Adding graphics
to a poster or banner enhances it's appeal and
helps deliver your message in a more memorable
way. The problem is that most of us are not blessed
with artistic talents. However, there is a way
we all can create eye-catching art for our posters
and banners by using clip art.
Clip art on the web vs.
on a CD-ROM:
Use any internet search engine to search for "clip
art" and you'll find a multitude of web sites
with excellent clip art that's available FREE.
Here a a few links to clip art sites:
FREE
GRAPHICS
BIZART
The problem is that essentially all of these are
offering clip art designed for use on web pages.
That means the images are low resolution. When
you blow them up to poster size they'll have jagged
edges and look horrible.
An alternative is to purchase a set of clip art
CD-ROMS, such as the IMSI Master Clips set. You
can typically get several hundred thousand images
for under $40. These will typically be higher
resolution images that can be more easily used
on posters and banners.
Using Web Based Clip Art:
When you've got to get your poster done now, and
you don't have a clip art CDs available, then
turning to the web may be your only alternative.
Here are some tips that will help make web based
clip art look better on your poster.
Don't try to use clip art designed for the web
directly on your poster using your computer. Instead
use your computer to create a smaller, 8-1/2"
X 11" version of your poster. Then run this
original through the scanner on your poster printer
to create the poster. Using the poster printer
scanner to enlarge the image will result in a
better looking poster than using your computer
to enlarge the image.
If you must enlarge an image in your computer,
first increase the color setting to 16 million
colors, even if you are enlarging a black and
white image. This allows the computer to "shade"
the edges resulting in smoother looking edges.
