you the best printed quality since vectors have the best resolutions compared to Photoshop especially if you don't set the dpi correctly. Also remember to set to cmyk, not rgb! :)
Hmm well I wouldn't want to buy Illustrator though, as I would never use it again and for the amount of items I need I would just buy off of Etsy for way cheaper if that was the case....
Maybe trying Inkscape is the way to go..
@Gizmo19: I see your wedding date is in October. I am not sure when you are planning on sending your invites out, but I think you have plenty of time to teach yourself to use photoshop. Since your sister already has it, try it out for a couple of weeks and if you just flat out can't figure it out, then you have plenty of time for a Plan B.
You don't have to buy it, with the trial you get 30 days of the full program :)
@j-adore01: chooseing the "US PHOTO" in the drop down box sets it automatically. You can then change the size by using either the preset sizes or typing in the number you want.
Or, she can ask one of us to do it for her. :) I'd be happy to do it for you, if you want. :)
@j-adore01: Oh you can, nice, thanks!
@JamaicaBride: Good idea, I think I may try the Illustrator free trial and if that doesn't work try out Photoshop. The invitations are actually already done, it's the other stuff I want to try DIY, but yes I have plenty of time:)
Thanks everyone, I will be reverting back to this post numerous times I'm sure!
@Zinzerena: That would be fantastic, but I'd feel bad as I'm guessing it takes some time, even though you totally sound like you know what you're doing!
I'm just going to throw in here that although @Ryna is correct that 300 dpi would be the right resolution for commercial printing, 200 dpi is acceptable for ink jets. Also, all of the formats people have mentioned (gif and png) have a resolution of 72 dpi. If you want to us these formats, you need to increase the size of your document to account for the lower resolution. :)
@Gizmo19: All of the sample links you posted (except for the first one because of the grunge background) would be best done in Illustrator. However, I've found that most people have an easier time learning Photoshop than Illustrator, and as long as you set your file up correctly (i.e. large enough), they would turn out fine in Photoshop for this type of stationery.
Honestly, from what it sounds like you want and what you know, if its in your budget, I would probably just buy them on Etsy. ;)
@bellagio: I hear you on just buying them, however, originally the only budget I had for paper products was postage and envelopes as my mom was going to do all the paper things. Which she did do my invites which I love, however, her trial of the programs I wasn't a huge fan of and she got all uptight when I wanted her to change one thing, so I was just like I'll try them out myself. It's funny because I didn't think I'd care that much about the paper items, but now I totally do, lol.
Idk, I think I may try the programs myself and see what happens, if I can't figure it out then I'll just have to buy them.
@Gizmo19: I'm fine with doing it. It's fun, in my opinon, lol.
Don't feel bad!! My wedding isn't for another year, and I've already done the majority of my stuff. And what I do have left, will take a day, two tops. Plus I don't have to have any of it done for another four to six months.
As for how long it takes, it varies. I will say most print shops request .pdf files and/or indesign/illustrator files. Places like Staples prefer .pdf files.
Also, you COULD start the design in photoshop, then take it to Illustrator or InDesign and finish it there. That gets tricky because you have to be sure your photoshop design is the right size when you take it over.
There are lots of good tutorials out there. You should also be able to check at your library for "Classroom in a Book" for Photoshop, Illustrator or InDesign.
Another option, if you want to go this route, is check out a local college. Most offer SMAD classes (school of media arts and design) and contact the professor and explain what you want. He/she should be able to suggest undergrads who could use it for their portfolio. You could even offer to pay a small ($20 or less) fee, but most would probably be happy for the opportunity to have something like this in a portfolio.
@Zinzerena: Having been a graphic design undergrad myself, you'll probably have better luck posting around the design building than contacting a teacher directly if you want a student to do the work for you. Also, $20 for the size of this project (programs, menu card, favor tags)…you probably won't get a lot of responses. Maybe $20 per piece with it written out that you will be doing the printing & need PDFs only. It may also be hit or miss with college students (as far as professional quality or practices).
I could be totally off base here, but my instructors were pretty strict on projects they would pass along to the students since there is so much crowdsourcing out there and designers (especially inexperienced ones) get taken advantage of. There was also a big range in quality with my classmates (just because you have the software and passion, doesn't mean you make stuff that's pretty). Orange Slyce may be a good place to start if you go that route.
@bellagio: Ahhhh, glad you mentioned that, since I wasn't certain and was guessing. :) Always helpful to have someone knowledgable posting! :)
@Zinzerena: It was a good suggestion. ;) And like I said, I may be wrong. It could be different at other schools/locations. That's just been my experience. It could end up being cheaper to just go the Etsy route.
@Gizmo19: Oh, also generally digital printing takes anywhere from a few days to a week for a few hundred if you get it done locally.
I posted pics of mine, and I did everything in Photoshop. I downloaded Gimp and Illustrator and couldn't figure out how to work either of them. I downloaded the fonts and brushes that I wanted and that was that. It took me a day or two to figure out layers, and remember to lock them, but once I got the hang of it, it was so easy!
Update - First, I decided on a different program, the one that another bride posted recently from the Style Me Pretty wedding, I love it and thought it would be easier. I also downloaded Illustrator, I actually had the PDF of the invite sent to me, uploaded it in Illustrator, tried to edit what I needed edited..........and yeah didn't get very far, you definitely have to know the program at least somewhat, lol. FI's mom is actually a graphic designer of sorts so I gave in and asked her if she could help. Let's just say she hasn't been the most reliable in recent years so that's why I didn't ask her in the first place to help.....so we'll see what she says!
Now that I have the program for 30 days I am going to mess around with it though and see what I can come up with on my own, wish me luck:)
@Zinzerena: - I'll let you know if I'm desperate and want you to help, I'd definitely have to pay you some too cause I'd be paying someone else so might as well pay another bride if it comes down to that:) Thanks so much for offering in general, very nice of you!
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My sister has Photoshop Elements and I want to attempt to do some paper items on there, programs, menu card, favor tags etc. How hard is it for a rookie to use? Any tips?
TIA!