Maveric777

Recipes 

I was wondering what programs folks like to use around here to create their own labels? I would love to start creating my own labels to slap on a few bottles to give away to friends as "Keep Sake's" if you will.

I do have Gimp, but learning to use it is like trying to learn ancient Hebrew. I keep telling myself it is better to just learn it myself so I wont be dependant on anyone else.... easier to get stuff done that way....lol

I may consider purchasing Photo Shop if it truly is that much easier to use, but don't want to spend all that cash if unnessary.

Thanks for any input....

bull8042

Recipes 

Stick with GIMP. Photoshop is freakin' expensive and the GUI is almost identical. Plus, anything Adobe is bloated nearly beyond control.
GIMP is no harder, but you need to spend a little time with the tutorials to really get a handle on where to start. Once you get the hang of the basics, it is an unbelievably powerful program.

__________________
"I brew with a water cooler and some part from the toilet." - JohnnyO

"I do gravity feed the last gallon or two through my Therminator, but I expect you could suck start a Volkswagen before you could suck start one of these. - GilaMinumBeer

"..... Bull was right." - TXCurtis

GilaMinumBeer

Recipes 

PhotoShop sure is expensive for a "Label" maker.

Just stick with the GIMP and use the cash for something else.

Maveric777

Recipes 

Thanks for the input. Looks like I'll just stick with GIMP.... Once I get that down I will have to pick up ancient Hebrew just for "Shiggles"......lol

uncleozzy

Recipes 

Give Inkscape a try; it's free. For me, as a total non-artist, drawing with vectors is a lot easier, more forgiving, and just makes more sense.

__________________
Primary: Empty
On Deck: Amarillo Blonde, Calico Tail Pale #2
In Bottles: AHS Long Trail Ale Clone; AHS Karankawa Pale Ale; Toasty Amber

Boerderij_Kabouter

Recipes 

I am in the same spot as you. I have used Photoshop for a long time, but no longer have a license and never did anything artsy with it anyway. The combination of GIMP and Inkscape seems to be the best option. The tutorials really help a lot. Then ask questions here...

Good luck!

__________________
2P-Twent-E Simple Brew DITCHES 1 DITCHES 2 Fermentolagertaporator side-by-side ferm Twelve Hopostles Labels

Maveric777

Recipes 

Cool! Never heard of Incscape before. Thanks for the heads up on it. learn something new every day.....

scottfro

Recipes 

i use adobe illustrator. you could try inkscape as its the free alternative

i like doing stuff in vector art as it can be scaled up really big without loosing quality (so long as any photos used are high resolution)

__________________
Primary:

Secondary:

Bottled:
#30 Chocolate Porter
#27 Smoked Ale
#26 Hard Apple Cider (Champagne Yeast)
#25 Big Als' Blackberry Brew 2008
#15 Hard Apple Cyser

Kegged:
#31 Field Hand Hefeweizen

http://www.deterrabrewing.com/forum <-- Vancouver Homebrewing Network

Edcculus

Recipes 

For making labels, you should really be using Illustrator or freeware alternative. I guess Photoshop or free alternative is fine if you are just putting text on a picture. If you want to use vector graphics, it will look much better with Illustrator.

MrNate

Recipes 

Lots of people say that, but I've never seen the proof. A vector is a vector is a vector. Given the choice between the two, I'd take photoshop every time.