Greetings From New Orleans!

[Devious]

Hello,

I am a website designer of 12 years, with 4 years as a profession.
I am also a record producer and engineer.

I got into print design a few months ago when musician I was producing needed CD jewel case, album artwork design and do his "one-sheet". Implementing design work to print is very challenging and I have a lot to learn about margins, borders file handling and printer setup, so I hope to gain a lot of knowlegde in this community.

Feel free to drop me a line if you need anything. I am always interested in trading services and my girlfriend writes great BIO's for musicians.

-Dev

[budafist]

Welcome! You sound like a Jack of all trades kinda guy :)

[Devious]

Thanks for the welcome.

Well, I'm trying to focus on a few things that I love and do best- music production being the main one. But I'm starting an indie record label, so I want to be able to do all the design work in house. I figure if I can offer press kits and other artist development related design, that would open doors for more recording deals. Ultimately, I'd like to take on only music related projects.

-Dev

[morea]

Welcome aboard, Devious!

Here's the stuff you'll want to know about the place:

When you have a few moments, please take a look over the threads posted here (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=42); they explain just about everything you need to know about the place.

If you're not familiar with vBulletin forums (though as a web designer with your experience this is probably a moot point), there are some great tips to help get you acquainted posted here (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28801).

Enjoy your stay! ;)

[Virgo Nightingale]

Welcome aboard Devious!!

[budafist]

Sounds like a good plan Devious.

I guess a good way to do it is to put together some kind of marketing package to give to bands/musicians. This would included the services you offer, the design package you offer etc. Kinda like the step before a contract.

[Red Kittie Kat]

http://redkittiekat.com/p9/confetti%20left.gif Welcome Aboard!! http://redkittiekat.com/p9/confetti%20right.gif

[Devious]

Sounds like a good plan Devious.

I guess a good way to do it is to put together some kind of marketing package to give to bands/musicians. This would included the services you offer, the design package you offer etc. Kinda like the step before a contract.That's a good plan. Too bad you're not in NOLA, you could be my VP!

[cornfed]

Hey Devious! I'm in Lafayette! I'm also a musician here! What kind of music are you producing?

[Devious]

Hey Devious! I'm in Lafayette! I'm also a musician here! What kind of music are you producing? I'm working with Earth Party (http://www.myspace.com/earthpartyrocks) right now as well as a new female vocalist named Bianca, but I jump all over the place. (Rap/Rock/Pop/Country/Industrial) I've got sample music of various genres I produce on MySpace under 9thwardrecords. (I really like working with controversial subject matter though.)

Hey, I have a question, because I saw your CD covers on your website. Do all CD printing companies need the exact same templete for reproduction? I downloaded the AI template from DiscMakers, but I worry that the client might go somewhere else for reproduction and need me to do a redesign.


-Dev

[GraphixNPrint]

Welcome to the forum Dev... I think we met in another topic a short while ago.

Since your in the music industry and from N.O., its kind of a coincidence that I know a printing company owner that specializes in music industry CD packaging... and his background sounds oddly familiar to yours!

This person has nothing to do with the GD world but grew up in your area, as a musician and got involve in the printing business at an early age. He went on to move to an area that is recording company bloated, and opened a printing company specializing in the field.

I doubt his genre is in the same space as yours from the last post, but his insite into the industry is invaluable. If your interested I can give you his personal info via PM.

As to your last post, no, all printers do not use the same layout/template... bleeds are different as well as file types etc., so you need to design based on where your getting the job printed.

Wow I went on and on in this welcome! Anyhow, welcome aboard!

[cornfed]

GraphixNPrint is right Dev! It depends on which company you're using. They gang print all of those covers so they want them on their templates. If you don't put them on their templates, then they will and you could lose all of your settings. I learned this the hard way! My band is playing JazzFest on Sunday May 4. I don't have a time yet, but maybe we could hook up!

BTW, if I'm designing a cover, I usually work with the printer as opposed to giving the files to the musician/band to handle. This way the printer is directly in contact with me should any problems arise and it also insures that proofs get sent to me for approval instead of the band.

[Two-Toe Tom]

welcome to the forum devious! :)

[Ben Kessler]

Devious, welcome to GDF!

[Devious]

GraphixNPrint is right Dev! It depends on which company you're using. They gang print all of those covers so they want them on their templates. If you don't put them on their templates, then they will and you could lose all of your settings. I learned this the hard way! My band is playing JazzFest on Sunday May 4. I don't have a time yet, but maybe we could hook up!

BTW, if I'm designing a cover, I usually work with the printer as opposed to giving the files to the musician/band to handle. This way the printer is directly in contact with me should any problems arise and it also insures that proofs get sent to me for approval instead of the band.Well, I can't do duplication (yet) so I figure just give them the master and let them hire someone who does. Or is there a better way?

[cornfed]

If you're using someone like discmakers, then I usually send the print files and whoever is doing the mastering or the band members themselves send the master. Discmakers (who I am not recommending btw) would handle the duplication and the printing. Theres a company in Ville Platte called Accupress that I've used for years who also handle printing and duplication. The do short runs in house, but the printing on that really sucks. For orders of 500 or more, they send off to get printed and duplicated. I've never done a cover where the duplication was handled by someone other than the printer. I don't know if the printer is farming it out or not, but for me it appears to be an all in one deal!

http://www.accupress.com/