As I understand it now, you do not want the white in the font itself.  The best way to produce your composite is in Illustrator using the font mentioned earlier in the posts.  Much easier than trying to do it in Photoshop.  Have you printed the file?  It may appear pixelated on-screen, but prints as expected.  Is this a web graphic? ... View more

I wonder if it may be better as a bitmap?  This would mean scanning the original artwork at several different sizes as Grayscale, then in Ps convert to i-bit Black and White bitmap.  I think the problem with vector is too many anchor points. ... View more

Use Illustrator after you've loaded the font(s).  Not sure what colors you plan on using, but Illustrator is the preferred application.  ... View more

Not necessary to apologize for asking questions.  That's what these forums are for.  Ask and get answers to questions.  All part of learning and the learning never really ends.  Some others are making some solid recommendations and demonstrate the fact that there is more than one way to do the same thing.  I cannot show you what you asked for here.  That light house looks easy, but has some areas that will require some skill in curve and line manipulations.  Your reference artwork of the light house is not the greatest rendition of a light house, but it is what it is.  Most elements can be achieved using the rectangle tool.  Start out with simple shapes and then manipulate their anchor points to conform to the element in the artwork.  Use Illustrator.  Focus on the pen tool, the rectangle tool, and the convert anchor point tool.  Some users do one half and then use the reflect tool to save time.  There are a few things you could do that would greatly improve the light house.  For instance, because the actual building is a cylinder, you could arch the red elements.  Good practice.  Your sticker project is a little tricky because of the colored backgrounds.  The text elements may or may not have white inside the font.  The only way to tell is to recreate the artwork using the font recommended in the above post using Illustrator.  I have a feeling the font does not use white, so the question now is do you want white inside the font or not?  Does that font also have a solid version to be used as an underlayer?  Some do, some don't. ... View more

I wonder what would happen if you... 1.)  Dump transparency altogether ( as a test on a copy of an .ai file ); 2.)  Create a swatch of the color percentages @ 25% ( 10.25C, 18M, 22.75Y, and 13.25K ); 3.)  In the copy of the original, select the elements and apply the new swatch @ 100% ( no transparency ). Then, create the PDF and see if it holds up vs. your original which used the 25% transparency setting. I agree with you and your frustrations.  This sort of stuff should not happen and certainly cuts down on your productivity. ... View more

You can manipulate anything you find on the internet.  However, you have to respect the inherent limitations regarding copyright infringement.  As long as you do not claim the artwork as your own you, as a courtesy, should ask permission to use the artwork.  But again, depends on what you are using the artwork for.  Are you using it to show your abilities to make revisions?  Or, as a self-training exercise?  If so, you can proceed.  What you cannot do is claim the artwork as your own, sell it as your own, claim it as your own in your portfolio, etc., etc. The artwork you show were more than likely created using Illustrator, not Photoshop.  It is actually more difficult to work these elements in Photoshop.  Possible, but not recommended.  I suggested using the pen tool to create a path, which would be the same procedure in Illustrator.  I am not clear whether you want a white outline around the letters or not.  In Photoshop, you could create a Layer for the background color.  But, much easier to do in Illustrator with a lot more flexibility.  All that said, if you are doing these ops to practice your skill sets, have at it.  But, you will have to explain why you chose Photoshop.  When I tutor new users, I recommend they perfect their drawing and path manipulation skills using Illustrator, which could then be brought into Photoshop and used when appropriate. ... View more

Also, disregard what I said about a cutter. I thought you wanted to cut the file using a digital cutting machine. Sent from my iPhone ... View more

Now I understand a little better what you are trying to do. Whenever you select something, copy it and then paste it, the element comes onto its own, separate layer when you paste. To cut the letters or s word, you can create a path and then use the path as a selection. So, it might be a matter of creating a path using the pen tool. It gets a little complicated to explain, but let me know if you follow what I am saying so far. Sent from my iPhone ... View more

Let me try to help... "I am trying to make a sheet of stickers out of this graphic below and I wonder if there is a way to make the bottom word centered instead of shifting to the left side?... In Photoshop, you'd select the text, copy & paste, then move the element to the center.  Then, delete the original text element. ...How could I remake this with a more cut out look from the white background and using what program?... You could create the artwork in either Photoshop or Illustrator, save it to the format a cutter could interpret ( this would be an actual cutout, if you want to do it visually, you'd create it the same way, just not cut it out of the media. ...On another note I wonder how I am supposed to save an Illustrator file as a jpeg or gif? When I have tried to save it the only file extensions it gives are ai, svg etc.Thanks for any help" Like already suggested, use Export in Illustrator, select JPEG ( why GIF? ). ... View more

Where is the original file?  What version of PDF were they created to?  I wonder if there is a Preference setting somewhere that is being overlooked in the update Illustrator versions?  What was the color setting for those elements that are going to 100%?  For instance, are they 20%K?  Or, are they on a Layer set for 20% opacity?  Or have they been set to 20% Transparency ( and, if so, what is the Blending Mode )? ... View more

The issue should have been solved a long time ago, but is surprisingly common at the same time.  The key is to finally establish a brand identity.  The company should have produced a branding guide where the answer to the problem could be found.  The external inks will not deviate.  Until you have people doing their own conversions to CMYK.  Therein lines the inconsistency.  Your job should be establishing the branding color in each iterance. ... View more

Take a look at the artwork in outline ( command/control Y ) mode.  If you see the checkerboard pattern as rectangles or lines, then it is part of the composite for visual purposes ( i.e., to let user know that is a photo area ).  I would try selecting, with the open arrow tool, just the shadow circle.  Delete it just to see what happens.  Un-do the delete and dupe the shadow > use the duplicate for your clipping mask  >  place the shadow on-top of the new photo mask ( in transparency flyout, make sure "multiply" is selected.  If that fails, you might have to recreate the shadow and mask manually and delete the original.  Make sure you do these type of edits on a "copy" of the original file. ... View more

In a copy-and-paste operation, the file goes to the clipboard ( a preview file ).  Depending on the size of your Photoshop file and its resolution, the paste is going to be degraded.  Better to File > Export > then open the exported version ( .tiff; .png; .psd; etc. ) in Photoshop and go from there. ... View more

"Also, what are the benefits of saving with a .tiff preview?" A .tiff preview can be opened and viewed on a PC.  The file can also be edited on a PC.  If you take a look at your layers palette ( sorry, old school reference vs. panel ) and expand the layers you will see that just about every element is on its own layer.  You have written that some people have viewed the file on their PC and found nothing wrong.... "Another instructor viewed it on a PC and it showed up fine" which leads me to believe it could very well be a preview problem.  Have all of those who have viewed the file print it, too?  What about you?  Have you printed the file?  The proof is in the print. ... View more

I'd recheck those elements to see if they are indeed pure black or there is some type of setting applied in transparency or attributes.  When I know the file will be viewed on a PC, I save it with a .tiff preview.  But, without seeing the artwork, its difficult to say.  ... View more

It looks like the original artwork has some nasty black reflections that really do not need to be there.  Unless you like that "look", why not recreate your own chrome bottom using a gradient?  It would give you the flexibility to modify the artwork in the future if necessary.  You could have something that looks better than what is there now.  Even in Photoshop, you still have those reflections. ... View more

That "look" may have been done by hand using a wood- etch type pen and ink illustration technique.  My guess is the label itself was engraved.  No computer involvement.  There are illustrators that use that technique even today, but it is done by hand.  The illustration itself could then be scanned and used as a 1-bit Black and White digital file.  Then, that could be used to engrave the label.  Not sure Illustrator would be a good tool to use for the job.  Have you designed the label yet?  Have you sketched what you want to do?  If you have, contact American Showcase, Artist Representatives, NY 800-894-7489.  They may be able to give you a list of illustrators who do that type of technique.  ... View more

Well, to be honest even I am still learning.  No one person can master these software programs.  Perhaps, when your project is done and the room has been tiled, you could post a digital pic of the results.  Should you have any other questions, feel free to ask.  Glad I was able to assist. ... View more

That came out wrong. I meant to say we are all here to help. Sent from my iPhone ... View more

No worries. Yes. If you click anywhere with the rectangle tool, you should get a dialog box where you can input the width and height dimensions. Then, set that rectangle's fill and stroke to "none". There may also be an option upon export to use art board, but I do a holding box out of habit. If you don't then the export will constrain to the artwork which may not include the entire art board. So, if your art board is 30 x 60, create the rectangle 30 x 60. Lock it to the edges. Do not worry about asking questions. Some of us are here to help. Sent from my iPhone ... View more

No.  What I do is create a holding line ( rectangle 30 x whatever with no fill, no stroke > align the rectangle to the edge of your artboard > Object Lock Selection ).  Then Export as .tiff.  When you open the .tiff in Photoshop, you will have the entire graphic artboard.  No need to setup a file in Photoshop.  Once in Photoshop, you can use your Rectangle tool and set it for a 6 x 6 @ 150ppi > then use the Rectangle tool to select an area > copy & paste into a new document ( command C, command N, command V ) for each tile.  Do a test print first, because you may have to create a bleed for each tile, depending on how the paper maps to the tile. ... View more

A good trade shop will separate the file for you using their equipment which should include in-RIP trapping.  Are you separating the file to print your own films? ... View more

Not really.  I checked out that Sawgrass SG800.  Still a little confused on how the drivers work, but you should be fine exporting as.  Your challenge is setting up the tiles.  It looks like you print to paper and then heat it to adhere to the ceramic tile?  ... View more

The 300ppi reference is most probably the file's raster resolution setting.  If the elements were traced, then you have a vector file.  What I would do is this.  Once you have enlarged and laid out the 30 x 45 design the way you want it, then "Export" the files as a CMYK .tiff @ 150ppi ( you could even go 72ppi, but at the risk of visible pixelation ).  That sublimation printer does not need 300ppi resolution.  I am surprised you cannot print vector files. Another workaround is save the 30 x 45 fie as a PDF and print that.  Can you tell us what sublimation printer and driver version you are using? ... View more

Make a copy of the spot color image file in PS > covert to CMYK (  Image > Mode > CMYK ); save using a different name > place the CMYK file in Illustrator ( instead of the spot color file ).  ... View more

It depends on your current operating system and which previous version of CS you currently have.  Last I heard, you should still be able to update via Adobe. ... View more

I'll take a look.  Try contacting me.  Twelve designs is a bit too many.  But, hopefully you have not made a presentation yet.  Typically, I narrow it down to three to present.  ... View more