Published for the Association of CorelDRAW® Professionals (ACDRP) / www.coreldrawhelp.com

the entrepreneurial magazine for CorelDRAW®

users worldwide

October 2011CorelDRAW® Help

Top 10 Holiday Gifts from Unisub

INSIDE:SPECIAL REPORTCORELDRAW X5PREMIUM SUITE

● Making Money with CorelDRAW: Laser Engraving Resources● Artwork Quality Can Make or Break Your Business● Tip: Fill Rules for Single-Path Vector Objects● Tip: The Sprayer Tool

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Inside

By Mike Neer, Publisher

The Power of Personalization

Published by Association of CorelDRAW® Professionals

President: John H. McDanielVice President: Judith McDaniel

Executive Director: Michael R. Neer

ACDRP Corporate Office: Philomath, OR

OFFICESMembership & Publishing offices located at:

4549 N. Glenn, Suite 110,Fresno, CA 93704

800-276-8428, 559-276-8494 Fax 559-222-1390www.CorelDRAWHelp.com

mikeneer@coreldrawhelp.com

Subscriptions: Free to qualified individuals and businesses. Send change of address to the above.

ACDRP Membership: Basic $90/yr.; Premium $240/yr.See the website for details.

Advertising: Request a Media Guide or download it from www.CorelDRAWHelp.com.

Writers: CorelDRAWHelp accepts articles from industry experts. Email publisher for details.

© Copyright 2011 by ACDRP. All Rights Reserved.

EDITOR / PUBLISHER – Michael R. Neermikeneer@coreldrawhelp.com

GRAPHICS – John MiseADVERTISING – John McDaniel IIjhmcdaniel2@coreldrawhelp.com

602-295-8193

OCTOBER 2011

HelpCorelDRAW®

I have been publishing magazines in the graphic products field for almost 30 years, and I have seen a wide range of ways that people use graphics to make money. I would like to summarize for you some of the best ways to do that – and it focuses around the theme of our cover story, holiday gifts.

You see, the key to making money with gifts is not just making gifts, but making personalized gifts. This is where your artwork talent can be showcased in a profitable, satisfying way. So here is a brief tour of the “power of personalization.”

Personalization power starts with one or all of three types of graphics – names, photos, and logos. You can design all the artwork you want, but if you add a name, photo, or logo, then you have made the item priceless. It carries that value of personal identification that everyone appreciates.

The graphic products field actually gives you the opportunity to personalize in multiple ways – awards, signs, decorated apparel, promotional products, and gifts are the most prominent. In fact, some of the most successful businesses I know offer a variety of production processes to serve more needs of their customers -- and to reach more customers as well.

At this time, I just want to focus on gifts. There are four types of gifts you can create with personalized artwork.

Personal Gifts. These are products with a name or photo that can be given for birthdays, or special occasions like weddings, anniversaries, graduations, and births. You can be creative with a background or frame or the typeface – but get it personalized – and you’ll make it profitable.

Holiday Gifts. These are products that are given for major holidays like Christmas, Hannukah, Valentines Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. These gifts can use artwork of the season or event (like trees, candles, hearts, babies, etc.) – and then personalize with a name or photo.

Business Gifts. Many businesses want to honor grand openings, special sales, employee milestones, and so on. You can do that with artwork plus name and photo. Ever see a company recognize their 25th anniversary with a photo of their building or key staff members? You could get that business. Business gifts with a logo, however, become promotional products, and these can be produced in large quantities as giveaways. The versatility of the promotional field is enormous – from pens and mousepads to decorated shirts and key rings. If you aren’t familiar with this field, you should be. You have to know what you are doing when dealing in larger quantities, but if you do, it can be a great business.

Souvenir/Resort Gifts. This, to me, is the most creative of the gifts as a style. That’s because you can create your own product line, and sell it in a variety of tourist locations. All you need to do is create an appealing art image (name, photo, logo) that represents or includes something recognizable in the local area. Examples – seascape near Monterey; mountain peak in Colorado; skyline of any city; unique phrase that uses a city name or iconic business; a unique logo for the city or resort area. The possibilities are endless – and it’s your own product line.

So, if you are looking for ways to expand your graphics business, then the power of personalization may be just what you need.

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Systems starting at $7,995

sales@epiloglaser.com • 888-437-4564

MADEiNUSATo request a brochure, DVD, and laser engraved and cut samples visit epiloglaser.com/coreldrawhelp.htm today.

Versatile Laser Cutters Highest-Quality Engraving

The proof is in the results.

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October 2011

Magazine Sponsors Logo-LinksOnline Expo Sponsors Logo-Links

Epilog Laser Corp. Web AdGeo. Knight & Co. Web AdJohn E. Lepper Inc. Web AdJohnson Plastics Web AdLaserSketch Web AdN&R International Web AdUniversal Laser Systems Web Ad

SPONSOR INDEX

DEPARTMENTS

Click “Web” to go to sponsor’s website. Click “Ad” to go to the ad in this issue. Clicking the ad itself will go to website.

LEARN! APPLY! GROW!

3 Inside: The Power of Personalization

6 Graphics News Wire29 Product Focus: Color Transfer Gifts

32 Logo-Links36 GNN Network

36 Marketplace37 Contributing Writers

CONTENTSCorelDRAW® Help

7 CorelDRAW Tips: Fill Rules for Single-Path Vector Objectsby John McDaniel

9 CorelDRAW Tips: The Artistic Media Tool - Sprayerby John W. Mise

11 CorelDRAW’s Enhanced Version – Premium Suite X5 – Overview

14 Making Money with CDR: Laser Engraving -- Resources by John McDaniel

19 Inside Transfers: Best-Selling Unisub / ChromaLuxe Holiday Giftsby Bill Leek

21 Inside Screen Printing:Preparing to Printby Judy & John McDaniel

24 Getting Ahead: Artwork Quality Can Make Or Break Your Businessby Deborah Sexton

34 Marketing Secrets:Are We Getting Through It All? by Donna Gray

38 Traveling Tidbits: Congrats, Golf Cart Parade, and Pumpkin Timeby Otis Veteto

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GRAPHICS NEWS WIREOctober 2011

Product News Headlines:

Calendar (Web Link)Check out the upcoming training

classes and trade shows of interest to CorelDRAW users.

CorelDRAW® Help

• Imprintables Warehouse offers new Video of Spectra Alloy Heat Transfer Material

• Imprintables Warehouse offers new colors in Spectra Bling Cutter Material

• Johnson Plastics adds Eco Performance Polos to line of sublimatable apparel

• LaserJumpStart introduces new Laser-Friendly Filigree Font & Frames package

• Independent Trading offers unique two-color men’s full-zip hoodie

• SanMar doubles warehouse size in New Jersey

• GSG offers classic rayon thread

• GSG opens new location in Baton Rouge

• Transfer Express offers new Transfer Extreme Halloween Designs

• Vastex has introduce a new Short Sleeve Wing Pallet for screen printing

• Dalco has new breakout dye sub applique

• Tri-Mountain offers designer look with Serena blouse

• Hirsch offers NEO extended table

• Sawgrass announces HowToSublimate.com website

• Chouinard has new heavyweight hooded pullover sweat shirt

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Using CorelDRAW®Training

Fill Rules for Single-Path Vector Objects

Objects in CorelDRAW…There are two basic types of objects in a CorelDRAW layout, Bitmaps and Vectors.

Bitmap Objects…Bitmap objects are essentially pictures. Even if it’s a picture of a line drawing, it’s still a bitmap. Bitmaps contain PIXELS (Picture Elements). Each pixel has a specific location (i.e. address) in two-dimensional space. It also has a color assignment. When we view bitmaps normally, our eye merges the pixels into a continuous tone image.

Vector Objects…Vector objects are described by mathematical formulas—they include lines, arcs, circles, ellipses, squares, rectangles, polygons, text, etc.

Single-Path vector objects are objects that contain only one vector path in their construction. For example, a vector object that is constructed from a single ellipse, rectangle, arc, line, etc. is a single-path object.

In CorelDRAW, vector objects are either open or closed. A closed object means the object’s outline is a continuous path that encloses an area. For instance, an ellipse and rectangle are examples of closed objects. By contrast, an arc or line is an example of an open object.

All vector objects in CorelDRAW have an outline and fill characteristic. By default, the fill characteristic is hidden, i.e. not displayed or printed, if the object is open. That means that normally a vector object’s fill will not display on the screen, or print, unless the object’s outline is closed.

Picture 1 is an example of single-path vector objects. All the objects have a fill characteristic, but the fill is only visible in the objects that are closed.

How to make all fills visible and printable…As with most things in CorelDRAW, you can choose something other than the default setting. For fills, you can choose to display and print fills for all objects. To do that…

Picture 1: An example of single-path vector objects. Picture 2: On the Menu Bar, click on Tools/Options. This will call the Options dialog screen.

►

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Using CorelDRAW®Training

1. On the Menu Bar—Click on Tools/Options—see picture 2. This will call the Options dialog screen.

2. In the Options dialog screen, select Document/General—which will open the general preferences screen

3. In Document/General/Preferences, place a checkmark in Fill open curves—see picture 3.

4. Click on OK to close the Options dialog screen.

This procedure will turn on fill characteristics for open objects—see picture 4.

Notice what happens is that the program assumes a straight path from node 1 to the last node in the object, and then fills the object as if that path existed.Following the above procedure will fill open curves for the current document only. It does not change the program’s default settings.

ConclusionThe advantage of being able to turn on fills for open objects is that it’s not necessary to have a completely enclosed area in the drawing to display a fill. You might, for example, want to show water in a swimming pool without having a line across the top.

PUT YOUR ART ON THE COVERCorelDRAWHelp magazine would like to put your artwork on the cover. Each issue, we like to highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user. Along with your artwork, there would be a short About the Cover article that identifies you as the artist, and describes briefly how you created your artwork. Your contact information would also be listed.

For more information about placing your artwork on the cover, contact the editor at: www.coreldrawpro.com/coverart.htm.

Picture 3: In Document/General/Preferences, place a checkmark in Fill open curves.

Picture 4: This procedure will turn on fill characteristics for open objects.

Share CorelDRAW® TipsDo you have a tip, short-cut or project you would like to share with other CorelDRAW users? Then this is the place for you. CorelDRAW Help readers would like to know how other people are using the CorelDRAW program for different projects. Everything from logo design, brochures and flyers to sign and t-shirt artwork.

Just send us an email with your idea to the editor at editor@coreldrawhelp.comThanks much!

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Using CorelDRAW®Training

The Artistic Media Tool - Sprayer

The Artistic Media Tool is one of eight virtual pens located within CorelDRAW’s Line Tools group.

The most used tools in the Line Tools group are the Freehand Tool, Bezier Tool, Artistic Media Tool, Pen Tool, Polyline Tool and the 3-Point Curve Tool. The Connector Tool and the Dimension Tool are very specialized tools and are not used as much as the others. In this example, we will be using Brushes which is located within the Artistic Media Tools.

Using the Artistic Media ToolPeople tend to underestimate or they don’t really understand the usefulness of the Artistic Media Tool. The basic function is pretty simple

- click-drag the stroke. There are five different types of Artistic Media brushes with a number of variations in each category. The original path of the Artistic Media stroke can be changed creating a different look from the original path. As with any of the other Artistic Media Tools, you can draw while applying one of the many styles or you can apply an Artistic Media style to an existing line.

Selecting the Artistic Media Tool from the Property Bar will offer five different line-drawing modes for you to choose from. Each of these modes will offer their own

unique options. The additional options will appear on the Property Bar just to the right of the Artistic Media tool that you have chosen. These options will change depending on the type of media you have chosen.

Using the SprayerThe Sprayer mode is very easy to use but it does create more complex effects than some of the other modes. When using the Sprayer mode, several different options will become available to you on the Property Bar allowing for a large number of design variations. The Sprayer mode repeats a graphical image along a drawn path based on the spray options that have been chosen. Changes to the path and the objects can be made at any time and the Sprayer objects can repeat randomly or uniformly along the path. Any time you edit a style, it only applies to the selected line and not the original style that you used from you Style File list.

The Sprayer mode offers the following options:

Object Spray Size / Scaling - These options control the object size of the Sprayer style. When the Size/Scale option is unlocked, you can increase or decrease scaling of successive objects based on the first object in the Sprayer style. Scaling is not offered in all presets because of the construction. The Snowflake preset offers scaling while the Footprint preset does not offer scaling. ►

Spray Mode

Freehand Smoothing Tool Width

Preset ShapesBrush Mode

CalligraphicPressure

Preset Stroke List

Spray Mode

Freehand Smoothing

Scaled Size OfSuccesive Object

Object SizeBrowse

Sprayer FileList Selector

Save Delete

SprayOrder

Add ToSpray List

Open Spray List Dialog

Spacing

DabOffsetProperties

Reset

RotationProperties

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Using CorelDRAW®

Spray Order - If the Sprayer style offers more than one object or object size, this option will allow you to change the order of the Sprayer objects Randomly, Sequentially, or By Direction. If there is only one object/size, changing this option will have no effect on the Sprayer style.

Dabs and Spacing - These two options will set the number of objects placed along a path and the distance between each of the objects. Dabs is the individual objects in the Sprayer style and Spacing controls the number of objects within the path’s distance.

Rotation - This option is used to set the angle of the Sprayer style’s first object within the path. The Increment option is the rotation value of each subsequent object.

Offset - This option sets the distance between the center of the Sprayer objects and the path they are on. The Offset is active by default. The settings are between 0.014 and 13.875 inches. The direction of the offset can also be set to Alternating (the default) to Left, Right or Random. You can deactivate the offset options in the selector by unchecking the Use Offset option. This will set the Offset measurement to 0.

Reset - Clicking on this button will return all of the Sprayer style settings to their default settings in the Property Bar.

You can delete styles from your Sprayer File list. Open your list, select a file, then click the Delete button on the Property Bar. This will delete the style from your list.

Samples of available Sprayer styles

More than 60 videos already posted and more added regularly!40 videos on CorelDRAW Features26 videos on Job Setups for laser engraving, sandblasting, and printing.

Sample titles include:● Preparing a Photo – Halftones, Retouching, Backgrounds● Redrawing a Logo● Text on a Curve● Using PowerTRACE● Sandblasting Cylindrical Objects● Straighten Image and Histogram● Image Adjustment & Cutout Labs● Offset Vector Cuts for Inlays

And More...

Click here to see Sample Video on Feathering the Edge

Gain access to the whole library as a ACDRP Premium Member.Details at www.coreldrawpro.com/join.htm

Check out the new ACDRP Video Library!

Looking to save dollars and extend your marketing reach?

Then it’s time to start advertising with CorelDRAWHelp.

CorelDRAWHelp magazine is an all-digital publication that is delivered monthly in PDF format for easy reading. And because CorelDRAWHelp magazine is an all-digital publication, readers can link directly to your website from within our digital publications.

HelpCorelDRAW®

CorelDRAWHelp offers more for your dollar than comparable services in print publications. For more information on how to get started, contact John McDaniel II at jhmcdaniel2@coreldrawhelp.com or 602-295-8193.

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In this article, we will highlight the differences between CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X5 (released Feb. 23, 2010), and CorelDRAW Premium Suite X5 (released Sept. 14, 2010), along with the additional computer requirements needed.

CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite X5Dateline – Tuesday, February 23, 2010 the latest version of CorelDRAW’s Graphics Suite is released. The new version (15) is dubbed X5.

We reviewed X5 shortly after it came out. As a recap of that review, the following is included in the standard suite…

What’s Included with CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite X5The Main Applications are:

• CorelDRAW® X5 – for vector-illustration and page-layout.• Corel PHOTO-PAINT® X5 – for retouching and enhancing photos.• Corel® PowerTRACE™ X5 – converts bitmaps into editable vector

graphics.• Corel Capture™ X5 – a Screen Capture Utility• New! Corel® CONNECT – a full-screen browser that lets you search

your computer and/or your local network for digital content to use in your

SPECIAL REPORTBy Judy and John McDaniel, Contributing writers

CorelDRAW’s Enhanced Version – Premium Suite X5 – Overview

designs. CONNECT is fully integrated in the suite, and is also available as a docker in both CorelDRAW X5 and Corel PHOTO-PAINT X5.

Supporting Applications include:• Bitstream® Font Navigator® – an award winning font manager that

allows you to view, catalogue, install, and uninstall fonts.• Barcode wizard – which allows users to generate bar codes in a

wide range of industry-standard formats.• Duplexing wizard – helps users optimize their work for printing two-

sided documents.• New! SWiSH MiniMax – A utility that lets you create interactive

animations, banners, and more. Primarily for the web.• New! PhotoZoom Pro – this plug-in lets you enlarge digital

images and export them from Corel PHOTO-PAINT X5.

Other Content includes:• New! More than 2,000 vehicle templates, half of which are new.• New! More than 350 professionally designed templates.• More than 1,000 additional Open Type® fonts, including

75 Windows® Glyph List 4 (WGL4) fonts. ►

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SPECIAL REPORT

• A collection of more than 10,000 high-quality clipart and digital images.

Documentation:• New! A completely redesigned Guidebook that introduces each

application’s workspace and includes tips and techniques for users of all skill levels, in-depth tutorials, and insights from various industry experts.

• Quick-Reference Card.• Help Files.

Training:• More than 2 hours of training videos on DVD.

What are the Minimum Computer System Requirements for the standard suite?• Operating System – Microsoft® Windows® 7, Windows Vista®, or Windows®

XP, with the latest service pack installed (32-bit or 64-bit editions).• Computer Processor – Intel® Pentium® 4, AMD Athlon™ 64, or AMD Opteron

™. – Author’s note – the CorelDRAW X5 Suite takes advantage of the multi-threading capabilities of many of the newer computer processors.

• Memory – 512MB of RAM (1GB recommended) – Author’s note – for Windows XP we recommend 512 as a minimum and prefer 1GB, especially if you intend to work with bitmap images. For Windows 7 and Vista we recommend 2GB as a minimum.

• Hard Disk Space – 750MB (1GB for typical installation without content) – Author’s note – that’s what is required for the program; you’ll need additional space for file storage. We recommend 80-120GB drives as a minimum.

• Monitor Resolution – 1,024 x 768 or better (768 x 1024 on Tablet PC) – Author’s note – this version is fully compatible with Windows® 7 Touch support.

• DVD drive• Mouse or Tablet• Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 7 or higher

CorelDRAW® Premium Suite X5 – What is the Difference?Dateline – Tuesday, September 14, 2010 a brand-new, expanded-package of CorelDRAW’s Graphics Suite becomes available—Premium Suite X5.

It’s been a little over a year since Premium Suite X5 was released. In a nutshell, Premium Suite X5 contains everything that is included in Graphics Suite X5, and adds…

New! – Additional Applications…• Corel® Website Creator™ X5 – This new application offers a fast

and easy way to build, manage, and promote websites.

• Corel® VideoStudio® Pro X3 – This end-to-end video production package gives you the ability to produce professional-quality video. It includes advanced editing tools, movie templates, filters, real-time effects, and online sharing options.

• Corel DVD MovieFactory™ 7 SE – This all-in-one software solution lets you create and burn professional-quality DVD, AVCHD™, and Blu-ray™ discs from photos, video, and high-definition (HD) video.

• SWiSH Max3 – in Premium Suite, replaces SWiSH MiniMax, which is a supporting application in the standard suite. – SWiSH Max 3 is a complete Flash animation authoring application which allows you to create animations that include text, images, graphics, video, and sound.

• WinZip® 14.5 Pro – a very popular zip utility for file compression, encryption, sharing, and data backup.

New! – Additional Supporting Application…• DV-to-DVD Wizard – the DV-to-DVD Wizard lets you capture video

from a DV camcorder, add a theme template to it, and then burn it directly to DVD.

New! – Additional Other Content includes…• More than 350 multimedia effects, including a variety of dynamic

animated effects from NewBlue® FX• Dozens of web templates and styles.• 30 video templates from RevoStock®

The Impact of Premium Suite on Computer Requirements…• Computer Processor – Intel® Pentium® 4, AMD Athlon™ 64 or AMD

Opteron™ - same as standard suite – New! – (Intel® Core™ Duo 1.83 GHz, AMD Dual-Core 2.0 GHz or higher required for video editing)

• More! – Computer Memory – 1 GB RAM (2 GB or higher recommended)

• New! – Video Memory – 128 MB VGA VRAM or higher (256 MB or higher recommended)

Author’s Note – today’s computers contain a minimum of two computers, and two memory segments. One computer and memory segment is used to store and execute programs and data; the other computer and memory segment is for manipulating video display information. In the computer, there are also two ways memory is made available to the video computer. In lower-cost machines, memory is shared; that means that a portion of the main installed ►

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memory is assigned for video processing. The faster, and therefore preferable method, is to have a dedicated video card with its own separate processor and memory. Memory that is only used for video processing.

• More! – Hard-Disk Space – 4.5 GB hard disk space to install all applications (9 GB needed to install extra content) – see comments above.

• New! – 32-bit ODBC drivers for external database connectivity (for website creation).

• New! – Recordable DVD drive required to create DVDs.• New! – Recordable Blu-ray drive required to create Blu-ray discs.• New! – Windows-compatible sound card.• New! – Internet connection for online features and product registration.

Conclusion…What we have tried to accomplish in this article is to highlight the differences between CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X5 and Premium Suite X5, along with the additional computer requirements needed.

In short, CorelDRAW’s Premium Suite X5 does not add any tools for producing typical graphic products, like signs, stamps, engravings, etchings, garment decorations, etc. What it does add to the standard suite are the tools necessary to easily create and maintain a website, complete with Flash and video.

Advertising in the “Digital Age” has become synonymous with advertising on the Internet, i.e. having a website. For entrepreneurs, this is a valuable addition. For hobbyists, Premium Suite provides video creation and editing tools for personal use, and to share with others.

In future articles, we will explore the new features of Premium Suite in a little more detail.

Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAW®help, Inc. They provide consulting and training services for the industry. They have been using CorelDRAW® for personalization processes since 1989; and have been teaching it for, engraving, sandblasting, sublimation, etc., since 1991. They are, and have been, regular columnists for several trade publications, focusing on hardware design, software reviews, and various processes from a user’s point of view. Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars. They also have a series of interactive video lessons teaching CorelDRAW® available on-line, and on CD. (For information on training services and video lessons available visit www.CorelDRAWhelp.com) You may contact them via email at mail@CorelDRAWhelp.com.

SPECIAL REPORT

The Assoc ia t ion o f Core lDRAW® Professionals (ACDRP) announces a Special Limited-Time Sale of 50% off on association membership -- and the addition of a new Video Training membership level.

Effective June 15, Basic Membership which is normally $90/year will be $45/year. Basic ACDRP Membership offers online access to more than 500 articles, tips, and templates for improving graphics and business skills.

Premium membership which adds On-Line Video training and 2 free email consultations per year to the basic level is normally $240/year; but now for a limited time, Premium membership will be available for $120/year. Premium membership was added in 2009 with a complete on-line Video Training Library. More than 75 videos are currently posted and more are added each month. In fact, a new series on CorelDRAW Tips, with special focus on Version X5, will be posted this summer.

ACDRP has also announced a new intermediate level of membership; VT (Video Training) membership. VT membership includes Basic and On-Line Video Training; it does not include free email consultation. The regular price for VT membership is $180/yr. During this sale VT membership will be available for $90/yr. “Now is the time,” says Executive Director Mike Neer, “for CorelDRAW users to really boost their skills, so they can grow their business as the economy recovers. The new Video Training program has won rave reviews from members, and this special makes it available to more people.”

Members, who have joined or renewed in the last 90 days, can also call to take advantage of this Special. For more information, visit www.coreldrawpro.com/join.htm.

Click this link to see a sample of the Video Training for the technique of ‘Feathering the Edge.’

Membership On Sale Now!

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Laser Engraving – Resources Available Part 2

Review…So far in our exploration of laser engraving we looked at some of the products you can create with a laser engraver. We discussed the investment and skill level required to successfully create engraved objects from computer graphics. And then last time, we listed some of the companies that supply laser engraving equipment.

In this section, we will continue listing resources available to help you get started in laser engraving. If you already have a laser engraving operation, these companies can help you expand it.

Product suppliers…The following companies provide software, and/or blank products for laser engraving. Check their websites for details. Additional companies not listed here can be found on the Graphic Products Guide at www.graphicproductsguide.com.

American Acrylic Awards & Gifts, Walnut, CA, 800-899-3346, 909-598-2375Blank Engravable Products…American Acrylic Awards & Gifts is a major supplier to the awards & recognition industry. They offer a variety of acrylic awards, contemporary clocks, and promotional gift items. Their acrylic awards come in styles from simple to unique to accommodate every occasion. All their acrylics come in clear, jade, or blue tint. They also offer glossy rosewood clocks, acrylic timepieces, and tabletop clocks. All are suitable for laser engraving.

Personalization Services…For promotional products, they offer laser engraving or screen printing services on premises. In addition, they can provide design assistance if ►

required. They promise quick turnaround time on all their services.

For more information on their products and services, please visit… www.americanacrylicaward.com.

Identification Plates Inc., Mesquite, TX, 800-395-2570Blank Engravable Products…ID Plates provides blank and custom imprinted metal products. Blank products include: sheet metal, plaques and plates, badges, business cards, tags, nameplates, bracelets, license plates, gavel plates, desk name plates, and coasters. Popular new items include Laser-It™ Aluminum, LaserFrost®, LaserSub, DynaSub, and the versatile IDSparkle.

These blank materials can be personalized, by the customer, via laser engraving, mechanical engraving, screen printing, and/or sublimation for a unique look.

Personalization Services…ID Plates also offers personalization services for promotional products via…screen printing, chemical etching, sublimation, and laser engraving.

ID Plates has been supplying the awards, promotional products, and signage industries with blank and custom imprinted metal products since 1959. They have a

MAKING MONEY WITH CDRBy Judy and John McDaniel Learn

American Acrylics has a unique 3-D curvature award that comes

in many colors.

American Acrylics offers many unique awards, such as this Star Award.

ID Plates has

introduced the new Laser-It

Aluminum.

ID Plates has several metals that can be both lasered and sublimated,

such as LaserSub.

October 2011 15Click ads to go directly to advertiser’s web site.HelpCorelDRAW®

40,000 sq. ft. facility in Mesquite, TX.

For more information on their products and services, please visit…www.idplates.com.

Johnson Plastics, Minneapolis, MN, 800-869-7800Serving the industry for more than 40 yearsBlank Engravable Products…Through two printed catalogs, a Sublimation Instruction Manual, and their website, Johnson Plastics features a complete line of products for the engraving and sublimation industry.

Custom Blanks…Johnson Plastics offers custom cut blanks, as well as blanks that are screen printed or hot stamped.

Hardware…Johnson Plastics offers a full line of equipment for sublimation and a variety of accessory equipment for the engraving industry.

They promise outstanding customer service and technical support, plus quali ty products at great value, competitively priced. Available by phone or on-line.

All of their products are backed by their “Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back” policy. They ship most orders within 24 hours from 8 locations throughout the country.

For more information on their products and services, please visit…www.johnsonplastics.com

MAKING MONEY WITH CDR

►

Johnson Plastics carries a wide range of laserable products, such as these

Aurora Acrylic Awards.

Johnson Plastics also carries the Stone Edge line of nameblocks and

paperweights.

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MAKING MONEY WITH CDR

LaserBuzz, Fayetteville, GA, 888-287-7535Software…Laserbuzz offers ready-to-cut designs for products that can be created on your laser. You can use these designs to create your own product line.

They have 1000s of products you can make using your laser -- military, sports, hobbies, organizations, dogs, horses, professions, trades, and more. All packages come with a video detailing how to create your new product line.

To check out their patterns…please visit…www.laserbuzz.com

LaserJumpStart, Nampa, ID, 208-697-5587Software…

Laser Jump Start offers software designed to make the laser user’s tasks easier and more efficient. Laser Jump Start has a number of software products to help awards people, educators, signage, hobby/craft people, and woodworkers acce lerate des ign e f fo r ts and boos t product profitability.

Their products include the BoxIt Suite program that is now used and distributed worldwide. Other programs and packages are…A R T W e l d e r ; A R T W e l d e r O r n a m e n t D e s i g n Themes Vo l . I (New Re lease) ; t he NameI t Su i te ; Laser Jump Start Vol. I “Promotional Projects That Work”; Laser Jump Start Vol. II “BoxIt Suite Projects”, and Laser Jump Start Vol. III “Point of Purchase Displays” (New Release).

Each program is fully-functional on its own; however, when combined, they offer the laser user capabilities ►

LaserBuzz offers a wide range of ready-to-cut designs for

lasers, such as this Boston Terrier.

Another unique piece from LaserBuzz is this Praying Hands.

LaserJumpStart offers ornaments, like this one, in its ArtWelder Ornament

Design Themes.

LaserJumpStart offers software that will make a laser user’s job easier, such as

the design for this Storage Clock.

October 2011 17Click ads to go directly to advertiser’s web site.HelpCorelDRAW®

to quickly “jump-start” his or her laser business without advanced technical or design knowledge.

For more information on their software, please visit…www.laserjumpstart.com

LaserSketch, Romeoville, IL, 630-243-6360Blank Engravable Products…

LaserSketch is the world’s largest supplier of LaserGrade Materials for the laser engraver. They offer more than 161 standard sizes of LaserGrade Marble and Granite in Absolute Black, Super Black, MB Black, Green and White; all available on their website LaserSketch.com

The company also offers other unique laserable products such as: LaserGrade leather, agate slices, black onyx jewelry, shell jewelry, Photo Plas-Tic, LaserSlab, LaserCork, and Optical Crystal.

For more information on their products, please visit…www.lasersketch.com

RB Fabrication, Orange, CA, 1-888-545-1933Blank Engravable Products…R. B. Fabrication, Inc has been involved in acrylic fabrication for more than 30 years. They offer a full line of blanks suitable for Awards, Trophies, Incentives, and Promotional items. The company claims to be “The finest Acrylic Awards Manufacturer in America”.

For more information on their stock products, please visit…www.rbfabrication.com.

Custom Blank Engravable Products…and Prints…In addition to their stock product offerings, RB also offers custom products via two additional processes:

1) AcraLaser for cutting and engraving acrylic, wood, anything non-metallic. Using this process they can cut silhouettes; including state shapes, knockouts, donor-walls and plaques, and more. Send them your drawing and they laser cut the shape in material from 1/4” to 1-1/4” thick.

MAKING MONEY WITH CDR

PUT YOUR ART ON THE COVERYou are invited to submit your artwork for the cover of future issues of CorelDRAWHelp! Each issue will highlight the artwork of one selected CorelDRAW user.

(www.coreldrawpro.com/coverart.htm)

There will also be a short About the Cover article on the inside that identifies you as the artist, and describes briefly how you created it. Your contact information will be listed so others in the CorelDRAW community can contact you for more details or just to congratulate you!

LaserSketch is the largest supplier LaserGrade Marble and Granite, allowing for fine detail in images, such as this wolf.

LaserSketch also provides many other laserables, such as

this leather gear.

RB Fabrication can use AcraLaser to cut unique shapes, and then

color it with their AcraPrint process, as in this Ribbon Award.

It’s time to start advertising with CorelDRAWHelp.

Save money and extend your marketing reach!

CorelDRAWHelp magazine is an all-digital publication that is delivered monthly in PDF format for easy reading. And because CorelDRAWHelp magazine is an all-digital publication, readers can link directly from your ad to your website from within our digital publications.

HelpCorelDRAW®

CorelDRAWHelp offers more for your dollar than comparable services in print publications. For more information on how to get started, contact John McDaniel II at jhmcdaniel2@coreldrawhelp.com or 602-295-8193.

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MAKING MONEY WITH CDR

2) AcraPrint for direct prints of logos and artwork in full color onto acrylic awards, plaques, and custom cutouts. Send them your print file and they AcraPrint it for you.

It is also possible to combine these two processes. To have a custom shape cut for you, and then have unique artwork or backgrounds printed on it.

For more information on these services, please visit… www.acralaser.com; www.acraprint.com

Rowmark LLC, Findlay, OH, 419-425-8974Rowmark is the world’s leading manufacturer of engravable sheet plastic for the

awards, engraving, and signage markets, and also carries a complete line of sublimation products. They have several lines of laserable plastic, such as the popular LaserMax, as well as unique magnetic sheets (LASERMag), and thin bendable sheets (LaserLIGHTS).

Its products are sold exclusively through a worldwide network of Authorized Rowmark Distributors in more than 80 countries.

Other divisions include: ClearPath Signage Systems—a leading supplier of materials for the architectural signage market. Offering an extensive line of products including stand-offs, metal and polymer frames, and fully modular sign systems, ClearPath has a world-wide network of sales channels to quickly and efficiently service its customers. PMC—a full service custom manufacturer of sheet and roll-stock plastic materials for a variety

of markets and is recognized as an industry leader in the extrusion of Thermoplastic Poly Olefin (TPO) products. Color Path Technologies—a leading manufacturer of quality hot stamp foils. They offer an extensive array of pigmented and decorative foils for a variety of applications and markets.

For more informat ion on Rowmark, please visit…www.rowmarkllc.com

Conclusion…This concludes our chapter on making money with laser engraving. Next time, before we continue looking at other processes, we’ll take a look at product pricing. What do you charge for your products and services?

Judy and John McDaniel are owners of JHM Marketing and CorelDRAW®help, Inc. They provide consulting and training services for the industry. Currently they are both Corel Training Partners and offer private and group training seminars. They also have a series of interactive video lessons teaching CorelDRAW® available on-line, and on CD. The on-line and CD lessons cover CorelDRAW basics and CorelDRAW applied to laser engraving, sandblasting, sublimation, screen-printing, etc. (For information on training services and video lessons available visit www.CorelDRAWhelp.com) You may contact them via email at mail@CorelDRAWhelp.com

RB Fabrication uses its AcraLaser process to create custom shapes for you, such as

these puzzle pieces.

Rowmark has introduced its new Color Hues line to provide

a variety of pastel looks and designs for its engravable plastic.

Rowmark LaserMark material provides crisp, clean cuts for high readability.

Corel Tips

Reposition Rulers - Rulers, by default, are docked along the outer edges of the workspace but may be repositioned to be within the workspace itself. To undock and move the rulers, hold Shift then click and drag the Rulers to the desired loca-tion within the workspace then release the mouse button. To redock the rulers to their original location, hold Shift and double-click.

October 2011 19Click ads to go directly to advertiser’s web site.HelpCorelDRAW®

Universal Woods is the largest U.S. manufacturer of unique sublimation imprintables. Since the 1990s they have been major force in the establishment and rapid growth of the industry. Each year their product quality has improved and the breadth of their product line has rapidly increased.

With such a large variety of imprintables to choose from, sublimators frequently ask what items they should offer for the holiday season. As I didn’t feel qualified to answer this question, I decided to go right to the source. A few weeks

ago I contacted Jennifer Foy, Universal Woods Creative Director, for the Unisub and ChromaLuxe product lines. Here’s the list of top gifts she came up with:

CORK BACK COASTER SET: This is an old favorite that images very well and makes a great gift with a 4-coaster holder. The cork is attached during manufacturing…this saves another production step for the sublimator.

INSIDE TRANSFERSBy Bill Leek, Contributing writer

Best-Selling Unisub / ChromaLuxe

Holiday GiftsCHROMALUXE PHOTO GIFTS: The most popular sizes are the 5X7 and 8X10 flat panels with easels. These can be heat pressed in a minute with the easel attached. The customers love these. They have a beautifully finished photo that they don’t need to frame.

CHROMALUXE GLOSSWHITE ALUMINUM WALL PANELS: These panels are available in a wide variety of sizes and arrays. They can be wall mounted using several different methods. Their thick sublimation coating meets the strict requirements of professional photographers.

PICTURE FRAMES: These are another long-time Unisub favorite. Custom frames allow you to add a personal message or complementary design to a photo or graphic.

►

Coaster Set

Christmas Framed Photo

Photo Ornament Holiday Puzzle

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INSIDE TRANSFERS

ORNAMENTS: Unisub has added many new ornament designs through the years. The ChromaLuxe aluminum Creative Border designs have just been released and offer a whole new decorative look.

KEEPSAKE BOXES: These are one of my favorites. They are well constructed and finished both inside and out. They can be used almost anywhere in the home or office.

WOODEN SERVING TRAYS: These are a great gift for special occasions or day to day home and office use. Add four custom mugs and four coasters for a coordinated set.

JIGSAW PUZZLES: Puzzles are another long-term favorite available in several shapes and sizes. They make great personal family and business gifts during the holidays.

ID AND LUGGAGE TAGS: These are an old standby that make excellent custom gift tags.

You can find hundreds of additional items that may fit your specific market niches. Review the Unisub and ChromaLuxe catalogs at least once a year to add new gift items to your product line.

All the gift products listed here allow you to optimally display photographs and art in unique ways.

Unisub and ChromaLuxe substrates are durable and reproduce brilliant, accurate color. Quality control is excellent. The one-minute pressing time saves valuable production hours. The cost of the blanks is always fair. You’re backed by an excellent company that really cares about each customer, WHAT A WINNING COMBINATION! For information on Unisub, visit www.unisub.com.

Bill Leek of Houston, TX has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design. He has developed several lines of color imprintable products, and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers. He can be reached at wfleek@jblgraphics.com or 281-257-0695.

Ven Ornament

Keepsake Box

Christmas Easel

Wooden Tray

October 2011 21Click ads to go directly to advertiser’s web site.HelpCorelDRAW®

INSIDE SCREEN PRINTINGBy Jeff McDaniel Applications

Preparing to Print

►

BackgroundIn the last article, we checked our screen off contact, re-aligned our artwork, and placed our platens. In this article we are going to mask our platens, mask off the artwork, and get ready to print.

Our setup and yoursOur setup is the Printa 770 series screen printing machine from Printa Systems Inc. All of the supplies and tools we will cover from here on were provided in the turn-key system from Printa with the 770. Your setup may be from another source but will most likely contain components of what we will discuss below.

Masking off the screensOnce the artwork has been re-aligned, we can mask the screen off. We mask the

Image 1: Wider tape works well when using capillary film to cover the entire excess area without

having to use additional pieces.

Image 2: We use a small squeegee for this purpose to get an even layer of block out.

screen to be sure that the ink only flows thru the parts of the design we want transferred to the work piece. In this case, we used some special screen printing tape that is fully sticky on one edge and half sticky on the other edge. We found the wider tape works well when using capillary film to cover the entire excess area without having to use additional pieces (see Image 1). The screen tape is applied on the top side of the screen; when properly applied, the tape will create a trough for us to place the screen inks in later.

Covering pin-holes and imperfectionsOne of the steps we have to take before inking our screens is filling in pin holes, imperfections, and our registration marks with a screeners block out. The block-out product is applied to the bottom side of the screen (garment contact side). We use a small squeegee for this purpose to get an even layer (see Image 2). After applying the

block out, we let it dry for 20-30 minutes before moving on to the next steps.

Masking the PlatenIn order to print on a garment, we need our garment to stay in one place on the platen. We use a platen adhesive to accomplish this. Platen adhesive is white glue that dries sticky. In order to use platen adhesive, we generally protect the platen itself by applying a mask to our platen surface (see Image 3). The mask material can be a standard carrier tape used for transferring vinyl graphics. Screen printing suppliers should also carry a product specifically made for masking platens. Once the protective mask is applied, we apply the platen adhesive and spread it evenly across the surface with a plastic squeegee (see Images 4 and 5).

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INSIDE SCREEN PRINTING

Image 3: We generally protect the platen itself by applying a mask to our platen surface.

Image 4: We apply the platen adhesive.

Image 5: We spread the platen adhesive evenly across the surface with a plastic squeegee

Image 6: Inks and Squeegees used are provided with the Printa 770 series

supply package.

Inks and squeegees We will be using the Inks and Squeegees that are provided with the Printa 770 series supply package (see Image 6). The inks are standard plastisol inks for garment printing. The squeegees provided have a hardwood handle with a urethane blade. There are many other types of squeegees available, but we have found the set provided to be highly durable and of good quality. Squeegees come in a variety of widths and we generally choose one that overlaps our artwork by ½ to ¾ of an inch on each side. The overlap is necessary to avoid missing portions of the artwork when printing (see Image 7). By selecting a squeegee with the proper overlap on each side, the printing will go smoothly (see Image 8).

Final screen location checkOne thing that carpenters, machinists, and tradesman everywhere can tell you is “check 3 times, cut 1 time”. The other thing I often heard/said was “you can always take more off, but you cannot put it back on.” The same things are true for screen printing. By taking the time to check your setups thoroughly, BEFORE the screen ink is on the press, you can eliminate issues ahead of time and save production time in the long run. Once the screen inks are in the press, it can be much more difficult to re-align or adjust location for any of the screens. With the exposure unit still on the press we will take one final look to verify that the screens are all in the proper locations and will be covered by our trap layer (see Image 9). The screen we have down right now is the red for the falcon’s mouth and tongue. The trap layer will cover the red layer nicely and we can move on to verify the next color.

ConclusionIn this article, we masked off our screens, masked our platens, filled ►

October 2011 23Click ads to go directly to advertiser’s web site.HelpCorelDRAW®

Use Your ACDRPAssociation Services!

Calendar

Classifieds

Find providers of more than 40 graphics services -- from ADA Signage to Transfers. Check out this link:www.graphicservicesguide.com

Find providers of equipment, tools, materials, software, and blank products for applying graphics. Check out this link:www.graphicproductsguide.com

ACDRP Membership Has Its Privileges!Members have access to even more services, such as: QuickLearn searchable database of 400+ articles; Quick TNT searchable database of CorelDRAW tips and templates; and discounts on GSG, Classifieds, and the Bookstore. To find out about membership, visit: www.coreldrawpro.com/join.htm

Find trade shows and educational programs that can help you expand your business and skills. A complete industry calendar is available at:www.coreldrawpro.com/calendar.htm

Find useful products/equipment/displays, etc. for sale, or list your own. Check out the current items for sale at:www.coreldrawpro.com/classifieds

INSIDE SCREEN PRINTING

in any imperfections in our screens, and did a final screen location check. In our next article, we will ink our screens and print.

Jeff McDaniel is the Owner/Operator of Creative Graphic in Philomath, Oregon. Jeff has been working with computers since the age of 5 and was a journeyman machinist before working in the graphic arts business. Creative Graphic offers services including laser engraving, rotary engraving, sandblasting, sublimation, image transfers, vinyl signs, banners, screen printing, and promotional products. Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials. You can contact Jeff by email at Jeff@creativegraphic.net.

Image 9: We will take one final look to verify that the screens are all in the proper locations and will be covered by

our trap layer.

Image 7: The overlap of the squeegee to the artwork is

necessary to avoid missing portions of the artwork when printing.

Image 8: The proper overlap on each side allows the printing

to go smoothly.

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GETTING AHEADBy Deborah Sexton, Contributing writer Grow

►

Artwork Quality Can Make Or

Break Your Business

E ye-catching, high-quality, professional artwork is essential to the success of any apparel decorating shop. Oftentimes, inexperienced shop owners or newcomers may try to save money by finding the cheapest source of artwork available. In

their efforts to get a job, they may even offer to throw in artwork for free. But as many veteran decorators will tell you, this is not the key to success.

“The art/print relationship is symbiotic to a large degree,” notes Lemorris Harris, www.lemorris.com, a veteran freelance artist/illustrator from Tucson, Ariz. “The two sides depend on each other to be successful. If a really great screen printer prints bad art, it’s still a bad print.” “The relationship between art and print is crucial,” he adds. “Bad art can make a great printer look bad, and an artist look worse. Good art makes good prints, and that makes good money.”

Getting started on a budget is rough, but artwork is not the area

to cut costs if you want to be a success.

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GETTING AHEAD

►

“A shop’s artwork services make a world of difference,” says Ann Cooper, owner, Cooper’s Rugged Design Co., http://www.coopersdesign.com, Salt Lake City, Utah. “There are a lot of people with ideas of how they want something to look, but don’t know how to get there. Then, there are people who have no idea what they want.”

“The shop that has an in-house artist or a freelance artist to work closely with, as opposed to a shop with no artist will usually get the job. Simply showing a diverse selection of T-shirts with high-quality artwork can make the sale,” says Cooper.

“The artwork sells for me,” says Greg Dampier, www.gregdampier.com, an award-

winning illustrator and graphic designer based in Lake Wales, Fla. “I don’t lowball or even attempt to have the lowest price. I have learned, however, that quality is not the first priority for every customer, and I don’t mind passing on those jobs as there are plenty of others around to serve them.”

For a new business with no artwork background or experience, veterans strongly recommend establishing a relationship with an artist, whether in-house or freelance.

“You are making money only when your press is running. If you are doing art, [and not running your presses], you are not making money,” points out Terry Combs, owner, Garment Decorat ing Supply, www.garmentdecoratingsupply.com, Fountain Hills, Ariz. “You should be printing while somebody else is creating art. I’ve always hired an artist because I’m a production guy, and I need to keep the presses going.”

Finding A Good ArtistThanks to the Internet, shopping for an artist can be a fairly simple process. “It’s as easy as opening up Google on your web browser and typing keywords such as “T-shirt artist,” “CorelDRAW,” “PhotoShop,” “Illustrator” and the city and state you’re looking to hire in,” says Mitch Different, http://www.mitchdifferent.com/index.htm, art director, Sunline Studio, Katy, Texas. “From your results, you can review online portfolios and contact the ones that stand out to you.”

As you begin your search for an artist, your first choice is going to be one who has experience creating T-shirt graphics.

“Your artist has to know T-shirts,” says Hood, www.schoolofscreenprinting.com/. “For example, how thick or thin a line can be made. If they are too

“Simply showing a diverse selection of T-shirts with high-quality artwork can make the sale,” says Cooper. owner, Cooper’s Rugged Design Co., http://www.coopersdesign.com, Salt Lake City, Utah.

A common refrain among all artists and printers interviewed

is: You get what you pay for. If your

budget is $50, you’re not going to get the level of art that you can expect if you are paying $200.

But most artists will try to work within

your budget. Photo courtesy of Cooper’s

Rugged Design Co., http://www.

coopersdesign.com, Salt Lake City, Utah

It’s important, when choosing an artist to design graphics for T-shirts, that you choose one with experience. The techniques used for designing on fabric are completely different than for paper. A graphics artist with no T-shirt experience will not be able to produce production-ready art. Photo courtesy of Cooper’s Rugged Design Co., http://www.coopersdesign.com, Salt Lake City, Utah

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►

GETTING AHEAD

thin, they may not even print, and if they are too thick, the design is going to be ugly. So it’s important to hire somebody who is knowledgeable.” Different agrees. “You want to hire someone who knows channel separations, how to make a white underbase, and who has talent,” he says. Some artists may not have a portfolio, and he recommends choosing

only art ists with hard evidence of his or her skills.

You also want to evaluate an artist’s range of artwork, he continues. “Identify an artist’s strongest areas, and then, if you need a different look for a particular job, you might want to find an artist with that specialty or expertise.”

“For example, there are great car artists who can’t draw people,” he says. “I freelance for several customers who use my services for a particular s ty le tha t they know I’m really good at, but automobiles are not my thing, so they go to a car artist for those jobs.”

Harris agrees. “Find an artist whose style and vision fit with what the client needs. Pay for it, or have the client pay. Don’t eat art.

It doesn’t sit well, and it has the potential of souring your relationship with an artist.”

The good news is that quality art is available in a variety of price ranges. However, keep in mind that artists charge by the amount of time it takes to produce the finished product. More detailed, sophisticated art takes more time, and therefore is going to cost more money.

“Most artists charge by the hour, generally in the $30 to $50 per hour range,” Combs says. “If you’re trying to stick with a specific budget, you’ll want to get a quote [for your project] and charge it back to your customer.”

“You get for what you pay for,” Different warns. “Some artists may base their price on the entire project, although most will charge in the range of $35 to $100 an hour. It all depends on how in demand the artist’s talents are. A newer artist is more likely to charge in the $35-per-hour range.”

“If you’re using a freelancer, it’s common practice for artists to request a deposit upfront. They also are going to require payment in full before they

Greg Dampier has been an artist and art director for decorated apparel companies in Florida, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Hawaii, and Myrtle Beach, NC. He now is a full-time freelance artist based in Lake Wales, Fla. You can view some of his work at www.gregdampier.com.

Many artists specialize in an art style. If you’re using a freelance artist, this allows you to view online portfolios and choose someone who best matches what your customer is looking for. Greg Dampier specializes in art with a vintage feel. Photo courtesy of Greg Dampier, Lake Wales, Fla. www.gregdampier.com.

A big advantage of using high-end artists is it allows you to attract a higher level of clientele. When you are showing shirts off to a potential customer, it’s nice to have some examples of top-notch work. Photo courtesy of Greg Dampier, Lake Wales, Fla. www.gregdampier.com.

October 2011 27Click ads to go directly to advertiser’s web site.HelpCorelDRAW®

GETTING AHEAD

release the artwork to you. And, if you come back needing revisions, expect to pay an additional fee,” he says.

Harris strongly recommends not giving artwork away for free. “Devaluing the art, devalues the print. Whether the printer is doing the art (and I know several great artist/printers), or you go the custom route, free means cheap and cheap means not good in the long run. The thing about art is it’s not free, be it clip art or custom, and by and large, you get what you pay for.”

The Tucson-based artist also has some advice for artists. “Now T-shirt artists, let’s be real. We are not creating art that will align the universe. We are not creating pieces that are hanging in fancy French galleries. We are making kick-butt shirt art. “That being the case, come down off your high horses (mine are actually flying unicorns) and really make an effort to work with your printers. Find out what works best for their processes

and try to do that. Talk to your printers. Yes, they are scary but really it’s their shop so meet them halfway. Not only will you get better results, you may be able to establish long-term, financially rewarding relationships.”

Artwork’s Learning CurveSo, we’ve established that if you’re brand new with no art experience, you should hire an artist. At the same time, one way to gain better control over costs is to do artwork yourself. While you may wonder if you should learn the basics even if you may never get beyond a beginner level, most veterans agree it is worthwhile. Learning basic art elements will allow you to do quick

fixes without having to turn to an artist.

“My one takeaway point of advice is to not skimp out on learning the basics: Buy the books, take the training classes, and watch the videos,” says Lon Winters, president, Graphic Elephants, http://www.graphicelephants.com/, Elizabeth, Colo.

Another point to remember is Rome wasn’t built in a day, and art skills aren’t acquired in one either.

“There are no two-day weekend courses that will train you how to be an artist,” says Bill Hood, president, School of Screenprinting, http://schoolofscreenprinting.com, Austin, Texas.

“You can buy Dane Clement’s book, http://www.greatdanegraphics.com/featured-products, to learn how to use a graphics program, and I highly recommend it. He offers books on Illustrator and CorelDRAW for only $100, which is well worth it.”

“You choose what you want to do in the table of contents, turn to that page, and there are pictures and text telling you exactly what to do. It even comes with a CD loaded with t h e i n s t r u c t i o n s and pictures. If you don’t know anything about how to do any artwork, either one of Clement’s books –

“The relationship between art and print is crucial,” says Lemorris Harris, Art by Lemorris, Tucson, Ariz. “Bad art can make a great printer look bad, and an artist look worse. Good art makes good prints, and that makes good money.”

Lemorris Harris, a freelance artist based in Tucson, whose specialty is cars, makes that point that getting high-quality art helps build a positive reputation for your shop.

Lemorris Harris, Art By Lemorris, has a message to tell other artists: “Come down off your high horses and really make an effort to work with your printers. Find out what works best for their processes and try to do that.”

►

For those interested in teaching

themselves how to prepare artwork for screen printing,

Great Dane Graphics offers a handy beginner manual called

“T-Shirt Artwork Simplified.” There

is a version for CorelDRAW users as well as Adobe

users.

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GETTING AHEAD

CorelDRAW or Illustrator –will teach you the basics,” says Hood.

Whi le newbies can pick up basics on art programs such as CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe PhotoShop from DVDs by industry veterans such as Scott Fresener, http://www.t-biznetwork.com/store/, or online training courses, or even at trade show seminars, those new skills will help only with art basics specific to screen printing; they will not magically give a decorator a true knack for design work.

Using Clip Art, Stock Art and TemplatesAnother alternative that works well for reasonably simple graphics is

buying artwork from companies that provide clip art, stock art, and templates.

“Clip art is a great way to produce art for many of your customers,” Combs says. “For example, say the local construction company wants a print with 100 dump trucks; it is so easy to colonize them or do them as one color, so for these type of customers, clip art is the way to go.”

In addition, Combs says, you can purchase predefined, ready-to-print templates from companies such as Digital Art Solutions, http://www.digitalartsolutions.com/, and then just change the filler text in them to your specific text or characters. “All the lettering

and wording is already there, and you just go in and change it to the way you want. Using templates is super easy and gives you a leg up on the guy who is not using those kinds of products.”

“Buying books and CDs full of ready-to-print artwork is another option,” agrees Hood. He does warn to not let your customers browse through your artwork books or CDs, though, as once they’re given hundreds or thousands of options to choose from, they’ll want to consider each and every possibility. Hood recommends getting an understanding of their needs, and then working up something that they can then approve or make slight changes to.

When it’s all said and done, art is not something to be skimped on. “You have to have good art or you are never going to get good clients,” says Winters. “One way or the other, no matter how big or small the art is, it will need to be managed correctly.”

Harris sums it up: “Quality art leads to quality prints. By dealing with quality artists your reputation as a printer grows based on the sheer coolness of the shirts you’ve printed. You are able to approach higher levels of clientele when you have printed a higher level of art. The art that is printed on a garment can make a statement. That statement shouldn’t be “I went cheap on this one!”

Deborah Sexton, former editor of Impressions Magazine, has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981. She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies. She can be reached at dsexton@sbcglobal.net.

When purchasing artwork, most artists will require an upfront deposit, according to Mitch Different, freelance artist, Katy, Texas.

For newbies who think they want to do their own art, graphics programs are not learned overnight. “There are no two-day weekend courses that will train you how to be an artist,” says Bill Hood, president, School of Screenprinting, http://schoolofscreenprinting.com, Austin, Texas.

“Some artists may not have a portfolio, but only choose from artists with hard evidence of his or her skills,” recommends Mitch Different, a freelance artist based in Katy, Texas. www.mitchdifferent.com

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PRODUCT FOCUSOpportunity

Color Transfer Gifts

Transfer Express Offers Full-Color CAD-PRINTZ™ Digital TransfersYou can offer full-color logos that can be applied to light and dark apparel made of virtually any type of fabric without the hassle or minimums of screen printing by using a state-of-the-art digital heat transfer technology called CAD-PRINTZ™. Offered through Transfer Express of Mentor, OH, this method of decorating offers distinct advantages over any other process.

This technology allows for an unlimited number of colors and very fine detail, which is impossible with screen printing or embroidery. And the cost does not go up as colors are added. Now, an artist is only limited by his imagination and creativity when designing graphics.

These new specialty materials are so advanced, they can be heat sealed to all kinds of fabrics, many of which are difficult to decorate with screen printing. Included are 100% cotton, 100% polyester, cotton/poly blends, nylon, and silk. Even stretchy fabrics such as Lycra Spandex can be decorated with no fear of cracking or peeling as the garment is expanded. It can be heat applied in only 10 seconds.

Another great advantage of the CAD-PRINTZ™ is the ability to create multimedia designs, one of the hottest trends in decorated apparel. Designers can create a field of color or a design, and

embroider right through the material to add name drops, design elements, borders, and other embellishments. Embroidering on this material will not damage the needle or the design. It also can be applied over seams with excellent results.

Use CAD-PRINTZ™ to decorate a wide range of apparel and accessories such as T-shirts, sweat shirts, tote bags, caps, and even umbrellas. Decorators can be very competitive with CAD-PRINTZ™ when compared to screen printing as there are no set-up fees, and the minimum order is only one piece. Designs have an extremely soft hand, which gets even softer after washing. It also can be machine washed or dry-cleaned with no fear of degrading the image. CAD-PRINTZ™is extremely environmentally friendly. The media is PVC free and the eco-solvent inks also are designed to not be harmful to the environment.

STAHLS’ Transfer Express is an innovative company that manufactures custom, heat-applied screen-printed and digital paper transfers, and now decorative adhesive products such as banners, wall graphics, bumper stickers, helmet decals, and more. As the largest manufacturer of custom transfers in the world, STAHLS’ Transfer Express provides a competitive edge to dealers of imprinted sportswear by producing imprinted graphics quickly and with great accuracy. INSTANT INFO

Dalco Athletic Offers Thermo Image Metal Series Custom Color TransfersDalco’s Thermo Image Designs can take a garment to the next level with eye-ca tch ing d ig i ta l -e f fec t designs. The Metal series has the glossy look of reflected light and comes in navy, light gold, smoke, kelly, scarlet, purple, royal, maroon, black, orange, and teal. It’s available in a two-color vertical-arch beveled-edge design.

The Metal series comes in an adult and a youth size. The adult size has 4-inch letters, and the youth size has 3-inch letters. The minimum order is ►

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PRODUCT FOCUS

10 pieces with follow-up orders in increments of five pieces. Numbers 0-99 also are available. This transfer will adhere to most fabrics at a temperature of 335° F for about eight seconds. Custom designs also are available as well as three other effects: fire, lightning, and granite.

Dalco Athletic of Dallas, TX, offers a full line of letters, numbers, appliqués, and software for decorating spiritwear and team uniforms. It also can custom cut any shape or design in appliqué materials. . INSTANT INFO

Imprintables Warehouse Offers Laser For Darks Transfer PaperCreate full-color, photo-quality color transfers with Laser For Darks transfer paper offered by Imprintables Warehouse. This versatile paper is specifically designed for dark colors. It’s ideal for any type of photo or graphic and can be heat applied to 100% cotton, 100% polyester, poly/cotton blends, and some nylons.

It will work in most color-laser printers. And comes in two sheet sizes: 8 ½ by 11 inch and 11 by 17 inch. Packages come with 25, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 sheets.

Imprintables Warehouse is a full-service distributor of equipment and supplies to create a wide range of heat-applied graphics including digital inkjet and laser transfers, digital cutters, digital cutting software, heat-applied materials, heat presses and sign-making materials. For more information, contact the company at 800-347-0068 fax: 724-583-0426; e-mail: info@imprintables.com; or visit www.imprintables.com. . INSTANT INFO

Printa Systems Offers Sublimation MugsPrinta Systems of Kirkland, WA, is now offering a full line of sublimatable mugs. Mugs make an ideal promotional product or fund-raiser and you can quickly and easily put a full-color photograph, logo, graphic, or message on a mug using the range of transfer products available on their online store and in their 550 Series catalog. A line of standard white mugs is made of quality ceramics and is specially designed for sublimation graphics. These mugs come in two sizes: 11 ounce and 15 ounce. They are sold by the case with 36 pieces per box.

Two-tone 12-ounce mugs are made of quality ceramics with a white outside and a colored inside. Colors include blue, green, yellow, maroon, and black. Also available are 14-ounce stainless steel mugs and 11-ounce color-changing. These unique mugs appeal blank when cold. When a hot liquid is poured into the mug, the hidden image appears.

Printa offers a full line of textile screen printing, pad printing, cylindrical printing, and sublimation /heat transfer equipment. INSTANT INFO

Siser North America Offers ColorPrint™ Extra For Making Color TransfersColorPrint™ Extra is a digital print-and-cut roll media that is inkjet printed with eco-solvent, solvent, or thermo-resin inks (such as the Gerber PC60 and PC6000 printers). The material is then contour cut for heat-seal application to 100% polyester or any cotton/polyester blend, nylon, or leather fabric. It is ideal for beginners because it will go on anything and is easy to weed because of its polyester backing. It can be used to create vibrant, full-color graphics for all types of cotton and performance apparel as well as nylon bags, backpacks, umbrellas, and leather jackets.

ColorPrint™ Extra is opaque, colorfast, and can be used on any color shirt. For best ►

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PRODUCT FOCUS

results, apparel decorated with ColorPrint™ Extra needs to be washed cold using mild detergent. Never use bleach or dry-clean. A great example of ColorPrint™ Extra’s versatility is the fact that it is used by car manufacturer Volkswagen to decorate its sun visors.

Siser North America, the world’s largest manufacturer of heat transfer materials, carries a full line of heat transfer materials for use with cutters and print-and-cut equipment. INSTANT INFO

GSG Offers TDF Printable Opaque Heat Transfer Film TDF (Top Dog Film) Printable Film is designed to create full-color heat-applied transfers using a printer/cutter for personalizing garment and team uniforms. Ideal for on-demand production, it allows the user to print, trim and heat press in minutes. It has an ultra-soft hand, a matte finish, and consistent four-way stretch and rebound. It does not require any ink drying time

This material is lightweight, durable, production friendly and can be peeled warm or cold. It is easy to cut and weed and backed with a non-pressure-sensitive frosted carrier sheet. Roll sizes start at 20 inches by 33 yards (.50 x 30m), which is the perfect size for logos, names and numbers.

TDF Printable Opaque features a patented adhesive and a technological topcoat. It is made of pure 100% polyurethane. TDF will adhere to virtually any fabric. Use it to decorate nylon, cotton, polyester, wicket, neoprene, Lycra, blended fabrics and other synthetic man-made materials. It can be used with any model print-and-cut machine using solvent and eco-solvent ink.

When combined with embroidery, it will not gum up the needles. Heat press at temperatures ranging from 260 °F to 330° F (135°C to 165° C) in 5-10 seconds. TDF Printable is RSL Compliant, meets Okeo-Tex® standards, and is manufactured in a certified International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001) facility.

Graphic Solutions Group of Dallas, TX, offers equipment and supplies for the decorated apparel, signs and graphics, and electrical sign industries. INSTANT INFO

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MARKETING SECRETSBy Donna M. Gray, CRM

►

Are We Getting Through It All?

Donna Gray’s 2nd book, It’s All Relative! Surviving & Thriving in a Family Busi-ness, was published in September 2007.

It describes her quest to identify the keys to success for small business, and family businesses in particular. She inter-viewed top businesses nationwide and dis-covered five common qualities implemented by successful business owners. Check it out at the CorelDRAWPro Bookstore, www.corel-drawpro.com/AllBookstore.htm

The media is full of bad news about the economy. We don’t even have to turn on a radio or television to learn the latest. We can’t escape the reports going on all around us, in every community. Predictions are that we’re entering a double dip recession. I have been hearing about slow sales in our industry for the past couple years, so it’s my guess that we might have been with those in the head of the pack.

The last few years have been difficult for this industry that creates and sells personalized and/or custom products! Many of our peers are saying that their customers have become unwilling to sign off on orders

until they are almost at deadline for production, which creates deadline stress, not only for our companies, but for our vendors as well. Now, all of us know our customers have not stopped spending…they’re just being more selective about what to buy, how much to spend, and, with the Internet, they have many more choices about where to spend their money.

Some experts counsel that the recession doesn’t have to be a bad thing for small businesses like ours. These experts tell us that even with the numbers of choices our customers have in where to buy, we can survive, thrive, and even grow, during a depressed economy. They insist we can be successful no matter how big the playing field of competitors. I recently sat in on a seminar where I learned some new marketing strategies to keep a company’s image out there, which included:

• Determine your company’s real niche. With the intense kind of competition out there, becoming the expert in the arena you want to serve will put your company above others in the field. Then promote your expertise, and/or years of experience, everywhere.

• Create your company’s brand to make it stand out from the crowd. Find ways to be unforgettable. Put your name, logo and tag line on everything you publish, including your company’s letterhead, marketing materials, your web site, the labels that go on your products, and anything and everything your company uses for promotion.

• Don’t spend money to make money. There are so many places to market a business at no cost, or low cost. Create a Facebook page, get into the “twitterverse”, become part of a LinkedIn group, and start a Blog. Yes, all these take time. Get up an

hour earlier and work on making and keeping the company visible.

• When using paid advertising, negotiate a better price .This expert said that even the media are hard hit during this economic crisis and they may be willing to barter and/or negotiate a lesser cost to get, and to keep business. Their suggestion is if you’re going to use paid advertising, ask for a discount, or a bigger discount than your company currently gets.

• Use free PR every where you can. Press releases can be sent to local newspapers and magazines, group/organization newsletter editors, every radio and television station in the area, and to the companies who help support your business (and who produce their own monthly newsletter -- like your insurance company). Create a press kit that includes your company’s history, pictures that speak to what your company does, pictures and blurb about key personnel, products your company is known for, and anything about your company that would interest the public. Send the kit along with the first press release.

• Donations. While this suggestion is not entirely free, it gets its money’s worth in exposure. Team up with a local charity that needs your kinds of products. Those of us in the awards industry get asked on a daily basis to contribute or donate awards for charitable events. Pick and choose the ones you prefer to support, and then partner with them. Ask them to promote your company in all of their event promotional materials, signs, banners, program books and the like.

• Learn where to find your customers. Where do they hang out? Are they all on Facebook now? Are they in a golf league? Are they volunteering for a local organization? Are they even from

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MARKETING SECRETS

your company’s home based, local area? Where ever your company’s target customers are hanging out, make it a point to hang out there too.

• Offer a free seminar or class. Put together a brief outline on how to create a successful recognition program and share it with your clients.

• Offer free samples, when possible. If your company offers medals and neck ribbons…give one to the buyer to take back to committee.

• Send an engraved invitation. About five years ago, my husband, Dave, and I wanted to meet with a new prospect in the accounting field. We saw that they used products that we carried and we wanted to be able to introduce our company, and ourselves, to them. Phone calls didn’t work. Letters didn’t get us an appointment. Sending our catalog didn’t help in getting in the door….so we hand delivered an engraved invitation with a card that said, “We thought it might take an engraved invitation to join us for coffee and …” Guess what…we heard from them the day they received it. And, since I don’t want to keep you guessing further…yes…we did get their business, and they got ours. We’ve been partnering back and forth since then.

That brings me to the next possibility for getting new business without spending a lot of marketing dollars. How much business could be developed from the companies we do business with? Take a look at all the vendors your company uses for things like insurance, accounting, banking, legal, paper goods, etc., and ask them for the business you can provide for them. This could be an untapped market, not only for the sales you might make to them, but also for the referrals they might give to your company. I was reading a Blog recently that described some very well-known companies that started, survived, and thrived during economic downturns, including Wrigley Gum, United Parcel Service, Symantec, and Hewlett Packard to name a few. Anyone studying the Great Depression can see that companies that survived, and thrived, got creative, took action, and persevered. They looked for opportunities for new business. They were willing to seek out new markets and new ways to do business.

Yes, times are tough right now. Some days, I hear from industry friends who are discouraged with this year’s projected bottom line, and who are wondering how long it will be, if ever, before things get back to normal? Things are different all over…in every industry. I just heard from a friend in a totally different line of work about how, recently, they’ve had to go collect receipts from their customer’s right before payday so they can make payroll. This is their kind of creative financing.

Staying afloat during hard times is a challenge, and right now, we’re all using creative skills to find ways to connect with prospects, and to romance and retain our existing clients. This might be a good way to reinvent our companies for a good future. I think that we just need to hang in there. Better times are coming! And, yes, one way

or another, we’ll get through it all!

Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards, Promotions, & Gift (aka AwardsMall.com) in Madison, Wis. She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since1977. She has presented seminars nationwide, won awards as Business Woman of the Year, Retail Marketer of the Year, and Sam Walton Business Leadership Award. She is also the author of two books on family business, It’s All Relative! Surviving & Thriving in A Family Business (2007), and Never Quit: The Ups & Downs of Running a Family Business (2004). She has earned professional credentials as a Certified Recognition Master. She can be reached by email at donna.gray@AwardsMall.com.

Available from Veda Publishing, 559-275-3675, www.vedapublishing.net

Named Book of the Month in April 2004 by BookReview.comReviewer Larry Miller says: “This book is going to be a hit with family busi-ness owners everywhere. It is well-written, but more important, it is a good read. ... I’ve decided to buy a copy for everyone in our sales and service department, and to keep it in my briefcase to refer to again and again.”

Donna and Dave Gray personify the family business. In addition to their intense and always entertaining personal story, you will find valuable insight into the life and work of the family business owner. In this book, Donna generously shares her experience and expertise. Read, study, learn, then implement your dreams in the context she provides. Elaine Estervig Beaubien, Associate Professor/Business, Edgewood Col-lege & CEO, Management Training Seminars

Never Quit! is a must read for anyone who is about to start their own business or has been in business long enough to experience the real ups and downs of small businesses. This book should be in the library of every small business that wants to succeed. Stephen L. Capper, Owner, A-1 Awards Inc., Indianapolis, IN & popular seminar presenter

Never Quit: The Ups & Downs of Running a Family BusinessBy Donna M. Gray (published 2004)

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GRAPHICS NEWS NETWORKAll these news and information products and services are part of the

Graphics News Network, developed for ACDRP. The goal is “All the News, All the Time — For the World of Graphics.”

GRAPHICS NewsWireThe Graphics News Wire is the always live, always updated source for graphics news — products, equipment, technology, and more. Make it (CorelDRAWPro.com/NewsPage.htm) your home page or favorite to gain access to: Breaking news, updated regularly. New Classified Ads New Job Announcements Supplier SpecialsAll news is related to graphic products!

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Some Things Were Meant To Be In Etched in Stone

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Donna Gray is the president of Total Awards, Promotions, & Gift (aka AwardsMall.com) in Madison, Wis. She and her husband Dave have run their full service awards and personalization business since 1977. She has presented seminars on a variety of topics nationwide, and has won many marketing awards. She is the author of two books on family business, and can be reached at donna.gray@AwardsMall.com.

Bill Leek of Houston, TX has over 30 years experience in computer engineering and graphics design. He has developed several lines of color imprintable products, and does testing on a variety of products for different manufacturers. He can be reached at wfleek@jblgraphics.com or 281-257-0695.

Jeff McDaniel is the owner of Creative Graphic in Philomath, Oregon. He worked as a journeyman machinist before getting into the graphic products business. Creative Graphic offers laser engraving, rotary engraving, sandblasting, sublimation, image transfers, vinyl signs, banners, screen printing, and promotional products. Jeff routinely applies graphics to a wide variety of materials. Contact him at Jeff@creativegraphic.net.

John McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany, OR, which provides consulting and training services for the industry. He worked for many years with computers in electronic data processing and pioneered the use of CorelDraw for engraving applications. He owned a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years, and writes about hardware design, software, laser engraving, sublimation, and more. He is a Corel Training Partner, and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals. For information on training and more, call 541-967-4271, or write to mail@CorelDRAWhelp.com.

Judy McDaniel is the co-owner of JHM Marketing in Albany, OR, which provides consulting and training services for the industry. Her background includes many forms of art and retail sales, as well as the operation of a retail personalized gift shop for over ten years. She is a regular columnist on sandblasting, sublimation, and diversifying business, as well as a Corel Training Partner, and co-founder of the Association of CorelDRAW Professionals. She can be reached at 541-967-4271, fax 541-967-4272, or via email at mail@CorelDRAWhelp.com.

Mike Neer is the editor of CorelDRAWHelp magazine and Executive Director of ACDRP. He has more than 25 years experience in writing and publishing in the personalized products industries. He is the author of the CD, Creative Showroom Display, and the booklet, The Professional Edge. He can be reached at the ACDRP office in Fresno, Calif., at 800-276-8428 or mikeneer@coreldrawhelp.com.

Deborah Sexton, former editor of Impressions Magazine, has been in the apparel graphics industry since 1981. She currently does marketing and public relations for apparel graphics companies, and is a columnist for several industry publications.. She can be reached at dsexton@sbcglobal.net.

Otis Veteto is a sales consultant with more than 30 years experience in the awards and promotional products industry. He offers the “PROspective” of a veteran sales rep in reporting on ideas, people and places that he visits. Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars for industry organizations. He can be reached in Sacramento, CA – when not on the road – at 916-396-3009. Or email olveteto@gmail.com.

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by Otis Veteto

Traveling Tidbits

Otis Veteto has more than 30 years experience in the industry and is currently

a consultant. He offers the “PROspective” of a veteran

sales rep in reporting on ideas, people and places that he

visits. Otis also presents sales and motivation seminars for industry organizations. He

can be reached in Sacramento, CA – when not on the road

– at 916-396-3009. Or email olveteto@gmail.com

Congrats, Golf Cart Parade, and Pumpkin Time

First of all, a Traveling Tidbits congratulations to a couple of friends of mine in the Promotional Products industry.

Congrats to Jeff ThomasJEFF THOMAS has been appointed to the PPAI (Promotional Products Association International) Regional Association Council (RAC) Executive Board of Directors. Jeff will serve as the RAC delegate to the PPAI Board of Directors.

He has been in the Promotional Products Industry since 1987. In 2001 he joined distributor The Vernon Co. as an account executive. Jeff works out of his office in Rohnert Park, CA. He is past president of the Promotional Marketing Association of Northern California (PMANC ), and has served on the PMANC B.O.D. since 2005.

“I love volunteering and giving back to an industry that has been so good to me,” he said.

Congrats to Julie WrightJULIA WRIGHT, owner of Wright Choice Promotions in Phoenix, AZ, has been elected to the PPAI Board of Directors. Julia has been in the Promotional Marketing industry for 15 years. I first met Julia at a NWPMA (Northwest Promotional Marketing Association) show in Portland, Oregon. She was brand new in the business at that time. Since then, Julia has served on the boards of NWPMA and the Arizona Promotional Products Association (AZPPA). She has also been a presenter at the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas.

“I know it’s going to be a fun 4-year adventure,” she said.

Thanks so much to both Jeff and Julia for giving such a precious commodity….their time.

The Golf Cart ParadeON to another whole new topic…………………

Palm Desert, CA has found a very unique way to celebrate the coming of the Holiday Season. They put on a GOLF CART PARADE in October!. That’s right, a golf cart parade…on October 23rd of this year, they had their 47th annual Golf Cart Parade. They now draw over 10,000 spectators to this event. To quote Palm Desert’s promo, “Experience the spectacular color, pageantry, and fun as scores of whimsically decorated golf carts and bands march down Palm Desert’s famous shop-‘til-you-drop El Paseo Drive.”

And yes, awards are given out! This year’s sweepstakes winner went to the Desert Arc golf cart.

For more info and pictures of the parade go to www.golfcartparade.com.

And oh yeah…..if you plan on going in 2012, look for my wife Emily and me….we are going to be there for sure!

Pumpkin TimeI will close with this from the poem Theme In Yellow by Carl Sandburg. I spot the hills with yellow balls in Autumn. I light the prairie cornfields orange and tawny gold clusters. I am called pumpkins. I am Jack-‘O-Lantern with terrible terrible teeth and the children know I am fooling.

HAPPY HALLOOOOOOWEEEEEN everyone!

That’s all for now. Remember to save some time for yourself and your family. And when you travel, please travel safe.