top cow lettering WTF

omega sentry · 08-02-2006, 01:41 AM

Just saw alot of top cow tittles like hunter killer so forth...did I read miss prints or what, cause the lettering looks really poor. It's all pixles and fuzz...what gives?

JacoNB · 08-02-2006, 11:54 AM

"Top cow tittles." tee hee.

On a serious note, I'm not sure about the newer titles, but I have some older Hunter Killer issues, and the lettering looks fantastic. Not as good as mine, of course

but there didn't seem to be anything wrong with the quality of the print. It sounds like they used antialiasing on the font and a low resolution TIFF or something that they sent to the printer.

But for the most part, I thought the quality of Top Cow books has always been pretty good. Hope they aren't cutting corners to save money or something.

Jason Arthur · 08-02-2006, 10:31 PM

anyone have a scan?

You've got me curious now.

-- J

omega sentry · 08-03-2006, 06:38 AM

the lettering style looks great like any other it's the quality that kills it. like I said pixels and fuzz.

I can scan but I would have to scan a section where the balloon is and keep it print sized. cause it I reduce it will not be noticeable.

omega sentry · 08-04-2006, 11:43 AM

Ok here is a sample of a Top Cow VS DC lettering...the Top cow scan kind of looks a bit different from the print but I guess that's how the Imperfections translated in the scan.

**Kep!** · 08-04-2006, 02:39 PM

I was going to suggest rasterization, but the white halo on the TC scan means it was done in layers with the overprint off. SO! My only other guess is it was done as a PDF with the wrong options checked.

**L Jamal** · 08-04-2006, 03:58 PM

My guess would be they are using a new letterer or new prepress team

mattmoylan · 08-04-2006, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kep!

I was going to suggest rasterization, but the white halo on the TC scan means it was done in layers with the overprint off. SO! My only other guess is it was done as a PDF with the wrong options checked.

You can still get that halo effect if the lettering was done in photoshop can't you? if the black outline was done in a pure black colour (like say 0C 0M 0Y 100K), it might come out liek that

**Kep!** · 08-04-2006, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattmoylan

You can still get that halo effect if the lettering was done in photoshop can't you? if the black outline was done in a pure black colour (like say 0C 0M 0Y 100K), it might come out liek that

I supopose it depends on the print process, but I believe on a flat file that wouldn't be such an issue. At least not specifically around just a balloon...all black offset, sure, but not the balloon alone.

omega sentry · 08-05-2006, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljamal

My guess would be they are using a new letterer or new prepress team

Maybe and they got a hold of alot of comics...alot of them look like that..

08-02-2006, 01:41 AM	#1
omega sentry Hero posing as Civilian Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sin city Posts: 2,928	top cow lettering WTF Just saw alot of top cow tittles like hunter killer so forth...did I read miss prints or what, cause the lettering looks really poor. It's all pixles and fuzz...what gives?

08-04-2006, 02:39 PM	#6
Kep! Self-Evident Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: He's EVERYWHERE! He's EVERYWHERE! Posts: 8,771	I was going to suggest rasterization, but the white halo on the TC scan means it was done in layers with the overprint off. SO! My only other guess is it was done as a PDF with the wrong options checked. __________________ AEIOU, *Kep!* Writer, Letterer, Magician & Sophist www.wordybastard.com Why yes, I am on Facebook, thanks for asking

08-04-2006, 03:58 PM	#7
L Jamal member of G.R.O.S.S. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: right here Posts: 10,574	My guess would be they are using a new letterer or new prepress team __________________ L Jámal Walton UNGOODWISE \| MY BLOG \| SELF-PUBLISHING COMICS

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08-02-2006, 11:54 AM	#2
JacoNB Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Canada Posts: 198	"Top cow tittles." tee hee. On a serious note, I'm not sure about the newer titles, but I have some older Hunter Killer issues, and the lettering looks fantastic. Not as good as mine, of course but there didn't seem to be anything wrong with the quality of the print. It sounds like they used antialiasing on the font and a low resolution TIFF or something that they sent to the printer. But for the most part, I thought the quality of Top Cow books has always been pretty good. Hope they aren't cutting corners to save money or something.

08-02-2006, 10:31 PM	#3
Jason Arthur Starving Letterer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,501	anyone have a scan? You've got me curious now. -- J

08-03-2006, 06:38 AM	#4
omega sentry Hero posing as Civilian Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sin city Posts: 2,928	the lettering style looks great like any other it's the quality that kills it. like I said pixels and fuzz. I can scan but I would have to scan a section where the balloon is and keep it print sized. cause it I reduce it will not be noticeable.

08-04-2006, 11:43 AM	#5
omega sentry Hero posing as Civilian Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sin city Posts: 2,928	Ok here is a sample of a Top Cow VS DC lettering...the Top cow scan kind of looks a bit different from the print but I guess that's how the Imperfections translated in the scan.