Fuzzy text?

[lsk22]

I'm not sure if I should post this here, or in the step it up category, so I'll start here. I've uploaded my first page to the gallery and was hoping for some guidance as to how to make the text more clear. It seems fuzzy to me. Maybe because I angled it? Is it because it's white on a red background?

I've made a couple of pages similar to this, usually with white text on a black background because I'm trying to keep some continuity, and also because I have some elements with black/white mats. With this page, I took the red from the color of the shirt and used it to make the background box.

This book is probably going to be more of a photobook than a scrapbook because I have lots of photos, and unfortunately, I'm just not very creative.

Here's the link: http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=248350&ppuser=117340


Thanks for your suggestions!

[Abby]

The text doesn't look particularly fuzzy at this resolution, but no doubt shows more full sized .. I noticed there's quite a heavy drop shadow on your text, perhaps that's the problem - you could make it quite a bit less shadowed and see if that helps with the fuzziness.

[Amber Gray]

Like Abby it doesn't seem too fuzzy to me either. I'd take her suggestion on may reducing the drop shadow to see if it helps. :)

[dmrdm]

It's hard to tell when one has to post with such a low resolution. I'd play with the drop shadow (size/distance/etc)...and does your font toolbar/palette have the option to change the anti-aliasing method to none, sharp, crisp, strong, smooth? Could try that. Also, if you're not using FAUX BOLD you might want to give that at try. Not sure of what program you are using....if you didn't rasterize the text, maybe that would help. Sometimes, one just has to play around with everything to see what looks the best.

Have fun learning and playing...you're off to a great start!

[lsk22]

Thanks for your replies. I took the drop shadow off and sent a print to Costco. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to pick it up today, so I'll post back when I see how it really looks in print. :-) I couldn't decide between glossy and lustre, so I chose glossy. I may print another in lustre, just so I can compare the two for future use. :)

[Abby]

Good for you - look forward to hearing how you like it - they look awesome in print!!

[crouch79]

Everyone gave good advice, I haven't seen very many examples (other than alphas or wordart such as chipboard) of text with drop shadows. So you might want to continue to leave a drop shadow off the texts of your layout in the future, this will make it look more natural. Also as to not being very creative, don't sell yourself short. Everyone can be creative. If you find yourself having trouble making your layout, try the sketch gallery or scraplift a layout you see in the other galleries (just give credit) its the sincerest form of scrapbooking flatery. If you want to know how to do something, just post a thread in the forums, people at DSP are very friendly and willing to help. Its probably the main reason I shop and visit here more than any other scrapbook site (DSP is my homepage). I am sure we will enjoy seeing your future creations. Try out for NKOTB next time. You will learn a lot.

[Emma]

make sure on your text tool options bar that you have Anti-Alias checked, and if you have the options to use an anti-alias setting like Crisp or smooth

I never drop shadow text that isn't supposed to be raised, like stickers, die cuts, cut outs, etc. For text that mimics hand-written or printer-printed text, no shadow.

[cats4jan]

Drop shadows on text don't work all that well for me. I usually use bevel if I want to add interest to my text.

[lsk22]

Well, I finally got to Costco to pick up my first print. It turned out fine...the text was very readable. After looking at the comparisons of glossy and lustre, I'll probably print the book in 8x8 form for my son with lustre, so he can put his fingerprints all over it. ;-) Thanks to all of you for your advice.