Custom Cover Art Thread

[pony]

Hi, sorry if this isn't allowed, but can anyone direct me to a high quality cover for a toy story trilogy 4 disc set? I could ony find one good one and i had to purchase it
Thanks if you can find one, sorry if this is unacceptable

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by monstermkr

Hey Moviefan, it might be too late now, but I think I would have added some Photoshop filters to Doc Brown, to get that Struzan art look. Maybe when you get some time, you can mess with it.

I tried everything I could think of (brightness, contrast, filters, lighting FX, multiple layers and color settings) and this is the best I could do. It's not perfect, but its very close, and that's enough for me.

[Morsoth]

Thanks Moviefan2k4!

Looks gorgeous in full res!

[Torrente]

It's really good! Great job Moviefan! Really, I'm impressed

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by Morsoth

Thanks Moviefan2k4!

Looks gorgeous in full res!

You are very welcome; I'm glad you like it.

Originally Posted by Torrente

It's really good! Great job Moviefan! Really, I'm impressed

Thanks to you as well; I'm always grateful when someone appreciates my work. It means a lot.

If either of you two (or anyone else who's downloaded this cover) would like to post some photos of it on your shelf, don't hesitate on my account.

[cjclifford]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

OK, guys, this is it...the 100% finished "Back to the Future" cover series. On the whole, I feel very satisfied with it, and I hope you will, too. The printable covers can be found RIGHT HERE; the file contains versions for 10, 12, 14, 16, and 22mm cases. Feel free to send me some pics when you have it printed; I'd love to see it on a shelf!

[Show spoiler][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/moviefan2k4/BTTF_BR_cover_full_pv_final.jpg[/IMG

]

Pretty cool. I know I'll be using it, once I purchase some cases. I really liked seeing how the design changed as you worked on it. Good ole progress pics.

[The Nacho]

Is there a F.A.Q. or someplace to learn more about setting up and printing custom covers? I would love to know what kind of printer, paper, ink, etc. needed to get quality results.

[Torrente]

I recall I read the same discussion/question on page 333? 334? (I can't remember exactly) because I was interested in the answers such as you too.

The answers were to buy this kind of paper: http://www.mohawkpaperstore.com/pape...20GLOSS/61-271

Or this cheaper alternative : http://www.thepapermillstore.com/pro...shoppingsearch

What I often do, is go to a copy shop with my USB device ,chose the kind of paper I want (not to smooth, not too grainy, thick but not too much), and get it printed.
But I live in France (I don't know if you can in the USA - I bet you can).

[cjclifford]

Originally Posted by Torrente

What I often do, is go to a copy shop with my USB device ,chose the kind of paper I want (not to smooth, not too grainy, thick but not too much), and get it printed.
But I live in France (I don't know if you can in the USA - I bet you can).

Kinkos and Staples do that sort of stuff. I've only ever done it once at Staples. Had them print a 17x11 picture on glossy paper.

[threefiftyrocket]

Originally Posted by The Nacho

Is there a F.A.Q. or someplace to learn more about setting up and printing custom covers? I would love to know what kind of printer, paper, ink, etc. needed to get quality results.

BPM started a really great thread on custom printing, referenced in the first post.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/general-ch...ng-thread.html

Theres also this post if you take your covers to Kinkos or something

https://forum.blu-ray.com/2775602-post2546.html

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by cjclifford

Kinkos and Staples do that sort of stuff. I've only ever done it once at Staples. Had them print a 17x11 picture on glossy paper.

I have tried using Kinkos several times in the past, and I've always had very real trouble there. All too often, they state outright that copyright law bans them from offering any printing services without permission...period. I was at a local location yesterday, and after explaining my reasons to the manager, he said he'd call the FedEx Kinkos legal department, to see if he could get authorization...so, at the very least, its a small glimmer of hope.

[Trean]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

I have tried using Kinkos several times in the past, and I've always had very real trouble there. All too often, they state outright that copyright law bans them from offering any printing services without permission...period. I was at a local location yesterday, and after explaining my reasons to the manager, he said he'd call the FedEx Kinkos legal department, to see if he could get authorization...so, at the very least, its a small glimmer of hope.

Just tell them you are using them for teaching aspects of graphic design. Teaching falls under the "fair use" doctrine of copyright exceptions. The fact that you are not selling them or making money on them makes you slim pickins' for any copyright suit.

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by Trean

Just tell them you are using them for teaching aspects of graphic design. Teaching falls under the "fair use" doctrine of copyright exceptions. The fact that you are not selling them or making money on them makes you slim pickins' for any copyright suit.

There's just one problem with that: I'm not a teacher, and I have no interest in teaching. I help other artists with tips and resources when I can, but that's a far cry from the "educational" aspect of the Fair Use clause. I want to get my stuff printed, without having to lie about it.

[Trean]

For some reason it behooves me that Kinkos doesn't have a liability clause or something akin to it basically stating that they bare no legal responsibility on the printings of a customer.

I still find it to be a power move by manager's to call in the legality of printing various artwork. There is no way that a manager at Kinkos understands copyright law enough to make the claims, so to me its strictly a power move.

[Velmeran]

Can always use this (I've used it and heard it used a few times, works everytime):

I'm taking a graphics design class and I need to print out my creations.

Note: Anytime I used that line, I actually was printing out my own designs, but not in any type of graphic design class.

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by Trean

For some reason it behooves me that Kinkos doesn't have a liability clause or something akin to it basically stating that they bare no legal responsibility on the printings of a customer.

I'd imagine they probably do, but here's what's been happening.

Yesterday, I visited two locations. At the first, a worker told me she'd take a look at my cover file, and judge it from there. She didn't have a problem with my disclaimer, but she took issue with all the studio logos, saying they were copyrighted, and refused to help. So, I bought a Kinko's computer card, and tried to print it myself. Now, I'm no expert on printer technology, but I have a fair understanding of the basics. I went into the settings, chose Legal paper, on Landscape mode, and hit Print...but the printer didn't respond correctly. The readout on it said, "Correct paper not available", even though I'd brought my own stock, and placed it n the tray. So, I tried again, and still no response. All the while, the computer itself is charging me by the minute, as well as for each print job, failed or otherwise. Left with no other option, I asked two other employees to help me out, and they couldn't get it working right, either. I got one print finally done, and it had been resized to fit the full paper size, instead of being like I made it to be. Then, the latter two's boss (the first lady I'd spoken to) realized what was going on, and again told me they're not even supposed to be involvd with such things at all. Another customer offered to help, but the boss lady refused to allow him, saying they'd still be aiding us with the use of their machines. Finally, I got them to refund my money, trashed the bad print, and left.

At the second location, I spoke to the store manager, and explained my intentions. I told him i simly wanted to get it printed in full color, at the correct size, cut the excess paper off, and put it in my Blu-Ray case; that's it. He took a look at my file, and explained to me that, to get any help, I'd need legal permission from several people: the movie studio, the folks in charge of the actors' likenesses, whoever owns the logo designs and associated vehicle images...basically, I'd need a latter for every piece of the overall puzzle, just to get it done right. I told this manager that I was no video pirate, and I was mostly wanting this done for my collection (which is true), and he understood, but still said the company would get sued without proper authorization. In the end, he said he'd call the FedEx Kinko's legal department the next day (today), and give me a call when they responded. He called once this morning, just to let me know he'd contacted them, and said he'd try again later. That was about 4 hours ago, and I've had no other news since then.

In short, I'm being stopped by tons of red tape.

[tkdkid717]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

I'd imagine they probably do, but here's what's been happening.

Yesterday, I visited two locations. At the first, a worker told me she'd take a look at my cover file, and judge it from there. She didn't have a problem with my disclaimer, but she took issue with all the studio logos, saying they were copyrighted, and refused to help. So, I bought a Kinko's computer card, and tried to print it myself. Now, I'm no expert on printer technology, but I have a fair understanding of the basics. I went into the settings, chose Legal paper, on Landscape mode, and hit Print...but the printer didn't respond correctly. The readout on it said, "Correct paper not available", even though I'd brought my own stock, and placed it n the tray. So, I tried again, and still no response. All the while, the computer itself is charging me by the minute, as well as for each print job, failed or otherwise. Left with no other option, I asked two other employees to help me out, and they couldn't get it working right, either. I got one print finally done, and it had been resized to fit the full paper size, instead of being like I made it to be. Then, the latter two's boss (the first lady I'd spoken to) realized what was going on, and again told me they're not even supposed to be involvd with such things at all. Another customer offered to help, but the boss lady refused to allow him, saying they'd still be aiding us with the use of their machines. Finally, I got them to refund my money, trashed the bad print, and left.

At the second location, I spoke to the store manager, and explained my intentions. I told him i simly wanted to get it printed in full color, at the correct size, cut the excess paper off, and put it in my Blu-Ray case; that's it. He took a look at my file, and explained to me that, to get any help, I'd need legal permission from several people: the movie studio, the folks in charge of the actors' likenesses, whoever owns the logo designs and associated vehicle images...basically, I'd need a latter for every piece of the overall puzzle, just to get it done right. I told this manager that I was no video pirate, and I was mostly wanting this done for my collection (which is true), and he understood, but still said the company would get sued without proper authorization. In the end, he said he'd call the FedEx Kinko's legal department the next day (today), and give me a call when they responded. He called once this morning, just to let me know he'd contacted them, and said he'd try again later. That was about 4 hours ago, and I've had no other news since then.

In short, I'm being stopped by tons of red tape.

Just say you printed them for a class. Its the only way to get passed the ridiculous red tape that is the Kinkos copyright policy. The policy is mostly there to stop the printing of forged documents such as pass ports and drivers licenses. I guarantee if you didn't have the logos or a bar code on it there would be no issue. Its just that the class of people who work at Kinkos don't understand that it is possible to create these kind of covers and not have it be from a professional artist working for a studio.

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by tkdkid717

Just say you printed them for a class. Its the only way to get passed the ridiculous red tape that is the Kinkos copyright policy. The policy is mostly there to stop the printing of forged documents such as pass ports and drivers licenses. I guarantee if you didn't have the logos or a bar code on it there would be no issue. Its just that the class of people who work at Kinkos don't understand that it is possible to create these kind of covers and not have it be from a professional artist working for a studio.

Just one problem: the last time I was in a design class was 8 years ago. I don't want to lie about my intentions, or try to "sneak" past rules. If I'm going to do this, I want it done honestly.

[Velmeran]

Then here's how you do it that way --- go in at 11:00ish on Friday or Saturday night.

Go straight to one of the self-service machines; I prefer the ones that charge a bit more per minute, but have photoshop as it eliminates most of the headaches involved with printing.

From there open your files in Photoshop and print them individually, being sure the option to "resize to fit" or whatever it is called these days it NOT enabled.

Photoshop is typically smart enough to remember your print options from 1 to the next so once you get the first setup you can usually crank through the others pretty quickly.

Later at night there is typically only 1 person working and they could care less about actually helping you; so if you don't seek them out they typically don't seek you out. Since the machine is self-service and it bills your credit card you don't need to interact with anybody --- unless you have a botched print job or 2, but if that's the case just wait until you've gotten all your stuff printed before talking with them to get a partial refund on the incorrect prints.

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by Velmeran

Then here's how you do it that way --- go in at 11:00ish on Friday or Saturday night.

Go straight to one of the self-service machines; I prefer the ones that charge a bit more per minute, but have photoshop as it eliminates most of the headaches involved with printing.

From there open your files in Photoshop and print them individually, being sure the option to "resize to fit" or whatever it is called these days it NOT enabled.

Photoshop is typically smart enough to remember your print options from 1 to the next so once you get the first setup you can usually crank through the others pretty quickly.

First, I don't drive, so going anywhere at 11 PM is practically out of the question. Secondly, if the printer doesn't work right - for any reason - then I'm back to square one, because none of the folks there will help me, due to the nature of the file.

EDIT: I just spoke with the manager of that second FedEx Kinko's location again, and he said he'd been given authorization by the legal department for one print of the file. I'll also have to sign a release form when I go there tomorrow.