Subject:
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LEGO How to Scan/Print Stickers - FAQ
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.faq
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Date:
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Mon, 17 Jan 2000 05:37:45 GMT
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Viewed:
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3515 times
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Scanning LEGO® Stickers FAQ
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In order to further preserve LEGO® and its fine accessories, it would be nice
to compile a database of the stickers often accompanying some sets of LEGO®.
What follows is an FAQ describing how to produce the most flexible and usable
scans from the aforementioned stickers.
Q: What kind of scanner should I use?
A: Naturally, a better quality scanner (and often the most costly) will
produce the best results. A flatbed scanner capable of scanning at a minimum
of six hundred DPI and in millions of colors would be preferable.
%<>%
Q: What settings should I use when scanning?
A: If possible, scan in each of the following settings:
a) sharp millions of colors/sharp color photo,
b) sharp black and white photo, and
c) sharp black and white drawing.
This will allow for a broader spectrum of possibilities in working with the
scanned sticker images.
%<>%
Q: How should the scanned image be saved?
A: Save the scanned image in either of the following formats:
a) .tif, or
b) .png.
Saving in .jpg will produce an image that has lost clarity and workability, and
is therefore highly advised against.
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Q: What size should the scanned image be saved in?
A: Save the scanned image in its original size.
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Q: How do I improve the scanned image?
A: Use of a graphics program such as Adobe Photoshop will allow for
modifications to the scanned image. Color correction is probably the most
important aspect of improving the scanned image, as is deleting rogue pixels.
However, take care because not everyone has their monitor sets up to view
colors and images in the same fashion. The color may appear perfect to you,
but in actuality the graphic file's RGB is not truly reflective of the original
sticker scanned. It would be nice to know the RGB of true LEGO® colors. It is
advised to not color correct too dramatically.
%<>%
Q: How should I submit scanned stickers for archiving?
A: Save each scanned sticker in the above mentioned three settings (if
possible) as a .tif or .png file. Then zip up the images. It is preferable
that no modifications be made to the scanned image in a graphics program unless
the individual is proficient with such corrections.
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Q: How can I best have the scanned stickers printed on similar material
(stickers)?
A: The stickers should be printed with a laser printer capable of printing in
either black and white or color (depending on the stickers and your use for
them).
The stickers can be printed on either a white label sheet or a clear label
sheet. It is imperative these label sheets are for use with laser printers and
not inkjet or inferior qualities not usable by laser printers. Inferior
quality label sheets will cause the laser printing to easily be scraped off,
and therefore be useless for all intents and purposes.
Avery (http://www.avery.com) produces high-quality label sheets in a variety of
colors including the clear labels. Unfortunately, the largest label size Avery
carries in the clear is 3-1/3" x 4-1/8" and is also quite expensive. However,
Avery recently introduced glossy photo quality labels
(http://www.avery.com/shop/select_prod_style.jhtml?prod_type_code=LAADH&catalog
_code=WEB01) in a 2" x 4" size, which is also cheaper by the box than the
aforementioned clear label. Avery also makes 8-1/2" x 11" label sheets, but
these are only available commercially (some print shops may carry these).
Virtually any computer software program (from Adobe PageMaker to Microsoft
Word) will have templates to match all Avery labels, or at least the capacity
to easily match the layout of the label you plan on using to the computer
layout. Once the scanned image is cleaned up to the best of your ability in a
program such as Adobe Photoshop, continue to save the file in .tif format. It
is then a simple matter of placing the desired .tif graphic into your software
program of choice and printing out the label.
Unfortunately, not all of us have high-end color laser printers. Additionally,
many of us do not wish to purchase a box of clear labels for $50 for the sake
of a few labels. If you belong to a LEGO® club, you may wish to share the cost
amongst those interested and divide the box of labels equally.
%
The other option is to have a local print shop print the labels you wish. It
is best to telephone as many print shops as possible to find out which ones
have a high-end color laser printer to suit your needs, and also to obtain the
best price.
Questions to ask are:
a) Do you have a color laser copier capable of printing on clear and white
labels?
b) What size clear and white labels do you carry?
c) Can I bring in my own clear and white label stock?
d) What does it cost to process a .tif graphic for printing? Do not be alarmed
if the cost to print out a .tif graphic is at least $10. This does not include
the actual printing costs, just the layout of taking your .tif file and
importing it into their computer software which will be used with their color
laser printer. This also includes the cost for them to layout the graphic on
the appropriate size laser sheet. You might be able to decrease this price by
giving them a computer file of the precise layout using the same computer
software layout program with their target printer.
e) What does it cost per copy to print out a black and white/color laser copy
on printer/customer supplied label stock? This does not include the
manipulation of a .tif graphic -- this is for the actual printing only.
TIP: If you are going to pay around $15 for the layout and then an additional
$1.50 per page for printing, you may wish to organize with other individuals
who desire such labels, and split the cost of printing multiple pages. For
instance, given the previous price example, for 10 people to acquire one sheet
of labels it would cost $30 total, and consequently $3 each. Much cheaper than
if each person proceeded on their own and paid $16.50.
%
One other option is to make use of a do-it-yourself computer print shop (a
location where you can make use of their computer, printer and in some cases
paper and labels). You may then wish to layout the graphics on your own
computer using the same computer program available at the do-it-yourself
computer print shop (alternately, take in the graphics on a disk and use their
computer layout software program). You can then bring in your own laser labels
or use theirs, if they have what you are looking for. Once again, you may wish
to telephone as many of these shops as possible to find one that will suit your
needs as well as finding the best price.
Questions to ask are:
a) What type of computers do you offer?
b) Do you have a high-end color laser printer?
c) What layout software programs do you offer?
d) Do you have available for customers white and clear label stock (size etc.)?
e) What are your rates per hour and printing per page on your black and
white/color laser printers?
%<>% %<>%
Version 1.0
Any suggestions, additions, and/or modifications are very much welcome and can
be sent to: faq@akasa.bc.ca
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