About the Author | Program Outline  | Free Sound Clips

Our program's running time is almost 16 hours in length. Roughly the equivalent of a 3-day seminar. Ahead is a detailed program outline that specifically indicates the subject matter that is covered within each chapter.

Introduction
1. Program Introduction 
2. About the Author
3. The Creative Process
4. Course Material

Chapter 1 - Planning
Disc #1
1. Chapter Introduction 
2. Project Management
3. Question to Ask Yourself
4. Quality Considerations
5. Quantity Considerations
6. Budgeting and Scheduling

Disc #2
1. Ideas on Trimming a Budget
2. How to Blow a Budget
3. Writing Printing Specifications and Requesting Quotations
4. Early Realities, Considerations and Expectations
5. Locating Graphic Arts Professionals

Disc #3
1. The Graphic Arts Professional-Client Relationship
2. Copyright Laws
3. Other Legal Issues
4. Contractual Agreements
5. Common Mistakes in Planning

Chapter 2 - Copywriting
1. Chapter Introduction 
2. Objectives of Good Copy
3. Approaches to Copy
4. What to Look For in a Copywriter
5. How Copywriting is Priced
6. Characteristics of Good Copy
7. Common Pitfalls in Copywriting
8. Information Every Copywriter Needs
9. The Breakdown of Copy
10. Review and Approval of Copywriting
11. Requesting Copy Revisions
12. Copywriting and the Personal Computer
13. The Union of Copywriting and Graphic Design

Chapter 3 - Graphic Design
1. Chapter Introduction
2. Objectives of Good Graphic Design
3. Computer Graphics and Desktop Publishing
4. What to Look For in an Art Director/Graphic Designer
5. Graphic Design Proofs
6. Characteristics of Good Graphic Design
7. Common Pitfalls in Design
8. The Graphic Designer-Printer Relationship
9. How Graphic Design is Priced
10. Misconceptions About Graphic Design

Chapter 4 - Typesetting
1. Chapter Introduction 
2. Fundamentals of Type
3. Anatomy of Type
4. Type Families
5. Quality Considerations
6. Digital Type
7. How to Check Type
8. How Typesetting is Priced
9. Typeface Selection
10. Common Mistakes Made in Typeface Selection
11. How We Read Type
12. Common Mistakes in Typesetting
13. What You Should Know About Type and Printing
14. Designing with Type
15. Proofreading Type
16. Requesting Changes and Revisions

Chapter 5 - Photography
1. Chapter Introduction 
2. Comparing Conventional and Digital Photography
3. Digital Photography - Advantages
4. Digital Photography - Disadvantages
5. Conventional Photography - Advantages
6. Conventional Photography - Disadvantages
7. Studio Photography
8. Location Photography
9. Stylists and Make-up Artists
10. Working with Models
11. Stock Photography
12. Planning Photography
13. What to Look For in a Photographer
14. Photography and Print Reproduction
15. Characteristics of Good Photography
16. Proofing Photography
17. Common Pitfalls in Photography
18. How Photography is Priced

Chapter 6 - Pre-press & Printing
Disc #1
1. Chapter Introduction
2. Approaches to Printing 
3. Requesting Quotations
4. Before Pre-Press and Printing
5. Material Provided to the Printer
6. Printing Pre-press
7. Type Font Issues
8. Storage Devices

Disc #2
1. Common Problems with Digital Files and File Preparation
2. Digital File Transfers
3. Pre-flighting
4. Digital Film Output
5. Common Problems with Output Film
6. Computer-to-plate
7. Common Problems with Computer-to-plate
8. Determining Responsibility for Incorrect Digital Files
9. Image Capture

Disc #3
1. Service Bureaus
2. What to Look For in a Service Bureau
3. Desktop Publishing Software
4. Proofs in Pre-press and Printing
5. Remote Proofing
6. What to Include When Placing a Printing Order
7. What Not to Do When Placing a Printing Order


Disc #4
1. Methods of Printing
2. Choosing the Right Printer
3. Questions to Ask When Shopping a Printer
4. How Printing is Priced
5. Paper
6. Categorizing Paper Grades

Disc #5
1. Paper Considerations
2. How Color Rendition is Affected by Paper Selection
3. Paper Sizes
4. Digital Papers
5. Questions to Ask About Paper Selection
6. Printing Inks
7. Reading Ink Color Selection Guides
8. Spot Color Selection Guide
9. Guides for Coated, Matte and Uncoated Papers
10. Process Color Selection Guide
11. Metallic Color Selection Guide
12. Drawdowns
13. Special Use of Inks
14. Special Use of Process Colors
15. Misuse of Process Colors
16. Problems with Inks
17. Coatings
18. Press Checks
19. How to Do a Press Check

Disc #6
1. Evaluating Your Printing
2. Common Obstacles Printers Face
3. How Printing is Further Affected by Design
4. Settling Disputes When Print Jobs Go Bad
5. Printing and the Internet
6. The Future of Printing 

Chapter 7 - Binding and Finishing
1. Chapter Introduction 
2. Methods of Stitch Binding
3. Methods of Book Binding
4. Methods of Mechanical Binding
5. How Binding is Priced
6. Methods of Finishing
7. How Binding is Affected by Design and Printing
8. How Finishing is Affected by Design and Printing