New Publisher in Town

If you're like me, you may still be mourning the loss of Minneapolis' City Pages. Luckily, a new startup, with a similar style and approach to reporting has arrived. Get to know this Racket.

Comic Art

Very happy to announce that my artwork is once again in the most recent issue of the comics anthology Rust Belt Review. Read the thrilling conclusion.

More than a couple movies that have been teased recently make me want to go sprinting into the movie theater. Please enjoy what looks like the credit sequence for Mr. Anderson's latest. It's animated and in French.

Shop Talk

Autoptic recently released a whole slew of impressive cartoonist interviews, with the likes of Pascal Girard, Keiler Roberts and more. Take a walk and listen to these artists describe how they interpret the world.

38th & Chicago

Finally got around to reading this thoughtful reporting, by Slate, about CUP Foods. Minneapolis being the epicenter for a national conversation about racist police policies has been a lot to process. Here's hoping for improvement, change and a more humane government and culture in 2021.

Autoptic 2020

Last August would have brought us the Autoptic Comics Festival, but … well you know. What the team was able to put together at the last minute are a number of fantastic cartoonist interviews, and a show catalog (designed by yours truly), with artwork from over 60 contributors. There are just a few days left to pre-order your copy.

Thank you so much to all the contributors and special guests who contributed. Hope to see you all next year. 

Working with a Print Designer

Producing a printed promotional piece that shines and communicates the quality of your business requires the help of a print designer. If you’re new to print, I can help.

Print Design Formats

There are endless types of projects that are printed, each with their own unique advantages and challenges. Listed below are a few of the type of projects that benefit the most from an experienced print designer:

Business Cards with Special Effects • Branded Packaging • Brochures • Billboards • Book Covers • Magazines • Outdoor and Indoor Signage • Posters • Tradeshow Banners 

Print Design is Different from Digital Design

When selecting a designer for your print project, it’s good to ask how much of their portfolio is print focused, and how long they’ve been designing for print. Once your project is printed, the opportunity to correct mistakes has passed—similar mistakes in an online environment have fewer financial consequences.

Also, there is a limit to how much text and graphics can fit on a single side of a business card. An established print designer is aware of these boundaries and is focused on readability and clarity. 

Color is another element that looks different on a computer screen when compared to a physical printed object. A print designer can help navigate those differences so that there are no surprises.  

Printers Speak a Unique Language

Ideally, there is a discussion about how best to produce the print item before selecting a print partner. Then written specifications are developed in a common language familiar to the print industry. Developing this language, reviewing/converting images and preparing color for print is my specialty. 

Read The Final Proof or You’ll Pay The Consequences

Tips for final proofing:

-Review a physical proof (not just a PDF) before printing any project. 

-Someone who has never seen the project and can look at it with fresh eyes can see errors others’ might have overlooked

-Bring these proofs with you to the press check, if your print designer hasn't already

-Color correction should be done with the printer, based on the proofs, because their color-profile and workspace may be different from what you’ve been looking at.

Need help with your next print project? Send me an email.