Artwork is available online and offline in various different extensions. Different file types vary in their usefulness and in their weaknesses. So how do you know which one to use?
The main file types are TIFF, JPEG, GIF, WMF, and PNG. With these, the two main questions you want to ask yourself is: Is the newsletter a print or online publication? and Will I need to resize the graphic?
JPEG is the most common for photos and illustrations. It is flexible and works well in both print and on websites. It can lose some of its quality though over time if it's being saved and moved often.
GIF doesn't reproduce well in print and is intended only for use on the Web. It is better on websites than JPEG because it's designed to speed up the display time on the computer.
TIFF is compatible with most computer software. But some artwork can make the file size large and cumbersome. This can slow down printing. Also, this type is unsuitable for website use.
WMF files work the best when the graphics need resizing, but they can only be used on PCs. Some art styles won't work as WMF files though.
PNG was created to replace the GIF and, to some extent, the TIFF. It may not work as well as the GIF, however, for animations, but there was another partner version created to be like the PNG, but suitable for animations, called the MNG.
Still, you'll find many suppliers offering GIF extensions and not catching on to the MNG extension yet.
If you're using a true color graphic, such as a photograph, the JPEG is still the best choice over a PNG. And sometimes the TIFF beats out the PNG and JPEG when it comes to using black-and-white images for print.
Most pictures taken by digital cameras are automatically saved in JPEG format and are easy to use. Often the software with the digital camera will include a photo editor. This allows you to make simple adjustments, such as cropping your pictures and resizing them.
If you wish to make more adjustments, such as changing the colors of items within the picture and some advanced effects to the picture itself, I suggest looking at photoshop. It's easy to find at many stores and usually a hundred dollars and less. This would make an ideal donation item for a member of the congregation if you need the software for the church office.
I also suggest having a scanner in the church office. Sometimes, people will hand you pictures of interest that can go into your church publications. By scanning the picture in and saving it in the format you wish to use, you have more options.
To find graphics on the internet, google such terms as "free church clipart", "free clipart", "free church graphics", and "stock photography". Stock photography sites carry photographs from many categories. Most charge a small fee for downloading photos, but there are some who have free photos.
Also, check out church graphic supplies, like NewsletterNewsletter.com. Their membership is around $100 a year, but they have a vast array of clipart and pictures available. I love their searchable database too.
Diana Cacy Hawkins works as The Digital Church Secretary, creating guides for churches and church members and volunteers. The Stewardship Growth Program can be found at http://www.stewardshipgrowthprogram.com ©2008 Diana Cacy Hawkins
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
Best Spyware Software - Why Selecting The Best Spyware Software Can Be Difficult
By: Christopher Stigson | 08/11/2009Looking for the best spyware software? Well, let me tell you it's not easy choosing when there are so many out there! Trust me, you can go through a couple before you find one that suits your needs.
Interactive learning for students with the classroom response system
By: Jhoana Cooper | 08/11/2009It takes a great deal of skill to be successful as a teacher. Not every student will have the same level of absorption as others and when it is your duty to make sure that they understand the necessary curriculum, you will need to make sure that you are presenting the information in a way that your students will be able to thoroughly comprehend. A classroom response system could be a much more effective tool than the usual tests, helping you to evaluate how well your students absorb all of the i
Take Interactivity to the Next Level with the Audience Response System
By: Jhoana Cooper | 08/11/2009PowerCom provides a unique and powerful Audience Response System that is designed to be used with Microsoft PowerPoint presentation software. With this unique system, you can place interactive polls into your presentations; audience members can use an Audience Response Keypad to instantly cast their votes at special events and conventions. The results of these polls will instantly appear with the help of the PowerPoint presentation software.
So You Want To Be A Video Gaming Software Engineer Designer ?
By: Kirk W. Nobbe | 08/11/2009It can be best summarized and stated that many in the computerized high tech gaming field think that writing those video games software and software routines might well be their "dream job". Peachy keen. After all they well consider themselves video gaming aficionados. "After all I've got 10 Zillion points...
About Kofax Capture
By: Lorraine Vybihal | 08/11/2009Kofax Capture is a program that will take the productivity of your scanner to the next level. For over 20 years, this company has delivered top of the line application software and OEM/POS software around the world. For businesses, Kofax Capture is an essential tool that will: Capture important documents in...
How to Register a Domain Name and Upload a Website
By: Demetria Zinga, M.S. | 07/11/2009Many companies offer domain name registration, and if you're a newbie web builder it can become a bit confusing. There are many domain name registrants out there, and you want to make sure that you choose a reputable company. Most of the time, you're going to be okay choosing almost...
Free Games Online
By: Jhoana Cooper | 07/11/2009There are several hundreds of websites on the Net which provide free online games by the thousands for little children. A lot of us are inclined to believe that these free games such as arcade games which are full of violence and adventure are inappropriate especially for little children. But free games are not just restricted to this kind but come in a wide variety of choices and you can find games to suit children of various ages, whether they are toddlers or preschoolers, school going kids o
Stop Feeling Guilty, Parents: Video Games Have Benefits
By: Allison Clarke | 07/11/2009Do not be surprised. It's true. Video games can be good for kids. A study from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, researchers discovered that playing active video games can work as well as doing moderate exercises. In "Good Games, Good Learning," University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor James Gee writes, "Good...
How To Choose And Use Church Office Guides
By: Diana Cacy Hawkins | 18/02/2009 | ChristianityA quick overview to selecting and using a church office guide.
Creating A Pdf Copy Of Your Church Newsletter
By: Diana Cacy Hawkins | 05/08/2008 | ComputersA PDF copy of your church newsletter is convenient for emailing your newsletter to your church's members. PDF's are easy for anyone to open - no more error messages or random characters when trying to open your file on a different machine. And the recipient sees your newsletter as you...