Monitors have the ability to display a stunning array of colors and graphics. However, sometimes, things can get messed up and display colors in an odd form, with rounded edges appearing over each shade. This is color banding.

The three main causes of color banding on a monitor are:

• Incorrect color settings
• Image editing software that doesn’t export images correctly
• A monitor that is out of calibration

To fix these issues, color settings and image export settings can be used.

There are a lot of reasons for why your monitor is causing color banding, and ways you can fix this. Read on to find out.

Why Is My Monitor Suddenly Color Banding?

Color banding is caused by a monitor’s inability to display colors accurately.

There are many different types of monitors out there, including:

• LCD
• LED
• Plasma
• CRT

Each type of monitor displays colors differently, and some have a higher chance of displaying color banding than others.

Images on a monitor are generated by a graphics card, which processes information received from the computer’s CPU. Every display panel is made up of an array of tiny cells called pixels. This is what allows images you see on a monitor to be so detailed. In order to create color, each pixel is actually made of three sub-pixels that each display a different color.

The way these colors interact with each other is what allows us to see a full range of colors on our screens.  If you notice color banding on your computer screen, then there is a problem causing colors to not display properly.

Causes Of Color Banding On Monitors

There are a few primary reasons why color banding occurs. First, the monitor may not be able to display certain colors correctly. Second, the monitor may not have enough information about what colors are being displayed. In order to fix color banding, you need to determine if the problem lies with the monitor or the software.

There are three main causes of color banding on a monitor:

• Color settings, Color settings can be adjusted in the “Display Properties” menu and can be adjusted for each color channel to see if the banding issues resolve.
• Image editing software. image editing software can be used to export images correctly within the software itself. Sometimes changing the file format can help resolve color banding.
• The monitor itself. If every image or every page has a color banding issue, then the monitor may be the cause. The monitor can be calibrated to fix color settings, as mentioned above but if that doesn’t work, the monitor itself may need to be changed.

Color banding is a surprisingly common issue that crops up on monitors. More often than not,  it’s a result of different colors bleeding into each other. There are a few ways to fix this, but the most common is by adjusting the monitor’s color settings. If that doesn’t work, you can try adjusting the brightness and contrast levels.

How to Fix Color Banding on a Monitor

A monitor’s color banding is the pattern of colors that are spread unevenly across the screen. The most common reason your monitor may have suddenly started color banding is that a setting got changed accidently or an image was exported incorrectly.

When the colors in a picture or document are displayed on a monitor, the blue, green, and red sub pixels are combined to create white pixels. This process is called primary color mixing, and incorrect mixing is a source of many banding issues.

Color banding is an issue that can affect the appearance of what you see. It’s easy to test when color banding occurs. It can be a major issue for photographers and graphic designers, as it can ruin an otherwise perfect image.

The good news is, it’s relatively easy to fix. To find the perfect solution, the first step is to isolate the source of the issue, whether it’s a hardware or software problem. Is it your entire monitor having the issue or is it just certain images?

Fixing Color Settings

One way to fix color banding is to adjust the monitor’s color settings. This can be done in the “Display Properties” menu, which is usually found in the “Control Panel.”

 Another way to fix color banding is to adjust the brightness and contrast levels. This can be done by:

1. Press the “Menu” button on the monitor
2. Navigate to the “Brightness” or “Contrast” settings
3. Adjust the colors to see if any differences can be noted

Now, let’s see how to fix software issues.

Fixing Software Issues

Image editing software, such as Photoshop, can also cause color banding issues. This is because the software may not be able to export the image correctly. When an image is exported, the color values are quantized. This means that the number of colors in the image is reduced. The reduction in colors can cause banding.

To fix this, try exporting the image as a JPEG or TIFF file. Another way to fix color banding is to use an image editing software that supports the “Save for Web” feature.

Fixing the Monitor

If the problem does lie with the hardware, then there are a few things you should do.

Follow these instructions:

1. Make sure that the monitor is plugged into the right port
2. Try turning off any external devices connected to the monitor
3. Check to make sure that the cables connecting the monitor to the computer are secure and not damaged
4. Turn off the power supply to the monitor and wait 30 seconds before plugging it back in

If this doesn’t work, you may unfortunately have to get a new monitor. If you need images and graphics made fast but don’t have a working monitor, you could always go with an online service that can make custom graphics for you.

Concluding Thoughts

By using a high-quality monitor, color banding can be avoided the best. But most of the time, a quick settings adjustment will solve the problem. Banding problems are never pleasant to encounter, but fortunately they are typically simple to fix.

Color banding is a frustrating and common issue that many photographers face. Imagine, you’ve captured the perfect image and started to make edits in Lightroom, only to find these weird lines that show up across the photo. No matter how much you adjust exposure and saturation, you can’t seem to get rid of them. So, how do you fix it?

Color banding happens when the bit depth of an image is too low to support the number of tones required to allow for a smooth transition between colors. This can be adjusted in editing programs like Lightroom by adjusting the bit mode.

If you have color bands showing up in your photos, don’t toss them quite yet. Keep reading for an easy guide on how to fix color banding in Lightroom and how to prevent it from happening in the future.

What Is Color Banding?

The camera records as much data as it can in the image’s pixels when a photo is taken.

When an image’s bit depth is insufficient to support the necessary number of tones for a seamless transition between colors, color banding occurs.

Bit depth refers to the amount of tonal variation found in an image:

• 8-bit image: 256 colors
• 16-bit images: 65,536 colors
• 32-bit images: 16,777,215 colors

Essentially, it is how much information each color channel can store in each pixel.

Though the best way to handle color banding is to avoid it altogether by shooting in RAW, this can also be easily fixed in post-processing using Lightroom.

How to Fix Color Banding Issues In Lightroom

One of the best things about Lightroom is that it has the ability to open RAW and JPEG files. However, this also means that it’s easy to miss color banding when editing many photos at one time, especially if the photos were captured at different times.

For example, one photo could be a RAW image of a field of flowers, with a high enough bit depth that no banding happens at all. However, the next photo in your batch could have been taken as a compressed JPEG. You want to apply a present that you created from the edits of the last photo, but something doesn’t quite look right.

Here’s what you can do about it.

Locate Coloring Banding In an Image

Before you can fix your color banding, you need to find it. Oftentimes, banding can be so subtle that it’s easy to miss until you see the printed result.

Banding often shows up in areas where there is little detail, but a lot of variations of the same color. For example, an open sky or a portrait against a solid colored wall. If there isn’t enough of a range to represent each tone, you’ll get banding instead of a smooth transition.

Change the Image Mode

When you open up your image in Lightroom, the first thing you’ll want to do is check the image mode.

To do this:

1. Open the Preferences dialog window from the Edit menu
2. At the top, you should see the bit depth setting along with the color space
3. If the bit depth is set to 8 bits/component, you’ll want to increase the bit depth size to 16

This isn’t going to fix the banding issue right away. Instead, it gives your image the possibility of more tonal range, allowing future edits to be made.

Apply a Graduated Filter

Next, try applying a graduated filter after changing the image mode. The graduated filter is an adjustment tool that is great for blurring backgrounds in a photo. By creating a blur in the photo, this will smooth out any banding that is present.

Grab the graduated filter, and click and drag on the area that you want to blur. In this case, it would be any space that you find color banding.

Can Color Banding Be Avoided?

With all that said and done, the easiest way to deal with color banding is to avoid it from the start.

Here are a few tips to help keep banding at bay:

• Always shoot in a RAW file format
• Avoid strong adjustments to contrast or saturation on 8-bit images
• Open files with in 16 bit image mode
• Reduce the image resolution
• Avoid strong lighting changes against solid backgrounds

Remember that you want your image to retain as much information as possible if you are going to be applying edits. Many of these things should be taken into consideration before taking a photo so that it isn’t a problem to begin with.

Final Thoughts

Color banding can quickly take a photo from a masterpiece to an eyesore. Hopefully, this quick guide gave you the tools you need to fix any color banding issues you run into in Lightroom.

Setting up your Photoshop subscription or trial through Adobe is usually a straight-forward process, but once you’re done, you might want to check and make sure the Photoshop software is activated. Alternatively, maybe you haven’t used Photoshop in a while and want to confirm whether it is still active or if your subscription or trial period has ended. Regardless of the reason, finding the answer is simple.

The easiest way to determine if your Photoshop software is activated is by opening the application. Signing in should automatically activate it, but you can confirm this by following these steps:

1. Open the “Help” menu
2. The “Activate” option should be greyed out
3. The “Deactivate” option should be clickable

In this article, we will answer other questions relating to your photoshop software regarding activation, deactivation, and common issues users experience with these settings.

How to Deactivate Your Photoshop Software

Once your Photoshop software has been properly downloaded and installed, activating it takes little more than signing in. But is the reverse applicable to deactivating it?

You can deactivate your Photoshop software simply by signing out of the application or by opening the “Help” menu and selecting the “Deactivate” option. However, there are additional deactivation settings you might want to be aware of.

Choosing the deactivation options listed above will simply deactivate your Photoshop software on your device when you don’t intend to use it. This is alternatively referred to as a suspension of activation, where you temporarily deactivate the app but still retain its licensing information on your computer.

If you want to remove this licensing information from your device completely, you’ll have to opt for a permanent deactivation. The only way to reactivate your Photoshop software after choosing this setting option would be to enter the serial number Adobe provides with this registered product.

Does Deleting the App Deactivate the Photoshop Software?

If you’re trying to free up space on your device or don’t know how to properly deactivate your Photoshop software permanently, you might assume that just deleting the Photoshop application will solve the issue. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

Uninstalling or deleting your Photoshop application will not deactivate it or remove its licensing information. Anyone trying to switch to a new device or who has an alternative reason for deactivating their software will need to:

1. Open the “Help” menu
2. Select the “Deactivate Permanently option.”

How to Deactivate Photoshop If You No Longer Have the App

If you no longer have access to the device that your Photoshop application is on, you can still deactivate it.

Follow these steps:

1. Sign into your Adobe account through this link
2. Open the “Activated devices” menu
3. Select the “Deactivate” option next to the correct device

Now, let’s see why your Photoshop says you need to activate it.

Why Does My Photoshop Say Activation Exceeded?

A common issue people experience when opening their Photoshop application and signing into their Adobe account is an error stating that the maximum number of activations has been exceeded.

This error occurs when a Creative Cloud application is being used on too many devices. Individuals holding a single license for Adobe CS5 or CS6 are only permitted to install an app on two devices and cannot use it at the same time.

You Are Logged into Photoshop On Multiple Devices

Therefore, if this error appears on your screen, the first step you’ll want to take to solving the issue is determining if your Photoshop software is already being used on a separate device or if you have already downloaded its application on two other devices.

If the latter is the issue, then you’ll want to refer to our previous section on deactivating your Photoshop software and permanently removing its license from one device so you can activate it on a new one.

You Own a Creative Suite Application Older than CS5

Anyone who owns a Creative Suite application older than CS5 is likely experiencing this issue for a different reason.

These would include:

• Creative Suite 2, 3, and 4
• Audition 3
• Acrobat 7, 8, and 9 (Standard and Professional)
• Acrobat X
• Acrobat XI
• Acrobat 3D Version 8

The activation servers for these applications have been retired by Adobe, so you might see this or the “failure to sign-in” error because a connection error is preventing the application from verifying your license. In this case, your best option would be to try signing out and back in again or to update your application.

Final Thoughts

The activation and deactivation of your Photoshop software is usually something that happens behind the scenes and people rarely have to worry about. However, every once in a while, you might have a question or issue regarding these settings and, hopefully, this article has the answers you need when those instances occur.

When editing images for print, it’s important to understand and use the proper color depth to get the greatest range of tonal values. But what if your image is set to the wrong depth? Can you change it in Photoshop?

As a general rule, color depth, or bit depth, should be set to the 16-bit mode when making prints. Bit preferences can be checked and set in Photoshop under Mode in the Image menu.

Color depth is essential when it comes to producing smooth, high-quality photos. Keep reading for a quick guide on changing color depth in Photoshop, and why it’s important.

What is Color Depth?

If you’re new to working with images in Photoshop, you may not understand exactly what color depth is.

Color depth, also known as bit depth, is essentially how much information each color channel can store in each pixel.

RGB mode images are made up of three color channels (Red, Green and Blue). Therefore, a bit image that has 65,536 possible values for each channel, would have over 281 trillion possible color values. Because the information is stored in each pixel, that means that the file size increases with the color depth.

The most popular color depths are:

• 8-bit
• 16-bit
• 32-bit

There are other ranges as well, such as 12-bit and 14-bit, but these aren’t used in Photoshop, so we won’t get into them here.

What is the Bit Depth Number of Colors?

Color depth refers to the amount of tonal variation found in an image. Tones are created in RGB in a gradient from black to white. For example, an image with a color depth of 1 would only have two values: black and white.

In an 8-bit image, there are 256 colors. 16-bit images have 65,536 colors, and 32-bit images have 16,777,215 colors.

As a general rule, the more colors (higher bit) that an image has, the smoother the transitions between tones and the less banding that is present. Therefore, it is recommended that any images that will be printed are set to at least a 16-bit color depth.

Where to Find Color Depth of an Image?

Locating the color depth of an image is a generally easy task. To start, open up your file in Photoshop.

Next, select the Image tab from the menu bar at the top of the screen and find Mode. This is where you will find all of the color information about your file.

First, make sure the mode is set to RGB Color. Now, towards the bottom of the menu, you should see the three Bit/Channel options. The one with the checkmark next to it is your current color depth.

How to Change Bit Depth Preferences in Photoshop

If you noticed that your file is set to 8 bits and you are getting it ready for print, you’ll want to change it to a 16-bit depth image.

To do this, choose Image from the menu bar, navigate to Mode, and select 16 Bits/Channel. You’ll then want to save the file to retain any changes.

It is typically recommended that you use the Save As option to save a copy of the new bit depth file so that you can keep a copy of the original file just in case any changes need to be made.

Can Color Depth Be Changed in CMYK Mode?

Color depth simply refers to the highest number of colors an image can hold. RGB Color, Grayscale, CMYK Color, Lab Color, and Multichannel modes can all be edited using 16 Bits/Channel in Photoshop.

Keep in mind that the image size does increase with the higher bit depth due to the amount of information stored in the pixels. Since CMYK mode has 4 color channels instead of 3, you can expect a larger file size than you would with an RGB mode image.

What Is the Best Color Depth for Printing?

Typically, the more data each color channel can hold, the better. However, not all printers are able to process high bit depths.

For the most part, 16-bit images allow for the most tonal range without exceeding printer capabilities. But, it’s always a good idea to check with your printer to find out their requirements to you don’t run into any issues with your print order.

Final Thoughts

You should now be able to confidently change the bit depth of your images in Photoshop.

How you choose to edit your photos ultimately comes down to your system and what you hope to accomplish. However, understanding color depth can help you maximize quality and choose the right tonal range for each one of your projects.

A clean and recognizable logo can help your brand stand out among countless others. But what if your logo keeps coming out messy, no matter how many times you edit it?

Logos come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, so it can be challenging to pinpoint the types of editing that need to be done to create a crisp, finished design. Luckily, we’ve got the answers! Below, you’ll find a quick breakdown of the 6 most popular ways to make a logo appear clean and finished with the help of Photoshop.

1. Increase Resolution of Your Logo

Let’s say you’ve created your logo in Photoshop, then uploaded it to a site to have it printed on a t-shirt. Though the file looks fine on your computer, the print appears fuzzy.

Oftentimes, a logo can seem messy because the resolution is too low. This means that the number of pixels the logo has on a screen is not enough to print at the size you desire. The file requires more information (more pixels) to produce the sharp image that you see on your screen. In print, this generally means a resolution of 300 DPI

To increase the resolution, open the file in Photoshop. Click Image from the menu bar at the top of the screen and select Image Size.

In the next dialog window, make sure the Resolution is set to 300. You’ll also want to check the dimensions of the document. If you’re trying to print your logo on a poster, but have your dimensions set to the size of a postal stamp, you might run into some issues.

2. Fix Perspective

Perspective may be one of the most underacknowledged elements in terms of logo design. Often seen more in photography, perspective can completely alter the entire look of a design or image.

Imagine that you have a logo with a rectangular frame that has a shadow on the upper edge of the shape. You would like the logo to appear as if a light is shining down on the frame, however, with the placement of the shadows, light appears to be coming from below.

If your logo is appearing messy, it could be that the perspective is off in some way. Take a look at the way different elements interact. Are the introducing dimension and depth in the way that you intend, or is something off?

3. Take Advantage of White Space

White space is one of the key elements in any design and can be extremely important in determining how clean or messy a design appears.

To make sure that you have enough white space in your logo design, use guides and grids in Photoshop to help gauge the positioning of various elements.

To add guides in Photoshop, click and drag from the ruler to the canvas. You should see a blue line appear. This will help guide your design but will not show up in the final product.

4. Increase Contrast to Create Depth

If your logo appears muddy or flat, you may need to increase contrast to create depth.

Click on Adjustments in the menu bar and select Brightness/Contrast. From here, simply move the Brightness and Contrast sliders to make adjustments. You want your lines and edges to be well defined without interfering with the overall look of your logo.

5. Choose a Strong Type for Easy Readability

Font choice can be one of the biggest culprits for a messy design. Make sure that any text that appears in your logo is easy to read and doesn’t blend in too much with other elements. If this is happening, it’s probably best to change the font or pick a different color to help it stand out more.

6. Use Textures and Patterns to Create Interest

Make sure that any textures and patterns in your designs are adding to the logo and not taking away from it. The clever placement of a texture can capture attention and make certain elements stand out. However, too many conflicting patterns or poor placement of patterns can make a logo appear messy and unappealing.

Final Thoughts

When cleaning up a logo design, there are endless ways this can be achieved. Depending on the type of design, you may need to increase vibrancy, smooth out lines, or make the text more readable. Thankfully, editing programs like Photoshop make it easy to do all of these edits in one place.

Hopefully, these 6 tips will help you clean up your logo. Keep in mind that logo styles can vary, so not all of these will apply to every design. However, this is a great place to start if you feel like your logo just needs those finishing touches.

Many first-time business owners are often overwhelmed when it comes to creating a product and, more so, the respective logos in the effort of your business to stand out. Alibaba is an excellent resource for finding your products and, importantly, adding and customizing your logo onto the product. However, it can still seem confusing and overwhelming for some.

To customize your logo on Alibaba, you must find your product, determine package design, design your logo (or hire a graphic designer), and conversate with the Alibaba manufacturers. But, before doing any of that, not many people are familiar with Alibaba and what they stand for.

As we continue to read throughout this article, we will learn about what Alibaba is, how to customize your logo onto Alibaba, why having a logo is important, and how to create a logo for your logo.

What is Alibaba?

Alibaba is a Chinese company founded in 1999 by Jack Ma. The company aims to make a person’s business a more effortless experience for them. Alibaba is well-known and utilized worldwide, serving millions of people and suppliers, giving them quick and accessible ways to have an effective business.

Alibaba is very beneficial in many ways, known to men and those who utilized it for the first time or over the years. Continuing to read this article further, we will learn about some of the benefits of using Alibaba.

What Are The Benefits of Using Alibaba?

For first-time business owners within budget or experimenting with knowing their niche, Alibaba is the way. Alibaba presents many benefits in utilizing their company. As we continue further into this article, we will learn about the five benefits of using Alibaba.

The Options of Endless

Alibaba has about everything that you can think of, so the options are endless when it comes to picking and choosing what you want your products to be. From makeup to clothing, someone running a business is not limited to what they can and can’t sell to their audience.

Easily Accessible and to Find

The Alibaba website has many options, but its setup is exceptionally organized. It makes it easy to find what you are looking for because it is divided into many categories and subcategories. This prevents consumers from becoming confused and easily overwhelmed when making their decisions.

Cost-Effectiveness

Using Alibaba proves to be a cost-effective investment. The products you purchase from Alibaba are inexpensive, selling at low costs for a majority of the products that you may be looking for. This can be attributed to China’s low inflation compared to if they were made and sold in the United States.

Purchase in Bulk

Within the Alibaba website, you can purchase these various products in bulk to sell them for your business. For example, if you want to buy a product, and, for one, it is a low price of $0.40. You can buy two hundred of them plus shipping cost, say around $25. You are only spending $105.

Add Your Spin to Your Product

You can implement your vision for your product. Customize it, add a logo, etc. If you create a logo for your product, it is easy to upload onto the website and the ones shipping the product will have it added how you want it to be. This is a relief for you because it is another one-less thing that you have to do and worry about.

When you are adding a logo, you can customize it however you want and add it, too. Customizing a logo is a fun and easy experience when you know what you want for your business. So, as we continue to read further in this article, we will learn how to customize your logo on Alibaba.

How to Customize Your Logo on Alibaba?

When you’ve decided on the product you want to purchase, you will need to add your customized logo to Alibaba before you buy them. Let’s continue reading to learn more about how to customize your logo on Alibaba.

Find Your Product

You must first find the product you want to purchase on the Alibaba website. When looking for a product, make sure that it is the one you want and is one of the bestselling products on the website.

Determine Your Package Design

Determine your package design. You can use Alibaba’s simple packaging or customize it how you prefer. After you’ve customized or found your package design, ensure that it is chosen before you confirm your product purchase.

Hire a Logo Designer

If you have a logo in mind but are uncomfortable or unfamiliar with the process of creating a logo, then hire a graphic designer specializing in designing logos. Freelancing websites can generally find reputable graphics, logos, and designers. When looking for a freelance graphic designer, look at their ratings and reviews.

Design Your Logo

Design your logo if you are able and comfortable with doing so. You can design your logo on websites such as placeit.net. Once you’ve created your logo, you can upload it to the product to see how it looks and determine whether you like it.

Conversate with the Manufacturers

Once you’ve designed your logo and like it, it is time to speak with Alibaba’s manufacturers to ensure your logo’s scalability onto your product. The manufacturers guarantee that your logo is scalable and enhanced in font, colors, and size to ensure your audience can see your logo correctly.

It can look like having a logo is not worth the time and investment, but it is. It is quite beneficial for your business and, among other reasons, as well. We’ll continue reading to learn about why having a logo is important.

Why is Having a Logo Important?

For any business, having a logo is essential. Aside from making you stand out as a company, a logo has other significant benefits. Let’s continue to read further to learn more about the five benefits of having a logo.

Solidifies Your Identity

Your logo solidifies your identity as a business, from the design down to the color scheme and the font. If you have a colorful logo design, then the audience expects your products to be somewhat of a reflection of what your logo is. Your logo will become more memorable and stands out over the competition, which is what you want.

Garners Audience Attention

You are garnering an audience’s attention. There will be a first-time impression that will be left on them. If you notice positive reception to your logo, then there is likely that your products will be well-received as well because your logo reflects what is expected of your products.

Overtime Familiarity with Your Business

There is an overtime familiarity with your business. As your business and audience grow, so will the familiarity with your business logo. If you look at the big brand people are using, they will automatically know what it is if you show them the logos. This is what you’re looking for when having your logo over time.

Seen as the Norm

Having a logo attached to your business is seen as a normal thing to have. When someone is looking for a product to buy, one of the first things they are looking for is the name and the logo that corresponds with it.

Showcase Your Innovativeness

You’ll be making an excellent first impression on your business. The more your logo stands out, the more innovative it will appear and show your audience that your logos are just as creative as your product and will make them interested in what you are selling.

Now that you know the importance of a logo, you have to create one. Creating a logo can be a long, fun, and easy process. Reading further into this article, you will learn various logo creation tips.

How to Create a Logo?

Creating a logo is essential in giving your business identity and an excellent first impression to your audience. For many, coming up with an idea for a logo can seem intimidating. To make a logo for your business, there are various tips that you can go by to create something that you’re proud of. These tips can include:

• Reflect on what your company is about. What is the message?
• Brainstorm ideas without thinking about them. Brain dump.
• Look at inspiration via other company logos.
• Sketch out a rough draft of your logo. Explore font, colors, etc.
• Make sure your logo is not too big or too small when it comes to being printed.

Let’s continue reading and learning about five tips for creating a logo.

Tips on Creating a Logo

Having a logo is beneficial for your business, but some can find it difficult in starting to create one. Let’s continue to read more about five tips on creating a logo.

Reflect on the Purpose of Your Company

Reflect on the purpose of your company. Every company and business has a story to tell both in the past and the present and future. Your logo should reflect your story in what you want to achieve and build for your company, allowing yourself a sense of transparency, authenticity, and genuineness. This allows your audience to become a part of your business’s story.

Brain Dump Your Ideas

Brain-dump your ideas. This alleviates pressure from you when brainstorming logo ideas. Write down your thoughts or different words that represent your business, or create quick, mindless sketches that you have in mind. After doing this for however long, you can look at your ideas and typically find a common denominator that you’ve written down.

Look at Inspiration

Every idea is created vicariously through other inspirations of others. Looking at the other logos will help you generate a vision for what you want for your own business. This does not mean copying from that other company directly, but little or big things you notice can be innocently implemented into your logo.

Draw Out Rough Sketches

Draw out rough sketches of your logo. This allows you to experiment with different colors, shapes, fonts, etc. Creating a rough sketch is not definitive, and it enables you to go back if the logo sketch is not how you envisioned it to be. You also allow yourself to walk away from the sketch for a while and come back to see if you still view it the same as you did before.

Consider the Sizing of Your Logo

Your logo for your business will be added to your various products when they are shipping out or being sold in stores. Ensure that your logo is not too big or too small when printed onto your products. It has to be readable and comprehensible for the consumer to see when they have the product in their hands.

Closing

Now that you know how to customize your logo on Alibaba, you’ll also be able to do it. Also, you’ve learned a bit more about what Alibaba is and the benefits that come with utilizing it. You’ve also known tips on creating a logo for your product and why having a logo is essential.

Copying a logo can be interesting. Maybe the logo becomes blurry, or maybe it just isn’t doing what you want. Or maybe you have no experience with copying and want to expand on this knowledge.

Copying a logo in Photoshop, whether it is your logo or another logo, is easy to do when you have the information. Here is everything you need to know about copying a logo in photoshop and what you can do with it.

How to Copy a Logo in Photoshop

Copying a logo in photoshop can be simple, especially if you are only looking into copying it. Sometimes there are things you have to expand on when you edit it, but this is everything you need to know and the methods you can do:

1. Simple copy and paste
2. Copying via drag and drop
3. Copying low-resolution logos

Each of these methods is pretty easy to use. Just play with the editing tools to see what best fits you and how you want to copy and paste a logo.

Simple Copy and Paste

The simple copy and paste are pretty straightforward. All you need to do is pick the logo you want to copy, which can be in your files, online, or elsewhere. Ensure that you just copy it.

Next, have the Adobe Photoshop program open and a new file created. You will then paste it into Photoshop so you can start editing the photo however you like. 

It is best to get clip art images of the logo rather than other images. You also want to be careful because if you are using the logo for profit, most likely the image is copyrighted, and you should refrain from selling any copies of the logo.

Copying Via Drag and Drop 

Drag and drop is a simple way to copy an image online or from another location into your Photoshop program. All you need to do is the following:

1. Have the Photoshop program open
2. Find the image you want to copy and click on it
3. Drag the image into the photoshop program
4. Drop it into the program
5. Adjust the image size
6. Save it as a new file

Once it is in the photoshop program, you can now edit it how you would like and go from there. You can even change the colors and backgrounds if you want to change the logo’s style. Just remember when you change the size, the quality may become distorted.

Always ensure you have saved after you completed any edits, so nothing is lost when you exit photoshop.     

Copying Low-Resolution Logos

Sometimes when you copy an image, it may have a low resolution. This is often due to the image being saved as a raster layer rather than a vector layer. It can also be because the image was saved tiny, and when you try to enlarge it, the pixels become large and distorted.

You will have to directly trace the logo within the Photoshop program using vector layers when this occurs. This is what you need to do:

1. Copy the image into the program using any of the two previous methods
2. Enlarge the logo to the size you want, and don’t worry about any distortions
3. Use the shapes tool to copy any shapes within the image until you have completed the logo
4. You can also use the line tool to copy parts of the image as well
5. Mess around with these editing tools until you have the image copied
6. Save the image

This process does take a little longer because you are initially drawing out the logo rather than simply copying the image, but it does make for a much better-quality image. You then have the project saved in photoshop and can change it however you want.

Always make this “copy” of the logo on a vector layer. When doing this, you can change the size of the logo without losing any quality or reducing the risk of it looking pixelated.

This process is also best when the logo is more simple, like the Apple logo or Windows logo. You can easily copy the image and make it seem more like the original.

Outro

Copying and pasting a logo in the Photoshop program is simple and quick. You can complete so many edits to the logo, including size, color, shapes, and more. Or you can simply just copy the logo into the program. It is all up to you and what you are desiring.

Adobe Illustrator is a great program for not only photographers who want to create the best-looking photos possible, but also for pixel artists who want to create amazing designs! One Illustrator feature that many pixel artists enjoy using is “Align to Pixel Grid.” But, if you have recently upgraded to a new version of the application, you may notice that this feature is missing. How can you find it in the new version?

Adobe has moved the Align to Pixel Grid option in all Illustrator versions since 2017. In the right control panel, press the small menu button underneath the “X,” then check “Snap to Pixel.” You’ll see a small icon appear next to the menu, which you can click to align elements to the grid.

Below, we will discuss in more detail where to find the Align to Pixel Grid option, as well as some of the function’s best uses. Keep reading to learn how to create the best pixel designs possible!

Where Is Align to Pixel Grid in Illustrator?

While Adobe Illustrator is best known for its photo manipulation capabilities, making it popular among photographers, it is also great for graphic artists who want to create the best designs they possibly can. This is particularly true for pixel artists.

If you use Adobe Illustrator to create pixel art, you have probably heard of the “Align to Pixel Grid” option before. Some people enjoy using this feature, while others find it unnecessary for their work.

Illustrator Align to Pixel Grid Option Moved in 2017

Whether you want to enable or disable the align to pixel grid feature, you may have noticed that the option is missing from its old location.

If you’ve recently upgraded to a newer version of Adobe Creative Cloud from a version released prior to 2017, there are a few changes you’ll need to get used to. One of these changes is the “Align to Pixel Grid” option’s new location.

While it is a bit more hidden than it used to be, rest assured that the feature is still there.

How to Find Align to Pixel Grid in Illustrator

You used to be able to find this feature in Illustrator’s “Transform” menu. All you had to do was click the menu within the panel, then check “Align to Pixel Grid.” This allowed users to quickly activate and deactivate the function, depending on the design they were working with.

In newer versions of the software, the new align to pixel grid function is in the far right control panel. Follow these steps to find and activate the feature:

1. Underneath the “X” button on the control panel, you’ll see a small menu. Click on this menu.
2. Ensure “Snap to Pixel” is checked.
3. With this option enabled, you’ll see a new menu pop-up beside the menu.
4. Click the magnet symbol to activate “Align to Pixel Grid.”
5. Click it again when you’re ready to disable it.
6. Next to this symbol, you will also find a small arrow. Click this arrow to view a wider array of pixel snapping options.

Smart Guides Automatically Activates Align to Pixel

There are a couple of scenarios where you’ll find the align to pixel grid activated by default. This feature will already be activated when you’re working on an RGB document, as well as when you have “Smart Guides” enabled.

Smart Guides simplify graphic design by automating many of the tasks you’re already performing manually. They can help you:

• Transform
• Edit
• Align different design elements on the page

You can find the “Smart Guides” feature in Illustrator by selecting the “View” menu, then checking “Smart Guides.” You can also activate these guides with a keyboard shortcut — Ctrl+U on Windows, or Command+U on Mac.

What Does Align to Pixel Grid Do in Illustrator?

If you’re new to Illustrator, or if you’re looking to improve the pixel art you create in this program, you may be wondering what exactly the “Align to Pixel Grid” feature is for and what it can do for your art.

Activating Align to Pixel Grid in Adobe Illustrator will automatically align newly-added elements in your art to the on-screen pixel grid. It will move all the horizontal and vertical segments of an object, allowing you to create the sharpest, most precise images possible.

In order to align an object to your pixel grid, you’ll need to ensure it has vertical or horizontal segments. Diagonal lines and curves, for example, cannot be aligned to the grid through this option. 

While not all pixel artists find this feature useful, many still enjoy using it. Activating “Align to Pixel Grid” can help you create what are known as “pixel perfect” designs.

What Are Pixel Perfect Designs?

Creating “pixel perfect” designs is the main reason many artists choose to use Illustrator’s align to pixel grid feature. But, what exactly is a pixel perfect design?

Pixel perfect design refers to an image that fully utilizes all the available pixels. This removes all imperfections from the design, such as blurring and distortion.

Why Are Pixel Perfect Designs Preferred?

The purpose of ensuring your pixel art is pixel perfect is to create the cleanest and sharpest image you possibly can. This is especially important if you’re creating pixel art for professional purposes.

When it comes to professional design, every detail matters. Slight imperfections in your image can make a website, brochure, or sign stand out for all the wrong reasons, but creating pixel perfect art will establish your business as a high-quality, reliable player in the industry.

Final Thoughts

Upgrading to a newer version of your favorite software, only to find that all your favorite features are no longer where they have always been, is frustrating for anyone. But, if you’re struggling to find Adobe Illustrator’s Align to Pixel Grid feature in the new interface, rest assured that it’s still there.

However, the feature is a bit more hidden than it used to be, and you have to know exactly where to look. After the initial work of finding the feature, you’ll have no problem using this amazing feature to create professional-looking, pixel perfect designs.

Lightroom backups could be lifesavers if you are a working photographer. They allow you to create backstops in your work; if the power is lost or a catastrophic event occurs, you can pick it back up. How many Lightroom catalog backups do you need?

A good rule of thumb is to have three Lightroom catalog backups. To keep them current, rotate them with each save or create new names that show the progress of the work. As you close out jobs, you can delete them or move them to secure storage.

Backing up your photos is encouraged. Digital-based professionals need to have a few backups in place at all times to protect their work. Being careless can carry the label of unprofessional, and people do not want to hire an inexperienced photographer. So how many Lightroom catalog backups do you need?

What Backups Can Do for Your Projects On Lightroom

Working with Lightroom can be a painstaking process encompassing hours of work time and effort. One of the pitfalls of technology is that your work could be lost in the event of a loss of power or a software malfunction. Creating catalog backups prevents these events from stealing all your work and creates a safe spot to fall back into.

A few reasons you need catalog backups in Lightroom are:

• Crashes – One of the main reasons you need to create a backup in case your computer crashes. A crash means your computer has lost functionality and returned to its initial loading program. When this happens, you can lose precious work hours if you don’t have a backup.
• Viruses – Another scourge of the electronic professions is viruses. Often used to destroy the processors in computers, they are sometimes used as a way to steal sensitive data and possibly hold your files for ransom. Having a backup will allow you to access workspaces that haven’t encountered the virus.
• Physical Impacts – The most significant thing to ruin your data could be a broken computer. When you have an accident, and your laptop or desktop is damaged, there could be no way to retrieve it. Creating a backup not only allows you to get back to your work but will allow you to use another machine in a different location to access it.
• Errors – Errors are everyday things while you are working. By creating a series of backups, you can protect your work from errors that could ruin the pictures or be something the client doesn’t want.

Creating backups is the most intelligent and safest way to protect your work from accidents and malfunctions. Remember that you must have a system to save the data regularly, or you could be forced to lose several hours of work. By creating backups, you save yourself time, and by creating multiple backups, you increase your chances of protecting data.

Managing Your Lightroom Catalog Backups

Lightroom saves every time you adjust the photo. This protects you but creates an excess of saves that could begin to take up the lion’s share of your total save space. By having regular catalog backups, you can mitigate this problem before it turns into a full-blown disaster.

Creating Filenames

One of the best ways to control the avalanche of files is to create backups with filenames you recognize or have a system to them. Doing this creates a workspace that allows you to move quickly from one part of the job to the next without errors.

A few rules to follow when creating file names are as follows:

• Consistency – One of the most important things you can do for files is to name them something and stick with that format. There are tons of ways to save your files, but the most important thing is that you recognize them. Keeping the same system creates a consistent base for locating files when you need them.
• Year-Month-Day – A popular way to label your files is to use the YMD or YYYYMMDD process when naming files. This keeps you on a daily flow that allows you to make additions as needed to remember important jobs or projects.

There are tons of hacks for naming filenames that could benefit you. The basics are a good place to start, but once you have chosen a naming scheme, you should stick to it. Changing means you will have to learn a new system, and if your files merge, you could be in for a headache that Calgon or Excedrin can’t get rid of.

Removing Excess Files

When you reach the max file limit on your computer, deleting old files could be the place to start. However, moving the files to other locations could save time and trouble if you are asked to pull old files and create new projects.

Some ways to move files rather than delete them are:

• External Storage – A fast and cheap way to save an avalanche of files is with external hard drives and storage. Moving files is an excellent way to protect your cherished work and still have room to create new projects or take on new clients.
• Cloud Storage – Another popular way to get more space is by purchasing cloud storage. Lightroom will come with a fair amount of space but having cloud access means you can work with the data from any terminal and multiple devices.

Making room for more files is an excellent way to see the importance of having a few backups and not an excess. By traveling light and having a small and consistently named series of backups, you can save space on your computer or network while still being able to grab your files quickly and always.

Conclusion

Having at least three backups for your Lightroom Catalog is a good idea. Computer malfunctions and user errors could completely derail a project if you don’t have sufficient saved data to get back to work.

Using proper naming conventions and keeping an eye on the amount of data you use, you can protect yourself and your files from crashes and work stoppages. By keeping your number of backups low and your file naming to an art form, you can control the number of Lightroom Catalog backups you need.

Inkscape is a popular tool in today’s world, and one of its most beneficial uses is logos. If you are new to the program, it can be tricky to determine how to work with logos – especially when attempting to break them apart. How do you split a logo in Inkscape to create a more workable piece for your needs?

If you’re interested in learning more about breaking apart a logo in Inkscape, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about breaking apart a logo with a split and in a format with layers. The more you know, the easier it will be to work on this program. Let’s get started.

How to Do a Basic Split on a Logo in Inkscape

The first way to break apart a logo in Inkscape is to take advantage of the split. For this process, there are two steps necessary for a successful experience breaking apart the shapes.

You should:

1. Draw a line
2. Use division

These will pull apart the image in whatever shape you need.

Let’s dive deeper into each step to help determine if this method is the right choice for you. It’s possible to accomplish a split in a matter of moments. Although it isn’t always precise, it’s an effective way to break apart items.

1. Draw a Line

There should be a line feature in Inkscape. If you click on it, a line appears. You can drag and drop this line across the point you want to split. Wherever the line lies, the split will occur. It’s critical to ensure the line is over the right spot before proceeding with the break.

You can only complete one split at a time. Once you have the line in place, take a rectangle and place it around the shape. This item locks the split system in place and ensures it occurs correctly.

Once you have the cut set, it’s time to proceed with the breaking process. Let’s move forward to the final step in the breaking apart process.

2. Use Division

Once you have the line in place, it’s time to hit the division button. This should be at the top of the bar, easy to access. Ensure you have the line in place and press the division button to make the slice.

After hitting the button, you can move the split pieces around as much as you want. Rearrange them to change the way your logo looks without too much effort.

Of course, this method may not be for everyone. If you want to try something else, you can separate each component into a layer in Inkscape.

How to Break Apart a Layered Logo in Inkscape

Another way to break apart a logo in Inkscape is to place design elements in groups and add each group on one layer. This method allows you to control each part of the logo, rather than working on only what is visible.

To split based on layers, you need to:

1. Put your design elements in groups
2. Open layers and add new layers
3. Cut and paste into the proper layer

These will successfully split the logo.

Let’s discuss each step in breaking apart a logo by layers in Inkscape. If the cutting technique didn’t work for you, this option might be more successful. It will take a little practice to get this one right if you are unfamiliar with layers.

1. Put Your Design Elements In Groups

First, you need to place your design elements in groups. Take every component of your logo and separate each item into different places. Determine which pieces you want to be separate and which you want to stay together.

You may separate them by:

• Design elements
• Colors
• Shapes

It’s up to you to determine the items you want to move within your logo.

Once you have your design elements in groups, it’s time to move on to the next step. Each design element will move into a separate layer for the purpose of movement. The next step involves forming the layers to place your design elements on top.

2. Open Layers and Add New Layers

Next, it’s time to create some new layers for separating your logo. This action will allow you to move each individual component without too much effort. It’s not too complicated to create new layers for your logo in Inkscape.

Here’s the necessary process for layers:

1. Open the layers function in Inkscape
2. Press the plus button to add a new layer
3. Name the layer with an unforgettable name
4. Add as many layers as is necessary

It’s critical to add as many layers as you need to hold every movable component on your project.

If you want to be able to move pieces of your logo and break it apart on a whim, layers are the best answer to your needs. Let’s move into the final step to split your logo apart for good and make it simple to work with for your needs.

3. Cut and Paste Into the Right Layer

Next is the third and final step of the process. It’s time to cut and paste your layered images into the ideal layer to gain access to the movement for your logo in Inkscape. All you need to do is cut the image and paste it into the correct location for the benefit of your project.

Here is the process for cutting and pasting into the proper layer:

1. Select a group of objects and cut
2. Click the layers button
3. Navigate to the paste-in-place function
4. Paste the cut image in place
5. Repeat until every layer is in place

Everything should be in place after this moment.

Once you paste it in place, you can move the design elements around. You can mess with your layers until you find a logo design that functions for your needs. This process is a little more complicated but allows a new level of precision. It may take a little practice before you become an expert, but after some work, you will be a master.

Conclusion

Now you know different ways to break apart a logo in Inkscape so you can alter your business’s logo however you want and end with the result you’re looking for.