Sometimes, the default fonts just won’t cut it. There are so many fonts out there, for both free and for a premium charge, that might need to be installed for one reason or another. However, sometimes they come with some extra steps and files that get concerning. What happens if those extra files are deleted? Can they be tidied up?

After extracting the font to the system’s Fonts folder, the leftover files can be safely deleted. As long as the font file itself remains intact within the Fonts folder, it will be usable and everything else can be deleted.

As long as a font file is placed in the Fonts folder, every program that utilizes the system’s fonts will have access to it. Only the font file should be installed into the Fonts folder, everything else can be safely deleted. Keep reading to learn more about font files and how to handle them.

Which Files are the Font?

When downloading a font, sometimes they come in a .zip file folder with multiple things inside of them. They might also come in some sort of compressed archive file like a .rar in order to make them smaller and easier to download. Sometimes these contain another folder, a ReadMe, or some other versions of the font. However, the only files that need to be installed into the Fonts folder is any file that is an actual font file type.

These are font file types:

• TrueType (.ttf)
• Open Type (.otf)
• TrueType Collection (.ttc)
• PostScript Type 1 (.pfb + .pfm)

Anything that is not one of these file types can be safely deleted once the font has been added to the Fonts folder.

How to Install and Remove Fonts in Windows

Once a font is downloaded, it’s time to install it. However, sometimes fonts will also need to be deleted as well. The good news is this is extremely easy to do.

Installing Fonts

Installing fonts in Windows can be done a number of ways, especially depending on the version of Windows. One option is to simply right click on the font and select Install.

Here is another way to install fonts in Windows:

• Download the Font: Extract if necessary. Keep this window up with the font file accessible.
• Close programs: New fonts won’t show up until a program is started fresh, so close down Word, Photoshop, or anything else that is going to need to use this font.
• Navigate to the Fonts folder: This can be done by simply searching for Fonts in the search bar or going to Control Panel>Appearance and Personalization>Fonts.
• Drag the font to the Fonts folder: Just drag and drop the file itself to the Fonts folder.

That is all there is to it. A simple right click or a drag and drop if the Install option is not showing up with a right click. Any leftover files that came with the font can now be deleted.

Removing Fonts

Removing fonts is just as simple as installing them in the first place.

Here’s how to remove fonts in Windows:

• Navigate to the Fonts folder: Either by searching or going through settings just like when installing.
• Select the font to be removed: Either left or right click works.
• Select Delete: If right click, it will be on the menu that appears. If left click, select Delete from the toolbar.

The font will then be permanently deleted from the system, not dropped into the Recycling Bin. If it ever needs to come back, it will need to be redownloaded.

How to Install and Remove Fonts in Mac

Windows isn’t the only OS that can install and remove fonts. Macs can do it too, and it’s also incredibly simple.

Installing Fonts

Nothing special needs to be downloaded to install fonts. The only thing that needs to be installed is the font file.

Here’s how to install fonts in Mac:

• Download the font
• Open the font file in Finder
• Double-click on the [Font Name].ttf
• Click Install Font

It can also be dragged and dropped directly into the Font Book in most models. Anything that isn’t the font itself can then be safely deleted.

Removing Fonts

Removing fonts in Mac is just as simple as installing them. You just need the right tools and some extra time!

Here is how to remove fonts in Mac:

• Launch Font Book
• Select fonts to be removed
• Right-click (or cmd+click) on the font
• Select Remove

Any font not required from the system can also be disabled by going to the Edit>Disable [Font Name] instead of totally removed.

Conclusion

The only thing that needs to be dealt with when installing fonts is the font file itself. If that font came in a compressed folder archive, or some other format, it would need to be extracted before installation. That leaves some residual files behind which can be safely deleted to free up space without worrying about losing the font, as long as the font was taken out and installed before deletion.

When you need to have a few photos retouched, whether it’s for personal or professional use, you may be wondering who to call. You know that graphic designers and photographers work with many of the same programs and skill sets, so you may be wondering if you can contact a graphic designer for photo editing services.

In general, graphic designers do not offer photo editing. While some may be able to edit your photos because they work with many of the same programs as photographers, a graphic designer should not be your first call. Instead, ask a photographer to retouch your photos.

Below, we will discuss more information regarding graphic designers and photo editing services. Keep reading to learn who to call!

Do Graphic Designers Edit Photos?

You may have taken some photos on your own or have some old family photos that you would like to have professionally edited. While you may be considering calling a graphic designer for this service, this is generally not your best bet.

Some graphic designers provide photo editing services on the side, but photo editing is generally not a part of graphic design. Photographers and graphic designers tend to work with similar programs, such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, but a graphic designer should not be the first person you go to if you need photo editing services.

Graphic designers are more likely to offer photo manipulation services than traditional photo editing services. Photo manipulation is a more creative process than photo editing. It may include combining multiple images into one, or adding new elements and advanced special effects. If this is more in line with what you’re looking for, ask your graphic designer if they can manipulate your photos instead of editing them.

Graphic design is a broad field in the digital art industry. It usually involves creating an image from scratch. Photo editing, on the other hand, is the process of taking existing photos and adjusting different aspects to give them a higher quality feel or look more appealing.

What Do Graphic Designers Do?

In general, graphic design covers a wide range of art created on a computer or tablet. This may include vector illustrations, digital artwork, or any other type of design created using a digital program. Some types of work that graphic designers do include:

• Logos
• Posters
• Banners
• Brochures
• Advertisements

Graphic designers create their designs from scratch, often using programs like Adobe Photoshop or CorelDRAW, and now even Placeit.net. They may work in print media, website design, or digital advertising. Some graphic designers work within a particular branch of their field, while others are open to all sorts of projects, depending on what a client needs.

Overall, the goals of a graphic designer include creating something visually-unique for digital use. Depending on the project, this may be for promotional, informative, or decorative purposes.

Who Deals with Photo Editing?

As we discussed above, some graphic designers will offer photo editing or photo manipulation services to clients. However, you probably will not have much luck contacting a graphic designer for these purposes. Instead, you should ask a photographer or professional photo retouching service to provide these services.

When you hire a professional photographer to take photos for you, they will typically provide light edits of their shots at no additional charge. If the photographer works with an assistant, the assistant may be the person who edits your photos instead.

Your photographer will probably adjust the photos’ contrast levels, saturation, exposure, and retouch blemishes for free. If you want more advanced edits, such as masks, filters, or certain objects removed from the image, the photographer will likely charge extra.

If you have older family photos that have seen a lot of wear and tear over the years, or if you want an existing photo retouched for personal or professional purposes, there are a few different people who you can ask to do so.

If you have older family photos that have seen a lot of wear and tear over the years, or if you want an existing photo retouched for personal or professional purposes, there are a few different people who you can ask to do so. Look online or ask friends or family members if they can recommend someone. Keep in mind that, although photographers will often edit photos they took for free, they will charge you a fee to edit older photos or photos they did not shoot.

The Difference Between Graphic Designers and Photo Editors

While the skill sets required for graphic designers and photo editors are similar, photo editing is generally not a part of a graphic designer’s job description. Some graphic designers may offer photo editing services, but they are not the first people you should contact when you need a few photos retouched. Instead, get in contact with a local photographer or look online for a photo editing specialist.

As a graphic designer, finding job opportunities is exciting but requires many considerations. If you use drugs recreationally, you might be concerned about whether your potential employer will drug test you. So, do graphic designers get drug tested?

More often than not, graphic designers do not get drug tested. Of course, this depends on your employer – if you have one – along with other factors. Many graphic designers work independently in freelance. The percentage of graphic designers who get drug tested is very low.

Read on to learn more about whether graphic designers get drug tested. Creative industries are typically more laid back about the idea of drug testing than other corporations, but that does not mean you will never be drug tested for a graphic design job. As an independent worker, however, the chances of being required to take a drug test are slim to none.

Do Graphic Designers Get Drug Tested?

Graphic designers are not likely to get drug tested. The reason that only 3.9% of graphic designers get drug tested for a job is that graphic design is largely a freelance industry. Particularly in today’s society, remote, freelance opportunities are all the more prevalent.

Oftentimes, graphic designers are freelancers. This means that they can work on temporary contract projects that do not require them to be employed by one company for an extended time. Freelance graphic designers will likely not be drug tested for several reasons:

• Temporary work
• Proven portfolio
• Cost of drug tests

A company may hire a graphic designer for contract work that lasts as little as a week. Even longer projects for a few months do not seem to incline employers to drug test graphic designers any more frequently. 

If a company or individual employer shows interest in a graphic designer, chances are they have taken a look at their portfolio and are impressed with what they have seen. If a graphic designer puts out effective work that an employer deems worthy of collaboration, they may be indifferent to the possibility of the graphic designer using drugs recreationally. 

In line with the reason that many graphic designers work temporarily with a company, an employer may not see the practicality of spending money on a temporary hire. If the employer is interested in your work and thinks you would be a good fit for the company’s vision, they would likely rather save money by not buying a drug test and require you to take it.

Long-Term Graphic Design Positions

Of course, the information mentioned above only refers to freelance graphic designers. So, what if you score an opportunity to work as a graphic designer long-term for a company?

Long-term hiring may influence employers to make their picks more exclusively. Even still, the evidence holds that a very small percentage of graphic designers are required to take drug tests before getting hired.

If you have worked in the creative industry long enough, you understand how different creatives approach the work in a variety of ways. Not everyone works cut-and-dry as other professions may require. Much of a graphic designer’s value comes from the work they have produced in the past. If it is effective work, many employers may not care how the graphic designer spends their time away from a computer.

Is It Legal To Drug Test Graphic Designers?

As with any job, it is typically permissible for employers to require a drug test. However, the employer must follow the rules set by the state in which the position will be performed. With that said, unless – as a potential employee – you can prove that a drug test is required by the employer due to discrimination or violations of state procedure, understand that drug testing is a factor in many job opportunities.

Although the chances are low that you will be asked to take a drug test as a graphic designer, you should be aware of the requirements of the state you live in and the company that is considering hiring you. If you use drugs recreationally and are asked to take a drug test, there may not be much you can argue against.

Is Drug Testing Common In Creative Industries?

One study found that less than 4% of creative employees collectively get drug tested. As you have learned above, graphic designers are probably not going to be drug tested. The same goes for many other creative industries:

• Copywriting
• Interior design
• Art

These are just a few examples of the many creative jobs that are unlikely to require a drug test before hiring you.

Takeaway

It is not common for graphic designers to get drug tested. Because many graphic designers work in the freelance industry, there is not much reason for employers to drug test for a temporary position. Additionally, a graphic designer’s talents are shown through their portfolio. Employers may be indifferent to the possibility of a graphic designer failing a drug test.

Business cards tell people who they are. They let others know what you do and give all the necessary information for your business needs. It’s critical for this piece of paper to stand out. One of the more recent methods of standing out is the square business card. You might wonder – are square business cards good or bad?

For the most part, square business cards are good. They help you stand out without taking out too much room and catch the eyes that you need on your work. You’ll find a lot of good with square business cards.

If you’re interested in a square shape for your next business card but want to know more, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn about whether square business cards are good or bad. By the end, you should be able to determine if this shape is right for you. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started!

Pros and Cons of Square Business Cards

As with any item, there are pros and cons. It’s critical to know both sides before you invest in a card.

Let’s dive into the pros and cons. These will help you determine if this shape is the ideal choice for your life.

Pros

There are plenty of good things that come with square business cards. If you’ve never considered them before, there are several reasons why you might want to add this shape to your wishlist for your next business card investment.

Here are a few of the pros that come with square business cards:

• They’re cool: Square business cards are cool. You’ll look like you stand out from the pack with a square business card in your arsenal.
• They’re eye-catching: Square business cards are eye-catching. Hiring managers are more likely to take note of an irregularly-shaped card than a regular one.
• They present differently: Square business cards force you to present information differently. As a result, those that read it have to take it in differently.

These will be beneficial for your future career.

You will find plenty of benefits that come with square business cards. Still, it’s always critical to look at the cons that come with an item as well. Let’s take a look at the other side of the equation to help you make the right choice.

Cons

Some cons come with square business cards. It’s critical to consider the poorer side to help you make the best well-rounded decision. The more information you have about the cards, the better.

Here are a few of the cons that come with square business cards:

• They’re easier to lose: Square business cards will not fit flush with a stack of traditional business cards, which makes them harder to hold on to.
• They can be pricey: Several companies charge more for square business cards.
• Not everyone loves the shape: More traditional hiring managers might not be a fan of the square shape. Consider your audience, and perhaps have two business card options available. 

These might steer you away from this shape.

It’s really up to you to determine if square business cards are best for you. They’re not for everyone, but they can make quite the impact.

What Shape of Business Card is Best?

We’ve talked about the square shape, but what is the ideal design for a business card? Which will give you the best results with potential jobs and contact information?

The rectangle business card is the most traditional. It’s a familiar shape, and people will know what it is. You don’t have to explain what you’re providing, and you can lay out the information in a way that feels traditional. There’s a safety that comes with the rectangle business card.

Of course, these will not help you stand out unless you have an outlandish color or an eye-catching design. If you want to stand out, try an unconventional shape. The square is the most basic, but you can also try a triangle or an octagon. You can even add rounded edges to the business card.

There are plenty of shapes to use for a business card. The rectangle is best to play it safe, but unconventional options are ideal if you want to be riskier and stand out.

What Business Card Material is Ideal?

We’ve discussed the shape, but what material is ideal for the business card? Many consider the traditional paper material, but there are plenty to choose from when designing your card online. Which of these materials is ideal if you want to succeed? Which will make the best appearance for you?

When in doubt, the best material is cardstock. It’s a lot like paper, but it’s more durable and built to last. You can even get the cardstock laminated to help it last even longer. There are plenty of colors and shapes available in cardstock.

If you want a more pleasant card, you can spend a little more and invest in cotton business cards. These cost a little more but are made to last and feel like a comfy shirt. It also makes your cards unique.

How to Make a Business Card Design?

Whether you’re creating your business card yourself, or hiring a professional, you should know what design options you.

The most common route is using the pre-made templates on card printing websites (like Staples, Office Depot, Vistaprint, etc.). These will certainly get the job done, and make your card look professional, but it will likely also look very standard and blend in with everyone else’s.

For those who have the means to do so, hiring a professional designer can really pay off. Professional graphic designers can take your vision and turn it into a custom business card design that fits you and your company best. Although this can be expensive, you’ll likely get the best results.

Lastly, you can use a third-party graphic design software that offers business card templates. These may cost you $10 or so to create and download, but you’ll get a design that stands out and is custom to you without the hefty price tag of a professional graphic designer. Personally, I’ve used Placeit.net for this and can highly recommend it.

Conclusion

There are good and bad things that come with a square business card. They can help you stand out. They’re also easier to lose. Choose a shape and material that best matches you and the job you want to take on as you pass out your business card. Square versions are one-of-a-kind.

We hope this information was helpful! There’s a lot to consider with the ideal business card, and it takes much thought to determine which is the best for the future of your career. With this information, you can choose the best business card style that will work well for your life. You can do it! Pick the card that feels like you.

As a professional artist, you’re probably looking for the best programs out there to create your designs and digital art. Procreate is one of those apps that most people in the industry know about. But is it used in a professional setting, or is it better suited for hobbyists?

Procreate is widely used in a professional setting. It was created to provide artists and designers with professional digital tools that can mimic the feel of using traditional art supplies. Many artists, designers, and illustrators use the software to create their artwork along with other industry programs.

Procreate is gaining more and more users in the digital art industry every day. While it may not be the industry standard, many artists use it in harmony with other tools for more creative control over their work. Below, you will find out exactly how professional artists and designers are using Procreate, and how it compares to other programs.

Do Professional Artists and Designers Use Procreate?

If you are a professional artist, you might be wondering if it is worth the effort to learn Procreate. After all, time is money, and why learn a new program if it isn’t going to help with your ability to create pieces for your business or clients?

Procreate is used by many professional artists, designers, and illustrators to create their work. However, it is not the industry standard for many companies. This spot is still held by Adobe’s various design software programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator.

Still, this doesn’t keep Procreate from being used in a professional setting. Many professional artists and designers are constantly looking for new tools to help them create. They are especially interested in tools that can work synergistically with each other, giving them the most control over their creations.

Not to mention, as long as you have the right equipment, Procreate is a complete art studio that can be taken anywhere. This is great for professional artists who are always on the move or need access to their work at a moment’s notice.

Is Procreate Good for Digital Art?

Procreate is a powerful drawing app that is chock-full of various professional-grade art-creation features. This makes it one of the best digital art programs for those working on an iPad.

The software was intended to deliver professional digital tools to artists and designers that can simulate the sense of using traditional art equipment. Essentially, it gives artists the feel of drawing on paper, while still keeping their art in the digital realm.

It really doesn’t matter whether you’re a professional illustrator or your like to practice digital calligraphy in your free time. If you’re using an iPad, Procreate is a must-have tool for any digital artist.

Who is Procreate For?

Don’t let the app’s name fool you. Though it is considered a digital drawing program, it isn’t just made for those who draw.

Procreate was designed in response to the creative possibility of the iPad. While this does mean that you will need an iPad to use it, you don’t have to be an advanced Illustrator to find worth with this program. In fact, Procreate is beneficial to beginners and advanced designers alike because of the blending of a simple interface with a variety of advanced features.

How Do Professional Artists and Designers Use Procreate?

Procreate is loved by creative professionals throughout the industry, and they aren’t shy to let people know how they are using the program. Some will post tutorials on YouTube to share their tips and tricks, while others lead full teaching programs to walk new users through using the software.

Many artists are also known to share sped-up videos of themselves during the creative process on social media platforms to give followers detailed insight into how they use the program.

Here are just some of the professional artists and designers using Procreate:

• Daniele Turturici
• Lisa Congdon
• Kyle Lambert
• Gal Shir
• Albeniz Rodriguez
• Eric Merced
• Patipat Asavasena
• Sandra Bowers

Regardless, it’s easy to say that Procreate is used widely throughout the industry in various ways. From comic book makers to animators to product branding designers, it’s a complete digital art studio perfect for anyone looking to create.

How Does Procreate Compare to Other Professional Design Programs?

In a perfect world, you might find a one-size-fits-all tool that checks off all the boxes. But, in the real world, it’s not that simple.

Compared to other drawing programs for the iPad, Procreate is at the top of its class. However, limiting yourself to just one program could also limit your ability to create. To be competitive as a professional artist, it is necessary to have a solid understanding of various programs that are used within the industry, as well as when to use those programs, and when to use something else.

The beauty of Procreate isn’t how it compares to other programs, but how well it pairs with them. You can easily sketch up a design in Procreate, and then move on to a program like Canva or Placeit to turn it into a product mockup or social media graphic.

Alternatively, with a seamless transition to Photoshop, you can create a finished illustration in Procreate before moving it to Photoshop to add textures and embellishments. Photoshop brushes can even be used in Procreate, so you can easily switch between programs without messing up your workflow. 

So, while Procreate has the potential to be the only design software you’ll ever need, you may be limiting yourself by not using it in sync with other programs available.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you now have a better idea of how professional artists and designers are using Procreate. It may not be the industry standard (yet), but there are still a large number of artists that rely on Procreate to finish their designs and make a living.

Regardless, learning Procreate can help put you ahead of the curve as a professional artist. Not only does it look good on a resume but pairing the software with other programs can enhance your art in ways you never expected.

One of the primary reasons PNG files are used extensively with graphics, logos, and icons, especially on the web, is transparency. Being able to overlay any image on an existing background on a website or social media platform creates a seamless, professional look. Unfortunately, not all internet images that claim transparency are true PNG files.

So, how do you spot the fake and protect yourself from time wasted scrolling through images on Google? It may be a challenge to tell right off the bat, and figuring it out might require some investigation. Luckily, the work has been done for you. Keep reading for ways to tell if a PNG is real.

3 Ways to Ensure Your PNG File Is Real

There are many convincing fake PNGs on the internet. If you’re working on a personal project or scouring the web for images to use at work, you don’t have the time or energy to deal with fake after fake. Fortunately, this file format has distinct characteristics that will tip you off if it isn’t real.

1. Transparent or Checkered Background

When you save a PNG image to your desktop and open it in a design application like Photoshop, you will see a checkered background. A checkered background represents transparency—it is not the image’s true background.

If you open the image and the checkered background is attached to the image and separate from the checkered background that Photoshop shows to represent transparency, it is very likely it is not a true PNG.

If you don’t want to spend the time-saving images and opening them in a design program to see if the transparent background is real, then adjust your search engine to isolate real PNGs. For example, if you are using Google search, you would type in the image name, followed by PNG, then click on “Images.”

After taking you to the images, look for the “Tool” option right under the search bar. It will open up a sub-menu where you will find “Color.” Select “Transparent” in the “Color” drop-down menu.

2. File Extension

It seems like a no-brainer to tell you to look at the image’s file extension and make sure it’s title.png. Taking the file extension concept a step further, there is a way to isolate this file extension in your search engine. Again using Google as an example, you can type in the command filetype: png (search word). The command will isolate the .png extension and only show you these results.

Let’s say you have a .png image, but you’re still not sure it’s real. There is a quick and easy way to figure this out. Open the picture in a text editor. If it’s a true PNG, the first four letters of the script you will see will be ‰PNG. If not, you may see ÿØÿà as the first four letters, and that would be a JPEG image.

3. File Metadata

Not all devices will tell you the file extension when you save an image off the internet, so the only way to know if an image is a PNG is by looking at the image metadata. There are ways to do this with both a tablet or iPad and an android or iPhone.

Using an iPad or iPhone, you would go to your “Photos” app and find the image. Hold down the image until a menu appears and click “Share.” In the “Share” menu, click on “Save to Files.” Save it to your iPhone or iPad, and open up your “Files” app. Locate the photo, hold it down until a menu appears, and click on “Get Info.” The properties or metadata of the image will appear, and the file type will show there.

Where Can I Find PNG Images?

If you want it made as easy as possible to get a true PNG image, you can opt for stock photo websites specific to PNGs or have the PNG file format as an option among its catalog of images. If you’re creating a graphic or logo for your brand and need to design it and save it as a PNG, you can use a design application or website.

Here is a list of five reliable websites that offer PNG images:

1. Placeit.net
2. Pixabay
3. PNG Pix
4. Pixel Squid
5. PNGAll

One of these design or stock photo websites will be sure to provide you with the PNG image you need or give you the ability to create your own.

How to Convert an Image Into a PNG

You may have found the perfect image on the internet, and you thought it was a PNG, but once you looked at the file extension or the image metadata discovered that it was another file type.

Fortunately, you don’t have to give up the image if you need it to be a PNG. You just need to convert the image using either an image viewing program on your computer or an image conversion site on the internet. You could also use a template for a logo or icon on Placeit.net, all of which are available in PNG format.

For the sake of consistency, we’ll use a design program like Photoshop to show you how easy it is to convert an image into a PNG. Let’s say you need the transparency of the PNG for your JPEG photo. Use the “Quick Selection” tool and select around your image, then add it to a layer mask. Once you’ve done that, you will export the file using the following sequence: File> Export> Export As. Change the format to PNG, check the box for transparency and hit “Export.”

Conclusion

You don’t have to be bogged down by fakes floating around the web. You have ways to find out if your image is a real PNG, places you can find or design real PNG images, and a way to convert any photo into a PNG. All in all, you are set to tackle any project, whether personal or business.

Introduced in version 5X, the Procreate color fill tool works differently than similar tools from other design applications. While it offers numerous options for filling in different shapes and selections, it has several quirks that can confuse new users. One of these quirks is leaving lines in the fill area.

The Procreate fill tool leaves behind lines for a variety of reasons, but the most common culprit is the fill threshold setting. This setting defines how much space the tool fills and it can leave lines if it is too small. As such, you can try a larger threshold to remove the lines.

However, you only have access to the color fill threshold setting while you use the color fill tool. As a result, many people overlook it. By reading further, you will learn how to access the threshold option and how you can use it to remove the excess lines from your art.

Why does the Procreate Color Fill Tool Leaves Lines?

Filling an area with color is one of the more basic functions of a graphics design application. This feature usually takes the form of a “bucket tool” that lets you select your color followed by the continuous area to fill. However, this is not the case with Procreate.

The iPad application has no bucket tool at least not in the traditional sense. Instead, it uses the color selection disc as a paintbrush which you must drag over the area to color. While this sounds simple, it does require you to perform specific procedures to fill in certain shapes. It is through these procedures that the tool may leave lines in its wake.

Color Filling in Procreate

To reiterate, your only option to fill an area with color in Procreate is to take and hold the color disc in the top-right corner of the screen. You then drag it to where you want to fill and release it. Procreate then fill the area with the currently selected color.

This basic procedure works for everything on your canvas with slight modifications:

• Objects: tap, drag, and drop the color disc inside the object
• Layers: tap the layer twice in the Layers menu, then select Fill Layer from the popup submenu
• Selections: define your selected area using any selection tool, then select the Color Fill option from the popup menu. If you enabled the auto-fill option, Procreate will fill all-new selections automatically.

The Procreate Color Fill Tool Leaves Artifacts

While these procedures work in most cases, they are not perfect. The software uses an internal algorithm to mark the boundaries of the fill area. This works fine with simple shapes, but it can break down when dealing with anything complex. At which point, the tool may leave uncolored regions called artifacts. It is these artifacts that show up as the errant lines you see.

How to Remove the Errant Fill Lines

While the lines are artifacts of the filling process, they are not a death sentence for your artwork. There are ways to deal with them. Some of these ways are more involved than others, but all of them will fix your issues. The key is to modify the fill algorithm.

As mentioned above, Procreate uses a built-in algorithm to fill areas with color. This algorithm tries to interpret your drawing to mark off where the area boundaries are. It uses a variety of configuration settings to determine how aggressive it should be doing this. Varying these settings will solve your issue.

Fortunately, most people only need to modify a single setting. Called Fill Threshold, this setting tells Procreate how to identify a line on the Canvas. It comes as a slider from 1 to 100, though it works in the opposite way you might think.

Using the Fill Threshold to Remove Errant Fill Lines

However, unlike Procreate’s other configuration settings, The Fill Threshold slider is not a separate tool or menu. Instead, you must access it while using the Fill tool. Luckily, you can do it all in a single motion with the following steps:

1. Choose the area to fill as mentioned before
2. Choose your fill color
3. Tap and hold the color disc in the corner of the screen
4. Drag and hold the disc to the Threshold setting on the top edge of the screen
5. Hover and hold the color circle over your desired threshold setting. Choose a higher number if you need more color and a lower number for less color.
6. Drag the color disc to the fill area and release

You can repeat the procedure as often as you need until you get your desired result. Once you selected the right threshold, the lines should go away immediately.

Just be careful to not set the threshold too high or too low, as they can cause other graphical issues. For instance, you can end up filling the entire screen if the setting is too high. Fortunately, readjusting the threshold should fix these other issues as well.

Use Transparency and Smaller Boundary Lines to Remove Errant Fill Lines

Modifying the threshold setting should fix most errant fill lines, but the setting does not work alone. Procreate defines boundaries and changes in color. Any color change will do. Normally, this just means different colored shapes, areas, lines, selection boxes, and so forth, but it could also mean different layers of a gradient.

Your artwork may have accidental gradients everywhere. Some of the more common ones are object layering and line size. Digital artwork is pixelated by nature. As such, color changes are rarely smooth. Solid lines may not be solid. To you, this imperfection may appear irrelevant, but they can mess up computer algorithms such as the one Procreate uses to fill.

Luckily, there is a workaround for this issue:

1. Make the layer transparent by using the Layer>Transparency menu to let the app know to ignore any background color
2. Make your boundary lines as thin as possible
3. Adjust the fill threshold as above

Conclusion

While Procreate has a color fill tool, it works differently than similar tools from other applications. While these differences have their perks, they can also leave artifacts such as uncolored lines. You can fix these issues quickly by changing how Procreate determines boundary lines.

Without converting your image or project to CMYK, your print job won’t look as professional and clean as it should or needs to. Now, many people have issues trying to figure out how to convert your files and who you even have to. 

Changing the color scheme before printing will allow clearer images with more color definition that will allow your project or image to stand out above all of the rest. The great thing is that now you don’t even have to purchase or download anything to convert your file with CMYK. 

Converting CMYK Without Photoshop

Converting to CMYK can be frustrating because you usually have to download expensive and large amounts of software. However, thanks to technological advancement and the rising necessity for CMYK conversion, there are quite a few free and simple options to help you get your project print-ready. 

1. Using The GIMP Open Source Editing Tool

You can always use the free GIMP software to help change the color space of your file, without having to purchase any licensed software or anything. To use the GIMP open-source tool to convert your file to CMYK you can follow the steps below:

1. Following instructions from the installation manager, download and install GIMP
2. It will require you to download the “CMYK separation plugin for GIMP”
3. Download the ICC profile
4. In GIMP, select the file you want to convert by opening it from File > Open
5. Right-click on your image to open the drop-down menu and choose separate
6. From there you can choose your destination profiles

This process allows you to convert your CMYK without downloading and paying for any licensed product or software. Some people believe this takes a few more steps, but generally, it takes about the same amount of time but less money. 

2. Use An Online CMYK Converter

So, while you could download plugins and software for CMYK converters, this ensures you always have them on your computer when you need them. However, you could also simply rely on an online CMYK converter option. 

At RGB 2 CYMK  you can convert your files to CYMK without needing to download or install anything. The online process allows you to do the following:

1. Upload your file
2. Choose from several professional profiles
3. Convert it to CMYK

This is a reliable option for those not wanting to download or install anything or those who only need a one-time option to convert. 

3. Contact A Printing Company

If you are intending on printing your image or project and you already need to go through a printing company for it, it’s very likely that your printing company can also convert the file for you. 

You will need to call and check with them and it may take you a few companies before you find someone who will do it for you, but you can find companies that will convert the file and complete the printing job for you. 

Now, this isn’t always the best option for those who like to tweak things before they are sent off for the final print, but most companies allow you to check the final image before the print job has begun. 

4. Using Adobe Illustrator

Many people don’t often think about Adobe Illustrator for converting because Adobe is automatically RGB, however, through a series of steps, you can convert your file to CMYK.

To convert your file to CMYK using Adobe Illustrator, you can follow the following steps:

1. File > Document Color Mode > CMYK
2. Open the hidden tab > CMYK
3. Adjust the color depending on your personal preference either using the color slides or the fill color option
4. Select your desired color and click OK

Once these steps are completed you can save or move your file to any destination you prefer. 

5. Mixam Print

Another free online option to help you convert to CMYK is Mixam Print. This online option allows so many different settings, personal preference options, and great tools to help your image get ready for the print job. 

To use Mixam Print to convert your file to CMYK you can do the steps as follows:

1. Edit Interface > Edit
2. Make any necessary or personal changes to the CMYK profile options
3. Conversions Options > ACE > Relative Color Metric
4. Click OK and allow conversion to finish

Once your conversion is finished you can save, move or edit your file before sending it off for the final print job. 

6. Using Procreate

For those with the IOS operating system, you can use procreate to edit and convert to CMYK. To use procreate, you can go through the following steps:

1. Open procreate and click on the rectangle with a plus icon
2. Once you choose your dimension settings, go to Color Profile under custom canvas
3. Select the CMYK generic profile option
4. Import your project or image and the conversion will begin immediately

Once the conversion is fully done you can save, edit or export your image anywhere you prefer. 

7. Using Microsoft Publisher

You can use Microsoft Publisher to convert your files to CMYK as easily as any other software. To begin, you need to change a few options in the tools drop-down to commercial printing, color mode, and CMYK. 

Once you change these settings, you can save your file in JPEG Interchangeable format. Once your file is saved, change the resolution to “commercial Printing (300 DPI)” and your file will be ready for printing. 

Final Thoughts

Converting your image to CMYK is far easier than it used to be due to the rising desire for a different color scheme setting. No matter if you need software or just want to use an online option, you can find something that will work for your to convert your file. 

Even if you are only looking for something as a one-time option, there is even something for you and your project. 

It is extremely common for Wacom pen nibs to wear down, which is why the company ensures their replacement nibs are affordable and accessible. While it’s convenient to have this option that guarantees your Wacom nib is always in ideal condition, it would be more cost-efficient to prevent or slow wear on the one you’re currently using. The best way to do this is to understand what causes the average Wacom pen nib to wear down.

In this article, we are going to discuss the top five reasons why most, if not all, Wacom nibs wear down. As you read, you’ll learn what changes you can make to hopefully extend your Wacom pen nib’s lifespan and what causes of wear are more or less inevitable.

1. Frequency of Use

The primary reason why Wacom pen nibs wear down is an unavoidable factor that is going to take a toll on all nibs.

Unsurprisingly, frequency of use is arguably the number one factor that affects not only how much wear occurs on your Wacom pen nibs, but how quickly a nib’s material degrades to the point of requiring a replacement.

As with most things, the more you use your Wacom pen and its connected nib, the faster that nib will wear down. If you’re the type of person who only uses their Wacom tablet and pen a few times a month, you won’t notice the affect this factor can have as much as someone who uses their Wacom nibs weekly or even daily.

Frequency of use can also extend to session duration as well. Maybe you only use your Wacom tablet on occasion, but when you do, you sit down and scribble with the pen for hours on end. This lengthy session alone will take a significant toll on the Wacom pen’s nib, especially if you’re generating a lot of heat, which brings us to our next reason.

2. User Pressure

This cause of wear on Wacom pen nibs is probably one of the few that is truly avoidable as long as the users is conscious of their techniques and makes the necessary changes.

How hard you press on your Wacom pen and its connected nib is closely connected the amount of friction your create between the nib and the Wacom tablet’s surface and, consequentially, how much heat is generate between the two.

Friction alone can cause a fair degree of wear on your Wacom nibs, but the heat it generates is really what accelerates the proses and poses the biggest threat to your nib and Wacom tablet screen’s integrity. The harder you press down on your Wacom pen, the more strain you are going to put on the nib, resulting in increased friction and heat.

This concept of generating heat and friction connects us back to the previous point on session duration since the longer you are using the pen at a time, the more likely it is going to create friction and heat up. Therefore, it is important to be conscious of how you are holding your Wacom pen/ how much pressure you inflict for different techniques as well as how hot your Wacom pen nib is during long sessions.

3. Surface Texture

Another reason why most Wacom pen nibs wear down centers on the degree of abrasion they encounter per use, and how much friction and heat this generates.

A Wacom tablet’s surface texture plays a crucial role in maintaining a pen nib’s optimal condition or shredding it apart. Contaminants such as dust, dirt, oils, and other debris will scratch against, not only your Wacom nib, but the Wacom tablet’s surface as well, inflicting significant damage to both.

While pressure alone can generate a substantial amount of friction and heat, using your pen on abrasive surfaces can have the same effect, if not to a higher degree.

Compare it to wiping your finger against the smooth surface of a desk. Initially, there isn’t much heat or friction; it either takes a decent amount of time and/or increased speed. Now replace your finger with sandpaper. Not only is the damage significantly more noticeable, but heat is also generated faster because of the friction produced by the abrasive material.

This is why it is crucial to keep your Wacom tablet and nibs as clean as possible and provide a smooth tablet surface with a screen protector. This is especially important for any Wacom Intuos Pro owners, as these screens were specifically designed to have a rough surface (though the company claims this is for improved accuracy, it is likely to accelerate nib wear and require users to purchase replacements more frequently).

4. Pen Is Not Properly Calibrated

The three reasons listed above are really the core reasons why Wacom nibs wear down. However, there are a few other explanations that are worth mentioning, as they often play a role in why poor technique choices, like increased pressure, occur.

Sometimes, Wacom tablet owners find they are pushing harder on their Wacom pen and its connected nib because their device isn’t picking up on their pen’s input otherwise. As mentioned previously, pressing harder on your pen will increase nib wear, but the real reason this usually happens is because the Wacom pen needs to be recalibrated.

A properly calibrated Wacom pen should be registered by the tablet with light to minimal pressure. If, at any point, you find that you need to push a little harder than usual for your Wacom tablet to connect properly with your pen, then it is time to enter your settings and recalibrate before you cause significant wear to your pen nib.

Alternatively, you might want to check your pressure settings, as this might dictate why you feel the need to push harder than usually to get a response. Typically, turning this setting down a bit will help increase responsivity without the same degree of pressure.

5. Overuse of Simple Tools

This is another technique-related cause for why many Wacom nibs wear down quickly, and it predominantly applies to individuals who are new with either this accessory, the Wacom tablet, or graphic design/digital art programs in general.

Overusing simple tools is a quick way to wear away at your Wacom pen nib unnecessarily. Many new users will opt to use a pencil tools (or something similar) in their digital art software to shade in or fill entire sections rather than opting for a blend, shade, or fill tool that would perform the task much faster and more efficiently.

It might seem like a small factor, but, in essence, the less you really use you Wacom pen nib, the less wear you are going to inflict. Scribbling back and forth while you shade in a space will not only take a lot of time, but it will likely generate a lot of friction and heat in the process whereas using a slightly more advanced tool could provide the desired affect instantaneously.

The more you practice and understand the variety of tools in your digital art software and their uses, the less you will need to rely on simple tools that could wear down your nib in a matter of minutes.

Final Thoughts

While it is inevitable that you will one day need Wacom nib replacements, understanding what causes your Wacom pen nibs to wear down is the first step to making effective changes that can help extend their lifespans. Simple alterations such as limiting session length, only working on a clean, smooth surface, and being conscious of how much pressure you place on your nib and/or friction-related heat you generate can help nibs that would’ve lasted weeks to last months or even years.

It’s finally happened. You grabbed your Huion tablet and realized that your Huion pen is not where you thought you’d left it and after tearing apart (or cleaning up) room after room and searching all the typical places, you’ve come to the painful conclusion that your trusty Huion pen is lost for good. Now what?

Unfortunately, when it comes to losing a Huion tablet pen, your options are fairly limited. You can either continue your search and hope the pen turns up at some point or, if you’re set on using your Huion tablet again, you’ll have to purchase a replacement.

In this article, we will discuss what you can do if you’ve lost your Huion pen in terms of purchasing a replacement pen. As you read, you’ll learn about Huion pen compatability with various table models and we’ll ask some common questions you might have when you learn your original Huion pen is lost.

What You Can Do If You Lose Your Huion Pen?

Losing your Huion pen is a huge inconvenience, not just for its absence, but because your Huion tablet is essentially useless without it. As we mentioned previously, you can continue searching for your lost Huion pen if it went missing in a convenient location, like your room, but if you know the pen was left behind somewhere irretrievable, you’ll want to know what your options are for going forward.

Generally, the only things you can do after losing a Hion pen (apart from finding it) are to:

1. Purchase a new tablet
2. Purchase an identical replacement pen
3. Purchase a different but compatible replacement pen

Which option is best for you will depend on several factors, most notably your budget, what Huion tablet you have, and if you’re willing to upgrade.

1. Upgrade Your Equipment

This is probably the option that Huion users are most wary of when they lost their pen, but there’s no denying that it is viable, regardless.

It is perfectly reasonable to take the loss of your Huion pen as a sign from the universe that it’s time to upgrade your equipment and purchase a new tablet.

Unsurprisingly, this is the most expensive option that will mean you’re essentially retiring your previous Huion tablet that is now pen-less; but, if you were using an old and/or broken tablet, there’s not harm in turning this misfortune into an opportunity to improve your circumstances and invest in better equipment. Your new tablet will almost always come with a compatible pen, and your problem will be solved.

2. Buy an Identical Replacement

Probably the easiest solution to losing a Huion pen is to purchase an identical replacement, either from the company directly or through reliable alternative sources, such as Amazon or electronics stores like Best Buy.

If you’re unsure of what Hion pen model you need for your tablet, you can either:

• Check your tablet’s packaging where then model name will be printed and circled on the front
• Check the product manual that came with the tablet
• Check the model number labeled on your tablet (usually on the back above a S/N number and barcode)

All these options should clearly detail what tablet model, which will allow you to find the Hion pen that is typically sold with that product.

3. Buy a Compatible Replacement

Let’s say, theoretically, that you hated the Hion pen you lost. Maybe it was an old pen with poor responsivity and made using your tablet a frustrating endeavor. Or maybe you weren’t a fan of how that particular pen was designed. In these instance, you might not want to replace it with another pen of the same model. Fortunately, you don’t have to!

There are some Huion pens that are compatible with more than one tablet, not just the model they’re paired with initially. Below is a chart of the Huion pen models most commonly used today, accompanied by the tablets they’re compatible with so you can choose the pen that suits your needs, budget, and preferences best.

Huion Pen Model	Compatible Tablet Models
P68 Pen	Inspiroy-series (Q11K, G10T, H950P, H640P, H430P) GT-SERIES (GT-156HD V2, GT-185, GT-190, GT-191, GT-220 V2, GT-221)
P80 Pen	Most Huion graphics tablets with the exception of: G10TQ11K Huion H430P Huion pen displays (the ones that are like Wacom Cintiq)
PW100 Pen	Huion H640P Huion H950P Huion H1060P Huion H610PRO V2
PW500 Pen	Huion Kamvas GT-191 V2 Huion Kamvas Pro 20 Huion Kamvas Pro 22 Huion Inspiroy Dial Q620M Huion HS611 Huion Inspiroy Q11K V2 Huion Inspiroy WH1409 V2

Additional pens and their compatible tablets can be found here.

Does The 1-Year Warranty Cover Lost Huion Pens?

Many Huion products come with a 1-year warranty upon purchase to ensure customers are provided some degree of protection for their devices should a malfunction or other issues occur. Understandably, many Huion pen owners are curios whether the loss of their pen is protected under this warranty.

No, a lost Huion pen is not covered under the 1-year warranty and would therefore not be viable for a free replacement from the company.

The reason for this is that mislocating a Huion pen is at the fault of the owner, not the company. Most warranties aren’t meant to cover products issues that are a result of manufacturing mistakes or causes that resulted in the consumer receiving a defective product through no fault of theirs, solely the company’s.

Final Thoughts

The unfortunate reality of losing a Huion pen is that you can’t use your tablet without one, and your only options essentially revolve around purchasing new items. After you’ve decided which solution is best for you, we highly recommend taking steps to prevent this issue from reoccurring, such as have storage cases and other tools where you can keep your Huion pen at all times when not in use.