When I Do Your Graphics … What I need from you

Please allow enough time – 3-14 days is typical.

Compile all material that you want to include in your design: photos, text, original artwork to be scanned, logos, etc.

Text for lyrics, credits, song titles, liner notes, etc. in an electronic format.

Submit all text in a single file if possible. Please don’t send pieces, changes, etc. in many different emails – this can lead to our my missing something. It also makes it difficult for me to see an overview.
Don’t worry about formatting (making it look pretty) your text – that’s my job.
DO insert comments such as “back page” or “put band photo near this” to guide me.
DO mention items not included that you plan submit later so that I know to leave space (ex. “Thank you’s – 2 to 3 short paragraphs – to come by Friday”).
Don’t use spaces in place of tabs. Just use the Enter key twice to start a new paragraph.
Don’t use double spaces between sentences.
Don’t lay things in columns, especially by tabbing. Run your text straight down the page. If you want things in columns, let me know and I’ll format that on my end. If you tab over for a new column, I literally have to cut and paste the text out of that because it doesn’t flow the same in my program. Very time consuming and leads to things ending up in the wrong place.
I prefer Microsoft Word, RTF, or TXT, or you can email your text.
Non-digital (hand-written or paper printouts) text may incur additional input charges.
Spell Check and Proofread BEFORE submitting file to us. See “Proofing Checklist”

Photos, Artwork, Logos

COPYRIGHT: When providing artwork or files to Crescent Music Services, you represent you have the right to use and reproduce this image. You may not reproduce copyrighted materials from artists, photographers, or other authors of original works without express written permission from the author. Crescent Music Services is not liable or responsible for any inappropriate uses.

When shooting your photos or drawing your art, please consider the following:

The shape of a CD insert is SQUARE, not a rectangle
You will need room for your title and band name and other important cover text
Allow for about a 1/4 inch to be CUT OFF around the outside of the image (it’s called Bleed) if you want your photo to go to the edge of the paper
High contrast, colorful images work best for covers.
Consider the impact and message of the image. Does it communicate the message of your music or other content of your disc?

Digital Images:

If you provide your photos digitally, TIF is the best.
If you provide an EPS, do NOT check the box “include half-tone screen” in the save dialog.
Images should be either CMYK or greyscale at 300dpi or more at 100% of the size it will be used.
If you must provide JPG, save as largest file size possible to avoid degradation, and avoid opening and resaving the file too many times because that decreases quality each time.

SCANNING: Clean your scanner glass with a soft cloth before placing each item.
Digital cameras should be set to the highest uncompressed format your camera has. Avoid cameras under 2.5 megapixles.
Don’t send images in a Word file. I can not easily extract the images.
Pulling images from a website: DON’T.
Pulling images from a video: DON’T

Hard Copies: If you provide your artwork non-digitally:

Don’t supply inkjet-printed art unless that’s all you have.
I prefer prints of photos rather than slides or negatives. Slides or negatives will incur additional charges. Or you can take your slide to a local photo house (or even the local drug store) for digital conversion.
You can provide a photo in color even if it will be reproduced in greyscale (black and white). I can convert it.
I can accept artwork up to 11×17. Oversized art will incur additional charges for scanning.
The bigger (up to 11×17) and cleaner the artwork (such as a logo), the better it will scan.

Don’t have artwork?

I can search for photos and artwork if you don’t have anything. I have access to royalty free photos and artwork that might suit your purpose. I will spend a limited amount of time in this search for no additional charge. I can also point you to these sites to search yourself at no charge.
I can create custom digital art in photoshop (up to 1/2 hour for no additional charge). Check out my digital artwork in the portfolio.

Sketch and/or mock up of the layout to the best of your ability. This will give me a clearer idea as to how you would like your insert, traycard, and disc to look. These can be simple drawings on folded paper (or even a napkin).

Commercial Examples: If there are any other CDs or DVDs you like the look of, show me. You can just give me the name and I’ll look it up on Amazon. Or you can send/give me the real thing to examine (I’ll give it back!). I can emulate any style. Or if there is a certain color or font you want, show me to match as closely as I can.

File Submission:

I accept files in the following ways:

CDR
DVDR
FTP (File Upload)
Email (files should be zipped or stuffed) up to 5 MB
USB Thumb Drive

I will be doing your layouts in Adobe InDesign (for paper elements) and Adobe Illustrator (for disc art). I use Photoshop for photographic elements and special effects. I work on the PC, but can read most Mac files.

FONTS: TTF or OTF (I have about 12,000).

You can provide your files partially created in these applications, if you wish for me to finish and do the prepress. If you plan to go this route, please refer to myÂ designer guide in order to avoid file issues once I take over.
I cannot accept file formats such created in programs like Quark, E-Z CD and Neato labeller. I can, however, accept a PDF or EPS exported from many of these programs. Please speak with me before doing anything with these programs.

Proofs: I will provide you with PDFs of your layouts for proofing online. Modifications can be made until final approval with no extra charge (up to 3Â drafts).

Typical Design Process:

First Meeting: Discuss concept, schedule, review your materials, look at colors and fonts.

I REQUEST THAT YOU PROVIDE ME WITH ALL OR AT LEAST MOST OF THE MATERIALS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS. If you are still gathering a lot of stuff, it is usually better to wait until you have most of it.
You are welcome to schedule a preliminary design consultation before your official “first meeting” to review your project and determine what pieces you need to gather.

Drafts/Proofing: I layout, search photos, format your text, etc.

The first draft can take up to 1-10 days depending on complexity and whether I have everything..
This first draft might be very very rough if I am still working out the design or waiting on some elements, or it might be 95% there. Every project will proceed differently.
Your PDF Draft will be uploaded or emailed.
You review carefully and then give feedback, changes and corrections
Each additional draft incorporating new changes can take 1-3 days
I will provide up to 4 drafts with no additional charge.
Please read “Proofing Checklist” to help you avoid embarrassing and costly oversights. Also, please don’t assume I am perfect either – proof everything I do with a critical eye. You won’t hurt my feelings.

Approval: Final artwork must be approved IN WRITING by providing a written OK in an email.

Once you approve the final artwork I will submit the files to the printer for production. IF YOU GET BACK TO ME BEFORE NOON, YOUR PROJECT CAN GO TO PRESS THAT DAY. ANY APPROVALS AFTER 2 WILL START THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY.
Once the press is rolling you WILL incur additional charges if you need changes. How much more depends on where production must be stopped and how much work was done by the printer up to that point.
At this point I can tell you when to expect your discs.