The Graphics Help Thread

[Sonic Mountain]

I've been tossing up starting one of these for a little while, the lack of head stock logos in last months GOTM comp convinced me its a good idea.

So as most of the regulars probably know by now my day job is graphic design. Signage in particular. As such I've had a lot of experience coming up with logos etc. I think it's one of the more fun aspects of building your own guitar, but I realise not everyone has access to the software and experience to do something at a professional level.

So what I'm proposing here is a free service to knock up head stock logo designs and possibly some concept work to help people out. I would do them as my time allowed obviously, they are pretty fun and straight forward - so long as you don't get too picky and difficult about it .

I'm also thinking other people who have the gear and want to help out are welcome to offer their services to the community here as well.

I would provide a printable, vector based, file to you in PDF form via email. I've done this a couple of times previously and I generally do a page of logos in slightly varying sizes so you can work out the best fit.

There are a number of ways to get the design onto your head stock - water slide decal is the most common. There are lots of places online you can order the paper from and print it out at home. Alternatively you can get the design cut out of vinyl. Most sign shops will do this and at these sizes it will be pretty cheap. I may also be able to organise this through my work and have them sent to you - there would be a cost involved in this production.

There is also a thread here somewhere that Adam discusses offering a printing service through Pitbull - I'm not sure if that is off the ground yet - but I offered to help out in that thread as well.

If you want to do it via PM that's fine, but it would also be good if it were public so people can see the process and results.

I also do a bit of illustration mock up work which I might be convinced to help out with.

I'll add some examples to this thread as I get the chance. If I've done one for you already feel free to share it here as well.

Cheers.

EDIT: Here is the thread regarding Pitbulls Decal Service

http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=8846

[Sonic Mountain]

Some previous decals - these are all water slide decals







This one is water slide onto a piece of aluminium with clear over it.



This one is cut out of gold vinyl. With something as small and complicated as this you need to stick it on and weed all the negative space out in place - this is probably the limit of our equipment - this decal is about 50mm across.

[king casey]

Although I'm a strictly amateur when it comes to 'pre-press' (I was a printing machinist once upon a time when I had a day job).
Iv'e been chipping away at the coal-face of Adobe frequently over the years.

I'd be happy to offer some assistance if required.
Having said that though, these days you can easily find video examples to most issues that crop up.

cheers, Mark.

P.S. That's some exceptional work there sonic.

[dave.king1]

Some very nice work indeed.

Too late for me now for the current project because I've just ordered a period correct Gibson logo from Canada for the SG200 restoration.

BTW. I would not put a brand name on a kit or replica guitar ever.

[king casey]

BTW. I would not put a brand name on a kit or replica guitar ever.

I don't have a problem with it.
I see it as a challenge to see how close I can get it.
From the headstock to the bridge the guitar screams 'Fender'.
Yet with the application of a decal it becomes a bridge too far.

I certainly wouldn't attempt to sell one as a genuine Fender/Gibson though.
That's definitely a bridge too far.

cheers, Mark.

[dave.king1]

I don't have a problem with it.
I see it as a challenge to see how close I can get it.
From the headstock to the bridge the guitar screams 'Fender'.
Yet with the application of a decal it becomes a bridge too far.

I certainly wouldn't attempt to sell one as a genuine Fender/Gibson though.
That's definitely a bridge too far.

cheers, Mark.

And therein lays the problem, ultimately someone would try to pass it off.

Similarly I frown on folks who put Lotus, Caterham or PRB badges on cars similar to the one in my avatar and then try to pass them off as the real thing

[Sonic Mountain]

Oh yeah, only offering original designs. There are plenty of replica/replacement decals for the major brands available. I might consider it for an obscure resto project.

[Richy17]

This is great sonic, Good on you mate (y)

[JohnH]

Great idea Sonic.

The Adobe Creative Suite and similar can be daunting if you've not worked with them before.

I must admit, the lack of headstock logo on mine was a complete oversight rather than lack of skill with the creative suite (I still struggle with guitar designs in Illustrator, but for simpler things like text based logos I'm ok), but this has inspired (and reminded!) me that I really need to do something about it for my next build.

[Hardcoretroubadour]

Very generous offer sonic, i will take you up on it when back home and working on the guitars again. Much good karma to you