robes Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 I'm thinking of starting a vinyl-only label for my friends' bands and whatnot, nothing too serious/crazy, small runs, etc. However, I've never really had much experience with design software like photoshop and the like. I'm wondering what software I need to do the cover art and back designs for records. I know photoshop for any cover art is popular. But how about the back of the LP with the text and whatnot? do I need a publishing program of some sort? I'm totally clueless with this stuff, any info is appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kforkevin777 Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 I've never used it to make any art for records, but I know Photoshop will let you use grids and rulers and stuff to make everything lined up. If you want it more official/technical, Publisher and Illustrator work well. Basically, the Adobe Suite has most anything you'd need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
californiaflow Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Photoshop and Illustrator and you'll be good to go. Many pressing plants provide templates in AI and PSD formats to set up the artwork as well. If you require any help/advice, feel free to let me know. I've been using those programs since I was 12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robes Posted April 25, 2013 Author Share Posted April 25, 2013 Photoshop and Illustrator and you'll be good to go. Many pressing plants provide templates in AI and PSD formats to set up the artwork as well. If you require any help/advice, feel free to let me know. I've been using those programs since I was 12. Awesome, thanks for the tip, and for offering help. Another quick question, I know the Adobe programs are very popular/industry standards, but are there any (cheaper) alternatives that can do what I need? Just trying to keep costs down for the label. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 MS Paint...or Photoshop if you need that pro stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamover Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 definitely need illustrator. photoshop for some of the more detailed stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 I'd use illustrator for the basic layout/text and photoshop for any photo editing you need to do. I personally don't really like to do anything with text in photoshop... but every designer is different. I love doing layouts in indesign also. I don't know of any other alternative cheap/free design programs, I supposed you could google around a little bit. publisher needs to die! the internet is full of good tutorials... you can teach yourself to use the programs fairly quickly. also, if you're a student, adobe offers a student discount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuzzersonKillwell Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 For LP artwork and label related stuff you'll probably want to use both. Learn to use the pen tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamover Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 just do your research before starting a label. vinyl isn't cheap at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylo234 Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 also, if you're a student, adobe offers a student discount. This. Cuts the price over half. Even some schools have it cheaper, my brothers school had it for $50 for the master collection.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanRees Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Gimp is a cheaper alternative to photoshop but in all honesty just hire a designer to do your vision for you. There are plenty of talented folks around these parts who are well versed in record layouts that could probably help you out for relatively cheap (myself included) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collectivemike Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Unless you really have your heart set on designing everything yourself, it might be cheaper and easier to just pay a design guy to handle things on a project by project basis. EDIT: DAMMIT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smailtronic Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 just do your research before starting a label. vinyl isn't cheap at all. You just didn't press enough 311 records. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collectivemike Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Shots fired! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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