The examples shown were printed out on premium photo gloss.
I have over the past year changed my cards on a regular basis having now got into the use of a computer, something I knew little or nothing about a couple of years ago.
The equipment used is as follows:-
- Computer Hewlett Packard Pavilion with a 17" monitor.
- Scanner Primax Colorado Direct 9600
- Printer Epson Stylus Color 880
- Agfa E-Photo 1290 - 2 Megapixel
- Sony Cybershot - 3 Megapixel
With both cameras always on hand taking shots of things of interest or anything which may be used for cards from the local area ensures no opportunity is lost.
I download both cameras, and from the results of what has been taken retain or ditch. (Retained in Album.) On this computer I use AGFA Photowise v.1.5.2 Photo Genie where the actual photo's retained can be named and placed into an album.
Having selected the photo I require for a QSL card (as with the Swans) I enlarge to 50%, brighten and crop as required. I do not adjust the photo in any other way, not being a professional as to what is required from the Image Corrections box, i.e color, hue/saturation etc. Having brightened the shot and having cropped out the bits not required I then place it onto the clipboard. For the printing:-
Here I use Sierra Print Artist. Leaving Agfa Photowise on the screen I now go to Start and bring onto screen Sierra Print Artist. Using a new card click onto signs and then click onto New. From the New box click onto Templates and then solo tall or wideo and click OK.
Having now a new blank card on screen, click on edit on the task bar then click Paste. You are now asked what you wish to paste, in this case click Bitmap, in the next box give it a name and click OK - you will now find your photo placed onto the card, move to where required and then continue with Sierra print artist to build up the card FE Call Sign, RSARS number, e-mail address, home address etc. - this can be done by clicking onto the Insert box on the task bar and then clicking onto Text. In the New box type what is required, click OK, size and dragging to where you want it on the card. To change the font click Font and choose the one you want. For colour click Colour, and for anything but a plain callsign click onto Effect and then click Customise to choose your requirent.
Now for such things as the "Jimmy", take it from a printout from the Royal Signals website as shown on my card, for best results print onto photo paper as this will give better results when you scan it.
Here I use the Prima, 9600 for this sort of task, having printed your Jimmy onto photo paper place it into the scanner, now go to Photowise again, click File and then click Acquire. Click in the two new boxes that come up OK and wait. In the new screen that pops up "POWER TWAIN" click Scan and wait for Jimmy to appear on the screen. You are now asked to auto locate, adjust to your own requirement within the frame, the next move is to finish.
In the new set of instructions click "start scanning" this will now place the Jimmy onto Photowise and again click onto the thumb nail image and drag to a clear part of the box, holding down the mouse button. Increase to 50%, cut and crop to how you want it and place onto the clip board. Now go back into Print Artist and paste it onto the card again by clicking Bitmap and then giving it a name. When on the card, size and place where required. This same procedure can be used for obtaining RNRAS,FISTS,RSGB logos etc. Printing: With Epson stylus 880, having got the card as you want it, click File, click Print set up and in the box that appears click landscape /or /portrait depending how the card is laid out, open the size box and click onto index card A6, then click options, here click plain paper for most lightweight card, as this gives better colour results and then click photo enhanced. Next move click print and the card is yours. I could go into greater detail but it would be too long winded stage by stage. The above is just the general principal I use here and find it works as can be seen from the cards displayed. I hope it is of some use.