Both animation and graphic design have a significant influence on our lives. They are two ways of communicating a message through newspapers, television, or movies. Graphic design is prominent in advertising, and it is often used for the promotion of a brand.

Animation is the swift movement of images to create entertainment, while graphic design is fixing images on cardboard, paper, or digital media. Animation is more expensive than graphic design.

While there may be an overlap between graphic design and animation, there are also some apparent differences. Read below and learn more about whether the animation is considered graphic design.

What is the Difference between Animation and Graphic Design?

Graphic design and animation are two different entities. However, without graphic design, animation would not be possible. Graphic designers often create designs used in advertising. They need good computer skills to be able to do their job.

An animation is a form of art in which the cartoonist designs drawings that are brought to life to entertain an audience. Animators create animations used in movies, tv shows, and video games.

There is a website called Placeit.net, which utilizes graphic design and animation for its templates. You can design your own:

• Book covers
• Business cards
• T-shirt designs
• Posters
• Animated logos
• Coffee mugs

With this site, you can search for you’re the perfect custom design for whatever you need. It is highly recommended that you visit placeit.net

The following explains the differences between graphic design and animations: 

Graphic Design

Graphic design is a way to create designs, typically by utilizing a computer. Graphic design involves illustration and visual identity to create the following media:

• Business cards
• Folders
• Wall advertisements
• Magazine ads
• Covers and graphics for editorials
• Digital media

Graphic design is usually done on printed media for advertising or spreading a brand. Graphic design primarily focuses on still images and motionless visual illustrations.

Graphic designers work with publishers, web designing firms, and advertising agencies. The following include some of the common careers involving graphic design:

• Art director
• Graphic designer
• Web designer
• Visual designer
• User experience (UX designer)

Graphic designers employ images and typography to meet the audience’s specific needs. They will also represent features in interactive forms to engage users. Some of the key elements of graphic design include the following:

• Color
• Texture
• Space
• Form
• Shape
• Size
• Line

As you can see, the elements above can be used together or separately. They all represent the features of graphic design.

Animation

Animation is a technique in which you can bring fictional, inspirational, or cartoon characters to life. Animation can involve 2D or 3D animation. The animation uses the following applications:

• Drawing
• Designing
• Creating illustrations
• Organizing layouts

Animation entails the use of technology and advanced software. Animators need to be quite skilled with the internet and the ability to meet the demands of the industry. Having a degree in animation allows the person many choices in the field.

The following are options for up-and-coming animators:

• Animator
• Image editor
• Storyboard artist
• VFX artist
• Concept artist
• Character animator
• Modeler
• Illustrator
• Digital ink and paint artist
• Texture artist
• Layout artist

All these jobs help the overall animation go smoothly. Animators create animation and visual effects for all types of media.

They can create animation for television, movies, and video games. Most artists develop animations with computer-generated images. However, some make animations with physically-based animation.

Animators create storyboards to get a sense of what the animation needs to look like. Animators must also come up with original and engaging stories that will resonate with a broad audience. 

What Are the Different Kinds of Graphic Design?

It may surprise you that the influence of graphic design affects numerous mediums. A very talented graphic designer could have created the cover of your favorite book.

Graphic design uses visual components to communicate messages through imagery. There are a few distinct ways to achieve this. These include the following:

1. Visual Identity Graphic Design

This form of graphic design illustrates the visual aspects of brand identity that signify the face of the brand to convey its features through images, shapes, and color. It includes logos and image libraries that communicate the brand’s personality.

2. Marketing and Advertising Graphic Design

Graphic design enables organizations to promote and communicate better, and marketing designers need to be familiar with production for print and online entities. Examples would be print and digital brochures, billboards, magazine and newspaper ads

3. User Interface Graphic Design

The operator interface is how the user interacts with the device or application. It is creating interfaces to make them more accessible for users. It focuses on the user’s overall visual experience and the importance of technical functionality.

4. Publication Graphic Design

Publication is the traditional medium, including books, newspapers, magazines, and catalogs. Graphic designers will collaborate with editors and publishers to make layouts with typography and artwork, including photography, graphics, and illustrations.

5. Packaging Graphic Design

Packaging design is a beneficial marketing tool, using boxes, bags, and containers to convey the brand’s message effectively. Packaging designers specialize in different types of packaging. This container could include everything from a can of beer to a carton of yogurt.

What Are the Different Types of Animation?

It is impressive how movies and video games make the animation look effortless. It makes you wonder how the artist sketched or made something so creative.

Animation is in your kids’ favorite Disney film and a promotional cut for Facebook. There are also distinct ways to make the animation come to life.

These include the following:

1. Motion Graphics

This type of design is relevant for television and film, and It is one of the newest types of design. Examples include animated logos, title sequences, credits, and commercials. Motion graphics can also involve video games, Apps on your phone, and promotional videos. 

2. 2D Animation

2D animation employs vector images to produce motion graphics. The artist will illustrate frame by frame and use computer-generated software to move the images. It is referred to as a character rig, which is a basic formation of an illustration.

3. 3D Animation

3D animation is computer generated. The artists create the characters and scenery with rigs and use illustrations to animate rather than accomplish it frame by frame. This process is the most prevalent animation style, and it is used in tv shows, movies, and games.

4. Stop Motion

Stop motion is a sequence of static frames that a photographer or artist encapsulates, creating models of characters and settings using clay figures or puppets. Editors can set the photos in a series with video editing software to make a motion picture.

5. Traditional Animation

This process is a hand-drawn method of animation that demonstrates each frame of a motion picture. Classic animated movies and cartoons fit the description. This manual process was the most common type of animation before computers began to play an integral role in the process. 

Conclusion

While graphic design is often used for advertising a brand, animators make animations for various mediums to attract an audience. You will see the work of the graphic designer in magazines ads and business cards, while animators typically perform their craft for movies, tv, and video games.

There is some commonality between graphic design and animation, but both aim to communicate with their respective target audiences. If you aspire to bring an image to life, graphic design or animation will suffice.

Everyone loves a good movie quote, right? While it might be tempting to reward such cleverness with a t-shirt design, you can run into issues if you’re monetizing the tees. There’s a huge market for homemade t-shirts, so merging this with the love of movie quotes seems like a great way to make some extra cash… but can you sell shirts with movie quotes on them?

While you might be able to get away with selling a shirt or two, making money on a shirt with a copyrighted movie quote is illegal. So technically speaking, even selling one shirt is breaking the law. However, some have found a workaround that allows the sales of some very specific quotes. 

Well, the law is very cut and dry- making money off copyrighted movie quotes is illegal. However, as we noted above, there is a little bit of a gray area that leaves a few questions unanswered. To find answers, along with more info on selling shirts with movie quotes on them, keep reading. 

Can I Sell Custom Shirts with Movie Quotes?

So you want to break into the custom shirt market, and movie quotes seem like a great way to do it. But wait, not so fast. While you can sell shirts with movie quotes on them, there’s a chance that you might lose your business and suffer possible legal consequences- as in a lawsuit. These actions depend on the quotes used and the amount of money made. 

If you’re making a few shirts for friends and family, it’s not likely that you’ll get caught and taken to court over the matter. However, it’s always a possibility. So again, is it worth it? Also, someone making thousands of dollars with a copyrighted design is more likely to get noticed if their designs become popular and recognizable. 

Quotes from movies are copyrighted and considered intellectual property. So, while it might be tempting to use your favorite movie quotes on a shirt, it is a risky move. It might seem like making a shirt and selling just a few isn’t a big deal, but you could lose your business over it, so is it really worth taking that chance?

So pretty much any movie quote that’s commonly referenced or that you often hear (yes, all your favorites, probably) cannot be used on a shirt you plan to sell. 

When Can I Use Movie Quotes on Shirts?

Some t-shirt companies have found that certain movie quotes aren’t considered intellectual property or copyrighted by law. These are quotes that were part of the public domain before they were used in a movie. This includes quotes from anyone that’s no longer alive, like Abe Lincoln quotes, so you’re unable to get permission to use the quote. 

Another workaround is if the quote is generic or something that can’t be pinned to one specific movie. Parodies are also acceptable, although here, we still recommend making your own original design instead of using someone else’s. 

How Do I Know if a Movie Quote is Copyrighted?

The safest play you have is to always be original. Creating an original design is incredibly easy with Placeit, so let your clever shine and get to making! 

But, if you’re still stuck on using a famous quote, you will absolutely need to check to see if it’s copyrighted. You can check this website to see if your quote is safe to use.

However, it’s worth noting that there are still lots of quotes out there from movies that have been used- and copyrighted- by companies. There’s little room to make original designs, making it easier for you to accidentally steal someone’s design. Yes, the company that makes the mouse ears owns a TON of quotes, and no, they’re not willing to share. 

It’s also very likely that any quotes from movies that are 70+ years old are not copyrighted and, therefore, might be able to be used in shirt designs, but again, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. 

The Final Verdict

As fun and inspiring as movie quotes can be, they can also be a big trap for shirt designers. When you consider the risk vs. reward in selling shirts with movie quotes on them, it’s just really not worth it.  However, if there’s a general quote you want to work with, one that isn’t strictly from a move, you can use it in your very own original design. We suggest using software like Placeit for creating your shirts. There are tons of free templates, so you can start designing right away with no upfront costs.  

As a business that requires your content to be attractive, easy to read, and stand out from your competitors you may be wondering why some fonts are so expensive. Since marketing and design is a large expense it pays to understand why certain fonts are more costly so you can decide which are best for your content and give you the most bang for your buck.

A lot of hours go into the creation of a font or family of fonts. The better the quality the more costly the font will be. Higher-quality fonts are compatible with more programs and put off better visual quality. Fonts that stand out and are easy to read will generally attract the most attention.

We recommend using a graphic design software that includes all commercially usable fonts in its library, like Placeit.net. This will safeguard you from legal issues, and give you a ton of font options pre-loaded all in one place.

To learn more about why certain fonts are so expensive and if it is worth the cost continue reading for helpful information.

Why Do People Pay For Fonts?

Multiple factors contribute to why a person or business may pay for a font of family of fonts, the most common reasons are:

1. Fonts that are paid for tend are generally more visually pleasing
2. One-on-one support from the designers
3. Software compatibility
4. They can be updated as software improves
5. To avoid legal licensing issues
6. To ensure that their brand and content has a unique look

Downsides to Using Free Font Designs

You may be thinking to yourself why should I pay for fonts if I can just get them for free? That is a valid question but this is one of those occasions when you truly get what you pay for in most cases.

Although there are some great free fonts available you still must consider the negatives that come along with using a free type design. This list gives some of the downsides to using free font designs for your marketing and content:

1. Difficult to build a visually recognizable brand with text that is not tailored to your needs
2. Generally are not updated
3. Many free fonts have characters missing from the sets
4. Oftentimes are not tested for quality and compatibility
5. Some characters may not be compatible with certain programs or software
6. The typography is off which can make the text look messy and unrefined

Continue reading to learn what makes some fonts so expensive and why they are worth the money.

Factors That Cause High Cost for Some Fonts

So now that you have a basic understanding of why people may pay for fonts rather than simply use the free versions you may be wondering how much a font or family of fonts can cost and what makes some of them so costly as compared to others.

1. Time is Costly for Quality Designers and Developers

One thing you have to consider is that a good quality font does not simply create itself. Someone has to do the design work and ensure that everything is functioning correctly on the software end of things. This can mean a lot of working hours which is one reason a font may be more costly than others. The more time it takes to develop the font the more costly it can be.

2. Experience Level of the Designers and Developers

With experience comes demand comes a higher price for services. It’s the ugly world of supply and demand. A designer with more experience and a greater demand for their work can get away with charging more than perhaps someone with less experience or notoriety for their design. A lot of the price will have to do with what the designer feels is a fair value for the time they put into the end piece.

3. Choice of Design Styles

Another factor that can affect the cost of a font or family of fonts is the style of font. For instance, it is said that it is less costly to create a sans serif font than a serif. Some techniques and styles may be more or less difficult to perform which can attribute to the cost.

4. Number of Characters

Fonts and font families can have different numbers of characters. The more characters available in a family of fonts the more expensive it will likely be. The more time-consuming or elaborate the characters the more costly they can be as well.

5. Intent of Use

There are different classifications when it comes to font licensing. For example, if you are using a font for personal reasons versus commercial or corporate use the license will have a different fee associated with it.

Most Expensive Fonts

If you are wondering which fonts are the most expensive, here are the top three:

• Ruse™ averaging around $782.00 per font
• Lexicon™ averaging around $391.00 per font
• Trinité™ averaging around $391.00 per font

Another reason a font may be so expensive is that it gives a certain level of exclusivity to the purchaser. For example, if you have an outrageous price on a font it is not likely that many people will be willing or able to pay such a ridiculous fee which means that there will be fewer instances of the font showing up in everyday text. It will be more recognizable as something exclusive to a particular brand.

Continue reading to learn what happens when a font is used illegally and how to avoid getting into trouble.

Legal Implications of Improperly Using Copyrighted Fonts

When fonts are used without the proper licensing permissions the designer/publisher who used the font can face serious legal implications from the original copyright holder. It is important to be sure you are using licensed fonts in the way they are stated to be used when purchased.

Potential consequences of using fonts illegally are:

• If you used the font for commercial purposes your clients can sue you
• The original copyright holder can sue you
• Your reputation can be damaged as a designer if word gets out that you are cutting corners

To avoid legal prosecution from using a font illegally be sure you are fully aware of what the license terms are before duplicating the text for any sort of commercial use or monetary gain.

Being Cheap Can End Up Being More Expensive

Now you have a clear understanding of why people pay for fonts, why they can cost so much, and the legal problems that can occur when used improperly. Going forward this can help you to make the best decisions when it comes to whatever task you are completing and you can know that you are doing it legally.

Again, we recommend using a graphic design software that includes all commercially usable fonts in its library, like Placeit.net. This will safeguard you from legal issues, and give you a ton of font options pre-loaded all in one place.

Making a quality business card requires good business sense and an inventive mind. You will need to develop a card that will stand out to potential customers and make them remember your brand.

It could take about a month to make the right business card design from scratch. However, using a pre-made business card template can reduce that time to just one or two days. You need to know the logo, the colors, and the information you want on your business card. You should also incorporate a CTA or call to action, such as social media contact, to draw in customers.

The most important aspect of a business card is that it is professional and adequately reflects your brand’s personality. Please read this article and learn more about how long it takes to make a business card.

Will It Take Long to Create a Business Card?

It takes more time than you think to create a business card. The cards are an advertisement of you or your business, and you want them to look good. On average, it should take up to two and a half to four weeks to produce a high-quality business card.

It depends on the specific processes for the card and how long it takes to get the paper and dyes lined up. Edge-painted business cards take more time to make. It also comes down to whether you know exactly what you want for your business card.

Suppose you consider the time it will take to settle on a decision and all the necessary criteria involved against the time it will take for the company to print them. In that case, the answer is that it takes a while to design a sound business card.

What Does It Take to Make a Good Business Card?

The following include some of the significant criteria necessary for making a quality business card:

1. Choose a Template that Suits the Personality of Your Brand

When it comes to business cards, you need to choose a design that best suits your brand. For example, if you are a writer, you could have a picture of an ink well and a quill pen to reflect that you are a true writer. There are thousands of pre-made business card templates you can use to create a professional look in minutes. This allows you to choose a template that suits the purpose of the business card best.

2. Find the Appropriate Typeface

The font you choose for your business card needs to represent your brand. Let us go back to the writer’s example. Many writers use Calibri or New Times Roman for the body of their work. Serif fonts are appropriate for long-form texts. Use the font that best fits.

3. Find the Right Size and Shape

The size and shape of your business card will affect the amount of information that you can put on the card. Most standard business cards are rectangular. However, you can feel free to get creative if it suits your brand’s message.

4. Organize the Information You Want to Convey

Your business cards need to provide the person with an excellent way to contact you, find you online, or give directions to your business. Make sure you include all this information on the card so that the customer can contact you in the way they feel most secure.

5. Double Duty

You can use both sides of the business card. You can make some of the most innovative ideas work for you if it suits your brand. For example, you can turn your business card into a magnet. There are many types of businesses that do this.

6. Make the Most of Your Logo

The business card you make should accurately represent you and your brand. You need to choose a suitable logo and colors for your card. This symbol is a crucial part of advertising your brand. You want to create a business card that stands out from all the rest of them.

7. Leave Some White Space on the Card

You want your logo, in particular, to stand out, so the best thing you can do is leave some white space on the card so that it does not overwhelm the customer. Business cards that are too “busy” tend to be less attractive and accessible.

8. Add Something to Make Your Brand Memorable

Make it impossible for the customer to forget your business card. You can make the card glossy to the touch, which is one way to appeal to the customer. You can make the logo the star of the show, or if you prefer, you can select an unusual color scheme that draws attention to the card.

9. Improve the User Experience

You can use the back of the card to list all the social networks you use. When you give someone a card, ask them if they would like to connect on social media. Put your URL on the back of the card. Pick one or two solid URLs where your network is most likely to be.

10. Proofread to Make Sure Information is Correct

Always proofread your business cards before they are printed to ensure that all the information is correct. Misspellings can make you and your business look unprofessional, which will undermine all of your arduous work. Make sure that you double-check everything.

What Exactly Should You Put on Your Business Card?

You may not be sure what to put on a business card. However, every business card contains the same basic information. This data includes the following:

• Name
• Business
• Address
• Website
• Home or cell phone (or both)
• Email address

Whether you want to up your game and include a photo or your social media information, it is up to you. If you choose to list social media accounts, be strategic and only list sites that provide some detail about your work.

Try to keep your social media listings professional. Unless the account shares some of your brand or work, you do not need to share it with potential customers.

An excellent option for business card templates is a website called placeit.net. You can customize the perfect layout and design for your business card.

Conclusion

If you want to make a decent business card, you should take your time to explore all your options and figure out the message you want to convey through your brand. The length of time it takes also depends upon the processes you need to go through to make the card. Starting from a pre-made business card template can save you a ton of time, and produce a much more professional design.

Many graphic designers choose to work as freelancers because of the freedom that self-employment offers. But the legalities of this can be tricky to navigate. For this reason, many people wonder: do freelance graphic designers need a business license?

Generally, freelance graphic designers do not need a business license to work. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, you will usually need a business license if you operate under a name other than your own, or if you have clients visit a home office.

Below, we’ll dive into the specifics of when exactly freelance graphic designers need a business license. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know!

Do Freelance Graphic Designers Need a Business License?

The majority of freelancers can operate legally without a business license. So, as a freelance graphic designer, it’s very unlikely that you will need to obtain a business license. However, laws vary based on the city or state you live in, so it’s always best to consult a local business attorney if you’re unsure.

Although you probably will not need a license, you’ll still be responsible for reporting your income and paying taxes to the IRS. Since self-employed individuals typically do not collect or pay taxes regularly throughout the year, it’s always a good idea to set some extra money aside each month to save for tax season.

When You Need a Business License as a Freelance Graphic Designer

While it isn’t always the case, there are some times when you will need to obtain a business license before selling your designs to clients. Some of these situations include:

• If you want to collect sales tax
• If you have one or more employees
• If you have a home office or design studio
• If you’ll be seeing clients in-person for consultations
• If you want to register as an LLC, partnership, or sole proprietorship
• If you operate under a name other than your own (ie., “John Smith Designs” rather than “John Smith”)

These are the most common situations in which a business license will be required. However, local laws and regulations on this can vary. Some areas even require a local business license for single-person, home-based operations! Before you start your graphic design business, it’s always a good idea to check on the regulations.

What is a Business License?

A business license, sometimes called a business permit, is required in certain states in order for businesses to operate legally. They’re typically very easy to apply for and only cost a small fee. Depending on where you live, you may need to renew your business license annually to continue operations.

Any business that conducts commercial activity on its premises, collects sales tax, or provides services that require an industry-specific license should register for a business license. Since there is no license or permit required to become a graphic designer, they mainly work online, and they often do not collect sales tax, freelance graphic designers are rarely required to hold a business license.

Other Legalities to Consider

If you have a home office, one or more employees, or just want some kind of protection for your work and services, there are a couple of other legalities to consider. Below, we’ll discuss some of these aspects.

1. Home Occupation Permits

Most freelance graphic designers work out of a home office. While you won’t need any special permits or licenses if you conduct the majority of your business online, you may need a home occupation permit if you have clients visit your home for in-person consultations.

Home occupation permits are required in some states. They may dictate:

• How many employees can work in your home
• How many clients you can have visit each day
• How much space in your home is used for your business

2. Variances and Conditional-Use Permits

In addition to a home occupation permit, you may also have to file for a variance or conditional-use permit if you work from your home. This depends on the zoning laws in your area, as some neighborhoods are not zoned for commercial activity. Variances and conditional use permits allow you to legally operate a commercial business in a residential area.

3. Registering as an LLC, Partnership, or Sole Proprietorship

Registering your graphic design business as an LLC, sole proprietorship, or partnership (if you work with another graphic designer) is often advantageous for freelancers. You will need a business license to do so, as you will now be operating as a legitimate business. However, registering limits your liability in case of any legal issues that arise from your products or services. It may give you a break on your taxes, as well.

Registering is often simple and inexpensive. But, before you do so, make sure to decide on a solid name for your business. You’ll need to register and obtain a federal and state tax ID under this name, and any name changes later on will require an additional fee.

How to Apply for a Business License

If any of the above points apply for you, or if local laws require you to have a business license, you will need to apply for one. The exact steps vary based on where you live, but the general process is as follows:

1. Choose the name you’ll register your business with. Make sure to put careful thought into this, as it may be expensive to change in the future.
2. Next, you will need to apply for an EIN, or employer identification number through the IRS website. Any business that is not a sole proprietorship will need this identification number.
3. Consult a local business attorney or your area’s small business administration office to find out what other licenses you may need to ensure you’re operating legally.
4. After completing the above steps, you can apply for your business license. Some cities allow you to apply online, while others require you to apply in person. Make sure to apply as soon as possible to ensure the quickest approval process possible.

Final Thoughts

Most graphic design work is done entirely online, so many designers choose to work as freelancers. If you have a freelance graphic design business, you probably will not need to register as a business and obtain a business license.

However, laws can vary based on where you live, and certain types of freelance businesses will require a business license. Make sure you know the regulations in your area before you proceed with operations.

Apple Pencils are wireless iPad accessories that provide users with the freedom of and convenience of a writing tool and the endless possibilities of technology. Despite their ingenious design, Apple Pencils are prone to wearing down, and knowing the reasons behind why this happens is the first step in maintaining these pricy accessories and taking preventative measures to ensure they last as long as possible.

Although there is a wide range of potential reasons why an Apple Pencil’s tip is wearing down, the answer usually lies with how the accessory is being used and its overall frequency of use. However, the material Apple uses to make Apple Pencil tips plays a significant role here as well.

If you own an Apple Pencil and notice the tip seems to be wearing down suspiciously quickly, read on as we discuss the four most common reasons why this occurs and how you can potentially prevent or slow wear on this iPad accessory. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions, such as how long Apple Pencil tips usually last and whether they can be replaced.

Top 4 Reasons Why Apple Pencil Tips Wear Down

As much as we’d like our Apple products to last forever, wear and tear is something that’s truly inevitable. Owners of this creative accessory find that their Apple Pencil’s tip is what really wears down the most, leaving many to question why this happens and what they should do going forward.

There are four overarching reasons why Apple Pencils wear down:

1. Frequency of use
2. Technique
3. Dirty tip or screen
4. Material makeup

While some of these are avoidable, the unfortunate reality is that your Apple Pencil’s tip is going to wear down one way or another (unless you’re leaving it untouched in its box). Luckily, understanding these reasons and knowing how to prevent them or diminish their effect can help you extend the lifespan of these components immensely.

1. Frequency of Use

Probably the most influential and unavoidable cause of your Apple Pencil tip wearing down is how much you use it.

As with anything, the more you use your Apple Pencil, the quicker the tip will wear down. While there are precautions you can take to limit its wear, the fact remains that if you use your Apple Pencil every day for extended periods (ex. a professional artist who uses an Apple Pencil for hours daily to create artwork), then its tip is going to wear down quicker than if you used it weekly.

If you really want your Apple Pencil’s tip to last, maybe think of alternative methods for achieving what you want on your iPad without it (ex. perform lengthy work on a desktop/alternative device and only use the iPad and Apple Pencil when you’re on-the-go).

Otherwise, you’ll probably need to come to terms with the fact that unless you intend to use your Apple Pencil less, it’s going to wear out over time, and the more you use it, the sooner that will be.

2. Technique

This might be an odd factor people don’t really consider when using their Apple Pencil, but it can be a significant contributor and one of the easiest aspects to alter, increasing your Apple Pencil tip’s lifespan.

When we say “technique,” we really mean how much pressure you’re placing on your Apple Pencil and if you’re using the same part of the tip consistently.

The hard you push on your Apple Pencil with writing or drawing, the more strain you’re placing on the tip, which can drastically accelerate its rate of degradation. Additionally, using one side of an Apple Pencil’s tip for extended periods can lead to uneven wear on the tip and expose the metallic wires underneath sooner than usual.

Loosening your grip on your Apple Pencil and rotating it in your hand occasionally throughout use can help reduce excessive and uneven strain on the tip, allowing it to last longer.

3. Dirty Tip or Screen

If your goal is to extend your Apple Pencil’s tip life as long as possible, the last thing you want to do is use it when the tip itself is dirty or when your iPad screen is dirty.

Dust, dirt, and other contaminants can not only scratch your iPad screen’s surface, but they will also wear down the tip of your Apple Pencil. This is because, as you write, you are pressing those coarse particles into the tip’s material and slowly scratching it away. While this won’t make a huge impact on your tip’s integrity at first, if it’s done repeatedly over time, it will eventually take its toll.

The best ways to prevent this are to:

1. Clean your Apple Pencil tip and iPad screens regularly, ideally before each use
2. Install a screen protector on your iPad
3. Place a specialized silicone tip cover over your Apple Pencil tip

Regular cleaning will eliminate potentially harmful particles while using protectors and covers will provide your iPad and Apple Pencil with an extra buffer against potential damage. Plus, it’s much cheaper to replace a cover/protector than a screen or tip.

4. Material Makeup

The last reason why Apple Pencil tips wear down is another one you can’t really change and, frankly, displeases a lot of Apple supporters.

Apple Pencil tips are made of a hard capacitive plastic, and while this material is relatively durable as far as plastics are concerned, at the end of the day, it’s still a plastic, and therefore, not the strongest material out there.

All the other factors we’ve discussed definitely play a role in how quickly your Apple Pencil tip wears down, but the root cause lies here in its material makeup. Despite these accessories donning a sticker price of over $100 and the overall pen itself is made of exceptionally high-quality materials, the tip doesn’t necessarily receive the same courtesy.

Arguably, the reason behind this is because Apple sells Apple Pencil tip replacements (and this is where Apple supporters feel a bit cheated).

Considering how well the Apple Pencil itself is built and designed, one could assume Apple could have created a tip that lasts just as long. Instead, these accessories are equipped with a removable tip that usually only lasts about 1-2 years of regular use or 4-6 months of extensive use. Why? Because attaching replaceable tips with limited lifespans makes Apple more money as it requires consumers to purchase additional tips.

That’s not to say that these tips don’t perform well fresh out of the box because they do. But if you’re about to invest in a new Apple Pencil, it’s important to know that the upfront cost isn’t the only one you’ll be paying.

Final Thoughts

Apple Pencils are a favored iPad accessory amongst artists, graphic designers, any iPad user who prefers a writing utensil over their finger, but one of its biggest faults is how quickly the tip wears out. Unfortunately, this is a certainty.

While you can utilize the many tips listed above to prevent or slow tip wear on your Apple Pencil, eventually, it will become unusable. Fortunately, you can buy replacement tips for relatively cheap, so a worn-down tip isn’t the end for your Apple Pencil.

When working on image files, sometimes the end result isn’t exactly what we expected. We expect transparent images to be transparent when we export them, but what if the image ends up with a solid black or white background instead?

Your PNG file isn’t transparent because of the way it was saved and exported. This is because you need to apply settings like a transparency layer to your image before you save it, or because you’re viewing it in another program with different transparency settings.

Sometimes it can be disheartening to work on an image or graphic, get everything right, and not have the end result work. But not to worry, it’s often a simple fix that you can read on to find out.

Solving Transparency Issues

PNGs are used for a wide variety of purposes, for example they are oftentimes higher quality than JPGs, which make them a popular format to export to. However sometimes the process isn’t as smooth as we would like and sometimes areas like transparency end up changing to something we didn’t intend.

In fact, one of the most common issues people run into is exporting and using images elsewhere causes transparency settings to change. This could mean that an image that had a clear background ended up with a solid black background, even if we never touched the black color once in the project.

How Does Transparency Work

One thing we have to understand is that different software handles transparency in a variety of ways. When you save an image with only a white or clear backdrop, it does not become transparent just like that.

Most image editors can’t detect the difference between a solid color backdrop and a transparent one, which is why special settings are applied to make them transparent.

A transparent element is referred to as an alpha channel or transparency layer in software such as Photoshop. This is what distinguishes a clear part from a colorful portion. To guarantee that pictures are transparent, double-check that your section is set as a transparent layer rather than a solid color.

PNG files are created in a way that allows them to be manipulated by software like photoshop, or online image and design editors like Placeit, which can handle your design creation and exporting all for you.

If you’ve worked on an image yourself without tools like those, you may have run into issues like transparency when trying to export images. Here’s what’s causing the PNG to not be transparent.

How to Make Transparent PNGs

Here are a few ways to resolve this issue. Open the image in an editor, and then double check the transparency settings. You’ll want to check the following.

• Set the Transparency Layer. You’ll want to make sure the background of your image, the part you want to show up as transparent, is set as an alpha channel and not as a solid color.
• Ensure the File Supports Transparency. Some images will remain untransparent even if you have a transparency layer. This is because certain file formats are not equipped with that option. Make sure your file is saved as a PNG and not a JPG.
• Use Transparency Tools. There are other ways to make images transparent besides just changing the background and resources like online editors or photoshop will have specific transparency tools like masking and opacity sliders that will adjust transparent elements on the fly.

To take PNGs and change their structure to make them transparent, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind. When you save an image online, even if it looks transparent to you, it might not be that way once it’s saved. It’s important to utilize these tools to get images working universally instead of in just one software.

What Causes Images to Not be Transparent

If your PNG exports with a non-transparent backdrop, it’s because the file was saved incorrectly. The translucent layer in one software may appear as a solid color in another file or when exported. Typically, this is due to the fact that each image editing program has various requirements for what is and isn’t transparent.

Because most problems arise as a result of the image viewer failing to set the correct color to transparent, most of the time the solution is as simple as selecting another color as the transparent layer instead, as well as attempting to delete the black background to ensure it wasn’t set as a color rather than a transparent layer.

Important Aspects to Be Aware Of

When using a transparent image, it is important to take layers into account. Layers would help one element become transparent and another be a solid color. For example if you have a black image with a clear transparent background, you want to separate the black color from the background color because if you don’t there’s a chance that the image will export entirely black since there is no separation between the two elements.

This is why tools use different visual cues to signify transparency. You may have seen checkerboard-like backgrounds online. These denote that the background is transparent. However, if the element is not separated correctly, you just get a grid of checkerboards in the background instead of what you intend, which is nothing.

One last thing to be aware of is that each program assigns transparency differently. It’s important to explore all the settings of your preferred program to know which setting will do what you wanted to. An image could become transparent in one program but not in another because there is no universal standard for transparency

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a ton of options to solve the transparency issue. From adjusting the image itself to checking how it fares in other editors, there are no shortages of tools that can help make images transparent the way they’re supposed to be.

It happens because of the way the files are structured and how an image separates a transparent layer from one that is naturally supposed to have a colored background.

With these easy fixes, you’ll be able to get your files transparent like they’re supposed to be, so your final results will look crystal clear.

Working with images can be complex since there are so many elements to be aware of. One issue that people often run into is that their images are not transparent when they’re exported, despite working right when they are edited.

If your PNG is exporting with a black background, it’s because of the way the file is saved or how it is showing in the program you are using to view it. Sometimes the transparent layer in one software shows up as a solid color in another file or when it is exported.

Normally, this is because every image editing software has different specifications on what is and isn’t transparent. Reading below about why and how this happens can help you solve this issue whenever it comes up.

Why Your PNG Files Have a Black Background

You had your files all ready to export and then noticed that some things were definitely not right. Namely, that an image that was meant to be transparent instead greeted you with an all black background.

A black background is caused by a transparent file not being saved as a transparent file. Since the image is missing transparency, the area that would have been transparent is rendered black instead.

Thankfully, there are a few ways around this, and each fix depends on what’s causing the issue in the first place.

Reasons Your Images Aren’t Transparent

Here’s what’s causing the PNG to be blacked out:

• The image doesn’t have a transparency layer. The underlying issue is that software handles transparency in different ways. If you save an image with just a white background, that doesn’t automatically make it transparent.
• The wrong color is assigned for transparency. Sometimes, images have transparency assigned to them when edited in a software, but this transparency isn’t applied when the image is saved outside of that software.
• Transparency isn’t supported. Sometimes, tools and images aren’t able to accurately depict images as transparent and end up rendering the closest alternative, a static color.

We’ll go over these in more detail so you can isolate your issue and resolve it. This occurs because of the way files are saved and how an image differs from being viewed in an image editor to one that is saved.

Fortunately, you can repair most of these issues yourself, or you may use online image editors like Placeit, which can offer you tools to quickly create outstanding designs. Because you can develop and export using the design tools they have accessible, these resources can help you avoid the headache of finding out the problem yourself.

What Settings Cause Transparency

The first reason is that the image doesn’t have a transparency set. In most cases, image editors can’t tell the difference between a background that is a solid color and a transparent one, which is why they either have a checkerboard background or a setting that denotes transparency.

Usually, when you save an image that has a black background where a transparent one should be, it isn’t so much an issue of the picture not being transparent, rather an issue of the color of transparency being set as something else.

To get around this issue, you can double check your export settings in your image editor. Typically software like photoshop will have a setting to enable transparency when an image is saved.

Which Colors Are Set Transparent

Next up, the reason could be that the wrong color is applied to transparency. This means that while an image in an editor shows a certain color as transparent, it may not be the same as when another editor does.

This is the result of different software having varying standards for what does and doesn’t count as transparent. Thankfully, this is easily fixed by opening the image in another editor. From there, you can set the transparent layer to the color used in the other editor, or enable transparency for export.

Can Online or Scanned Images Be Transparent

Finally, the reason could be that the image never registered as transparent in the first place. In such cases, the black background might have been the intended background or one that was uploaded that way on purpose.

You probably noticed this when you’ve scanned an image or tried to save one directly from the internet. A PNG saved online will have different properties compared to one saved on an image editor, even if they’re the exact same image.

You can fix this issue by opening the image in an editor and adjusting the transparency setting manually.

What Are the Solutions

Here are a couple solutions to the black background problem. Since most issues come as a result of the image viewer not setting the right color to transparent, most of the time the solution is as simple as setting another color as the transparent layer instead, as well as trying to delete the black background to make sure it wasn’t set as a color instead of a transparent layer.

In tools like photoshop, a transparent element is known as an alpha channel or transparency layer. This is what separates a transparent section from a colored section. To ensure that images have transparency, you’ll want to double check that your section is set as a transparent layer and not a solid color.

You should keep a few things in mind like double checking the transparency setting is enabled when you export an image in your editor, and that moving files from one editor to another could cause differences in transparency as well.  Due to the way these images are saved, they may not look the same when exported

What Causes Differences in Transparency

Typically, changes in transparency are due to the fact that each image editing program has various requirements for what is and isn’t transparent. If your PNG exports with a black backdrop, it’s because the file was saved incorrectly or there was a mix up in what should appear as transparent and what should appear as a color.

The transparent layer in one software may appear as a solid color in another file or when exported. Fortunately, there are a few workarounds, and the fix is sometimes as simple as a little change in the image editor’s settings. With that, your new images should appear exactly how you need them.

There’s no shortage of things we can do with images on the internet. We can scan them, edit them, save them, and print them, but sometimes we run into issues because not all JPG files are the same file size.

If you noticed an image taking up way more space than it should, that can cause problems when it’s time to export. There are several reasons why this happens, and thankfully, plenty of ways to fix them.

What Causes Image Files to Be Such Large Sizes?

You have your image exactly how you want it, but when you look at the file size you notice something is wrong. File size can be a huge issue because not everyone has space for such large files, and sometimes when you want to upload an image, there are size limits that could go beyond your files.

Here’s what causes files to be such large sizes. As you can see, there are a lot of factors that go into it that we may not even notice, but once you isolate your issue, it should be an easy fix. Sometimes you can fix these issues yourself, or you can use online design sites like Placeit to take care of creating images for you.

1. You Scanned an Uncompressed Image

To go into greater detail, here’s one reason why your file size is so huge. It could be because you used a scanner to get your image, and the scan was an uncompressed file format.

To fix this, simply scan your images at a lower DPI, or resolution, and if that doesn’t work, you can open an image editing software like paint, and crop away any blank space.

2. You Saved an Uncompressed Image Online

Following that, the explanation might be that you saved an image online, but the file size was way larger than you were expecting.

This is the outcome of certain websites and images online hosting uncompressed images that are shrunken for view on their display. So an image might appear small to you, but be huge actually.

Fortunately, this is a simple fix too. You can re save the image at a lower resolution using an image editor or see if the website has a lower resolution option available, like an icon of the same image or a link in another page.

3. You Took High Quality Photos from a Camera

Following that, the explanation might be you took your photos from a nice camera. These days, even the cameras on our phones can capture photos and videos at stunningly high resolutions.

This unfortunately means that the file size has to grow in tandem. Luckily, we have options on our phones and cameras to adjust the resolution of images we take, and we can even send photos at resolutions other than ones that were taken.

4. The Image is Too Detailed

Sometimes, images can be different file sizes based on what is in them. Colors, details, and more factors can change what determines the file size. Basically, the more inside an image, the more that is taken into account when the image is saved.

To get around this, you could open an image editing software and adjust the image to meet a lower file size. Sometimes it’ll be as simple as saving the same image in a different resolution, but sometimes you may have to play with the compression tools to get it down.

5. You Saved the Wrong Resolution

What if the image was one you created yourself? One explanation might be that you accidently saved the image at the wrong resolution. It’s an easy mistake to make especially if you have to enter the resolution manually.

If you were expecting an image to be 1920×1080 but got 1920×10080, that could definitely cause a huge disaster in how the image looks, and how much space the image takes up.

6. You Found an Image Not Meant to be Saved

On a website there are often different variations of the same image. This could be a news website or a blog that has the image as a header or banner, and then uses the same image in the article itself.

Similar to the example above about saving uncompressed images, a website will often have images that serve different purposes, and you might have saved one not intended for sharing and you may have downloaded the wrong one.

The good news is that variations of those images that are meant to be saved and shared can often be found on those websites as well. Sometimes sites will have press kits that contain their images at different file sizes and resolutions or will specifically link ways to share the post.

7. You Set the Wrong Measurements

More advanced tools like Photoshop will allow users to adjust the size of their images in different ways, such as inches or centimeters. This can be a handy trick in getting pics the exact size you want them to be but can also mess you up if you accidently use the wrong unit.

An image that is 5 inches by 5 inches is certainly going to be a different file size than one that is 5 feet by 5 feet, so if you notice your image is unnaturally large, it may be as simple as the wrong unit of measurement.

Final Thoughts

That’s all there is to it, on the surface none of the reasons are particularly hard to fix and we can understand why they come up and what goes into saving images and how their file sizes are determined.

Sometimes, not all files are created equal even if they look the exact same. Sometimes, this is due to the way the image is structured. Other times, it’s because of where you received the image from.

Trying to get the right size for your files can be a little tricky, but with a little bit of patience, you can get your images exactly how they should be.

With the prevalence and popularity of user-friendly graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, along with a host of web design platforms developed with novices in mind, design terms are becoming more commonplace in everyday vernacular. For instance, a lot of people know that CMYK is a type of color model. But what does it actually mean and how many colors does CMYK include?

The CMYK color model consists of 4 base colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key Black. By combining these base colors in any number of ways, roughly 16,000 unique colors can be produced. CMYK is the color system of choice for professional printing processes used all over the world.

The impact of CMYK can be seen everywhere. In fact, if it can be commercially printed, chances are it was done thanks to this color scheme. Read on for more in-depth information about CMYK, including how such a vibrant palette of colors that serves as the color model of choice for professional printers around the world, can be created from just four base colors.

How Many Colors does CMYK Include?

CMYK refers to one of the world’s most widely used color models (the other being RGB). The term CMYK is actually an acronym for the 4 colors that it includes:

• C for cyan
• M for magenta
• Y for yellow
• K for black (actually key black)

The first three colors – cyan, magenta, and yellow – can be combined in any number of ways to produce different colors from within the color spectrum. For instance, laying cyan (which appears greenish-blue to the human eye) over yellow produces green.

The “K” in CMYK stands for key black, which is a true black color. Although combining pure cyan, magenta, and yellow should result in black, due to impurities in the inks and dyes used in commercial printing processes, the visible result is not visually a true black (it comes out as a very dark brown). This is where the key black component of CMYK comes in, to serve these purposes:

• When key black is added in its full value (100%) to corresponding 100% ratios of cyan, magenta, and yellow, the result is a true black
• Key black is needed to provide depth and shading to the colors that result from combining various percentages of cyan, magenta, and yellow

By one estimate, the CMYK color model as it is used by professional printing companies is capable of producing as many as 16,000 unique color combinations, which is one major reason why CMYK is so widely used around the world for 4-color printing processes.

What is CMYK Used For?

Using CMYK-generated colors in real-world applications involves laying down colored pigments or dyes onto a white background such as paper. The images that are seen in the finished printed product are actually composed of minuscule cyan, magenta, yellow, and black dots. Individual colors on the print media are created thusly:

• The proximity of these tiny dots to each (e.g., close together or spread far apart) affects how a color is perceived by the human eye
• The more of the colored inks that are laid down on the print surface, the closer that the overall color gets to appearing black
• Conversely, the less of the colored inks that are used, the closer that the overall color gets to white (which is usually the color of the underlying print surface)
• CMYK colors are expressed in percentage values (e.g., 0 to 100% saturation)

CMYK is the color system of choice when it comes to various forms of print media and one would be very hard-pressed not to see real-life examples of CMYK at any given moment. Here are just a few examples of items that are commonly printed using colors produced through the CMYK color model:

• Books
• Brochures
• Business cards
• Flyers
• Magazines
• Posters
• Restaurant menus
• Stationery
• Signage

Although CMYK is used primarily for applications involving the physical printing of various types of media collateral, the actual ideation and design of the artwork is typically done on a computer using sophisticated graphic platforms and programs. Once the design work is completed, the digitized art file is then saved in one of several formats (e.g., .PDF, .AI, .EPS) and provided to the printer.

What is a Subtractive Color System and How Does it Work?

In technical parlance, CMYK is what is known as a subtractive color model. Basically, light-absorbing colored inks are laid down on a white printing surface, like paper for instance. When white light strikes these inks, a portion of the color spectrum is absorbed and any color that is not absorbed reflects back to the viewer’s eye.

Thus, if cyan, magenta, and yellow pigments are combined in full percentages with each other, the resulting color would appear black because all the colors have been absorbed (or subtracted), and nothing would be reflected outward. (The key black serves to provide greater density.) Here is a good illustration (no pun intended) of how CMYK works:

• The basic premise is that the colors that the human eye sees are made up of wavelengths of light that have not been absorbed by the surface that they are laid or printed upon
• Thus, if a banner appears to be the color red, it is because all of the wavelengths of light except those that appear to be red have been absorbed, leaving the red wavelengths as the only ones that are reflected and perceived by the viewer’s eye
• If something appears to be white, it means that all the wavelengths of light are being reflected outward (and nothing is being absorbed)
• Similarly, if something appears to be black, the surface has absorbed all the wavelengths of light leaving nothing to be reflected (which is why wearing black on a hot, sunny day is not a good way to stay cool)

From the perspective of viewers, the intended colors that their eyes perceive are those wavelengths that have not been absorbed by the printed surface, be it a brochure, a magazine, a poster, or any other form of printed media.

Conclusion

Behind the vibrant colors and multitudes of hues that are all around us is the CMYK color model. With its core of three base colors plus key black, CMYK is the color scheme used by printers around the world to put more than just a little splash of color in our lives.