Help with make-your-own-invitations

[Menolly]

I have an idea for the invitations to Beorn's Bar Mitzvah. I can't afford predesigned printed invitations, much less custom printed ones, and I don't care for the ones that are ready to go other than filling in the information. So, I guess that means designing and printing myself.

I have no (zero, zilch, nada) experience working with graphic programs. I've never even used PhotoShop. However, several programs, including PhotoShop, are available on campus, so if I could be coached through how to use one for what I want to do, I do have access to various programs.

I have selected a color graphic I want to print on the entire front cover of fold over the top card stock in like a watermark print. Enough to make out the graphic, but light enough so I can print some text in the top third of the graphic that would be easily readable. The graphic is much smaller than the front cover. Paul says there's no way to enlarge the graphic big enough without it getting fuzzy or pixelated. Is this true?

Help!!

[Avatar]

Effectively, yes it's true I'm afraid, depending on the size/resolution of the graphic.

It can be increased slightly, but it depends on how much too small it is. Simply stretching the pic won't help much.

You can try resizing it through photoshop, and keeping the resolution high, but even that is going to depend on how big it is already.

If it's a 10x10 pixel image, it's not going to work well at all.

If you want, you can mail me the pic and I can see how much bigger I can make it for you, but if it's a little one, and you want to make it (what? Half A4?) it's not going to work well. All depends on the pic really.

--A

[Menolly]

Thanks for replying, Av! A friend of mine on AOL is helping me, but I'll keep you in mind as back up should I need it.

[Avatar]

No worries Menolly. Send me a PM if you do need any help.

--A

[Prebe]

Depending on the type of image, there is also the option of tracing it. Tracing is a method that converts bitmap graphics to vector graphics that can effectively be enlarged to any size. This will only give you a b & w line drawing though, but this might be very effective as a watermark.

[Avatar]

But photoshop won't do it, IIRC. Have to use Freehand or other vector-based prog.

--A

[Prebe]

Or Corel Draw, if anyone has that relic

[Avatar]

I deliberately didn't mention it, vile program that it is. Hate it.

--A

[Menolly]

Y'all both lost me now.

But, I do want the graphic in color. I printed it out in b&w and didn't care for it at all.