Instagram is a great platform for influencers and others alike to share their photos and other content for others to see. There is nothing more frustrating than sharing your photo to realize that everything is black. This leaves many people wondering if they can fix this problem.

Fixing your Instagram photos that have a black background once you have uploaded them is relatively simple. Following a few simple instructions can help you change the black background to what it should be in no time at all.

While discovering that your newly uploaded photo on Instagram has a completely black background can be frustrating, it can be fixed. Keep reading to learn about steps you can take to fix your Instagram photos that have a black background.

What Does it Mean When Your Instagram Photo Uploads With a Black Background?

Uploading pictures on Instagram is what many people do to stay connected to other people, especially those who follow them. It is a way for them to show their brand or build a bigger following.

When you upload high-resolution photos that are of better quality on Instagram you run the risk of them turning black. Although the exact cause is unknown by most, it is an issue that can be frustrating nonetheless.

Much of this issue occurs when you upload these higher-quality photos from your smartphone, whether you have an Android or iOS device. No matter which device you are using, you can rest assured that the problem can be fixed to turn your photo to its original beauty.

How Do You Fix Instagram Photos Having a Black Background?

In most cases, when something goes wrong with technology, there are typically quite a few “fixes” that are out there. This is especially true when it has to do with uploading photos and such to Instagram or other social media platforms. 

With so much advice out there, it is up to you to determine which one will work for your situation and device. In many cases, this means that you will need to try different things until you find the one that fixes your Instagram photos.

Read on below to learn the steps of the most commonly used fix for Instagram photos that get uploaded with a black background.

1. Instagram Profile

The first step to getting your Instagram photo back to its original quality is to go to your profile on the app. Doing this will get you headed in the right direction to fix the black that showed up on your photo background.

To do this, open Instagram on your smartphone device, and in the upper right corner click on “Profile.” Once you are here, you should be able to access your settings which will help you to fix the issue you are having.

2. Click on Options

Once you have your Instagram profile opened, you can click on “Options” in the upper right corner to access the various settings. This will allow you to change certain settings that will fix your photo. 

You should be able to recognize this area, as it has three vertical dots that you will click on to access the options area. Once you click these dots, you will need to follow instructions to fix your high-quality photos.

3. Navigate to Settings

After clicking on the three vertical dots that indicate you are in the “options” section, you will then navigate down to the “settings” section on your Instagram app. Going here will get you one step closer to fixing your photo issue.

You should notice that in settings you have the ability to change any of your settings that may be affecting your photos or other uploads. Finding the setting that will fix your photos with a black background may take some trial and error.

4. Choose Upload Quality

In the settings, you will notice that you can change anything from the language you are using to how you use push notifications and much more. Anything you need to fix on your Instagram you should be able to find in the settings tab.

Once you are in settings, you can click on “Upload Quality” to make adjustments to the high-resolution photos that you have uploaded. You should see that you have two options to choose from for the type of quality you want for your pictures.

The “Normal” setting is the default in most cases and works great for many of your photos. However, if you are experiencing photos that have a black background once you upload them, you may need to change this setting.

If your pictures are being posted with a black background, in the Upload Quality setting, you will need to switch from “normal” to “basic” to ensure that the pictures are uploaded correctly. Once you do this, you should then restart your Instagram app to ensure the changes are set.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line is that when you are uploading photos to your Instagram profile, you expect them to turn out the way they were taken. In some cases, however, this is not the case and you will need to make some adjustments to make it happen.

This process can be somewhat frustrating, especially if you are not familiar with the different settings or are a novice at the whole IG process. While these are valid frustrations, you should keep in mind that if you are diligent, you can overcome this issue.

As an alternative, you could use a website like Placeit.net to create Instagram posts that are formatted specially for Instagram, so you can avoid this issue altogether. This website is a great resource for those who post pictures often and do not want to hassle with changing the settings all of the time.

At the end of the day, whether you use a website to create your high-resolution pictures or if you choose to do them yourself, it is important to realize that there are ways you can fix most upload issues. Using your Instagram app settings, you can most likely fix any problem you may be having.

Converting RGB to CMYK isn’t the easiest thing because usually, you have to put a decent amount of work into a project to get it ready for conversion, so you don’t lose too much color or parts of your project. However, this doesn’t mean you can completely avoid the changes once the conversion is done.  

Converting RGB to CMYK unfortunately means you will have a change in all of your colors after you convert. The only way to avoid this is by starting in CMYK color mode instead of RGB. While you may not find all of the same colors you want, you should be able to find near exact matches.

Now, there is more than just one way to help your colors look better after converting and printing, but these things often require time, money, and effort from your end that most people don’t wish to do once their project is basically done. Unfortunately, in a scenario where a professional printing job is required or expected at the end, a lot of effort, time, and money is needed. 

FIxing The Color Switch After Converting From RGB To CMYK

Now, once you switch your project to CMYK color mode, you won’t have a lot of options that allow you to fix the colors that are different or changed. While it’s understood that CMYK is a different color scheme base than RGB, it is still a surprise to most people when they convert their file and the colors drastically change. 

Searching For Similar Colors

One option you have to fix the color issue that happens after conversion is to filter through CMYK color codes to find colors that match your desired colors as much as possible. This will allow you to see less of a change or difference in your projects after you convert them to CMYK.

Once you have found similar colors for all your desired colors, you can adjust your original file to compensate for colors you weren’t able to find matches for, then convert your file. 

Use High-Quality Printer

So, the best thing you can do for your projects that will be converted from RGB to CMYK is to buy and use a very high-quality printer. The higher quality your printer is the brighter and more true your colors will be to what you designed them to be. 

If your colors are consistently coming out to be dull and different shades than you intended, you may have low-quality or older printers that can’t compete with the demand for your colors and their vividness. 

Don’t Trust Your Screen

Your colors are always going to look brighter and more vivid on your screen than on paper due to the natural brightness of your screen and the way pixels convey light. Your project on paper will never compare to what is on a screen. 

This is why it’s important to do things such as test prints and see them in different views and resolutions because they will look different in every single one. If you don’t see your project in all these different ways before you think it’s completed, it will look different than you imagined in every single way it’s portrayed. 

The bottom line is, that what you see on your screen will not be the same thing on any other screen, paper, or other material, so do several tests and lower your expectations until everything is complete.

(Source: Adventures With Art, Graphic Design, Adobe Community)

Use PhotoShop And Try Your Luck

So, while hundreds of users have discussed and decided that it’s not possible to convert RGB to CMYK without losing color to some degree, there are others who seem to have found a way to convert their files without losing color, but only using photoshop. 

Using photoshop you can save your file as a .psd file and then change the color mode from RGB to CMYK, but first, you will be asked to rasterize your image and flatten your layers. Once this is done, try again to convert by going through the following steps:

• Image
• Mode
• Color Mode
• Change from RGB to CMYK

Several users have reported that this is an efficient way to convert your projects without losing any of your colors. Now, there are no reports on whether a print job is affected so this may need to be done through trial and error. 

However, through one or two trial and error runs, you should be able to tell whether the process will work or not. 

Contact A Professional 

In the end, if none of these options are viable for you, your only other choice is to contact a professional in the world of color, printing, and digital images. While they may not be capable of completely fixing your issue, they should be able to offer tips, tricks, and solutions for small things to help you reach your goal. 

Chances are you can contact someone who works with whatever platform or software you are using, or if you know a graphic designer, they should be able to help you as well. However, there are some cases where the colors simply won’t work together and no one can fix that. 

If your project is one of those, don’t get discouraged, simply rework the project and try to adjust the colors enough that they won’t be such an issue during the conversion or printing process. 

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, there is no sure way to complete a project, convert it to CMYK, and have it look the same as it did in RGB. While there may be tips and tricks to help it reach the end goal with as little change as possible, CMYK is a completely different color scheme and base than RGB, so you will likely have colors that won’t look exactly the same as your original.

Web banners are important parts of branding. These can be advertisements or graphics for a website, and either way these need to be top-notch to get the intent across. So instead of trying to hack something together, people will go looking for a designer to make one for them.

Charge a minimum of an hourly rate for web banner designs. The per hour range for a graphic designer is $15-$150 USD, with an average of $31.25 USD so use this as a basis when determining the rate for any designs.

Art in any form is often undercharged, especially by newcomers to the field. The hope is that more clients will bite if the cost is low, on top of the stigma that art should be done out of passion which also drives the cost down. However, none of this is a good reason to not charge for skilled services. Keep reading for more details on how to appropriately charge for web banner designs and for a basis for other potential design services.

Average Pricing for Designers

Graphic design is a skilled profession and should be treated as such. Nobody can just do art out of the womb; it takes time and effort to build the ability to make something worth selling. It’s not something that just happens and is definitely not worth minimum wage.

Average Pricing for Graphic Designers

When in a firm or working for a business in general, there are typically three levels of pay scale, just like in most skilled professions. Designers are often given an annual salary based on these levels.

The annual salary (in USD) are as follows:

• Entry Level: $32,000
• Junior Level: $53,000
• Senior Level: $77,000

In the end, this equates to approximately $15-$150 USD per hour. This averages out at around $31.25 USD per hour, so use this as a basis when determining personal skill level and length of time for any service provided, including banner designs.

Average Banner Pricing

Banners can be useful in multiple places on a website alone, not even taking into account banner ads. These graphics are important branding points and need to look good no matter where they are. Therefore, they are going to take time to make in a way that they promote both the business and their goods and/or services.

Here are some average pricing models for banners:

• Hourly Rates: Approximately $50-$300 USD
• Fixed Rates: Anywhere from $10-$600 USD
• Contest Rates: Expect $49 to $199 USD in fees for the platform to get bids alone

New freelancers and Entry Level designers typically fall lower on the scale than those with a solid portfolio and years of experience. It won’t typically be possible to start at the highest end of the scale unless there are some solid networking opportunities and a very solid portfolio to start with.

Charge for Revisions

While it’s fine to do a free simple revision or so, never let a client get away with pressuring for many revisions without paying for them. It’s still work on the designer’s end, and therefore needs to be paid for. Some designers are willing to do a lowered fee for revisions, while others will still abide by their regular rates.

This ensures that clients will not nitpick for unnecessary reasons, help deter the most obnoxious clients, and ensure that the clients are as clear as possible from the get-go instead of expecting the designer will be able to read their minds. Find a rate that is comfortable when it comes to revisions and stick to it. Swaying on these costs will get around and cause more trouble down the line, especially if done too often.

Don’t Let Clients Run the Show

Typically, when clients start getting difficult is when it’s potentially time for revisions. Make it clear from the beginning what the revision policy is to help ensure clarity from all points. In the end, it is the designer doing the work. It’s not worth it if it’s all miserable and taking more effort than necessary.

Here are some ways to ensure that everything runs smoothly on both sides:

• Make an order form
• Have a detailed yet clear terms of service or policies section
• Discuss any questions immediately
• Consider offering in-progress works to limit needs for hefty revisions at the end
• Use templates, such as those on PlaceIt

Clients might be the ones with the money and the job itself, but do not let them try to run the show. If they start getting to the point where they are acting like they think they know everything and know better, don’t be afraid to cut off the deal. If money was already exchanged, refund it. If it hasn’t been, apologize and state that this partnership isn’t going to work out. Know where limits are and stick with them, but also be professional and polite when expressing any needs.

Conclusion

Web banners are important for branding and advertising, so they need to be designed by someone with the skills necessary to make them stand out amongst the crowd. Graphic design in general is a skill—even if it is an artistic endeavor—so it should be treated as such. It can be tempting to undercharge just to get clients, or to let clients get away with more than they deserve, but that is just going to cause a lot of headaches and misery.

Charge based on an hourly rate for how long it typically takes to make similar work. Additionally, be sure to charge for any significant revisions if not all revisions. It is still skilled work, so it should still be paid for appropriately. Remember that the average hourly rate for a graphic designer is from $15-150 USD, so be sure not to undercharge for services.

With the rising interest in working from home, being the boss, and making ends meet with whatever skills are available, Graphic Design is like a siren call to artistic individuals. It feels like it can be a difficult industry to break into with so many people doing the same thing, but a good way to start is by offering things just as many people need. One of these is visiting card designs.

Always charge at least an expected hourly rate plus any material and/or production costs that goes into the visiting card design when determining a price.

Art is notorious for being undercharged across the board. It’s one of the most underappreciated, undercharged, and overworked fields. Part of this is due to the social perception that art is something done purely out of passion. That doesn’t mean that it’s okay to undercharge for a skilled service, and most people are happy to pay for quality work that supports a skilled artist. Keep reading for more information on how to go about pricing visiting card designs.

Average Graphic Designer Salary

When looking for a baseline for how much to charge for any sort of graphic design services, it’s a good idea to consider the average salaries of people doing similar jobs in similar positions. This helps to ensure a fair rate is being charged. Visiting card design falls under Graphic Design, as many digital art things do.

These are some average annual salaries for Graphic Designers:

Level	Annual Salary (in USD)
Entry	$32,000
Junior	$53,000
Senior	$77,000

However, not every designer out there is working at a design firm. Graphic Design is a wonderful option for those looking to work from home, build their own freelance business, or to just gain some extra experience and cash. A good baseline is to use an hourly rate plus any material cost that would go into the visiting card design and production.

Decide on Hourly Rates

The hourly rate for a Graphic Designer is between $15-$150 USD per hour, with the average sitting at $31.25 USD per hour. Many freelancers neglect to look up these averages and forget that their time is just as valuable as anyone else’s. Using this metric can help decide on what hourly rate to charge to ensure that it is fair.

Deciding on hourly rates can be done one of two ways. These ways are:

1. Setting a blanket fee for how much time it usually takes to complete a design at the start
2. Charging a fee at the end based on how much time it took to complete

Do know that most customers would rather go by something that is a definite flat rate over something that could be variable. However, if a client is getting too nitpicky and revisions are taking up anywhere close to as much time as it took to make the design in the first place, don’t hesitate to ask for additional compensation for the additional work. Don’t let aggressive clients get away with their behavior.

Be Sure to Include Any Material Costs

Visiting card designs can be given to clients just as a file that they have to print out themselves, in which case there will not be any real material costs involved. If any materials need to be used however, be sure to add these into the cost of the design or risk a loss in profit.

Here are some things that are suitable to add under material costs:

• Printing services
• Percentage of printing supplies
• Shipping costs
• Embellishments such as embossing, die cutting, specialty inks, paper upgrades, glitter, etc.

Somewhere in the listing, offer, or anything else, a simple “material cost” label is all that is needed. Shipping costs can be included in here too in order to advertise free shipping, since that has already been added into the cost. It also helps potential clients understand exactly how the price came to be which can help ease any concerns they may have over it.

Conclusion

Charging for services can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when it comes to artistic endeavors. Art is notoriously undercharged, but that doesn’t mean in order to get ahead that prices need to be abysmal. It is a skill that should be treated and compensated as such. Look to the average costs and use those to help determine what is a suitable and fair price to charge, and don’t let clients try to get away with more than they are paying for.

Producing a creative letterhead design is helpful to any business, as it demonstrates brand recognition and professionalism of your business. A letterhead will contain pertinent information regarding the business, and it will draw the customer in with the logo.

If the letterhead is simple, you should charge about $100. $400 to $700 is a reasonable price for an intermediate design. If the design is complex and you are an expert designer, you can charge $1,000 and up for a business letterhead or logo. 

If you are charging that much for a logo design, you will likely need to give the client ownership of the brand. If you would like to discover additional information about how much you should charge for letterhead design, this article can help.

What Are from Factors to Consider When Pricing a Letterhead?

The prices of letterhead will vary depending on the type of design that is being created for the customer and how complicated it is. It will also depend on your level of experience. Are you a new designer? Have you been in the business for a few years? These are all factors to consider when you are pricing a letterhead.

Business letterheads help establish good business relationships and demonstrate a higher level of professionalism. The factors to think about when pricing a letterhead include the time you will need to complete the project, the budget of the client, potential profit later, and a fair price.

Pricing can be tricky. The following further explain some factors for pricing:

• The budget of the client. Smaller companies cannot afford top-notch designers or letterheads. IT depends on what they can afford.
• There may be a more significant profit later. The first job for the company may not be your last, and there may be something more essential for you to do later.
• The time you spend on each project should be a factor. If your schedule is filled up with projects and deadlines, your time on the project may cost more.
• Offer a fair price for each factor you consider. It may be worth it creatively, and it will help build a better business relationship.

Knowing how much to charge for a letterhead design can be challenging. You will need to consider all the above factors and make your best estimate.

What Are the Different Ways You Can Price a Letterhead?

As a designer, you will be presented with the opportunity to determine how much your work is worth. If you are an expert-level designer, you can get away with charging more to make a profit. There are different ways you can find the right price for you and your client.

Charge Hourly

There are some critical elements in successfully charging by the hour for your work:

• Discipline
• Documentation
• Communication
• Motivation

Charging hourly only works when you have open communication with the client. Your client has no idea how long it takes to make the perfect logo for their brand. You will need documentation to show your work. You need to record your time and expenses carefully and consistently check in with the client.

When Does Hourly Pricing Work?

Hourly pricing is a good option in a few different scenarios:

• You regularly work with the same client
• The project’s development process is unclear
• The project scope has changed many times with the client
• You are doing complicated or technical work

It can be even more difficult to price when you work by the hour if you are a fast worker. Make sure you have everything recorded to know the work it took to create the letterhead.

Price Per Project

Project-based or flat rate pricing is the most common way to do it. It is a way to charge regardless of the project’s time and cost. With this method, the amount of effort put into the project is often overlooked.

There may need to be changes or revisions, which are not included in the cost. You may lose profit or have that uncomfortable conversation with the client regarding bumping up the price. Pricing per project can give you a decent profit, but it can be dicey.

If you often perform the same type of work for clients, this option may be advantageous for you. This method of pricing is helpful if:    

• The client inquires about money quite a bit upfront
• You can get the project completed in less time than the client’s estimate

With this type of pricing, you may be able to cut costs and increase profit. It may also be ideal if you work well with time estimates.

Retainer Pricing

A retainer is preset and pre-billed for a time period or amount of work. It can be centered on time or value. With this method, you can do what is called “rolling over,” which is when clients can rollover any unused hours to the following month. The other option is called “use it or lose it.” In this method, any unused time is dropped, and the balance resets to -0- the next month.

With a retainer, you can make a good profit. You are paid the same amount no matter how much time the project takes to complete.

Value-Based Pricing

How much experience you have with your client affects how much you can charge. If you have a lot of experience with a particular client and technology or style design, you may be able to charge more. If you are an expert, clients can see that they can hire you to deliver the goods.

Package Pricing

You could charge for a brand package. One example might be:

• Logo
• Website
• Business card
• Letterhead

The only downside to this type of pricing is that you put making a profit above the client’s needs, which is not a good way to conduct business. However, package pricing is suitable for larger design companies.

Performance Means Profit

This method is excellent when you have legal support. It can help build better relationships with clients, as the fee is based on the quality of your work. It will require an iron-clad contract that has clear and defined terms. It should be the marriage of the buyer’s goals and the seller’s goals.

Conclusion

Many variables need consideration when charging for a letterhead. For a beginner designer, you may price a letterhead around $100. However, you can price your work up to $1,000 for business letterhead and logo if you are an expert. You need to determine how much your work is worth based on your experience level. It could make all the difference if you want to make a good profit.

Anything with client-side interactions is going to have some interesting needs. While some clients are going to be fabulous, others get a bit nitpicky. Not to mention, the vagueness of some orders can lead to the designer guessing as to what is needed, leading to some revisions down the line.

Professional Graphic Designers charge at least an hourly rate for all services, including revisions. Depending on the type of revisions needed, sometimes waiving this fee, or even discounting it is acceptable.

Revisions are still work on the designer’s part and thus should be paid for. If it’s only fixing a typo or something that small caused by basic human error on the designer’s part, some choose to waive any fees associated with the fix. If it’s much more than that, it’s a good idea to charge for these revisions. Keep reading to learn more.

What are Graphic Design Revisions?

Revisions are anything that someone might need changed after the final product has been delivered. These can range from many things from fixing typos or to changing their mind entirely and wanting something significantly different than they ordered.

Sometimes people want revisions on work they got elsewhere rather than revisions on something that the designer just made. Perhaps they also want revisions on past orders to make them viable for something new. These sorts of things also fall under the revisions umbrella.

Do You Have to Accept Revision Requests?

Revision requests don’t always have to be accepted, but if this is common practice, it should be clearly noted at the beginning. Some designers only accept small edits such as fixing typos or swapping out a single, easily changed color. Basically, things that would take only a few minutes to change. Others will accept any and all revision requests.

Know personal limits on what is okay and be sure to always stick by them. Otherwise, it is highly possible that clients will start out vague in hopes of getting more than they paid for. Always charge for any significant revision to make it worth the time put into any fixes. Additionally, if this happens regularly, consider updating the means of ordering with a clearer form or something so that there’s less opportunity for confusion to occur.

Average Graphic Design Rates

Revisions are a sticky subject. For something tiny like fixing a typo, it’s relatively common practice to just quickly do that for no charge. For just about everything else, it’s best to charge it like any other service. This is especially true if the revisions are coming from outside.

Average Designer Salary

To start coming up with rates for design, including revisions, it’s good practice to look at similar salaries for similar jobs, services, and positions. This helps to ensure that there is a fair rate being charged. There’s no point in trying to undercharge oneself just for hopes of more clients. Quality is almost always better than quantity.

Here are the average annual salaries for Graphic Designers working in a firm:

• Entry Level: $32,000 USD
• Junior Level: $53,000 USD
• Senior Level: $77,000 USD

While this may not be the most helpful for a revision request, it is useful to keep in mind for the big picture. That way, everything is kept into perspectives on whether or not rates are competitive and fair.

Average Hourly Rates for Graphic Designers

This is where things get to be a little bit more direct. The hourly rate for Graphic Designers falls between $15-150 USD per hour, with an average of $31.25. Consider personal levels of skill, the length of time that similar things take or are expected to take, and anything else needed to go about revising the service. For example, if there were printing costs or shipping fees involved with the initial product, add those in too.

Decide on Any Additional Fees

Chances are that when revision requests are being brought up, it’s already gotten to the additional fee category. Otherwise, the initial rates are being decided and costs are being preemptively decided just to ensure that there isn’t a frantic scramble should the need arise.

Here are some additional fees to always consider adding should they be relevant:

• Printing costs: including needing to go to a professional printer, any ink, paper, or other needs associated with printing the work. This also includes paper upgrades.
• Shipping costs: Unless it was a digital design or something physically handed to the client, there will be shipping costs. Including these into the rate allows for the designer to add Free Shipping to the shipping sections, which looks more appealing than even nominal, additional charges at the end.
• Embellishments: Anything extra that needs to be added such as glitter, embossing, die cutting, special effects, etc.

Revision needs are going to be unique no matter how it’s sliced, so always consider it as a service. If anything tangible goes into the revision, also be sure to include those too, just like if it were a fresh piece. Don’t operate at a loss, even a loss of time.

Conclusion

Always be up front about any and all costs associated with a design. Revisions as small as fixing a typo or doing a quick color change on something the designer did themselves is usually done freely out of courtesy. However, anything beyond that is suitable for additional compensation. Some designers choose to discount revision requests, while others charge them at the same rate as everything else. Do whatever is most comfortable.

It’s also important to not let emotions get in the way. Revisions are inevitable no matter how hard someone tries to make sure things are clear, but trying too hard to be nice can easily get taken advantage of. Revisions are still work and should still be treated as such. Use an hourly rate to start with and go from there when deciding on how much to charge for any service, including revisions.

If you regularly edit and do touch-ups on photographs, you are likely very familiar with Photoshop. However, for those who may be short on funds and looking for a similar program to help them with all sorts of tasks from adding painting to photos to retouching to converting, GIMP is a fantastic program that is free to use and capable of editing photos and working with a variety of extensions.

If you are trying to make sure that the image you are editing looks as professional as possible, then probably the most important thing to master is changing the brush size in GIMP. However, if you are new to the program, you may not be sure how to change it, and with GIMP one of the bugs is that sometimes the brush will be frozen, and you will not be able to change the size. If this has happened to you and you are frustrated, read on to find out how to fix it.

How Do I Change the Brush Size in GIMP Quickly?

If you have opened your GIMP program and are trying to edit a photo, but find that you cannot change the brush size or that it seems to be frozen, do a quick test with the following steps:

1. Locate the Shift key on your keyboard. Most keyboards have two Shift keys, located on the lower right and lower left of the keyboard. It does not matter which you use, so find the one that feels most comfortable.
2. Next, locate the square brackets. They look like this: [ ], and are usually located on the top right of the keyboard underneath the button with the plus and equals signs.
3. Once you have located both keys, press them at the same time. As stated, this is a quick and big fix. Once you press both these keys the brush size will grow 10 times its size.

Now that you know how to quickly change the size of your GIMP brush, take a look below to see how to do it more gradually.

How Do I Change the Brush Size in GIMP Gradually?

Trying a quick fix like the one above is good if the brush seems to be frozen or to test things out. However, if you are in the middle of a project, a gradual increase is the preferred method for those little details you are trying to edit. Once you have opened up GIMP take the following steps:

• If you want to make your brush smaller, press the left-hand square bracket. It will look like this: [.
• If you want to make your brush bigger, press the right-hand square bracket. It will look like this: ].

This is the simplest and quickest way to change the brush size and having it become second nature will be incredibly beneficial to you.

How Do I Create New Brush Sizes?

Now you know how to drastically change the brush size and how to do it incrementally, but what about when either of these options does not work for what you are trying to do, and you need a special-sized brush that you want to get to quickly? In that case, it is entirely possible to create a new brush size by doing the following:

1. Open the brush panel. To do this press the Control, Shift, and B buttons on your keyboard simultaneously.
2. Once the brush panel is open click on the “Create New Brush” button. It will be the button second from the left in the row of buttons located at the bottom of the panel.
3. Customize the brush however you want. The options available to you include radius, spikes, hardness, aspect ratio, angle, and spacing. To customize each of these, click the arrow button to the right of each to increase or decrease.

Now that you know how to customize brush sizes, you can make as many as you need, and move between them with one click as opposed to having to smash the bracket buttons repeatedly.

Conclusion

GIMP is a great photo editing program. Though it is not as well-known as PhotoShop, it performs many similar functions and is capable of creating professional and polished products. To use it properly, it is important to know how the brush works, and how to move between different brush sizes smoothly and efficiently.

The quickest way to change the brush size is to press the shift and bracket keys at the same time. This will increase the size of your brush by ten. However, for a slower change in size, press the left-hand bracket to decrease, and the right-hand bracket to increase. To customize a brush size, go into the brush panel, create a new brush, and adjust the settings to your preference.

GIMP is a photomanipulation software that has taken up the impossible task of competing against Adobe’s golden child Photoshop. It can do just about everything Photoshop can do with the added bonus of being completely free to use and edit to suit needs. However, that doesn’t mean that it is a perfect software from the get-go.

GIMP does not natively support CMYK color, only RGB. However, as an open source program, there have been plugins and workarounds designed to change this.

Read more about whether or not GIMP supports CMYK color and what it might be useful for below!

What is the Difference Between RGB and CMYK?

There are two major color modes when it comes to design. One is RGB and one is CMYK. GIMP only natively supports RGB as the point of the program was for digital photo manipulation rather than for print. Both modes have different ways of blending colors to make more colors, while also having differing resolutions.

Here is a table to show the differences between RGB and CMYK:

	RGB	CMYK
Color Mode	Additive	Subtractive
Colors Used	Red, Green, Blue	Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (Black)
Color Variety	Many vibrant colors	Fewer, sharper colors
Intended Use	Digital	Print
Resolution	72ppi	300ppi

RGB is a color mode that uses blended light added together to make more colors, whereas CMYK uses colors stacked on top of each other to make darker colors. If designing for print, having a file type in CMYK is beneficial as to not lose color quality when transferring over to printed works.

Plugins to Allow GIMP to Use CMYK

Since GIMP is open source software, anyone can go in and make changes to the program. They are also free to share these edits, usually in the form of plugins that other users can install themselves. GIMP has been around for long enough that there are options for just about anything someone could need, and that includes being able to swap color modes to CMYK.

Here are a few plugins that allow GIMP to use CMYK instead of just RGB:

• CMYK for GIMP
• Adobe ICC Profiles
• Separate+

These are all simple to install and use plugins that give the compatibility to GIMP for CMYK color modes. Some allow a button to change, while others require the file to be saved a specific way in order to convert it.

Ways to Work Around the Inability to Use CMYK Natively

It can be a pain to use GIMP to make CMYK files, but there are workarounds to get it done if push comes to shove. While sometimes simply exporting as a PDF or TIFF can be enough to let printers figure it out, that’s not always going to cut it without a loss of quality.

Here are a few ways to work around the fact GIMP cannot natively use CMYK:

• Open in another program with the ability to convert from RGB to CMYK
• Install a Plugin
• Use an online converter
• Use a printer with the ability to convert RGB files to CMYK while printing
• Make monochrome designs and not worry about color loss

Conversion from RGB to CMYK almost always results in color quality loss. This is due to the fact that these color modes are so different in how they make colors that it doesn’t translate well in the data. Therefore, it’s always best to design entirely in CMYK rather than in RGB if it’s intended for print.

Why Would You Need to Convert to CMYK?

RGB is made up of light and has a much wider range of colors that it can select from as a result, whereas CMYK is made from stacking tangible substances on top of one another. A computer will always be in RGB, but having the mode set to CMYK helps prevent loss of color quality when the printer reads the data to know what and how to print.

However, CMYK is the only thing that a printer can do. There might be other combinations of ink in specialty printers, but the fact of the matter is that a printer is producing a tangible substance. The data it reads in order to do so has to be compatible. If printing is the end goal, a file needs to be in CMYK or risk even further color differentiation than expected.

Can GIMP Make CMYK Look Brighter?

On screen colors are always going to look a little brighter than they will on print. A screen shows images based on a collection of RGB colors blended together in a massive spectrum. If put into a CMYK color mode, it will look much duller than RGB usually does in attempt to more accurately show what the final product will be. From there, it depends on the resolution of the screen.

Using a computer with high resolution and graphical capabilities, such as most Macs, will have a more accurate depiction of the color regardless of the color mode. From there, using CMYK colors in full saturation will have the highest likelihood of being brighter. Additionally, placing a bright color next to a duller complementary color will trick the eye into making it seem brighter than it actually is.

So while GIMP has the ability to adjust colors and to have plugins installed so it can operate in CMYK, it isn’t the only thing that is working to make those colors look the way that they do. Knowing how to trick the eye, use proper color modes, and having a high resolution monitor with a good graphics card will go a long way in making CMYK color look brighter.

Conclusion

GIMP is the main competitor for Adobe Photoshop, which is a huge achievement considering it is open source freeware. It can do nearly everything Adobe’s golden child can do, with the added benefit of being able to be modified to the user’s needs and preferences. Unfortunately, it falls flat in its capability to use CMYK. It cannot do so natively, but there have been plugins and workarounds figured out to force it to convert anyway.

The Wacom Cintiq is one of the leading tablet models offered by Wacom that digital artists and graphic designers consider purchasing. Before investing in this purchase, it is important to know the tablet’s specs and functionalities, particularly when it comes to the ability to operate as a solo device. Most Wacom tablets require a computer connection to function, but does this apply to the Wacom Cintiq as well?

The Wacom Cintiq will not work without a computer. In essence, they function as an additional monitor paired with the freedom of a notebook. The overarching reason why the Wacom Cintiq needs a computer is because it is not equipped with the components necessary to operate as a stand-alone device.

In this article, we will discuss why the Wacom Cintiq cannot operate without being connected to a computer. Afterward, we’ll answer whether any other Wacom tablets, Cintiq models or otherwise, are capable of functioning alone.

Why Can’t the Wacom Cintiq Work Without a Computer?

If your initial mental image of a tablet revolves around ones made by renowned companies such as Apple, Samsung, or even Amazon, then you might be a bit perplexed as to why a tablet like the Wacom Cintiq is incapable of functioning on its own like the portable options made by the aforementioned brands.

The answer to this question boils down to the tablet’s purpose and, consequentially, the design and components chosen to fulfill that purpose.

Most tablets that you can use on-the-go aren’t designed specifically for graphic design and digital art. Instead, their design is dedicated to entertainment or basic social media and work-related tasks, none of which are overtly demanding (with the exception of some games and the occasional app). This allows designers to prioritize specs that would allow the device to function on its own, making it a convenient portable device.

Comparatively,a Wacom Cintiq tablet is specifically designed to operate as a drawing tablet (if it didn’t have a screen, it would be considered a graphics tablet), and so, every component is dedicated to the tasks associated with this.

The programs necessary for graphic design and digital art are extremely demanding when it comes to your device’s GPU, CPU, and general power. Building a tablet with these components is difficult in its own right, let alone including components that allow the tablet to support graphic design/digital art tasks and operate on its own. The result of attempting to accomplish both is either some degree of reduced functionality or a significant overall cost for the device.

To compensate for this, digital and graphics tablets rely on the powerful components of a computer to handle the more challenging tasks, while the tablet itself is dedicated to providing the freedom of free-hand drawing and transferring this input onto a digital space.

Do Any Wacom Tablets Work Without a Computer?

The convenience of a graphics tablet you can use wherever and whenever you please can’t be understated. There are many passionate and professional graphic designers and digital artists who would (and do) pay a lot for this freedom. The question is, do any tablets made by Wacom allow it?

Yes, the Wacom Mobile Studio Pro is an excellent Wacom-made options for a standalone tablet. This model allows users to either connect their tablet to a computer using desktop mode, or use the tablet exclusively using mobile mode.

If you’re trying to decide which of these two options is best for you, here are some quick points of comparison to consider.

Wacom Cintiq Companion 2 vs. Wacom Mobile Studio Pro

To start, the Wacom Cintiq Companion 2 is the older model of the two, and now discontinued, but because the Mobile Studio Pro is the Companion’s next generation, these two tablets have a great deal in common.

Physically, the tablets look almost identical. There are some minor differences in the ergonomic design of the buttons, the speaker locations, and port locations, but apart from those, the most significant difference between these two models is their size and weight. The Cintiq Companion 2 is undoubtedly the larger, thicker, and heavier model, which reduces its portability.

Other aspects that these tablets share is their resolution, their class as 256 GB SSD devices, and arguably their pens. While the Cintiq Companion 2 is paired with the Pen Pro and the Model Studio Pro is paired with the Pen Pro 2, very little sets these pens apart, both in design as well as function.

In terms of components, function, and visuals, the Wacom Mobile Studio Pro exceeds the Cintiq Companion 2 in most regards. Overall, this newer model has a faster processer, improved visuals (thanks to its wider color range), and a more durable and long-lasting battery.

That being said, if you’re looking for a decent standalone graphics tablet that is relatively affordable and operates well, the Cintiq Companion 2 is a good place to start.

Final Thoughts

The unfortunate reality of graphics and drawing tablets is that most, whether they be made by Wacom or another company, won’t work without being connected to a computer. It is extremely hard to create a powerful graphics tablet that can operate as a standalone device, although some do exist. If you’re a loyal Wacom user, the Cintiq Companion 2 (discontinued) and the Mobile Studio Pro are going to be your best options in this regard.

A Wacom drawing tablet can really help you up to your graphic design game. Still, what happens when you have the tablet but none of the software that is supposed to come with it? Can you still plug in and use the tablet or will you have to find the drivers online first to actually use your hardware? 

In order to use a Wacom tablet, you must install its drivers. The drivers themselves can either be found on an installation disc or downloaded. If you lost your installation disc or don’t have the drivers on hand, they can be downloaded and installed from Wacom’s website. 

If you’re trying to use a Wacom tablet without installing the drivers, this is for you. In our guide below we will discuss whether or not Wacom tablets work without drivers and why, as well as where you can get the drivers you need. Additionally, we’ll even provide a brief guide on how to connect your tablet even if you no longer have the drivers. So come along and let’s dive right in!

Do I Need to Install Wacom?

There are so many devices today that you can just plug in and start using. Therefore, it’s only natural to wonder if you need to install Wacom at all to actually use it. 

In order for your Wacom product to work in conjunction with your computer, you will need to install its drivers. With some products the drivers will automatically install when you plug them in, still, others require that you use a CD or download the drivers yourself. 

It’s important to note that for some Wacom products you will also need to install DisplayLink drivers as well. 

Does Wacom Work Without Software?

So, is it at all possible then to use a Wacom tablet without any software installed?

A Wacom tablet or pen cannot be used without the driver software installed. Those that appear to, probably only do because the drivers automatically installed when you plugged it in. That said, there are ways of getting the drivers if you no longer have them. 

In the next section, we’ll break down exactly what you should do if you find yourself with the hardware but no drivers. 

How Do I Connect My Wacom Tablet Without the CD? 

So what do you do when you’ve lost the CD with your Wacom drivers on it or you simply don’t have the drivers, to begin with? How can you still connect your Wacom tablet or pen to your computer? 

Follow the steps below to connect a Wacom tablet when you no longer have the installation disc for the drivers: 

1. Go to the support tab on Wacom’s website: Since you no longer have the disc with your Wacom drivers on it, you’ll need to get them from the website. Simply go to Wacom’s site and click the support tab near the top of the page. 
2. Search for your model’s drivers: Next, you just need to click on the box that says “drivers and software,” then “drivers and downloads” on the following page. The page that comes up will have a search bar where you can type in your product’s model number. The model number itself should be on the back of your tablet. 
3. Download and install the drivers for your OS: From here on out everything is pretty self-explanatory. Once your drivers come up you simply need to download the ones for your OS and install them. 

Now that your drivers are all installed you should be ready to plug in your Wacom tablet and get busy designing. If you have any trouble getting them to work, ensure that you downloaded the versions for your particular operating system. 

So Really, Can You Use Wacom Without Installing the Drivers?

The bottom line is that you need to install the proper drivers in order to use a Wacom tablet on your computer. Fortunately, these drivers usually come with the device itself and only take minutes to install. Still, if you find yourself in a situation where you no longer have your installation discs or you simply don’t have the drivers, they can be easily obtained online. 

To get the drivers you need simply go to the support page on Wacom’s website. From there you can follow the links to “drivers and downloads.” You will be able to search for your model number (it should be printed on the back of your device) and find the exact drivers you need. Once they are downloaded and installed, you should be ready to go!