Here are 2 of my covers. Need your opinion, would like help

[Einhander]

I think I have been struggling a little bit with my covers. I think that my red is not strong enough. I'm not sure if it's supposed to look this way on InkJet or if the retail version will always be so much stronger. But the ink was bought at Office Depot, I put an image of the printer label up. I have the one they said to get at Office Depot.

The other thing is getting the sizes right. I used a MacBookPro and almost all of the programs such as PowerPoint ask for a lot of money, so is there any free one I can use?

Click here for a Mario Retail Comparison
Click here for PS2 Retail Comparison
Here is the label of my printer http://alturl.com/d476y

I think my Mario cover is bleeding in red a little. what do you think? Would it look better if I got the sizes right? Should I just settle for what it is or do you think it should be better?

[sheep2001]

The colors seem washed out. What paper are you using?

[Mel]

I think that your covers may be lighter due to the type of paper that you are using to print your cover on. I am sure another person on this form can provide you with more information on how to get the best results with printing your own covers.

[Einhander]

The colors seem washed out. What paper are you using?

Paper from Office Depot. ''Premium Multipurpose Bright White Color.'' The guy at Office Depot said it's a very good ream quality.

Also have you heard of NESCOMPLEX? He's big on the Cover Project

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a40Wts21Ucs

His NES games seem to look pretty good. He says he uses the cheapest ream of paper and that print quality isn't even that important.

If you guys can help me, I would really appreciate it. My first batch of covers was not great, I did them for my shelf, but I'm willing to try again, but it has to be done correctly.

[Seraph Man]

Paper from Office Depot. ''Premium Multipurpose Bright White Color.'' The guy at Office Depot said it's a very good ream quality.

Also have you heard of NESCOMPLEX? He's big on the Cover Project

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a40Wts21Ucs

His NES games seem to look pretty good. He says he uses the cheapest ream of paper and that print quality isn't even that important.

If you guys can help me, I would really appreciate it. My first batch of covers was not great, I did them for my shelf, but I'm willing to try again, but it has to be done correctly.

His print quality undoubtedly varies. That Contra cover looks washed out to me.

To get around the washed out look, I will adjust the red on the covers, so they're brighter, since reds and blacks stand out the most when colors are washed out. Either that or get better quality paper, which I know can be difficult, since legal sized glossy paper is hard to come by (read: impossible).

[Einhander]

Paper from Office Depot. ''Premium Multipurpose Bright White Color.'' The guy at Office Depot said it's a very good ream quality.

Also have you heard of NESCOMPLEX? He's big on the Cover Project

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a40Wts21Ucs

His NES games seem to look pretty good. He says he uses the cheapest ream of paper and that print quality isn't even that important.

If you guys can help me, I would really appreciate it. My first batch of covers was not great, I did them for my shelf, but I'm willing to try again, but it has to be done correctly.

His print quality undoubtedly varies. That Contra cover looks washed out to me.

To get around the washed out look, I will adjust the red on the covers, so they're brighter, since reds and blacks stand out the most when colors are washed out. Either that or get better quality paper, which I know can be difficult, since legal sized glossy paper is hard to come by (read: impossible).

What do you mean by adjust the red?

[Arseen]

Legal sized glossy paper is hard to come by (read: impossible).

Order A4 from Europe:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/HP-Everyday-Photo-paper-Glossy/dp/B00014SKOI

This is 100 sheets pack.

[Arseen]

What do you mean by adjust the red?

I think he opens it in Photoshop and boosts the red level.
Can also be done in freeware program called Paint.net

[FritzWhite]

I think you already posted a topic about this regarding cheap ink. You need to get quality paper like Arseen is recommending. Get the kind Arseen recommends or Wiggy recommends here: http://www.adorama.com/IESS041605.html

My covers look washed out and shitty like yours because I used that multipurpose paper too. You need good paper. Adjusting color levels might help, but paper will make a huge difference.

Also, use OEM ink instead of the cheaper alternative.

[Einhander]

Well I use the ink that you have to use that they sell at Office Depot. Another question: how much better would it be if we turned print quality higher instead of normal? Because NEScomplex says the paper doesn't matter much.

[Mel]

I think a good example that compares the different type that the paper used can make Is the picture that TDiRunner had where he compared the normal paper to photo paper.

Some of you might want to hit me for waiting this long, but I finally bought some good quality paper.  The difference really is amazing.  I'll probably replace all of my covers eventually, but I'm not in a big rush.  I'm mostly concerned with using the better quality stuff going forward.

Red River 50 lb. Premium Matte Double Sided 8.5x11



The new stuff is on the right (just in case you couldn't tell )


The difference in person is about a thousand times better than what the pictures are showing (and I think the pictures show a lot).

[Einhander]

I think a good example that compares the different type that the paper used can make Is the picture that TDiRunner had where he compared the normal paper to photo paper.

Some of you might want to hit me for waiting this long, but I finally bought some good quality paper.  The difference really is amazing.  I'll probably replace all of my covers eventually, but I'm not in a big rush.  I'm mostly concerned with using the better quality stuff going forward.

Red River 50 lb. Premium Matte Double Sided 8.5x11



The new stuff is on the right (just in case you couldn't tell )


The difference in person is about a thousand times better than what the pictures are showing (and I think the pictures show a lot).

That is a lot. Big difference. Does Staples sell them? Which paper do you use?

[Arseen]

Well I use the ink that you have to use that they sell at Office Depot. Another question: how much better would it be if we turned print quality higher instead of normal? Because NEScomplex says the paper doesn't matter much.

From further away no diffrence, but when you have the case in hand you definitely notice the difference.

I think this picture shows the difference pretty well

[e_brugal]

defenitly paper makes a huge diference, i have try both paper for some ps2 games

[TDIRunner]

Glad to see that my paper quality comparison pictures were helpful.  I would have posted those myself, but it was deer season.  Got a nice break from the real world for a few days (including the internet), but it's also nice to be back.