How Long Does It Take to Design a Poster?

How Long Does It Take to Design a Poster?

When you need to create a poster for an upcoming event, it’s important to know how long it will take to design. You don’t want to be rushing at the last minute and end up with a sub-par product. So, how long does the design process take?

Depending on the level of detail you want in your poster and the number of revisions needed, it can take anywhere from a few hours to several days to create a basic poster design. However, if you need more complex graphics or require more revisions, it may take longer.

Understanding the factors that may impact how long the poster design process takes can help you set realistic expectations and ensure you have a beautifully designed poster in time for your event. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the different factors that determine the time it takes to create a poster and share some tips on how to speed up the design process.

How Long Does It Take to Design a Poster?

A poster seems like a relatively simple project. You have a message you want to communicate, and you find some images and text that support your message. But, the project can become quite complex when you start thinking about the details, like what size the poster should be, what colors to use, and how to arrange the elements. And, when you factor in revisions and printing time, the project can take weeks to complete.

So, how long does it take to design a poster? It depends on several factors, including:

  • The complexity of the design: All posters are not the same. Some are very simple, with just a few words and one or two images. Others are more complex, with multiple images, different fonts, and more detailed information. The complexity of the design will impact how long it takes to complete.
  • The number of revisions: Once you have a basic design, you will likely need to make some changes. Depending on how many modifications you need, this can add time to the project.
  • Digital vs printed designs: If you are creating a digital poster, it will likely take less time than if you are printing a physical poster. This is because digital posters can be created and edited much more quickly than printed posters.

Generally, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how long it will take to design a poster. However, understanding the factors that can impact the time needed will help you better estimate how long your particular project will take.

Tips to Move the Design Timeline Along

Posters are an invaluable marketing tool. They allow you to communicate your message in a visually stimulating and engaging way, and you can use them for a variety of purposes, such as promoting an event, advertising a product or service, or simply conveying information.

However, as with any marketing endeavor, effective poster design takes time and careful planning. But if you’re crunched for time and need to get your poster designed quickly, here are some tips to help you move the timeline along:

Be Clear About Your Goals and Objectives

The more specific you can be about what you want your poster to achieve, the easier it will be for your designer to create a concept that meets your needs. So, before you meet up with your designer, take some time to think about what you want the poster to accomplish.

Are you looking to generate leads? Promote a sale? Convince people to attend an event? Once you know your objectives, communicate them clearly to your designer. This will help ensure that the design process is smooth and efficient.

Prepare Materials Ahead of Time

If you have specific ideas or images in mind that you would like to see included in your poster, be sure to share them with your designer. The more direction you can provide, the better.

But, if you’re not sure what you want your poster to look like, that’s okay too. Your designer will help you develop concepts that will achieve your desired results.

Be Realistic About Your Timeline

When it comes to design, quality takes time. Rushing a project will only result in subpar work. So, be realistic about the timeline you set for your designer.

If you need a poster designed quickly, be sure to let your designer know from the get-go, and they can plan accordingly.

As a general rule of thumb, most designers will need at least a week to produce a high-quality poster design.

This timeline may be shorter or longer depending on the complexity of your project. For example, if you need multiple versions or require printing and shipping services, it may take longer than a project that only involves a digital file.

In any case, it’s essential to communicate with your designer so that everyone is on the same page. By setting expectations up front, you can avoid any surprises down the road.

Try a Poster Design Template

Graphic design templates are becoming more and more popular as the industry is evolving.

Most people don’t know, but many professional graphic designers get inspiration, or full on use, graphic design templates for their client projects. There’s no shame in this, it’s just working smarter.

Graphic design templates offer the creator design inspiration, and pre-sized and formatted designs for almost any project.

Posters are one of the more common template types. Check out Placeit.net, the leader in graphic design templates, to see if you can find, customize, and download your own Poster template.

Ps. All templates on Placeit.net come with full commercial usage rights, so you can use it for business and not have to worry about copyright issues!

Give Timely Feedback

One of the best ways to help your project stay on track is to give timely feedback. When you receive proofs from your designer, take a look and let them know if any changes need to be made. The sooner you can provide feedback, the easier it will be for your designer to make revisions.

Source: VMG Studios

Wrapping Up

So, how long does it take to design a poster? As you’ve seen, there are a lot of factors that can affect the timeline. But, in general, you can expect the entire process to take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.

Of course, the more complex your design is, the longer it will take. But by working closely with your designer and providing timely feedback, you can help ensure that the process moves along smoothly.

Don’t hesitate to try graphic design templates. Poster templates are very common, and they can be fully customized to your needs, and downloaded with full commercial usage rights.

And remember, when it comes to posters, the old saying holds true: “good design is in the details.” So take your time and make sure that everything is just right. And most importantly, have fun with it!

Etsy Shop Banner Not Working? Here’s What to Do

Etsy is one of the most popular websites for small businesses to sell their products and creations. However, it can still present some issues if the banner the store owner uploads isn’t showing up on their store page. Fortunately, there are also solutions to the majority of issues store owners might face with their banners.

The most common issues that Etsy banners have are compatibility issues and internet connection issues. Both of these issues have very easy fixes, and Etsy has technical support you can contact if the issue persists.

The following article is a step by step guide on how to fix multiple issues that can occur with your shop banner. It also includes a brief guide on how to make a professional Etsy shop banner with Placeit.net.

Banner Size Issues

If your banner is too small or too big, then it could have issues with showing up properly on your store front page. The best way to fix this issue is to make sure your banner is the right size before uploading it, or resize it and reupload it.

The banner on your Etsy store front page has to be a specific size in order to show up properly. If it’s too big, then customers won’t be able to see the entire banner. But if it’s too small, then the banner could also look off. The best way to fix this issue is to make sure your banner is the right size before uploading it. You can also resize your banner and then reupload it.

Your store front banner must be at least 2,000 pixels wide, and can’t exceed more than 300 thousand pixels. Banner images that are too large might stall when trying to load up, or might not even load at all. If your banner image is too big, then using image editing software to compress it will likely solve the problem. If not, you may have to edit your banner more to shrink the pixel size.

Banner images that are too small also won’t load up correctly on your store page. They might appear blurry or only take up a small amount of space on the page. If your banner is too small, then you can also use image editing software to resize it.

Banner Image Upload Issues

Your banner image might experience uploading issues if you have a weak internet connection or Etsy isn’t compatible with your current browser. Checking your internet connection and that your browser is updated should fix these issues.

Banner images take a lot of energy to upload, so it’s important to make sure your internet connection is strong while you’re uploading your banner. If your internet is being slower than usual, sign out of your Etsy account and turn off your computer or laptop. You should then reboot your router or modem to establish a newer and stronger connection.

If your internet connection isn’t the problem, then the uploading issue might be happening because your browser isn’t compatible with Etsy. Trying to upload a banner image to Etsy from an older version of a browser won’t work, so it’s important to make sure your browsers are fully updated.

For example, if you’re using Internet Explorer, then make sure you disable any add ons or toolbars that didn’t come with your browser. When these are running in the background of your browser, they can zap the energy of the browser and cause uploading issues. Making sure there aren’t any browser uploads in your settings folder will also prevent this issue from occurring.

Banner File Compatibility Issues

The last thing that might be preventing your banner from working is file compatibility issues. Etsy only takes certain file types, and adhering to all of the requirements will prevent these issues from occurring.

The type of file you upload to Etsy is very important, since the website only takes certain types of files. The files that Etsy takes include:

  • JPEG
  • PNG
  • GIF, but not animated gif files

If you download your file as a PDF or a docx, then it won’t upload. So make sure your banner image files are the appropriate type to avoid any compatibility issues. Other things that can affect the compatibility of your files is color and orientation.

Etsy requires you to use a certain color profile for your store front images, including your banner. Etsy uses the sRGB color profile, which can be found in the majority of image editing software. It’s recommended that you switch your banner image to this color profile to ensure the colors will look correct once you upload it.

Finally, your image could be the wrong orientation, and that’s why it isn’t working or looks odd. Etsy automatically flips any uploaded photos, so they might be flipped sideways depending on the information included in the banner image file. Using a graphic design tool like Placeit.net can help you avoid this issue, and ensure your banner is orientated correctly when you upload it.

How To Make a Professional Etsy Shop Banner

The steps to making the best Etsy shop banner is to make sure you adhere to the website requirements and use the right software. Adhering to the site requirements will prevent any issues from occurring. Using the right software will also make the entire process easier.

Adhering to the file type and image size requirements that Etsy has is the best way to make sure you create a store banner that looks professional. It will prevent you from having to redo and edit your banner image multiple times until it looks right. But in order to create a banner that adheres to the website requirements, you will need a high quality software to make it.

Placeit.net is one of the best image creating softwares on the market. It has everything you need to make the best banner for your store front. It also has editing software that you can use to make sure your banner adheres to the file and image size requirements. By using this software and double checking that your banner meets the website requirements, you can avoid the issues described above completely.

Final Thoughts

There are many things that can go wrong with Etsy shop banners, but they all have relatively simple fixes. They can also be easily avoided by adhering to the website requirements, and using an Etsy banner template is the easiest way to make sure your banner will appear correctly.

How Big Can A PowerPoint File Be?

PowerPoint is so famous for making powerful presentations that it’s almost impossible to come across a corporate presentation that isn’t made with the application. It’s easy to use and can handle almost any type of media available. It’s so versatile that you can create any presentation without worrying about the size. However, many people have wondered whether PowerPoint has a size limit and what would happen if you went over the limit.

If you’re using PowerPoint 2007 and above, you’re only limited by your computer’s capabilities, including the RAM and operating system. This means you can create larger files without worrying about the application crashing. However, PowerPoint 97-2003 has a file size limit of 2GB.

That’s not all, as you still need to know the maximum size of a PowerPoint file before it starts lagging, how to send huge PowerPoint files, and how to reduce the size, which you will learn if you read on.

Does PowerPoint Have a File Size Limit?

PowerPoint underwent significant upgrades when it released the 2007 version, and one of the changes was to eliminate the file size limit. Previously, you could not go above the 2GB mark without running into problems. However, the current PowerPoint versions don’t have such limitations, and you’re only limited by the computer’s capabilities like:

  • RAM – Computers with more RAM capability can handle any PowerPoint file size, and the opposite is true.
  • Operating system – PCs running on Windows 8 and above tend to handle any PowerPoint file size without experiencing glitches and lags.

Even with such unlimited file capabilities, it’s always best to create smaller PowerPoint file sizes due to the following reasons:

  • If a file gets corrupted, you stand to lose all your work.
  • Larger files might take longer to load.
  • Sending a larger file through email could prove problematic.
  • Backing up such a large file to the cloud could ‘eat’ up the resources and add to the cost.

How Big is Too Big in PowerPoint?

Although PowerPoint doesn’t have file size limitations, you still need to be cautious of how big you make a presentation file. Any PowerPoint presentation larger than 100 MB is considered oversized and may experience loading problems. However, if you have powerful RAM, you can comfortably work on a PowerPoint presentation of around 1 GB.

Any RAM below 4GB can easily handle a 40 MB presentation, but if the file size exceeds this limit, you may start to experience extended loading times. If you want to work on a presentation file size of 100 MB and above, you need a computer with at least 8GB of RAM. Any PowerPoint presentation above 2 GB is considered too big to edit, send, or present without experiencing load-time problems.

How to Send a PowerPoint When the File is too Big

Due to size limitations, sending huge files via email is no longer practical. However, you can use file-sharing platforms like DropSend, TransferBigFiles, RapidShare, and MediaFire to share your presentation with other people. You can also use Presentation Sharing Services like SlideOnline to share huge files instantly.

You can also share the files through your website by uploading them and sharing a link to the document. Make sure you remove any crucial details you don’t want anyone else to see before sharing.

What Causes a PowerPoint File to be Big?

Using too many high-resolution pictures and media is the main reason for larger presentation files. Embedding an audio file also contributes to the overall size, and so is attaching a video file. Too many detailed slides also contribute to file size.

How to Reduce the Size of a PowerPoint File

Working with larger PowerPoint files is not advisable, given how it’s easy to lose your work if that file gets corrupted. You can reduce the file size by compressing the images and any media in the presentation. Also, try zipping the file before sharing it, as doing so will shave off a few megabytes from the file.

To combat high resolution images, consider uploading your images to Compressor.io, compressing them, downloading the new images, and using the new (smaller) images for your Powerpoint.

Compressing an entire PowerPoint file at once is also very easy, and you can do so by following these steps:

Open FILE on the top right of the screen and navigate to INFO. Select COMPRESS MEDIA and choose the desired pixels. If you want to send the file over email, it’s advisable to choose the 480p settings.

Outro

PowerPoint presentations are a perfect way of sharing your presentation with others. Although the current PowerPoint versions don’t have file size limits, it’s advisable to keep the file lower than 100 MB to allow quicker sharing, loading, and editing. It’s also better to work on smaller PowerPoint files to avoid losing crucial work if the file gets corrupted. You can send larger PowerPoint files through file-sharing services or by compressing the media to make the file smaller to attach to an email.

How Long Does It Take to Design a Flyer?

Flyers are among the most versatile pieces of print advertising. They can be used for various purposes, from announcing a sale to promoting an event. But how long does it take to design a flyer?

The time it takes to create a flyer depends on the complexity of the design and the amount of customization required. However, most flyers can be designed within 2-3 full working days, especially when considering research and communication with the client.

This said, several factors can impact the timeline for flyer design. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the key factors that can influence how long it takes to design a flyer and share some tips to help you get your flyer design project done on time.

How Long Does It Take to Design a Flyer?

Most people don’t realize how much work goes into designing a simple flyer. Sure, anyone can throw together a quick design in Microsoft Word or Publisher. But if you’re looking for a professional-looking flyer that will get results, it’s going to take a bit more time and effort.

When it comes to professional flyer design, several factors influence how much time it will take to complete the project. Let’s take a look at some of the most important ones:

Layout and Design

The layout and design of your flyer is probably the single most crucial factor in how long it takes to create a finished product. If you have a complex or detailed design, it will take longer to execute than a simpler design.

Digital vs Print

Are you looking for a digital flyer or a print flyer? If you’re going the digital route, your design will likely be completed faster since there are no printing turnaround times to worry about. On the other hand, if you need a printed flyer, it will take a bit longer to design since you’ll need to account for things like bleed and trimming.

Number of Modifications Required

Another significant factor that will affect how long it takes to design your flyer is the number of modifications or revisions required. If you’re working with a designer for the first time, expect to have some back-and-forth as you both figure out what works best for your design.

However, if you already have a good idea of what you want, you’ll find that you can get your flyer designed much faster.

Budget

Another factor that influences how long it will take to design your flyer is your budget. If you have a limited budget, you may need to be more flexible with your design or work with a less experienced designer. This will take longer because you’ll likely have more revisions.

On the other hand, if you have a larger budget, you can work with a more experienced designer and get your flyer designed much faster.

Source: Economic For All

How to Speed Up the Design Process

Let’s face it. No business wants to spend more time than necessary on anything, especially marketing materials like flyers. If you’re short on time, here are a few tips to speed up the design process:

Have a Clear Idea of What You Want

The more specific you are with your designer, the faster they can create something for you. If you give them a vague idea or just tell them to “make it look cool,” it’ll take longer for both of you to agree on what the final product should look like.

Therefore, it’s crucial to take the time to come up with a solid concept before you start working with a designer. This way, you can avoid any unnecessary back and forth communication.

Work with an Experienced Designer

In a bid to save money, you may be tempted to work with an inexperienced or unqualified designer. However, this will likely end up costing you more in the long run.

An experienced designer will be able to take your concept and turn it into a stunning reality much faster than someone who is just starting out. Not to mention, they’ll also be able to provide you with valuable feedback and insights.

So, if you’re looking to get your flyer designed as quickly and efficiently as possible, be sure to work with an experienced professional.

Give Prompt Feedback

It’s also crucial that you provide prompt feedback to your designer. If you’re not happy with something, be sure to communicate this early on. The sooner you do, the easier it will be for them to make the necessary changes.

And remember, the design process is a two-way street. So, be open to hearing your designer’s suggestions and feedback as well.

Try a Flyer Design Template

Graphic design templates are becoming more and more popular as the industry is evolving.

Most people don’t know, but many professional graphic designers get inspiration, or full on use, graphic design templates for their client projects. There’s no shame in this, it’s just working smarter.

Graphic design templates offer the creator design inspiration, and pre-sized and formatted designs for almost any project.

Flyers are one of the more common template types. Check out Placeit.net, the leader in graphic design templates, to see if you can find, customize, and download your own Flyer template.

Ps. All templates on Placeit.net come with full commercial usage rights, so you can use it for business and not have to worry about copyright issues!

Be Realistic with Your Deadlines

Finally, be realistic with your deadlines. It’s essential to set expectations appropriately so that everyone involved is happy with the result. There are several things you can do to help ensure this:

  • Give the design process sufficient time. Rushing the process will only result in a subpar final product.
  • Allow for additional time if you plan on making changes along the way.
  • Communicate your deadlines to your designer upfront. This will allow them to plan their workload better and avoid any unnecessary rush.
  • Find out how many projects the designer is currently working on. If they’re already bogged down with other work, your project will likely take longer than usual.

Once you and the designer have agreed on a timeline, do your best to stick to it. Making last-minute changes can often extend the design process.

Source: VMG Studios

Wrapping Up

If you were wondering how long it takes to design a flyer, we hope this article was of some help. Generally, it takes two to three full working days to complete the project, taking communication with the client and research into account.

However, keep in mind that these timelines are just estimates and can vary depending on the project at hand. By following the tips outlined above, you’ll be able to streamline the process and get your flyer designed faster than ever before!

Don’t hesitate to try graphic design templates. Flyer templates are very common, and they can be fully customized to your needs, and downloaded with full commercial usage rights.

Etsy Profile Picture Not Working? 8 Causes And Fixes

An incredibly important part of any business is a logo or putting a face to the business name, som when you are trying to put a profile picture with your etsy shop and it is not working, the frustration is valid. Most of the time, upload issues are incredibly simple to fis and it just takes some research to figure out what the problem is. 

However, even if your issue isn’t super easy to figure out or fix, its likely that your issue is an issue others have had a well so you can find the solution quickly by searching for it online. Simply going to the Etsy website you will find a long list of FAQ and troubleshooting solutions for a number of problems.

Why Your Etsy Profile Picture is Not Working:

  1. Image Or File Is Sized Incorrectly
  2. Shop Edit Mode
  3. Incompatible Browser
  4. Incorrect File Type
  5. Internet Connection Issue
  6. Incorrect Picture Orientation
  7. Incorrect Color Profile
  8. Uploading Issues

1. Image Or File Is Sized Incorrectly

Etsy profile pictures work best when your image is 2000 pixels wide. If your image is bigger or smaller than that, your picture may look distorted, pixelated, or grainy if it uploads. Sometimes with pictures that are sized incorrectly, they won’t upload at all. 

If your file is too large, Etsy won’t be able to support it being uploaded to your profile picture. The file size needed to upload without issue is 300k, anything bigger than that can cause your window to freeze, or the request to time out. 

If your images or files are not the correct sizes, you can use photo editing software to adjust and change what you need it to be, then save it or compress it to the correct size. Once these two things are fixed, your image should upload rather quickly. 

(Source: Etsy, Etsy Community)

2. Shop Edit Mode

If you are trying to change anything about your shop and how it looks on Etsy, you have to choose shop edit mode before any changes can be made or saved. If you don’t choose this mode, you may drive yourself crazy trying to figure out why you can’t edit or change anything. This mode is made specifically for you to change and move things around without making anything final until you save it. 

3. Incompatible Browser

Some browsers are not compatible with uploading pictures onto Etsy, this could look like anything from not opening a pop-up window that you need to not being able to click on the upload button. 

It’s always worth trying to use a browser such as an internet explorer or firefox since those are the most used, however, if those aren’t working, you may need to update your browser and make sure it has the most recent version. 

(Source: Help Etsy, Etsy)

4. Incorrect File Type

While Etsy does accept file types such as .jpg, .gif, and .png, if your file will not upload, you may have a type of file that Etsy does not support. Animated .gifs are not supported for your profile picture, and any other types of files will not successfully upload. 

Try changing your image to a file type that etsy accepts to see if that fixes your upload issue. 

(Source: Etsy, Etsy Community)

5. Internet Connection Issue

If your upload request is taking too long, or if it continues to time out, you may have a poor internet connection. If your internet connection is routinely too slow to upload images, you may need to go somewhere else with the internet to upload your picture. If your internet is usually fast, you can shut down your computer before unplugging the router and letting it reset.

Once you plug your router back in, you should experience better upload speeds. 

(Source: Help Etsy, Etsy)

6. Incorrect Picture Orientation 

Most of the time, Etsy can auto-fix orientation issues, but only when given information from your camera that it is necessary due to the picture settings. If your image is uploading sideways, or upside down, you need to fix the orientation yourself before trying to upload it again. 

You can generally use any image editing software to rotate your images and once you fix the orientation, your upload should work just fine.

(Source: Etsy, Etsy Community)

7. Incorrect Color Profile 

If your image is uploading but you are noticing that your picture does not convey the colors that it should its possible you are using the wrong color profile before uploading. Etsy converts images to use the sRGB colors to ensure they match the original colors as much as possible. 

Converting your image to sRGB before uploading should fix this issue. 

(Source: Help Etsy, Etsy)

8. Uploading Issues

If you have tried everything else to fix your picture upload issues, it is possible you may have something on your computer blocking your ability to upload images. Usually, you have firewall issues that are blocking your ability to upload things so you can adjust your firewall settings or remove your firewall long enough to upload your image before putting it back. 

(Source: Etsy, Etsy Community)

Troubleshooting 

Etsy has supplied its users with an entire page dedicated to troubleshooting any issues with uploading a picture. No matter what your issues is, you can either find it in the FAQ, or you can contact etsy for any other issues. 

There is also a Etsy community page that allows you to ask other uses if they have experienced the issue you are dealing with and they can help walk you through it while you are waiting to hear back from Etsy support

(Source: Help Etsy, Etsy)

Final Thoughts

While Etsy is relatively easy to use, every site has its issues that need troubleshooting. The great thing is, most of the time its a simple fix. Knowing that the logo, or the profile pixture is so important to a business, Etsy has a whole page dedicated to troubleshooting issues so you can fix anything that goes wrong. 

The biggest issues are usually relating to the size or type of image. If you can figure out how to change the picture size, or use an image editing software to fix whatever the image issue is, you should be able to upload your profile picture.

For those looking for Etsy profile design templates to make life easier, we highly recommend Placeit.net because they have pre-formatted Etsy templates that save tons of time.

Does Envato Elements Include Placeit?

Most creative branding projects require numerous multimedia elements such as logos, templates, and mockups. While you could acquire these elements through traditional means, using software tools such as Placeit and Envato Elements is often easier and quicker. However, the costs of multiple subscriptions can quickly add up.

Does Envato Elements Include Placeit? No, Envato Elements does not include Placeit. Envato Elements and Placeit require separate subscriptions. However, there is a deal you can use to save money on your subscription.

In this article, we’ll dive into what each subscription offers, if you need them both, and what deals might be available to save you some money.

Placeit vs. Envato Elements

Placeit and Envato Elements are popular graphic design services that let you create custom logos, mockups, and video templates for business branding and other multimedia productions. While both services offer similar products, they have major differences as well.

What is Placeit?

Placeit

Placeit is a website-based graphic design tool that lets you create mockups, designs, logos, and other forms of branding. Placeit is mainly used for templates to help you create designs, and custom media. The website has over 90,000 templates that you can use with an unlimited monthly/annual subscription, or purchase individual items.

Placeit provides full commercial use licensing for every template available in the library.

Some of the most popular uses are:

  • Photo Mockups
  • Video Mockups
  • Logo Templates
  • T-Shirt Design Templates
  • Social Media Post Templates
  • Online Ad Templates

What is Envato Elements?

Envato Elements

Envato Elements is a website based library of stock photos, stock videos, sound effects, fonts, and other multimedia assets. Envato Elements is mainly used for stock photos and videos. The website has over 58 million assets (mostly stock photos) that you can use with an unlimited monthly/annual subscription, or purchase individual items.

Envato Elements provides full commercial use licensing for every asset available in the library.

Some of the most popular uses are:

  • Stock Photos
  • Stock Videos
  • Sound Effects
  • Royalty Free Music
  • Video Templates
  • Website Themes & Plugins
  • Presentation Templates
  • Fonts

Do You Need Both Envato Elements and Placeit?

When it comes to Envato Elements and Placeit, you will probably only need one of the two.

Each tool is very capable on its own, so it will depend on what type of creator you are to determine which tool is right for you.

Who Should Use Placeit?

Placeit is the more beginner friendly, all-in-one, graphic design tool. It’s made for those who want to do all of the designing on Placeit, and download the finished product that’s ready to use.

Placeit is best for:

  • YouTubers – YouTube Thumbnail templates, YouTube Channel Art templates, End Screen templates.
  • Social Media Influencers – Templates for all major social platforms, Post templates, Story templates, Sponsored Post templates.
  • Live Stream Gamers – Gaming Logo templates, Video Overlay templates, Thumbnail templates.
  • Online Advertisers & Marketers – Ad templates for all major social platforms, Banner Ad templates, Video Ad templates.
  • Print On-Demand T-Shirt Sellers – Excellent for T-Shirt templates, T-Shirt Mockup templates, Logo templates.
  • Small Businesses – Logo templates, Profile Picture templates, Branding templates, Post templates.

Placeit is made for those who need a quick, professional, design made in minutes. Choose from templates, customize them to your needs, download with full commercial usage rights.

Who Should Use Envato Elements?

Envato Elements is the more advanced tool, made for those who need specific pieces of media to use in their external project. There is no editing features on Envato Elements, rather it’s just a place to download content.

Envato Elements is best for:

  • YouTubers – Stock Video for B-Roll, Royalty Free Audio, Sound Effects, Video Templates.
  • Video Editors – Stock Video for B-Roll, Royalty Free Audio, Sound Effects, Video Templates.
  • Video Production Companies – Stock Video for B-Roll, Royalty Free Audio, Sound Effects, Video Templates.
  • Website Developers – WordPress Themes and WordPress Plugins.
  • Bloggers – Great for Stock Photos. They have over 50 million photos in their library.

Envato Elements is made for those who need photos, videos, or audio for their external projects. Typically, Envato Elements is most commonly withed by video editors.

Are There Any Deals on Envato Elements or Placeit?

Now that you know which tool is right for you, let’s have a look at any potential deals to save you money.

First, it’s important to understand that both Envato Elements and Placeit use a subscription model. Once subscribed, you get unlimited access to their full library.

You can subscribe on a monthly basis, or an annual basis. The annual basis is more upfront, but cheaper per month overall.

How Much is Envato Elements?

Envato Elements is $33/month or $198/year.

Envato Elements does not offer any discounts or coupon codes.

Envato Elements offers a 7-day free trial.

How Much is Placeit?

Placeit is $14.95/month or $89.69/year.

Placeit offers a 15% OFF coupon code: Coupon Linked Here

Placeit does not offer a free trial, but they do offer a limited-use free account.

Conclusion

Envato Elements and Placeit are both owned by the same company, Envato, and although they seem similar in their offerings, they are actually two very different tools.

Hopefully this article has helped you determine which tool is right for you, and helped you save some money on your subscription. Enjoy!

Do PNG Files Lose Quality When Editing?

Having the best graphics and highest quality possible is what can set you aside from the rest of the designers. If you are incorporating a PNG into your work you may be wondering if making changes to it will lessen the quality of the final graphic. Poor quality graphics can result in a less professional-looking outcome rather than the refined quality that you wish to present.

Generally, when using a PNG file you will not have to worry too much about a loss of quality because the file is designed to be lossless when compressed. Slight quality changes or differences in color from the original image can occur if a PNG file is saved in certain formats.

For more clarity on how quality is affected when editing a PNG file continue reading for helpful information.

PNG Files and How Are They Different From Other File Types

A Portable Network Graphic or PNG is a sort of graphic file that is generally preferred among graphic designers who focus on web design or use Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator for their creative design projects.

The reason many designers like to use this type of file format is that it allows for a broader range of colors and background transparency than other file types allow, such as a JPG or GIF format. Using a PNG format is especially useful when designing logos or creating images with multiple layers where background transparency is a must.

These types of file formats are considered to be lossless when edited and compressed for saving. There are some exceptions where the quality may be slightly downgraded which will be discussed in the next section.

As with anything, there are advantages and disadvantages to using a PNG, the major downside of this type of format being that although the quality is increased they require more storage space which not everyone has the luxury of having which means it can be necessary to sometimes be sparing when using this type of file to avoid slow loading times and storage issues.

To learn more about how the quality of a PNG can be affected when saved by different methods continue reading the next section.

Two Ways to Save a PNG – Which is Best for Your Design?

As mentioned at the beginning of the article, there are different ways to save a PNG file. Both options offer a high-quality end product but there are some differences.

The first choice for saving a PNG file is the PNG 8-bit option which is much like a GIF because they only save a maximum of 256 colors.

The fact that this choice only supports 256 colors allows the file to take up less space. This can slightly reduce the image although some say that it is not enough for the human eye to detect but that depends upon who you ask.  

The second option for saving your PNG file is a PNG 24-bit format which allows for a virtually endless number of colors to be saved. The upside to this is that you will have some amazing eye-popping images to present; the downside as mentioned earlier is that the file sizes can become quite large which can slow loading time when being used in certain web applications.

What to Do When You Can’t Save Your Image as a PNG

There may come a time when you are ready to save the image you have worked so hard to design as a PNG file but alas it is not appearing as an option in the “save as” drop-down menu.

You may be wondering why this is and if there is anything you can do to solve the issue. Thankfully there is generally a simple reason as to why the PNG won’t save.

Here are the common reasons listed below:

  • Other non-PNG format options may be hindering the saving process
  • The bit mode of the image may need to be changed
  • Trying to save an image that is using CMYK color formatting which is not supported

If you have checked your settings and are still having difficulties you may need to reset your formatting preferences in which case you will likely be able to save your image at this point.

Knowing How to Edit and Save a PNG for the Best Results

Now that you have a more clear understanding of how PNGs work and how the quality of an image is affected by saving it in different formats you can make an educated decision on which file type to use on your next project.

Do You Need a Stylus for Procreate Pocket?

Procreate Pocket is the iPhone version of Apple’s Procreate app, which offers users a digital art studio for creating unique works of art wherever they happen to be. However, drawing on the smaller screen of an iPhone can present a challenge. A stylus can be helpful but is it necessary?  

A stylus is not a requirement for using Procreate Pocket. You can use a finger to click, drag, and draw in the app. However, using a stylus can give users a better creative experience and more detailed control over what they draw and design.

Thinking about downloading Procreate Pocket for your phone, but not sure if you need to add a writing utensil to your tech repertoire? Read on to find out if a stylus pencil should be your next purchase.

A Stylus Pencil is Preferred, Not Required

Think back to kindergarten for a minute. You probably loved to fingerpaint – touching all the colors and watching them take shape on the paper. It was pretty basic, but got the job done and made mom proud.

But then somebody put a brush in your hand. Wow! Just like that, your drawings took on a more refined, more precise look. The brush elevated your art up a notch or two.

That’s how it is when you compare finger drawings on Procreate Pocket with those done with a stylus pencil. Sure, you can create decent-looking work by using your finger on your iPhone screen. If you’re a good artist, everybody should be able to tell what it is, but is it the very best it could be?

Let’s compare using a finger versus using a stylus with Procreate Pocket to see how a stylus pencil gives you more.

FingerStylus
Size of finger can hinder controlFine tip on a stylus can enhance detail work
Fingernails may scratch screenTouchscreen compatibility reduces scratch risk
Finger can obscure drawing lines as you drawSome styli have clear tips to provide visibility during drawing
Fingertips have no variation in featuresStylus pencil tips offer a variety of features
Fingertip pressure is difficult to controlPencils offer pressure sensitivity
No electronic assistanceElectronics can help make smoother lines

So, while a fingertip will get the job done and may be enough for the most casual user, a stylus pencil is the preferred tool for those who want ultimate control of their artistic efforts in Procreate Pocket. 

Can I Use My Apple Pencil with Procreate Pocket?

You might assume that your Apple pencil would work with your iPhone and Procreate Pocket. Well, you would be wrong. Unfortunately, an Apple pencil is not compatible with an iPhone even though they are both Apple products.

If you want to use a stylus pencil to draw on your iPhone through Procreate Pocket, you’ll have to get an inexpensive stylus from a third party. There are several non-Apple brands to choose from at different price points. You won’t have to spend a fortune to get a reliable stylus that works.

Note: The Logitech Crayon, another stylus option for the iPad, is also incompatible with the iPhone screen.

What Type of Stylus Works Best with Procreate Pocket?

Stylus pencils come in two types:  passive and active. Both of these types will give you more control than simply drawing with your fingertip, but each has benefits and drawbacks. 

To draw in Procreate Pocket, you can use any stylus that is compatible with an iPhone. An active stylus will give you more control for precision and detailed drawings and color shadings.

Passive StylusActive Stylus
No battery means no charging needed.Battery will need to be charged periodically.
No internal electronics.Internal electronics assist user.
Rounded tip provides less maneuverability.Better pressure sensitivity and tilt control
There may be a lag between the pencil stroke and its appearance on the screen.Electronics aid in precision drawing.
Works on any touchscreenNot all active pencils work on all screens.
AffordableAffordable but pricier than passive models

Passive Stylus Pencils to Consider:

Active Stylus Pencils to Consider:

Final Thoughts

The good news is that you’re not required to use a stylus pencil to work in the Procreate Pocket app on an iPhone. You can manage to create decent work using just your fingertips.

The better news is that using a stylus can rock your artistic world on the iPhone, and finding an affordable stylus workhorse with a variety of features and tips means your next masterpiece is just a pencil stroke away.

Do PNG Files have Metadata? The Facts Explained

Metadata can be described as a subcategory of information about data—the type of information that makes the data easier to find and manage. Several metadata categories are commonly known: administrative, statistical, structural, and descriptive. Most digital files have metadata, including PDF files, songs, videos, documents, etc.

Yes, PNG files have metadata. The type of metadata is referred to as textual information chunks. Each “chunk” represents a group of descriptive data correlating to the image, including author, title, description, copyright, and so on.

PNG “chunks” would fall under the category of descriptive metadata. Since each type of metadata has its unique characteristics, it’s essential to know how PNG metadata presents itself. Once you familiarize yourself with the function of each chunk and its keywords, you will be able to look at the metadata of any PNG and know how to read and identify it.

What are the Characteristics of PNG Metadata?

A PNG file (Portable Network Graphics) is an image file format specifically for raster or bitmap graphics. The characteristics of PNG files are transportable, legally burdenless, lossless compression, and so on.

A PNG file begins with an 8-byte signature with the same decimal value: 137 80 78 71 13 10 26 10. This signature lets you know that the rest of the file contains an image composed of the textual information chunks, starting with IHDR and ending with IEND. Let’s break down the textual information chunks.

  • The Parts in Each Chunk
  • Chunk Types (Critical and Ancillary)
  • Textual Information Chunk Keywords

Delving into each of these classifications will give us a full picture of PNG metadata.

The Parts in Each Chunk

A chunk is simply the unit of storage for the data, and each chunk of metadata comprises four parts.

  • Length (4 Bytes): Pertains to the number of bytes strictly in the data field of the chunk. The length should be treated as an unsigned integer, though the value can not exceed 2ˆ31-1 bytes.
  • Chunk Type (4 Bytes): Defined by a four-letter code consisting of upper- and lower-case ASCII letters. Each letter represents a different element of the chunk type and is case-sensitive.
  • Chunk Data (Length Bytes): Bytes of data associated with the chunk type. There may not be any so that this length can be zero.
  • CRC (4 Bytes): Cyclical Redundancy Check is computed using the bytes of the chunk type code and chunk data only. Even for chunks containing no data, the CRC always exists.

The case of the letter defines each letter of the four-letter code pertaining to the chunk type.

  • The first letter case indicates the chunk’s subcategory, critical or ancillary. If it is uppercase, it is critical, and if it is lowercase, it is ancillary.
  • The second letter case stipulates if the chunk is “public” or “private.” If it is uppercase, it is public, and if it is lowercase, it is private.
  • The third letter case conforms to PNG specifications in that it must be uppercase. It is not currently defined but is intended to be defined in the future.
  • The fourth letter case lets editors that do not recognize the chunk know it is safe to copy.

Chunk Types (Critical or Ancillary)

Chunks are divided into two main subcategories, critical and ancillary. Critical implies that the chunk is required to display the image successfully. Though ancillary chunks include such elements as background color, the aspect ratio of the image, gamma value, and so on, they are not considered necessary to display the gist of the image.

The textual information of the image or the primary metadata for PNG files falls under the ancillary subcategory. Focusing on critical chunks, you have four of these in a specific order. You can refer to the chunk type four-letter code to better understand each one.

  • IHDR: Height, width and bit deep of the image
  • PLTE: The list of colors or the palette
  • IDAT: The data of the image. There can be multiple IDAT chunks that the data is split up in, which increases the file size but allows the PNG to produce steadily.
  • IEND: The end of the image, so there is nothing in the data field of this chunk.

If an encoder or a decoder comes across a critical chunk that it does not recognize, they must immediately stop their action and warn the user. If the same happened with an ancillary chunk, they might continue reading the file without fear or warning.

Textual Information Chunk Keywords

The textual information chunk is where you look for the metadata of a PNG file. Each one contains a keyword in its first field that points to the information type in the string of text.

KeywordDefinition
TitleName associated with the image; caption
AuthorImage creator
DescriptionThe written representation of the image
CopyrightNotice of legal right given to the creator or originator of the image
Creation TimeThe exact time when the original image was created
SoftwareSoftware, program or application used in the creation of the image
DisclaimerDisavowed or denial of legal claim
WarningNotice of potentially unpleasant nature of the content
SourceThe device used in the creation of the image
CommentMiscellaneous or GIF conversion notation

Converting JPEG to PNG: Metadata Lost

If you consider converting a JPEG file to a PNG file, one piece of metadata will get lost since it is not originally contained in the PNG file metadata. EXIF or Exchangeable Image File Format primarily pertains to photographs, and it includes information on the device used to take the picture, the geolocation of the picture, date, time, etc.

Every time you use a phone or digital camera to take a picture, it’s automatically saved as a JPEG, and the EXIF data is stored in your device. Once that photo is converted, the EXIF will not carry over. However, you can store this chunk of metadata elsewhere before conversion, like an extensible metadata platform (XMP).

Conclusion

PNG files do include an ancillary form of metadata that, while it may not be crucial to the display of the image, provides other data that may be pertinent to an individual looking for the information that textual information chunks provide.

Can You Use Logos in Your YouTube Thumbnails?

YouTube thumbnails draw watchers in and set channels apart from other content creators on the market. Sometimes, you might see logos displayed in YouTube thumbnails. Is this legal to do as a video creator on YouTube?

Although you can use logos in your thumbnails, it’s best to avoid it if possible. It can send the wrong message to viewers and even result in legal trouble from the logo owner in the worst cases.

If you’re interested in learning more about logos in your YouTube thumbnails, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about why it’s best to steer clear of these images, how you can get permission, and what might happen if you’re not careful. There’s quite a bit to cover, so let’s get started!

Why Shouldn’t You Use Logos in YouTube Thumbnails?

There are many reasons why you can’t use logos in your YouTube thumbnail, but the most critical has to do with business endeavors. If you use a thumbnail in your logo, viewers may assume you’re sponsored. You could attract lovers of that brand and make money by stealing the fame the company has worked hard to create.

Here are a few other reasons why you shouldn’t use logos in your thumbnails:

  • It’s free advertising: Using a logo is free advertising for the company. You won’t get any money for it.
  • It can send the wrong message: As mentioned above, a logo in your thumbnail can present an image that you are affiliated with or sponsored by the brand the logo belongs to.
  • It can get you into trouble: Some images are copyrighted and therefore illegal to use if you don’t have explicit permission from the owner.

These are some strong reasons against putting a logo in your thumbnail.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with using a logo in your YouTube thumbnail if you make it clear that you’re not affiliated with the brand. However, some images are copyrighted and therefore illegal to use without explicit permission. What if you want to display a copyrighted image? We’ll talk about this action next.

How Do You Get Permission for Copyrighted Logos?

If you want to use the logo for your thumbnail, but it turns out to be copyrighted, you’ll need to get permission right away. There are a few steps you can follow to see if the person who owns the copyright will be willing to give you access.

To get permission for a logo in your thumbnail, you should:

  • Figure out who has the ownership and rights to the logo
  • Contact them and ask for the rights
  • Pay any necessary fees
  • Wait for written permission to go ahead with the us

They could give you the go-ahead after this request or turn you away.

If the company says no, you’re out of options for restricted logos. Take the logo out of your thumbnail and find a way to make your video enticing without it. There are ways to be creative, even if the logo is integral.

What Might Happen if You Use Copyrighted Logos Without Permission?

If you don’t get permission for copyrighted logos, issues can arise. These are especially likely if you’re a content creator that makes a significant income on your channel while putting another company’s image in the thumbnail of your video.

Some other repercussions include:

  • Lack of monetization on a particular video
  • The requirement to pay back a company
  • Legal trouble if they feel like you’ve stolen

Although actions are not often taken, those that are can hurt any content creator.

The best thing you can do is avoid using copyrighted logos. Try finding images that fall under fair use, or change them up enough to be unique for your website. Better yet, use a YouTube thumbnail maker to ensure your thumbnail is copyright-free and commercially usable. It’s better to steer clear of any trouble that might arise.

Conclusion

Although there are not too many legal issues that come with putting a logo in your YouTube thumbnails, it’s better to avoid using property that doesn’t belong to you. It can give off the impression that you’re affiliated with the company, give them free advertising, and get you into trouble if the logo is copyrighted.

We hope this information was helpful! When working on the best way to display your content to someone scrolling on YouTube, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Take action to avoid using logos unless you’re reviewing a product that will benefit from displaying them.