~Can I use your graphics commercially?

Generally speaking, the answer is no. However, feel free to email me at taran@tkwhimsy.com with an overview of your proposal and I’d be glad to look it over!

 

~What can I do with digital craft graphics?

The applications are ENDless!!! A large group of people use these type of graphics to create scrapbook pages – either completely digitally and then printing them, or printing out separate pieces (such as backgrounds etc) and then assembling them into a finished product. Greeting cards, tags, labels…print graphics out on decal paper and embellish glassware & porcelain pieces…The BEST part is that you can customize and tweak the colors/size etc. of the graphics again and again!

Try doing THAT with pre-printed graphics! :D

 

~What type of software is recommended?

Personally, I use Corel Paint Shop Pro X (which used to be owned by JASC so any version before version X will be a JASC titled product) and Adobe Photoshop CS2 but there is a host of different programs out there. For the person just starting up, I highly recommend Paint Shop Pro for the nice balance between capability and cost. If you want to try out a Photoshop product but don’t want to invest in the Photoshop Creative Suite (CS) then I recommend Photoshop Elements.

Most of the programs out there offer a downloadable trial to test things out before you buy. Both Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro have a HUGE array of online resources for tutorials and downloadable ‘goodies.’ If all else fails, just drop me a line and I’d be happy to point you in the right direction!

 

~Printing?

Before I invested in a wide format printer, I had all my digital layouts printed for a few dollars apiece at my local copy shop. For general crafting purposes, a regular old inkjet printer works just fine (good quality paper makes a WORLD of difference). I also found that printing my scrap layouts in 8x8 size looks fantastic too and they make pre-made scrapbook albums in this very size – plus no wide format printer or trip to the copy shop needed! If you need some direction or inspiration for more adventurous crafty ideas such as waterslide decals – check out my tutorial HERE: http://www.scrapbook-elements.com/tutorials/TCONY_waterslidedecalsI.pdf